PatrickGSR94

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: https://ilovememphisblog.com/2012/03/...cycle-memphis/

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

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







le loudspeaker

DntWorryB.Happy

Bump.

Are you guys still doing this?

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

And every crew needs a black guy

PatrickGSR94

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?

DntWorryB.Happy

Way out in southeast memphis

PatrickGSR94

Pics from June's ride:

PatrickGSR94

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

DntWorryB.Happy

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

PatrickGSR94

huh? what's wrong with driving on Lamar?

DntWorryB.Happy

Sorry not drive, BIKE

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

PatrickGSR94

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.

DntWorryB.Happy

It's cool.

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

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

PatrickGSR94

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.

DntWorryB.Happy

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

leeinmemphis

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.

PatrickGSR94

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

DntWorryB.Happy

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 . 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

PatrickGSR94

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. 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.

DntWorryB.Happy

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

PatrickGSR94

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:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/vic06/s...7630480954778/

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.

DntWorryB.Happy

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



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

PatrickGSR94

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.

DntWorryB.Happy

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

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

Doohickie

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.

PatrickGSR94

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.

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.

DntWorryB.Happy

Guess who'll be there