"Pedaling Holiday Cheer: Milwaukee's Santa Cycle Rampage Takes to the Streets"

In a festive spectacle that combined holiday merriment with a dash of cycling advocacy, more than a thousand spirited individuals, adorned in Santa suits, recently pedaled their way through the chilly streets of Milwaukee for the annual Santa Cycle Rampage. Mark Rowe and Jeff Kruse, showcasing their Christmas spirit, creatively decked out their bikes for the occasion, contributing to the vibrant sea of red that flooded the city.

First-time participant Mark Hense, immersing himself in the ocean of Santas, initiated the celebration with a shotski—a creative concoction of shot glasses affixed to a ski, enabling a synchronized downing of shots. Hense, hailing from Wauwatosa, a Milwaukee suburb, expressed the awe-inspiring nature of being enveloped in such a festive gathering.

The Santa Cycle Rampage, which originated two decades ago as a humble pub crawl among friends, has evolved into a grand tradition. Boasting the title of "the world's largest, holiday-themed costume bike ride for charity," the event has grown exponentially under the coordination of the Wisconsin Bike Fed, a cycling nonprofit. Jake Newborn, the assistant director, highlighted the global influence of the rampage, inspiring similar rides in Boston, Kansas City, Minneapolis, and Fort Collins.

This year, the Bike Fed anticipated the participation of 1,800 Santas, elves, reindeer, and Grinches, emphasizing the event's charity focus. Registration fees and donations collected contribute to the nonprofit's efforts to advocate for accessible, safe biking across the state and establish biking education programs for all ages. Last year, the group raised $50,000 through this ride and a sister event in Madison.

Beyond the charitable aspect, the Santa Cycle Rampage is a vibrant celebration of winter biking, embracing the cold and snow that characterize this region. The ride, commencing in Milwaukee's Bay View neighborhood, serves as a testament to the enduring spirit of outdoor play in the face of winter elements.

Former Bike Fed executive director Dave Schlabowske, inspired by a similarly-titled event in Chicago, initiated the Rampage, underscoring how this jolly tradition has become a cherished part of Milwaukee's festive season.

"Pedals and Pranks: Milwaukee's Santa Cycle Rampage Spreads Winter Biking Joy"

In the heart of Milwaukee, a two-decade-old tradition has transformed into more than just a festive bike ride; it's become a celebration of winter biking resilience and creativity. Coordinated by the Wisconsin Bike Fed, the annual Santa Cycle Rampage has evolved into a cherished event that encourages individuals to embrace cycling even in the colder months.

Jake Newborn, the assistant director of the Wisconsin Bike Fed, expressed the event's initial purpose: "I thought a Milwaukee version would encourage more people to see how easy it is to ride in the colder months and to reward the few who already did with a fun event." With each passing year, the turnout has grown, and the ride has earned the moniker of being the "gateway drug" to winter biking, challenging the notion that biking ceases with the arrival of colder weather.

"Biking doesn't just stop in September; people bike all year round," Newborn emphasized. "This is really something that has grown to be a tradition where people now are doing it every year. They've got costumes, they've got special bikes for it." The festive spirit extends beyond Santa suits, with many riders adorning their bikes with tinsel, lights, and candy canes, transforming the streets into a winter wonderland on two wheels.

Mark Rowe, an enthusiastic cyclist, took his participation to the next level by constructing a plywood sleigh enveloping his bike—a project that began last year when he and a friend built sleighs for holiday decorations. Undeterred by design challenges, Rowe decided to ride his sleigh this year, turning heads and embodying the spirit of creativity that defines the Rampage.

"Cyclists said it was a thrill to take back the streets," noted Scott McBride, a motorist who found himself surrounded by a crowd of Santas during the ride. Cyclists, like Sherry and Tyler Steward, expressed the joy of participating in what they described as "anarchy" and "how the world should be." Clad in Christmas-themed attire, the Stewards highlighted the unique atmosphere of the event, where honking from Milwaukee drivers isn't a sign of frustration but a gesture of holiday cheer.

Amidst the laughter, creativity, and pedal-powered revelry, the Santa Cycle Rampage stands as a testament to the resilient spirit of winter biking, transforming the streets of Milwaukee into a festive canvas of holiday joy and communal celebration.

"Rolling Cheer and Visibility: Milwaukee's Santa Cycle Rampage Transforms Streets into a Winter Wonderland"

As the Wisconsin winter chill settled over Milwaukee, Sherry and Tyler Steward found themselves at the heart of a festive takeover—Milwaukee's Santa Cycle Rampage. Positioned on their bikes, adorned in Christmas-themed attire, the Stewards reveled in the thrill of commandeering the streets, proudly asserting, "We stop traffic. It's 'in a good way!'"

In this slow roll of holiday cheer, the Rampage isn't about racing but a leisurely pedal-powered procession. Along the way, groups splinter off to visit welcoming bars and restaurants, offering cyclists a chance to break for milk and cookies or indulge in Wisconsin's beloved beer and cheese curds.

At the popular Lakefront Brewery, Tonieh Welland shared her need for holiday spirit, especially after her mother's recent surgery. Undeterred by the cold, Welland, a Liberian woman, expressed her love for biking in winter, showcasing resilience and enthusiasm. As she and her friends readied themselves for the next stop, Welland emphasized the deeper significance of the Rampage beyond drinks and costumes—it's about visibility for the cycling community.

An advocate for cyclist and pedestrian safety, Welland explained, "Cars see all these people riding and they're like, 'Oh, I'm a little bit more aware of people on the road.'" In her eyes, the Rampage serves as a vibrant declaration of the cycling community's presence, fostering awareness among motorists and pedestrians alike.

As the group mounted their bikes, Welland set the festive mood, blasting Mariah Carey's "All I Want for Christmas Is You" from her phone. In every pedal, the Santa Cycle Rampage not only spreads holiday joy but also illuminates the importance of visibility and safety for cyclists, turning the streets of Milwaukee into a winter wonderland of celebration and advocacy. WUWM's Maayan Silver contributed to this spirited story.

"Spreading Joy and Safety: Milwaukee's Santa Cycle Rampage Leaves a Lasting Impression"

In the heart of Milwaukee's winter streets, the Santa Cycle Rampage transcends the traditional boundaries of holiday festivities. With Sherry and Tyler Steward at the forefront, clad in Christmas-themed attire, the event is more than a whimsical takeover—it's a testament to the joy and resilience of winter biking.

As participants, adorned in festive costumes, engage in this slow roll of holiday cheer, the Rampage transforms the streets into a dynamic canvas of celebration. Yet, beyond the jolly exterior, the event serves a deeper purpose. Tonieh Welland, an advocate for cyclist and pedestrian safety, highlights that the Rampage is more than just drinks and costumes—it's a crucial demonstration of visibility for the cycling community.

Stopping at bars and restaurants, sharing milk and cookies or indulging in Wisconsin's culinary delights, the participants not only revel in the seasonal camaraderie but also champion the cause of cyclist visibility on the road. Welland's sentiment reflects the broader impact of the event, where the collective presence of cyclists on the streets fosters awareness among motorists, fostering a sense of shared responsibility.

As the festive group, led by Welland's spirited tunes, pedals forward, the Santa Cycle Rampage leaves behind not just a trail of joy but a lasting impression of advocacy. In every ring of a bell and every laughter-filled turn of the pedal, Milwaukee's streets become a winter wonderland where holiday spirit and cyclist safety harmoniously converge, painting a vibrant picture of celebration and community engagement. WUWM's Maayan Silver's contribution to this spirited story resonates as a testament to the enduring impact of this annual tradition.