Each year cyclists all over the U.S. dust off their helmets and ditch their car from May 1 – 31st for National Bike Month. Promoted by the League of American Bicyclists, National Bike Month dates back to 1956 and is a perfect opportunity to showcase the benefits of bicycling - all while encouraging new riders to join in.

Saris Cycling Group owner, Chris Fortune, joins in on the fun each year too!

May is one of the favorite months for our employees, hands down. Encouraged by double points all month, The Hub shows off all the trips made to the office and back again, while daily commuters work to encourage new commuters to join the club. Oh, and then there's brats. Like a lot of brats. Like an entire festival dedicated to brats. It doesn't get much better than that.

Here's what we're doing this May to make the best of this awesome month:

1st Time Commuter Challenge

We hope to grow our commuting community each and every May. This year first time commuters will be entered into a drawing for two tickets to the Madison Mallards Duck Blind Club private seats with all expenses paid food and drinks.

100 Miles in May Challenge

Riders who scan 100 miles or more in The Hub during May will have the opportunity to choose from themed packages, such as:

• Technology Lover Package - $30 Best Buy gift card + $20 iTunes gift card
• Pet Lover Package – Free day of doggie daycare + free reading with a dog whisperer
• Food Lover Package – $50 gift card to restaurant of choice

May Madness

We're teaming up high-mileage commuters with newbies for a Bike Month spin on the ever-popular March Madness bracket format. Over the weeks of May teams will be bumped out with one partnership claiming victory. Teams will be competing for the grand prize of a one-night stay in the Governor's Club at the Concourse Hotel with a luxury suite, free top-shelf cocktails, hors d'oeuvres and desserts in the private lounge.

#LONGFORTHERIDE

As our employees continue to share their awesome ride photos, we hope you'll join us in the #LongForTheRide movement this May! Simply send us your best cycling stories and photos.

Bratfest

Our love for brats is no secret around here. Every year employees are excused from work at noon and everyone rides to Bratfest together through the beautiful Madison Arboretum. Once there we eat brats, drink beer, enjoy some corn on the cob and a few carnival rides with our families.

On top of all this, there will also be random prizes throughout the month for commuters in addition to Friday brat rides to our local bratwurst provider, breakfast at Mickies Dairy Bar (a Madison institution) and a visit from a favorite food cart, Slide.

We hope your local bike organization has a ton of events for you to join! Even if they don't, it's the perfect month to get back in the saddle and bike your drive. Grab a friend while you're at it – they'll certainly thank you later.