Anyone new to bicycling who would like to bike twosome or a larger group in the Rochester, NY area? I ride 10-16mph. I have a hybrid bike. Right now I bike the Erie canal and some local road bike routes, but do not feel confortable riding alone. I can ride 15-30 miles at a time. Weekends and weekdays after 6pm are the best times.

Hey chanel! Whereabouts are you at in Roch? I'm out east in Farmington, wouldnt mind hookin up w/ someone for my easier days, as I tend to go too hard when I should be spinning easy. I' m not a noob, but only been back on the bike for this yr and last after 9 yrs off.

Just stopped by this Forum (I'm normally active on other sites) and saw you were looking for beginner rides/beginner people.

I'm in the Rochester Bicycling Club (Brd of Directors) and while it's late in the season - you may want to check your "What's Happening" section in the D&C and our website www.rochesterbicyclingclub.com and specifically look at the "S&E" rides - during riding season (things are slowing in September) there is an S&E ride every week on Sat and Sun. These rides are very popular - and average from 7-23 miles and are usually attended by beginner to moderate speed bicyclists. I led a few of these rides this year - great people and will most likely lead more this next year. Plus I ran into several women bicyclists who split off and found other established rides in Rochester to attend (ride that leaves from Towpath either Tues or Wed at 6 pm - several people associated with Terry's Precision Bicycles, Macedon attend (so I understand) and there's another ride that leaves the RVC (?) bicycle shop in Fairport during the week as well.

If you need any information, you can contact me at pjoram1@gmail.com

While not strictly on topic, I expect to be moving into the Rochester area in the not so distant future. I noticed not much going on from November 'til March at the RBC. Is the weather there that bad for riding? Being from South Texas, I generally only see snow or ice once every decade and I've only heard rumors of putting salt on the road for some strange reason (heavy sarcasm there)...but seriously, I have no idea what impact that has on cycling... Thanks!

November I'm switching back and forth between my roadie and mtb. I'll still go out for long rides. Have found a couple of riding partners who like to get out and go - however we'll see their commitment once it gets a little cold out ... It normally doesn't get real snowy here till after Christmas - However - there are variations to that AND farmers almanac and other forecasters are saying we're gonna get it.

I bicycle year round - take the mtb out and play after it snows. But this year, I'm outfitting myself better for winter and plan on commuting as much as possible. Obviously on slushy, blizzard, conditions I won't ride - but if it's fairly clear and roads clear or with snow (no ice!) then I ride! :rolleyes:

Oh and the impact of salt on the bike? Well, I wasn't too nice to it - I did wipe it down (sounds like a horse!) after each ride and spent some time on it this Summer working on it - BUT I've got a little rust on some nuts - some on my gears - and chain rather froze up (didn't use a waterproof lube). Less than 500 on the bicycle. So in talking to my favorite LBS - I'm bringing it in to clear rust and winterize, etc.

While not strictly on topic, I expect to be moving into the Rochester area in the not so distant future. I noticed not much going on from November 'til March at the RBC. Is the weather there that bad for riding? Being from South Texas, I generally only see snow or ice once every decade and I've only heard rumors of putting salt on the road for some strange reason (heavy sarcasm there)...but seriously, I have no idea what impact that has on cycling... Thanks!

You can definitely get out year round but you have to be motivated. I'll take the mountain bike out (street and paved paths) over the winter but it's usually for only an hour or so (until my feet begin to freeze). I just picked up booties this spring and hope to get my old road bike out some this winter on clear days although I don't have a good idea how long my feet will last. If you're into racing or just interested in a good links page for local events and shops check out http://gvcc.11net.com/ and there are some March races http://www.photoradius.com/studio/cycling/giros.html.

Chanel - you could check into the Park Ave bike ride. Give them a call - I believe they are Tuesdays nights. I'm not sure but I've heard the ride contains all levels of riders and people kind of break off with others of similar speed... There is also a Cafe ride from Canaltown Coffee Roasters in Pittsford - there are two groups (hammer fest and a slower/leisure group). I ride with the hammer fest guys so I can't speak to the speed of the other group but at the very least you could meet some people and maybe learn about some other rides (leaves Sat mornings at 7:30am). Also, check with RBC (I know their site is linked off the GVCC site...). which is very support and welcoming of riders of all levels.

