Over time, based on past rides, we’ve tried to fine tune some things so you’ll know what to expect from the ride.
Nothing’s perfect but we do try to make the ride fun.
Distance: Both rides (PMTNR and Sunday Slow Ride) are structured as a 15 mile ride each week. The first segment is 10 miles to the first stop then another 5 miles to the ending destination.
Pace: We try to go around 10 mph. Sometimes it’s a little faster if we’re rolling down a hill or slower when we’re going uphill. If you are concerned, ride up front and help set the pace.
Stops: Our destinations are generally Bicycle Benefits businesses. We like to support the businesses who support people riding bikes. Each ride we can support up to 3 local Bicycle Benefits businesses.
Time: We leave at 8 pm each week from the Common Market (Plaza Midwood). This time works well to give everyone time to get home from work and get to the beginning of the ride.
Return: It usually takes about an hour and a half to get to the first stop then another 30 minutes for everyone to get back on their bikes to ride back which puts us back at the start around 10:30.
Route: I try to plan the route to be enjoyable. Which means quiet neighborhood streets. We will cross many busy streets but we generally do not ride on main roads for very long. I try to make it flat to rolling hills.
Helpers: I’m always on the lookout for people willing to help lead or organize the ride. You can mark a turn, blow the whistle at regrouping stops, relay messages from the rear to the front in the event of a mechanical problem, sweep to make sure no one gets left behind. Let me know if you plan to be at the ride and if you are willing to help out. As the ride gets larger, we’ll need more people to keep the ride running smoothly.
Let me know if you have suggestions to make it better. We’ll keep trying until we find something that works.
Thanks for reading this.