Green Bay Packers Bike Ride
Keeping with their yearly tradition, the Green Bay Packers launched their training camp on July 25 at Lambeau Field Stadium in Green Bay, Wisconsin, by riding over on children’s bikes. The best part for a few of the lucky kids? They got to accompany the stars on the way over.
It’s a tradition that dates back to the time of Vince Lombardi, as reported by the local ABC News affiliate.
The Green Bay Packers are known for having one of the strongest fan bases in football. Season tickets to watch the team play Lambeau Field have been sold out since 1960 and are even passed down through generations. Not surprisingly, their fans start young.
The day of the training camp, the young fans line up with their bikes and their families outside the stadium early to get a chance at being selected to meet one of the players. Some get there as early as 4 a.m., a fan told the ABC affiliate.
As the players walk by, they choose a kid, then they ride that kid’s bike over to the field. In return, the kid can carry that player’s helmet during the ride in.
It’s a great opportunity for the kids to interact and have fun with their favorite athletes. Plus, as fan Alyse Lukaszewicz pointed out to the station, they can then brag to all their friends that one of the Green Bay Packers rode their bike.
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Some of the kids come wielding creative signs to better their odds of getting picked, including one boy whose sign read, “All I want for my 6th birthday is a bike ride.”
But that wasn’t the end of the bike fun. On August 1, the Green Bay Packers also hosted a bike safety rodeo for the kids. Among other activities, children and parents learned about the importance of wearing a helmet. The first 800 kids to arrive were fitted for and received free bike helmets.
There was even a bike obstacle course, newly revamped by the De Pere Police Department, for the kids to practice their bike skills and to learn how to ride safely.
Service and News Editor
When she’s not out riding her mountain bike, Jessica is an editor for Popular Mechanics. She was previously an editor for Bicycling magazine.
