WINONA LAKE - It's that time of year when the Village at Winona turns into a cyclist's paradise.
The seventh annual Northern Indiana Fat & Skinny Tire Festival is this weekend, featuring a circuit road race, a mountain bike race through the Greenway Trails, a BMX stunt show and many others events.When Alan Alderfer helped get the festival started seven years ago, it was done in order to give local cyclists an opportunity to race without having to travel.
"Originally, we'd have to drive four to five hours to go to a good bike race," Alderfer said. "So, we decided to put on a race of our own, and had over 5,000 people - cyclists and spectators - in town last year."
Alderfer estimates that less than 1,000 were on hand for the inaugural festival, but with the village hosting vendors and live music, the numbers have grown drastically.
And with thousands of people visiting Winona, the merchants have been pleased.
"They're pretty happy with us," Alderfer said.
While there are plenty of other activities to check out, it's the bike races that are the main attraction.
The DINO Series Stop #1 Racing is the first to begin Saturday at noon on the Greenway Trails in Winona. The racing runs until 3 p.m., with registration beginning at 10 a.m.
While the mountain biking is going on, a circuit road race begins at the Pleasant Grove United Methodist Chuch at 1 p.m.
The final race of the weekend begins at 9 a.m. Sunday, when the Village at Winona Road Criteriums take place around the island until 3 p.m.
According to Alderfer, the race around the island attracts the most spectators, if for nothing else, because it's the easiest to get a seat for.
"The loop is a half mile, so you see the riders about each minute," he said.
The mountain bike races may be a little more difficult to get a good seat for, but fans still come out to cheer on their friends.
"It's entertaining," Alderfer said. "That's what races are supposed to be."
And because cyclists will reach 30 to 40 miles per hour while racing around the loop, residents on East Canal, Administration Boulevard and the west tip of Esplanade won't be allowed to park off street during the race. According to a letter sent to island residents, "No traffic, except for emergencies, will be allowed on or off the island except for the five to 10 minutes between races."
On top of helping to organize the festival, Alderfer also manages a team in the race, Alderfer Bergen & Company Cycling.
"The goal of the cyclists on the team to become pro," he said.
The team features eight guys on its road team, two on its mountain team and seven on the women's team.
Alderfer says the men's squad is comprised mainly of younger riders, looking to move on to the pro ranks, which is what three did off of last year's team.
"The men's team is comprised mainly of younger guys, those in college or just out of school," Alderfer said. "We're kind of their link in-between college and the pros."
Among his cyclists this year are local products Matt Light (mountain bike) and Chad Salla (mountain bike), as well as Baxter Burnworth (road).
The men's team may be vying for a shot at the next level, but Alderfer says his women's team is practically already a team of pros.
"It virtually is a pro team," he said. "We have the best of the best in the midwest."
When he speaks about his best, Alderfer is referring to Bri Kovac.
"She could ride on any team in the country," he said. "She is one of the best in the world."
While racing at Indiana University, Kovac won the national championship in the Individual Pursuit and the Team Sprint (with Pam Loebig) in 2006.
However, because women cyclists don't necessarily get paid all that much, Kovac races recreationally, opting instead to be an Indianapolis lawyer.
Along with his elite teams, Alderfer also has a club team of 25 to 30 riders, including local Matt Johnson.
No matter whether a team is elite or not, there will be plenty in Winona this weekend, and many more fans.
"Our goal is to have a good environment," Alderfer said.
A complete schedule and more information on the festival can be found at fatandskinnytirefest.com
