1 of 18
Photo courtesy of Ashland Bike Gardens
2 of 18
Photo courtesy of Ashland Bike Gardens
3 of 18
Photo courtesy of Ashland Bike Gardens
4 of 18
Photo courtesy of Ashland Bike Gardens
5 of 18
Photo courtesy of Ashland Bike Gardens
6 of 18
Photo courtesy of Ashland Bike Gardens
7 of 18
Photo courtesy of Ashland Bike Gardens
8 of 18
Photo courtesy of Ashland Bike Gardens
9 of 18
Photo courtesy of Ashland Bike Gardens
10 of 18
Photo courtesy of Ashland Bike Gardens
11 of 18
Photo courtesy of Ashland Bike Gardens
12 of 18
Photo courtesy of Ashland Bike Gardens
13 of 18
Photo courtesy of Ashland Bike Gardens
14 of 18
Photo courtesy of Ashland Bike Gardens
15 of 18
Photo courtesy of Ashland Bike Gardens
16 of 18
Photo courtesy of Ashland Bike Gardens
17 of 18
Photo courtesy of Ashland Bike Gardens
18 of 18
Photo courtesy of Ashland Bike Gardens
Bike gardens are growing in the “Center of the Universe.”
The town of Ashland’s Main Street Association came up with the community-centered idea of creating bike gardens all over town in support of the UCI Road World Championships, which will include one event that will wind its way through Hanover County.
“We have put “bike gardens” all over Ashland,” says Main Street Association board member Carolyn Peart. “Even on the rooftops!”
The Ashland Bike Gardens Facebook page features photos of the beautiful mini gardens with bright bikes and lush flowers. Many of the bike gardens were created by board member Nancy Cozart. Originally, she created five bike gardens; they may be seen at the Ashland Library, Ashland Town Hall (Treasurer's Office), Gallery Flux Annex, the Ashland Theater and the Ashland Hanover Visitor Center.
Hanover County will play host to portions of the Men’s Elite Road Race on Sept. 23, according to the county website, which says, “the 32.9-mile race will begin at 1 p.m. and end at approximately 3:30 p.m. with most of course traversing through Hanover.” The course runs near Ashland, up U.S. 301 through the county.
Ashland boosters were looking for ways to show their support for the cyclists and draw UCI Championships fans into the town’s orbit.
“The board ‘brainstormed’ over how we [could] leverage off the UCI Bike Race … to bring folks into Ashland,” says Peart. “The bike gardens were born. It has taken off like wildfire.”
Ashland residents and businesses have taken up the bike garden cause, creating their own gardens or displaying one of the many created by local artist Tommy Thomasson in their yards. Businesses aren’t missing out on the fun, either; in total, 29 Ashland businesses will display the bike gardens throughout September. There’s still time for business owners to get in on the action: sign up to host a bike garden at your Ashland business here.
In addition to the bike gardens, bike-themed movies will be shown the week of Sept. 20 at the Ashland Theater, 205 England St. Hanover County Public Schools will be closed on Wednesday, Sept. 23, for time trials, so that day’s movies “specifically target children,” says Peart.
The town will also hold an Ashland Bike Gardens Scavenger Hunt, with clues and a map of the bike gardens printed on cards which will be found in the town’s Visitor Center by month’s end.
And to properly welcome the races, the town will hold “The World is Coming to the Center of the Universe,” an opening night street party, on Sept. 19 from 6:30 to 11 p.m. It’s going down at Street Party Stadium, 201 S. Railroad Ave. Tickets are $10 in advance and $20 at the door. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit http://ashlandstreetparties.com/.
"Ashland is excited to be a part of the bike enthusiasm," says Peart.
To learn more about Ashland Bike Gardens, visit the Main Street Association's website.