I suppose you could say you have to be motivated to bike in the summer here too, but at least here I can switch to riding at night where it's only in the 80's. Sigh. Thanks for the info and links! I'm glad to hear it's not impossible!

Sorry I didn't see this earlier. I gave this info out a little while ago as well. I ride Rochester year round, including outlying areas - and canal.

Your times, speed and area to ride match exactly with the Rochester Bicycling Club - S&E (short & easy) rides. You do not have to be a member to ride - and the rides should be posted in the newspaper (Weekend Section) as well. There is a S&E ride Sat and Sun from May thru October - not sure what's in November for S&E. I think there are some S&E rides during the week as well - that take place at 6 pm - canal.

Our S&E rides go anywhere from 7 miles to 21 miles - most take place at the canal or Henpeck Park or Webster Park.

Here is the link to the Club website.

http://www.sound-effect.com/sounds/human/fight/PUNCH.wav

(p.s. been a member for 2 years and sit on the Board of Directors)

I am sorry I did not search for this thread before posting mine. I have checked with the Rochester biking club but they seem to be geared more for experienced riders in excellent health who can do long haul cycling. I prefer to go slow and view the scenery. If anyone else is interested, please contact me offline and mention this thread in the heading.
Thanks!

Don't be fooled. I live 1 hour away from Rochester in Corning, NY. Rochester gets more snow than we do being closer to a lake and all. I would suggest you get a gym membership for the winter months. Riding up there in the winter months is not pretty .. no matter how much motivation you have. You need to be an eskimo to get any useful rides when it's cold, and snowy out in Rochester.

Winters up this way are long, cold and gray. Good time to work on other things in the gym. I have all the gear and the bike to ride in the snow as I too had grandiose intentions of being "motivated" to ride, but the first foray was my last. Your extremities freeze. And if that doesn't get you, the snow piled up on the side of just about every road will.

That said, there may be a few days here and there that you can sneak in a ride, when the temperature is up enough that the snow melts and the wind is not blowing. Those days are few and far between. But I do love the area as it forces you to do other things; I've been here essentially since 1993. Welcome!

The 'link' that was posted to the Rochester Bicycling Club show an attitude that explains precisely why I have not joined them to date.

Here is the link to the Club website.

http://www.sound-effect.com/sounds/human/fight/PUNCH.wav

(p.s. been a member for 2 years and sit on the Board of Directors)

Ummm...is that a joke? A random mistake? I don't get it.

About winter riding in Rochester, apparently there is a group of winter biking enthusiasts who rides every Tuesday night from October thru April:

Tuesday Night Urban Assault (http://home.rochester.rr.com/scarey/TNUA/) (alternate link (http://www.tnua.net/))

From reading the description, it looks like fun, and I plan to join it, come October. If nothing else, I'll make use of the winter riding tips when riding on my own. Scott Page, the organizer, is also the owner of Full Moon Vista (http://www.fullmoonvista.com/), and can be contacted via their website.

Since the original poster may not be reading this thread any more, are there any Rochester cyclists who would like to get together for a canal ride sometime when the weather is better?
I'm pretty pleased with this new Trek so I could do a moderate ride on it (specially after I get the new saddle.)

Hit me up! Hybrid rider from the Neighborhood of the Arts. Available most evenings and weekends, some weekdays too.

When riding with a buddy or a group, I find 14 mph is just about right so the panting doesn't spoil the conversation. My usual recreation rides are the Riverway from downtown to Scottsville Road, and the Canalway from Long Pond Road to Pittsford, (hate cleaning up after the dusty, gravel parts,) but I'm game for anything, as long as I can ride to and from the ride. No car here.

Contact info: http://www.thesecretlabs.com/contact.shtml

That Urban Assault seems pretty cool. I was just reading about it a couple weeks ago right around the time of the twilight crit. This morning would have been a beautiful ride in all the fog.

