DRAFT Magazine

Who needs milk and cookies when you have beer and bikes?

Oh, you better not cry. I’m telling you why.

This year 200-250 cyclists dressed as Santa stormed Milwaukee for the annual two-wheeled bar crawl known as the Santa Cycle Rampage.

Greg Smith of Schlick Cycles gives his account of the rampage.

BR: How far did you bike?

Greg Smith: My ride for the day was 18.75 miles, the actual route was approximately 13 miles the extra being travel back because the route did not end at the starting place. Other riders put in upwards of 30 miles. And while we were milling about at the post-ride party we met up with 3 guys who rode in from Chicago putting about 90 miles on that day!

Beer Runner: What bars did you go to?

GS: The 2009 edition of the Santa Cycle Rampage visited Cafe Hollander on Milwaukee’s Eastside, Lakefront Brewery along the Milwaukee River, Rehorst Distillery in the 5th Ward, Kochanski’s Concertina Bar where a live Polka Band and free food and the post-ride party at Cafe Centraal in Bay View.

There were also pre-ride meetups at Fuel Cafe in Riverwest, the ‘Tosa Cafe Hollander and Anodyne Coffee in Bay View where riders met to travel together to start at the Downer Ave Cafe Hollander. I know the Bike Federation of Wisconsin was a major sponsor. I don’t know all the others but South Shore Cyclery and Ben’s Cycle both gave raffle prizes.

BR: What were the highlights for you?

GS: Highlights from the event for me were the camaraderie of 250 Santa Cyclists. I started out with a core group of friends but found myself riding with other groups most of the day meeting people and making friends along the way. More highlights included free Fat Tire beer, the excellent weather that had us biking in sunny 35 degree conditions most of the day, the Polka Band at Kochanski’s, more beer, the raffle and the Police escort!

Santa loves to polka!

There was excellent beer to be had at each venue with some favorites including, Fat Tire, Riverwest Stein, Fat Squirrel, Wheat Monkey, Zywiec (Polish) as well as some great Vodkas at Rehorst and even a tasting of Absinthe at the distillery.

BR: What did you hear others say about all the Santas?

GS: There was a tremendous outpouring of goodwill toward the Santas. Hundreds if not thousands of people shouted, cheered, whistled, followed, photographed and, in general, made the ride extra special. Being 250-plus strong the Santa procession often stretched over a city block. Motorists were, for the most part very courteous and allowed the procession to hold together. We did, on occasion split at a particularly busy intersection but usually caught up to the group and arrived at our destinations intact as a group. At the Rehorst Distillery stop we picked up a Police escort.

The pair of officers in the squad were just awesome! They looked out for the group, herded it together when it began to stretch out and blocked intersections, errant motorists and random ill-willers so that we could travel safely and as a group. They broadcast our Santa Radio station on their PA, cajoled and rankled with us at stops and, even though they were not drinking, joined us at the post-ride party. Goodwill from the cops was the unexpected pleasure of the ride!

BR: Will you do this next year?

GS: Absolutely! This was one of the biking event highlights of the year!