Group rides. A great group ride really is something else entirely. Unless you have experienced it – it is just a nebulous concept. It is the connection between disparate variables to create something that is beyond the sum of the parts. The correct group, some decent fitness and a nice route bloom into something that is beyond description. It is like an organism that has its own life, and you are just ‘caught up in it.’ It is an amazing experience. Padraig recently described the flow of a group ride in The Peloton and Group Flow.
So then – do you ride with a group? Do you travel to ride with a group? Or to ride in a cycling event? If so, how far do you travel? What if it is in your ‘back yard’?
I ride alone most of the time. That speaks to my time, my local cycling scene, my fitness level etc. I do ride with others when I am able. Thankfully we have a weekly club ride, a full moon ride and other rides … including a local cycling event – The Natchez Bicycle Classic.
What about your local cycling event? I know those that say. “I am not paying to ride the roads (or trails) that I ride for free all the time.” I get it. When you say it out loud it does sound odd. But, there is a difference. The event brings different people, designated routes, food and rest stops, music etc. Maybe you do not care about those things, but they are still provided. It is also a time to represent your community in a positive and healthy manner.
You still do not want to pay to ride your ‘own roads’ – not a problem. I believe that if the cycling event is in your community, you (and your club) should be involved. Meaning that maybe you ride but more likely you do not ride because you help with a SAG vehicle, rest stop or in some way before/during/after the event? I am not sure of the details, that is up to you and the event. Problem solved. You get to help with the event while promoting cycling and your community.
Our local club hosted the State Road Championships for many years. Eventually it moved to another location and our club sponsored a ride called – Belles on Bikes. Yes, I live in the South. This ride was an all-female ride. The females rode and the guys took care of the rest. Females came and enjoyed the ride (local and from afar), and we (the guys) were SAG (STAG?) and more. It was a great event and well received. But alas, like most events, the burden of the event fell on a small few and eventually it was too much. It is said that everything has a life cycle. Regardless I was sorry to see that event end. It was truly something special.
We now have another local ride – The Natchez Bicycle Classic. In the past (80s through early 2000s) it was a regional stage race. Then, similar things happened to it regarding club resources and interest, and it was discontinued. But now, the name has been resurrected and applied to a cycling event that is not competitive. It is actually hosted by the Chamber of Commerce (Young Professionals group) rather than our local club. We have some of the best roads out there (I am not exaggerating) and it is a time to show some of those off. We have some exceptional paved roads as well as amazing dirt roads. Not to mention our town.
The Natchez Trace Parkway is at the center of this ride. To review, the Natchez Trace Parkway (Trace as we refer to it locally) is a national park (road) that is 444 miles long. It starts in Natchez (mile marker 1) and ends in Nashville (mile marker 444) and on the way there is not a single billboard, traffic light, commercial vehicle, stop sign etc. It is a scenic byway. It is like the Blue Ridge Parkway but with less mountains (yes, we have some good hills). The Natchez Bicycle Classic uses the Trace as its core (we do not go the entire 444 miles in this event but stay on our end of the Trace). The Trace is butter smooth (gotta love that). Even the mixed route makes use of some exceptional paved back roads, beautiful and hardpacked dirt roads and then ends coming home on the Natchez Trace Parkway – combining the best of all worlds. Sweet.
Why do I talk about this? I think that we (yes, firmly pointing at myself also) often take our own area for granted. We forget that the roads, hills, dirt, scenery, restaurants, town etc. are pretty amazing. Sometimes it takes someone coming to your town with fresh eyes to help you to see how great your local environment actually is. It is also great to go visit other places. Riding in a new location opens our eyes to something new. It also makes us appreciate what we have at our own back door. Some like going to a new area and exploring on their own but going to a new area for an organized ride can be much easier. The ride route is planned and marked, and you know they are not taking you on bad roads. Well, there is a ride in my region where they celebrate bad roads – Rouge Roubaix – but they tell you that in the description. This event is not that ride and most of the other cycling events choose exceptional roads, mark them, have rest stops, provide route options etc. What a great way to see a new area for the first time. No hassle, minimal planning – all joy.
Regardless, I am encouraging you to support your local cycling events – in whatever way works. Invite someone to join you at your local club ride or at your local ride event. Or go join a friend (or make new ones) at a ride out of town.
I have always led the mixed route ride at the Natchez Bicycle Classic. Here is my personal invitation to join me. I ride these roads all the time and still enjoy them. Let me introduce you to them. Like I said, it combines the best of the back roads (paved and dirt) and The Natchez Trace and still starts and ends downtown on the bluff of the mighty Mississippi River. You can ride your bike to the start of the event and the party after. Join me on the mixed route. Or join the road route. There are many options. There is even a Friday night bike light ride. Whatever you choose, you will be happy. Just ride.
For additional information – www.natchezbicycleclassic.com
