New bike season in Minsk: VIVA, Bike! carnival-parade

Thousands of cycling enthusiasts biked through the main thoroughfare of Minsk to celebrate the opening of the new cycling season on 30 April.

Pobeditelei Avenue was closed down to vehicular traffic before the start of the first race of the year. The distance from Minsk Hero City Stele to Minsk Arena made up 10.4 kilometers. The organizers estimated that the race brought together about 9,000 cyclists from Minsk, other cities and even other countries.

This year’s bike parade was about unusual outfits. The participants supported the carnival idea and decorated their bicycles. Some put on celebrity costumes and costumes of characters from movies, TV series, fairytales, comics and cartoons.

The current of cyclists that stretched for several kilometers was led by Minsk Mayor Andrei Shorets and Sport and Tourism Minister Alexander Shamko. Partaking in the event also were renowned Belarusian cyclists, eight-time track cycling world champion Natalia Tsilinskaya and road cycling world champion Vasily Kiriyenko who is gearing up for the 2016 Rio Olympics.

The Victory Park located on the shore of Lake Komsomolskoye was the finish point of the race. The cycling fiesta continued deep into the night. More than ten venues offered all kinds of entertainments, including cycling contests, a photo zone, bike shows, music performances, and special zones for children. Natalia Tsilinskaya and Vasily Kiriyenko talked with their fans, held a signing session and took part in the final press conference.