It is good to mark events. We do it often. We celebrate certain holidays – federal, religious, work, retirement, family and various other celebrations. You understand the drill. We often do it on the bike also.
I like to ride bikes. I do not need a special event to ride my bike. The ride is the special event. That said, I enjoy special event rides. What do I mean? Well, there are those that are organized rides for a charity, a race, a memorial, a fundraiser … your choice. Some are ‘less formal’ but just as important. Solstice (summer or winter), birthday, first day of _____ (summer, spring, winter, fall, retirement, new job) – your choice.
There are rides that are national. To name a few:
Ride of Silence – 3rd Wednesday in May. The ride is silent and is a memorial to those that have lost their life on the bike.
World Naked Bike Ride. I know, some of you thought the leading image should have been from this ride. It is what is says. No, I have not participated.
Me? Locally, we celebrate a few.
Holiday themed. Our club has a few holidays in which the person and the bike are dressed in holiday specific attire and the ride commences. A way to celebrate the holiday, and the bike … and it also is fun. Fun for us, but also fun for those that see us. We enjoy the bike, but that joy is not always visible to others. Cue up the excerpt from American Flyers when Dr Dennis Conrad (played by John Amos) has his son with him, and they watch a guy in the race suffering up the mountain. Remember that scene? He is trying to get his son interested in cycling and his son’s response is that he likes bowling. His dad’s response is even better. Hah, what a moment and what an expression. If you remember it – you laughed. If you do not, then you might watch it again. The early 80’s cycling film with Kevin Coster before he was big … but he had that big mustache. What I am trying to say is that our joy is not always evident. Yes, often we smile, but sometimes we are grimacing as we ride up a hill. We are enjoying it – or enjoying the challenge – but that is not obvious to those that are watching us.
Our special event rides – they are obvious. The faces, the costumes, the bikes, the lights; they all exude great fun. It makes others think, “I can do that. That looks fun.” Outreach – getting others excited about the ride.
I hear the fast guys, ‘not your kind of ride.’ Alas, relax. Enjoy it. We do not require you to dress up or decorate your bike. Many just come and ride. Fellowship is important and enjoyable. You might meet someone that enjoys the bike you have never met before.
Others? I have a few personal ones.
The Full Madamus. This is my own ride. I have invited many, but no one has ever joined me. A 135-mile dirt road excursion is a bit more than most want; but I am open to people joining for just a section. This year? My fitness is not what it was, and last year weather prohibited the only available time slot. This year a myriad of events appears to be blocking it again – or is that just a convenient excuse?
The Rodney Cannonball Ride. You like that play on the Cannonball Run? A dirt road ride to visit a town with a church that has a cannonball lodged in the facade. A cannonball in a church facade? Why? Glad you asked. Many years ago, September 13, 1863, to be exact, during the Civil War, a Union Gunboat was docked on the Mississippi River at Rodney. The Gunboat had strict orders for no one to get off the boat.
But alas, that particular Sunday, seventeen soldiers departed the boat to attend a church service at the Rodney Presbyterian Church by invitation of Reverend Baker. No one thought about it being deep into enemy territory. Word got out. During church, the Confederate Cavalry surrounded the church and as the music got loud enough to drown out their advances, they entered the church taking the Union troops captive. The gunboat fired cannons at the church. Really? You fired cannons (multiple times) at the church where your fellow troops are located? Maybe they did not like the officers or fellow shipmates? Regardless, a cannonball hit the church during the shelling and was lodged in the upper story.
All ended well, the Confederate Cavalry allowed the Union Troops to return to the gunboat and there were no casualties. Not sure what happened to the officers after that. Lt Commander James Greer issued an edict after the incident. Regardless – look it up on Wiki.
The cannonball that is stuck in the church facade? Well, it kept falling out so eventually it was mortared into the brick in its original hole to represent the incident into the future.
Rodney now? It is not the bustling town of that time period anymore; the river has changed course and left the once active river port town isolated. You could call it a ghost town … almost. It has a few buildings, a few hunting camps, long hills and farmland. But alas, it is still a great ride to an interesting historic site … as long as you like dirt roads and hills. Thus, the annual ride to the church on the anniversary of the assault on Rodney Presbyterian Church by the Union Gunboat the USS Rattler. If you want to join me – just get in touch. It is very soon.
The point of this article you ask? Embrace the joy of cycling. Try new things on the bike. If you try it and really dislike it – then do not do it again. Like your mother would say, “try it and if you do not like it, you do not have it eat it.” Well, sometimes she said that. But in this case, we will hold to that. If you do not like it, then you do not have to return.
Of course, our rides (or post rides) usually include food. Really good food. Often a local beverage from our local beer maker (and root beer maker) – thanks Allen. That always helps. Ride … Food … Friendship. The trifecta. Enjoy your ride … whatever it may be.
