Hi all. Long time, no see. As many of you may remember, I moved to Seattle area, but my girlfriend still lives in Tampa area for now (Seffner).

I've been nagging her to get into biking, but she complains she doesn't have the motivation to ride by herself. Other than one or two rides before I left she's not ridden a bike in probably 20+ years. She's definitely going to be a very beginner ( probably 10mph tops, and rides 10 miles or less for now).

I'd love to find another beginner in the Tampa area who may be looking for a ride partner. If anybody is interested, reply here or PM me.

Thanks,
KT/Chris

- shame she's over in Tampa... there's a nice, friendly workout crowd (peds, runners, and dog walkers) and easy, smooth bike rides at Walshingham Park every morning... (my buddy and i)... have a cousin-in-law who rides down by the waterfront in St. Pete every morning (have to ask him about his route; 10-15 miles at a slow pace, IIRC)...

- the foks at Florida Bicycle Sports (727.823.7775) are good folks and friendly... they have a handle on a number of local rides, and are now located on Central about 24th (used to be at 9th & Central three years ago)... they list:

From North Shore Pool

Mornings...

Tues, Wed, Thur 7am - spin

Friday women's ride 7am - spin

Tues, Wed, Thur(pass-a-grill), Fri. 8:30 two groups

Saturday 7 AM and 8:30 8-10 groups

Sunday 8:00 to Pass-a-Grille

Sunday 8:30 at the library 9th &37th st n

From other locations

Saturday 7:00 Greco Middle school(Tampa)

Sunday and Wednesday at 8:10-ish in San Antonio

Tuesday and Thursday 4, 5, and 6 pm
from the USF bayboro campus.

- Gibs Ride is a nice one too (but a bit more organized; via St. Pete Bicycle Club):

If you've never ridden in a group before or you're slower, just walk up to someone and ask for the slowest group. The person will direct you to Gib's Ride (6-12 mph) and the Daisy Pickers (14-16 mph).

Gib's Ride and the Daisy Pickers start off together at the Gib's Ride speed. This gives new riders a chance to see if they like the Gib's Ride speed or if they can go faster. At a certain point, the Daisy Pickers pick up their speed and leave Gib's Ride behind. Gib's Ride will not leave any riders behind and, often, has a sweep. A sweep is the person who stays behind with people who can't keep up or go the whole distance, yet. The sweep stays back with slower people and helps them get back to their cars or to the restaurant.

- more details at:

http://www.stpetecycling.com/schedule.html

- there's a new fixie shop in town with a Friday ride!:

Fixie Friday from the shop (http://www.66fixed.com/) at 6:15 PM.
Head down to 66Fixed bike shop, and
bump around town for a beer or two and good fun.


- hope this helps!

Thanks Linux Author. I'll try that number. Walsingham is definitely too far out of her way. I don't think she'd be comfortable with a group ride...I'd love to just find another person at beginner level who wants to ride with somebody.

And don't get me started on that St. Pete Bicycling club Gibs ride (Cat will defend if he sees this), but that ride was a joke. I went there for it once and I think there was nobody for that ride. They said that group would be the last to go...I got there in time to get in that last group and within 1/2 mile they were doing about 17-18mph and dropped me like a hot potato. Either there was no Gibs riders that morning(my guess) or their version of 6-12mph is more like 16-20mph.

What kind of bike does she ride (road, mountain, hyrbid, comfort)?

What kind of bike does she ride (road, mountain, hyrbid, comfort)?

She has an old comfort bike. It's probably 10 years old and has about 10 miles on it.

I think jmarkley710's going to rope her in. She can hide, but she can't escape :) .

East Hill

I think jmarkley710's going to rope her in. She can hide, but she can't escape :) .

East Hill

I hope he does....we need to rope in Hope! (Yes, her name is Hope).

If she lives in Seffner then Flatwoods is not far away. Try contacting Olivers Cycle Sports oliverscycle@verizon.net they might be able to get her in touch with another beginner. My wife rides Flatwoods most weekdays but she rides 7-14 miles at about 15-17mph.

If she lives in Seffner then Flatwoods is not far away. Try contacting Olivers Cycle Sports oliverscycle@verizon.net they might be able to get her in touch with another beginner. My wife rides Flatwoods most weekdays but she rides 7-14 miles at about 15-17mph.

