Southeast Regional Rides and Events - Cycle Memphis monthly "social" urban rides

This past Saturday evening I participated for the first time in the Cycle Memphis monthly evening ride around midtown- and east-Memphis. This was also my first real ride in nearly a year. What's cool about this ride is that it's just a bunch of folks showing up and riding, usually 8-10 mph average, for about 12-15 miles total. The route is different each time. There's always a rest stop near the middle, this time it was at a Mexican ice cream shop. Good stuff. One of the ride leaders also pulls a little trailer behind his bike with a big speaker and iPod so you have tunes along with the ride. This ride's playlist included several Beastie Boys tracks in honor of Adam D.

All in all it was a total blast to ride. We took probably 1.5 hours total riding time to go about 12.8 miles. Some areas of town we rode through would be viewed by some as "sketchy" buy honestly, when you're in a group of 30+ riders you still feel totally safe.

This is how I found out about these rides: http://ilovememphisblog.com/2012/03/365-things-to-do-in-memphis-61-ride-with-cycle-memphis/

They also usually post ride info here and on their FB page: http://www.cyclememphis.com/

I didn't get any pics during the ride, but here's a couple before setting out and during the break.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v38/PatrickGSR94/Bicycle/CycleMemphis2012-05-05/IMG_7918.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v38/PatrickGSR94/Bicycle/CycleMemphis2012-05-05/IMG_7922.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v38/PatrickGSR94/Bicycle/CycleMemphis2012-05-05/IMG_7924.jpg

le loudspeaker :p
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v38/PatrickGSR94/Bicycle/CycleMemphis2012-05-05/IMG_7926.jpg

Bump.

Are you guys still doing this?

I think i'll be able to handle 10MPH average.

And every crew needs a black guy :)

Heck yes, come on out! The next one for July is actually the 1 year anniversary of the Cycle Memphis ride starting, so it's supposed to be extra special! Rumors of a possibly party after the ride or something.

Whereabouts in the Memphis area are you?

Way out in southeast memphis

Pics from June's ride:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v38/PatrickGSR94/Bicycle/CycleMemphis2012-06-02/IMG_7962.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v38/PatrickGSR94/Bicycle/CycleMemphis2012-06-02/IMG_7963.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v38/PatrickGSR94/Bicycle/CycleMemphis2012-06-02/IMG_7964.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v38/PatrickGSR94/Bicycle/CycleMemphis2012-06-02/IMG_7965.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v38/PatrickGSR94/Bicycle/CycleMemphis2012-06-02/IMG_7966.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v38/PatrickGSR94/Bicycle/CycleMemphis2012-06-02/IMG_7967.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v38/PatrickGSR94/Bicycle/CycleMemphis2012-06-02/IMG_7968.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v38/PatrickGSR94/Bicycle/CycleMemphis2012-06-02/IMG_7969.jpg

cool man I'm in Southaven, DeSoto County myself.

Hmm that Gazebo is 6.2 miles from me.

But it would require me to drive down Lamar :(

iiiiiiiiiiiiiii don't think im ready for that lol

huh? what's wrong with driving on Lamar?

Sorry not drive, BIKE

I don't have one of those fancy car bike mounts yet.

aw man... I throw mine in the back of my car, but then again it's like a hatchback. I would come pick u up but I can only fit my bike in the car.

It's cool.

Even if i took the front wheel off im positive it still won't fit in the Cobalt :lol:

Ill make it to one of the events one day. Guaranteed :)

do the seats not fold down? I fit my bike in my car with the front wheel off and seats down. With my son's car seat in there I can still fit the bike if I take both wheels off. It's getting kind of annoying, though. Gotta get a rack one day when I can afford it.

Yes they do, i shall play Tetris with my Trek some time this week and get back to ya.

I'm going to try to make some as well but it will be Sept until I can. I'll be out of town for the next two rides but looks to be a good idea. I'm in Collierville in case anyone is looking to hook up for a ride.

cool I lived in Collierville for about 10 years before my family moved out to Oakland TN.

Offtopic, just did 6 miles! saw the temp is gonna be 96 high today, so i figured i better go ahead and get this out the way :lol:. I think i'll be able to keep up with the crew when i finally make a meet.

Hmmm...might drive to the location to see how the roads are there. Lamar is kinda busy, and theres no bike lanes and a small part of it doesnt have a sidewalk.

I'll figure it out. If not the upcoming i'll make the next one.

EDITED: miscalculation, thought it was ten miles :(

Don't worry about traffic. When you have 30 to 40 cyclists in a group (this next event is bound to be more than that), cars really are not an issue We just take up a whole lane and then some. :D I've been on two rides so far - one from the gazebo up to Summer/Graham area. The second was from the gazebo downtown to Beale/Main Street. Roads are generally quite good. I'm from DeSoto County where it's like nothing but endless hills. Memphis is pancake flat by comparison.

The traffic was me coming to the event via Lamar.

I went to the bike shop and the guy told me they have a bike even Tues and Thurs 6:30

Tues is 12 miles and Thurs is 22.

They joked with me saying nobody gets left on Tuesday, they'll hook me to someone else if need be

The traffic was me coming to the event via Lamar.

