Bursting with civic pride? Take a civic ride. This Saturday, November 1, the Central City Bike Expedition takes to the streets of downtown for an exercise in urban awareness.Sponsored by the City of Phoenix, the excursion -- seven miles, four hours -- departs Encanto Park at 8 a.m. Park rangers lead riders to several sites; stops include Patriots Park, Heritage Square's Rosson House, and the Japanese Friendship Garden at Margaret T. Hance Park. The crew also cruises past the historic Orpheum Theatre, America West Arena and Bank One Ballpark.
Of moderate difficulty, the event is intended for riders ages 10 and up; participants must provide their own bike and helmet. Get on that bike and ride to the Encanto Sports Complex Parking Lot, 2125 North 15th Avenue. Preregistration, $2 per person, is required. Call 602-495-0222 to sign up.- Jill Koch
Wheels of Fortune
Join the Ride for the Children Benefit
Sun 11/1
Growing up homeless is like learning to ride a bike in an earthquake -- what you need most is stability. The Valley's Thomas J. Pappas schools provide just that, in the form of education, food, clothing, and medical and dental care for 2,000 children of homeless families each year. At 8 a.m. Sunday, November 2, Ride for the Children to benefit Pappas schools. A minimum pledge of $50 enters cyclists in a 10-, 25- or 65-mile circuit on solid ground starting at Horizon High School, 56th Street and Greenway Road. For more information and ride routes, call 602-788-5200 or see www.rideforthechildren.com. - Kim Toms
Chi Whiz
Martial Arts Fest brings practitioners together
Sun 11/2
Not all martial arts involve a well-placed kick to the head. Some focus entirely on internal energies of the body; t'ai chi is one of those practices. And, despite Hollywood's dumbed-down representations, it does not always involve senior citizens in a park early in the morning. Here in Phoenix, a group called Two Fishes Swimming has been celebrating the art of t'ai chi ch'uan and encouraging its practitioners to get together and share their practices once a year. This year's Chi Festival of Internal Martial Arts happens on Sunday, November 2, at the Great Wall restaurant at 35th Avenue and Camelback. For $12, members of the public can see demonstrations from various t'ai chi schools in the Valley, and enjoy entertainment by local blues band Uvon and the Blues Knights. For $45, you get access to all of the above, as well as a lavish dinner buffet. For more information, call 602-973-8693. - Maidi Terry
