Inaugural Roo Ride

For concertgoers looking for a way to avoid traffic snarls and long lines for this year’s Bonnaroo Music Festival June 9-12 in Manchester, Tenn., festival organizers have just the thing – a 60-mile, overnight bike ride to the event.

The inaugural Roo Ride literally takes the scenic route and cuts down one’s carbon footprint. The ride departs June 11 from the city of Smyrna to Manchester, taking in points of interest along the route such as Civil War battlegrounds. The route ends a short distance from festival grounds where riders can camp and enjoy the event, bike back or hitch a ride back with Roo Ride organizers.

Concertgoers and general bike-riding enthusiasts are encouraged to take part in the “green” ride. Those participating pay a $125 fee, of which 20 percent will be donated to local charities. That fee doesn’t include festival entry.

“Who wouldn’t want to do that?” area resident Melissa Hudson-Gant told the Tennessean. “You could sit in traffic for an indefinite amount of time and arrive with an empty gas tank and be frustrated, or you could ride your bike places you might not otherwise ride, have someone carry your stuff for you without any frustrations, and it’s all for a good cause.

“It’s a complete win.”

Bonnaroo 2011’s lineup includes Eminem, Arcade Fire, Buffalo Springfield, The Black Keys, Lil’ Wayne and plenty more.