Gears and Guitars is back in 2023 for its tenth year! One of the country’s most prestigious cycling events is combined with live music for a weekend of exciting racing, local riding and FREE live music from big name bands.
It all gets started on Friday evening, August 4th in Winston-Salem, NC with Streets of Fire, presented by Audi Winston-Salem. Gears & Guitars will be heating up the town’s restaurant row along 4th Street with dragrace-style bike races alongside live music from iconic 90’s bands Cracker (“Low”, “Teen Angst”) and Nine Days (“Absolutely: Story of a Girl”). It’s a great evening to drink, dine and catch a unique sporting event while you jam to some great live music.
“Streets of fire is one of the most unique cycling events in the country”, said Michelle Soyars, Marketing Director. “It really sets the tone for a fun weekend. People love having dinner and drinks on the sidewalk alongside the races, then strolling over to watch the bands. We love showing off our city this way.”
Saturday, August 5th sees the return of a slate of Gears and Guitars Fondo Community rides presented by Flow Automotive, departing that morning from Bailey Park in downtown Winston-Salem. This year there are two road distances (68 miles and 42 miles, both through beautiful and lightly traveled two-lane roads), and two greenway/gravel distances (a 15-miler and a 7-miler out to Salem Lake). There’s something for the whole family, so make sure to bring everyone’s bike.
Return back on Saturday in time to watch some of the country’s most exciting amateur and professional criterium bike racing around Bailey Park. The day’s racing will cap off with the famed Winston-Salem Cycling Classic races on the city’s challenging paperclip course.
“We have a reputation for creating a great atmosphere for spectators and a very competitive environment for racers”, said Ray Boden, the event’s Chief Operating Officer. “We have professional cyclists come from all over the world for this event, and amateurs from ages 10-100 get to race earlier in the day. It’s a great atmosphere and fun to watch as well as participate in.”
Plan to stick around Saturday for more free live music featuring classic rock from Dishwalla (“Tell Me All Your Thoughts on God”), and Grammy-Award-Winners Soul Asylum (“Runaway Train”, “Somebody to Shove”, “Black Gold”) as the sun sets. There will be food trucks and beer/beverages available for sale within Bailey Park throughout the day.
Finally on Sunday, August 6th the event will wind down with a local music afterparty in the Coal Pit alongside our friends at Incendiary Brewing.
“We have people come and spend the whole weekend here for this event. While they’re here people can also experience Old Salem, the Reynolda House and Tanglewood Park. If you’ve never been to Winston-Salem, this is the weekend to come check it out”, said Soyars. “And wine fans will fine the Yadkin Valley AVA just a 30 minute drive away, home to more than 50 different local wineries.” A more complete listing of things to do in the area is available on the event’s website.
They don’t call it the biggest party on two wheels for nothing! Come spend the weekend and ride, race and rock and roll. Bring the whole family and the whole team! More information and register to ride or race at http://www.winstonsalemcycling.com.
Cover Photo: Credit Nick Dross