I also have no car. Why not come by the Abundance Cooperative Market on Saturday at noon? A couple three others of us will be meeting there for lunch (Ethiopian). If it is not too hot maybe a ride after. If it is too hot, maybe not. I'll play by ear.
Watch for a grey Trek with a U frame and a black shopping basket.

cheers

gizmocat

I think you may have confused Abundance with Natural Oasis. The Ethiopian buffet (2-for-1 this Saturday) is at Natural Oasis, which is on Monroe Avenue near Alexander St (next to Dunkin Donuts).

Yep. You are certainly right. I will be there at noon Saturday at the *right* address. Anyone else on the Rochester cycling list want to join us? Watch for a funny looking Trek with a U frame and a huge 'shopper' basket on the front.

I guess I'm confused. Is this an invitation to ride bikes? Or is it an invitation to lunch?

If this restaurant is simply a convenient place for you to meet, fine. We can ride from there. I'm not particularly interested in lunch--Ethipoian or otherwise.

We are going to meet there at noon to get acquainted. Probably have a light lunch. I won't want much on a hot day. I expect we will ride after that.
It's just a convenient place in which to meet up. The alternative was a coffee shop. Same difference.

If you show, that would be nice. If not, we can meet another time.

I hope this rain lets up soon! I don't have fenders yet.

Neither do I. I'll still be at the Natural Oasis at noon but if the rain continues I'll be on foot (but carrying a bicycle basket)

I know it sounds wussy but I have to keep this bike indoors now, and I don't want it dripping all over the floors. Normally a light rain wouldn't stop me.

Thanks very much, tsl and marcm! We had a very pleasant ride (a bit low key thanks to my leg injuries) but I've been farther on the Erie canal than ever before and the company was most pleasant.

I hope we can ride again! Have a great weekend and happy riding.

Argh! Sorry I haven't been perusing this forum ...

Comments.

Urban Assault is a blast, even better with snow on the ground (I'm a female and yes I ride with them - last year somewhat - this year I'm geared up for it). I also ride mtb with a bunch of crazy guys on Thursday nights - which totally reinforces me for when the TUNA starts up on October.

Now as to regular riding - I lead rides for the Rochester Bicycling Club - my rides are a route on the canal path (I'm number 346 BTW - hehe - Shoen place to Genesee Valley Park and back). You do not have to be a member of the club to join in. The Canal rides as well as about 5 other routes are what we class as the Short & Easy rides - geared towards beginners, people getting back on the bike and for people who just like that speed. Generally we do a casual pace along the canal, and I as ride captain ride in back to make sure no rider is left behind whether due to being tired or due to bicycle failure. THese are fun rides.

And next year, due to popular request from some of the frequent flyer milers of the S&E rides - were doing a more moderate ride - taking a route similar to the S&E rides but extending it abit - and they will pick up a little more speed too.
But what makes this longer ride different from the regular bike rides the RBC does (and a lot of people are dropped right off the bat as some of these guys are fast) - this moderate ride will incorporate the same principles as the S&E ride - no rider left behind and the ride captain at the back.

I'm anticipating a good year for these rides.

Seriously people if you want to ride and want to get out and try it again or just get yourself so you can go further - go to ....

http://www.rochesterbicyclingclub.org/

and try a ride(s) with us. Note the S&E rides do have a notation that they're S&E. If you want to ride - call the ride captain.

Bump.

I'm in Spencerport.

bump

I am in Penfield and usually ride Mon, Wed, Fri, & Sat. On the weekends we like to try to do a lake ride (Skaneateles, Keuka, Canandaigua, etc)

We would love to meet some other cyclists in the area. I think I am going to try what is referred to as the "Latte Ride" in Pittsford this weekend for the first time.

Shan

bump, i'm in henrietta and have been riding the canal and various roads to and from the canal to henrietta.

Anyone new to bicycling who would like to bike twosome or a larger group in the Rochester, NY area? I ride 10-16mph. I have a hybrid bike. Right now I bike the Erie canal and some local road bike routes, but do not feel confortable riding alone. I can ride 15-30 miles at a time. Weekends and weekdays after 6pm are the best times.

I would not mind riding with you chanel i live in Pittsford, and am cary new to road biking, i just bought a specilized sequoia elite this past weekend and am looking for others to ride with.