Anika Riopel = Wild Thing

Anika Riopel modelled her nifty new "Where the Wild Things Are" cycling tee Saturday for the grand opening of Vélorution, Sault Ste. Marie's first serious bike park, located south of Wal-mart on Second Line.

Vélorution is not just a fun place to bring your bike and go wild in the dirt park.

The park also includes an upscale bike store, a mechanic's shop where bikes are both fixed and custom-created, a lounge area glamoured up with furniture built from old bike parts, and an environment where the complete cycling lifestyle is fashionably encouraged.

"Biking is not just a recreation," says owner and designer André Riopel. "Biking is a lifestyle; it's a culture. In a society where most people are completely autocentric, Vélorution puts forward an entire different way of looking at things."

Sault Ste. Marie's cycling club has grown significantly in the past three years, and continues to grow rapidly.

Vélorution intends to propel that growth and attract those Saultbies who never really gave a second thought to what André calls "the jungle out there - the world beyond all the automobiles."

The park is also planning for a future campground on site as well as a community garden.

Check out our SooToday.com six-pack of photos of people having fun at this hot new Sault Ste. Marie attraction.