PROVIDENCE, RI (BRAIN) — A show focusing on Northeast-based framebuilders is set for Friday and kicks off a weekend of bike events in Providence, Rhode Island, that includes the New England Bike-Walk Summit, the Providence Cyclocross Festival and the first Gran Fondo New England.
Some 21 exhibitors are expected to showcase their goods in the New England Builders’ Ball. Framebuilders who have exhibited in the past and are back include steel frame specialist Circle A Cycles and 44 Bikes, but the show also attracts first-timers such as Bilenky Cycle Works.
“If you ride a bicycle in the northeastern U.S., you need to be in Providence the weekend of Oct. 4-6,” said Eric Weis, director of the Builders’ Ball. “Between the conference, the Builders’ Ball, the races and the gran fondo, Providence really is the epicenter of the bike universe for that weekend.”
Among the exhibitors this year will be Saratoga Frameworks, formerly known as Serotta.
“This will be our first show as an independent brand, after building and showing Serottas for so many years,” said Scott Hock, director of product design for Saratoga Frameworks. “We’re excited to go to Providence to show the public that we’re still making some of the finest bikes available.”
The Builders’ Ball will be held in the Providence Biltmore Grand Ballroom, 11 Dorrance St,, Providence, Rhode Island, this Friday from 7 to 10 p.m.
The New England Bike-Walk Summit is Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; the Providence Cyclocross Festival runs from Friday afternoon to late Sunday; and the gran fondo will be held Sunday.
More information: newenglandbuildersball.com.