You wife is definitely WAAAAAY out of her range. I rode flatwoods with her once before I moved so she knows the trail. That time she had to stop for breathers twice (I think the loop is 7 miles).

I never thought about Olivers....I'll give them a call. I was looking at a Jake the Snake there once.

Oliver's has a shop ride now too. She might be able to hookup with a slower group there if they ride in groups. Another good one to try would be the TB Freewheelers Stanley Ride (maybe after some build-up). That one goes 23 miles roundtrip @ 12-15 mph. It's a no drop ride so it'd be a good first group ride to try. September 16th there is a North Tampa ride leaving from the Sweetbay (old Kash N Karry) on Bruce B Downs. 20 miles 12-14mph average. I'd ride with her but... My average is 17-18 mph for 30-35 miles. I rode with a guy that rides 13 mph average for 10-12 miles. But don't think I could go 10-12. It might not be a good sight. She needs a roadie, easier to crank along in. :)

Oliver's has a shop ride now too. She might be able to hookup with a slower group there if they ride in groups. Another good one to try would be the TB Freewheelers Stanley Ride (maybe after some build-up). That one goes 23 miles roundtrip @ 12-15 mph. It's a no drop ride so it'd be a good first group ride to try. September 16th there is a North Tampa ride leaving from the Sweetbay (old Kash N Karry) on Bruce B Downs. 20 miles 12-14mph average. I'd ride with her but... My average is 17-18 mph for 30-35 miles. I rode with a guy that rides 13 mph average for 10-12 miles. But don't think I could go 10-12. It might not be a good sight. She needs a roadie, easier to crank along in. :)

Thanks for the suggestions, but I really don't think its going to work like that.

Even the Oliver ride is probably out of her league right now. We did the 7-mile loop (once about 5 months ago) and I had to slow down to probably 8-10mph to stay with her. She had to stop for breathers a few times in that 7 miles. When I say beginner, I mean BEGINNER.

Secondly, I don't even know if she's really going to be in to cycling, and I don't think she'd feel comfortable in a group ride setting. Perfect scenario would be another very beginner rider that she could ride with one on one where they could motivate each other.

Thanks for suggestions though. I really do appreciate it.

Thanks for the suggestions, but I really don't think its going to work like that.

Even the Oliver ride is probably out of her league right now. We did the 7-mile loop (once about 5 months ago) and I had to slow down to probably 8-10mph to stay with her. She had to stop for breathers a few times in that 7 miles. When I say beginner, I mean BEGINNER.

Secondly, I don't even know if she's really going to be in to cycling, and I don't think she'd feel comfortable in a group ride setting. Perfect scenario would be another very beginner rider that she could ride with one on one where they could motivate each other.

Thanks for suggestions though. I really do appreciate it.
Another thing to try is the Craigslist personals. Strictly Platonic personals of course. I've noticed them spotted with people looking for recreational cyclists. Very recreational (ie. beginner). Just an idea.

Another thing to try is the Craigslist personals. Strictly Platonic personals of course. I've noticed them spotted with people looking for recreational cyclists. Very recreational (ie. beginner). Just an idea.

Hmmmm.....I never even thought of that. I'll check it.

How about that Yahoo group in your sig? Any beginners come to that group? Any chance I might find one there?

I just bought a new bike for my girlfriend, we live in New Tampa/Wesley Chapel... She is still very much a beginner, so far all she can handle is about 7-8 miles at 10mph tops. I'll talk to her and see if she's interested. We like riding together but she feels bad b/c I don't even break a sweat when I'm riding with her, yet she can barely walk when we get done lol. The paved loop at Flatwoods is definately the best spot in the area for a beginner.

I just bought a new bike for my girlfriend, we live in New Tampa/Wesley Chapel... She is still very much a beginner, so far all she can handle is about 7-8 miles at 10mph tops. I'll talk to her and see if she's interested. We like riding together but she feels bad b/c I don't even break a sweat when I'm riding with her, yet she can barely walk when we get done lol. The paved loop at Flatwoods is definately the best spot in the area for a beginner.

That would be a perfect match. Please let me know what she says. I can give you more details about my g/f if she is curious. Just PM me.