I went to the bike shop and the guy told me they have a bike even Tues and Thurs 6:30

Tues is 12 miles and Thurs is 22.

They joked with me saying nobody gets left on Tuesday, they'll hook me to someone else if need be

So you didn't make it? Man it was pretty amazing, one person said they counted 115 riders leaving C-Y area. Check out this guy's photo album:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/vic06/sets/72157630480954778/

And yeah I'm interested in the Tues/Thurs evening Peddler rides also. May have to wait until my son is a bit older and doesn't go to bed so early, so he can come along in the bike trailer.

No, wasnt able to make it :(

Im still riding without a helmet,lights,mini pump,spare tube. i have to get a few more things until im gonna be more comfortable on roads

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v38/PatrickGSR94/Bicycle/CycleMemphis2012-05-05/IMG_7918.jpg

The guy in that pic works at Peddlers, white/gold bike with epic beard, im preeeeeeeeeeeeeeeetty sure thats him.

Yeah I believe Peddler has something to do with this ride, although the guys leading call for people to support all LBS's. I know there are several Peddler employees who usually attend the ride.

Next Saturday i will be there man. you have my word.

As i said before, every crew needs a black guy.

Looks like a pretty cool ride, not unlike our weekly pub crawls (sometimes we stop for ice cream at Central Market instead of a pub). I like to see large groups taking to the roads without picking a fight with cars. Good stuff.

As i said before, every crew needs a black guy.

Actually there were 5 or 6 (guys and girls) at this one. If you're on FB you should "like" the Cycle Memphis page, as they post each monthly ride as an Event that you can join. Then as the ride gets closer they will post the route.


Looks like a pretty cool ride, not unlike our weekly pub crawls (sometimes we stop for ice cream at Central Market instead of a pub). I like to see large groups taking to the roads without picking a fight with cars. Good stuff.

Yeah this time we actually went for a short section on the local rail trail MUP, which is only about 10-12 feet wide paved asphalt. Verrrrry interesting having 100+ cyclists all going one direction, with music blasting. Walkers had to stand to the side, and cyclists coming the other direction had to squeeze past. Did not see anyone acting mad or anything. Most people were smiling and going "WOW look at that!!!!" or similar. :)

Guess who'll be there

sweet, look for my yellow bike - pics in signature.

Man im having anxiety attacks over here lol.

This seems like too many people for me :(

And i didnt know it was at night, or i forgot....so i dont have a light.

Okay im gonna go for it, i have no head lamp tho.....i'll speak to ya if i see you

I made it and i survived.....barely.


http://ist1-2.filesor.com/pimpandhost.com/5/6/2/9/56292/1/7/m/m/17mmN/IMG_20120804_191757.jpg (http://www.pimpandhost.com/image/16530613-original.html)

Awesome dude. So sorry I didn't really get a chance to talk to you much, maybe next time.

Im not really the social type. I keep to myself. Ill def be there next month.

Yeah I'm not really either except for with people I know. The girl I was talking to I've known since high school in the 90's.

Wont be able to make it tomorrow unfortunately.

Need some bike repair after i flipped off.

Don't worry, we're not riding today due to holiday weekend! If you're on FB you should Like the CM page so you'll know when it's happening or not. Hopefully we'll ride next weekend.

Hope you weren't really hurt.

If my schedule permits, I'm in next time.

There is no official ride this month. I heard that some may ride this evening anyway, but not sure if regular time or after this Rock For Love event at the Hi-Tone.

Well after a 2-month long hiatus we're back on tomorrow night! I'm hoping the forecast rain will be gone by then. Not sure if people will ride in the rain or not. But either way it's going to be CHILLY! I have some cool weather gear I need to test out riding on my new road bike. :)

Apparently there's some kind of cross-dressing thing going on with this ride. I won't be doing that, but will still be riding, weather permitting.

FB event page: https://www.facebook.com/events/222556864536462/

October's route: http://goo.gl/maps/uy8vG

Ride cancelled due to weather. :(

Yeah weather has been a pain here lately. Tried going out for a ride this morning and it was too cold for me:( and it looked like it was about to rain then.

I felt like poo this morning, but am kicking myself for not getting out on the Downtown Farmers' Market ride.

Riding again tonight! It's on a Monday this time only because the destination is the Starry Nights light display at Shelby Farms, which is closed to vehicles on Mondays in December. Gonna be super cold tonight!

Riding again tonight! It's on a Monday this time only because the destination is the Starry Nights light display at Shelby Farms, which is closed to vehicles on Mondays in December. Gonna be super cold tonight!
:crash::roflmao2:Black people don't get out in the cold. Cya when it warms up!

Next ride is this Saturday! Weather permitting of course.

Ill be there if it doesnt rain

Looks like the rain might hold off, but will probably be a bit cold.

Probably should have posted this earlier, but the February ride is this coming Saturday the 9th, not last Saturday the 2nd, due one of the ride leaders being ill. High around 60, slim chance of rain. Should be pretty nice!

https://www.facebook.com/events/500826509959662/

Again this month the ride is on the 2nd Saturday the 9th, because last Saturday was super cold, but this Saturday it's supposed to be sunny and up near 70 degrees. Should be awesome!

https://www.facebook.com/events/565360323476827/