Rice University’s campus was bursting with color, cheer and friendly chaos April 5 as students gathered for the 68th annual Beer Bike — one of the school’s most cherished traditions.
From spirited water balloon battles to bike decorating and face painting, the day was packed with fun as each residential college rallied around its biking team for the big race. Cheering crowds lined the bike track, waving signs and blasting music as cyclists zoomed by in a frenzy of Rice pride.
Unfortunately, the Beer Bike races were cut short Saturday afternoon due to lightning warnings in the area. Following a weather alert that lightning strikes were occurring close to the Beer Bike track, which put the event participants at risk, Rice’s Emergency Management team activated its contingency plan to move event attendees immediately into the stadium concourse until the weather moved out of the area. After reviewing the weather information from the command center, the student planners, in conjunction with response personnel, canceled the race for the safety of all involved.
