Events

Gear up for the 12th annual Gears & Guitars Festival

The cycling event is jam-packed with races, free concerts, and fun activities.

May 13, 2025 • 
Kellina Wanteu, Cambridge Wrege
People on bikes turning a curve. They have on helmets and sunglasses.

The competition is fierce.

Photo courtesy of Gears & Guitars

The “biggest party on two wheels” — the Gears & Guitars Festival — is returning to the Twin City Friday, May 23, and Saturday, May 24.

The two-day event will feature professional + amateur cycling and community bike rides, as well as free outdoor concerts.

Friday, May 23

Cycling:

  • Streets of Fire | 7-9 p.m. | This crowd favorite features high-speed bicycle sprints down 4th Street — register to take part in the action.

Concerts:

Hop over to Merschel Park Plaza by Kaleideum for soothing sounds as you unwind.

  • Hold Tone | 5:30 p.m. | Pop/rock
  • Shake It Like a Caveman | 6:30 p.m. | Rock
  • Mipso | 7:30 p.m. | Folk/rock, indie-Americana
  • Old 97’s | 9 p.m. | Alternative country
Overhead shot of three people on bikes on a road. People stand behind banners that line the sidewalks.

The races give riders spectacular views of downtown.

Photo by Weldon Weaver via Gears & Guitars

Saturday, May 24

The entire day will happen in and around Bailey Park (445 Patterson Ave.) in Innovation Quarter.

Cycling:

  • 68-mile Fondo | departs at 8 a.m. | Includes two rest stops
  • 42-mile Fondo | departs at 8:30 a.m. | Includes one rest stop
  • 7-mile greenway ride | departs at 10 a.m. | Courses from Long Branch Trail go to Salem Creek Greenway
  • Amateur Crit racing | 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
  • USA Crit Professional Cycling series finals | 5:15-8 p.m.

Concerts:

  • Spindle 45 | 1 p.m. | Pop/rock music covers
  • The Smyle Band| 3 p.m. | Motown, soul/R&B
  • GOryanGO | 7:30 p.m. | Bailey Park | Rock, ‘80s and ‘90s
  • Switchfoot | 9 p.m. | Rock, alternative/indie

You must register to ride, but all concerts are open to the public. Pro tip: Bring your chair and blanket. Coolers and outside alcoholic beverages are not allowed, but there will be a beer garden and food trucks you can purchase food and drinks from.

Find parking near Innovation Quarter in decks at 4th and Church streets, 4th and Poplar streets, or the Forsyth Government Center on Chestnut Street. Remember to download the PayByPhone mobile app to pay for your parking spot outside of “free parking hours.”