NPR’s First Neighborhood Bike Ride Hosted by Sip Wine Bar Exceeds Expectations
NEW PORT RICHEY, FL (July 12, 2018) – The month of July was declared “Independent Retailer Month” by Mayor Rob Marlowe and downtown businesses have eagerly accepted the challenge by creating a host of activities scheduled throughout the month. The most notable being a neighborhood bike ride hosted and sponsored by Sip Wine Bar, and aided by local businesses Astro Cycle and CPR-STAT. “Ride Our New Port Richey” took place on Sunday, July 1 at Sip (6231 Grand Boulevard) with a surprising 102 riders and 175 in attendance, drawing visitors from Ocala, Kissimmee, Tampa, Sarasota, Largo, and St. Petersburg. Even a large downpour couldn’t dampen the mood. Riders stopped at the hydration station on Circle Boulevard and waited out the brief shower, some even dancing in the rain. “I’m not sure if there is anything more fulfilling as a business owner, than to bring people together that have a common interest, in this case cycling, with the simple goal of enjoying a day together,” says Sip proprietor, Lisa Bolster. “Mountain bikes, street bikes, recumbent bikes, cruisers… even a penny farthing! And everyone from near and far, all ages, all backgrounds, all abilities, just thrilled to be around one another for the day. We will do this again and again!”
Over the past few years there has been a marked increase in bicycle riders in downtown New Port Richey including a segment of “old school” cruiser bikes, many with unique customizations. The local bike group ‘The Skid Marks’ was actually the brain-child of several regular customers who would ride their cruisers to Sip from the surrounding neighborhoods. Eventually the proprietors of Sip got into the action with their own customized cruisers and helped form the bike club. Other bike clubs who attended the Ride Our New Port Richey event included Gulf Kruisers of West Florida, and Rat Riders Bicycle Club.
Ride Our New Port Richey was a nod to this rising bike culture and meant to highlight the sense of community and easy bikeability of downtown NPR. Because the riders enjoyed the activity so much, Sip is planning the next Ride Our New Port Richey event to take place in September in conjunction with several other events and activities taking place during a downtown-wide promotional weekend.
Sip is located at 6231 Grand Boulevard and is open for business Wednesday-Thursday, 5:00 pm to 10:00 pm, Friday-Saturday, 5:00 pm to 12:00 am. For more information please visit: https://www.facebook.com/pg/Sipitrealgood or http://sipitgood.wixsite.com/sipit .
For more information on other Independent Retailer Month activities taking place during July, please visit .www.facebook.com/rocktheboatproductions for a schedule of events and links to participating businesses.
For more information about Independent Retailer Month, please visit, www.indieretailermonth.com and for more information on the benefits of shopping local, please visit www.amiba.net.