And That’s a GOOD Thing…
Don’t give up on your favorite group rides just because the days are getting shorter! Grab your light and meet your friends for YEAR ROUND Riding!
Red Taillights, fondly referred to as "Winkie Blinkies" have been required equipment on all evening rides for the past few weeks. (If you ride early in the morning, you need one then, too!) And now that Daylight Savings Time has ended for the year, you’ll need a headlamp to take part in the fun.
In the Kansas City Area, many group rides go year round, through slight drizzles, whispy fog, light snow and dark of night. All you need to take part in the fun (ok…some call it insanity)are warm clothes, a sense of adventure, and a light. (Editor’s Note: Buy the best light you can afford. You’ll use it. Light envy is well known among those who ride year round.)
In the Kansas City Area, many group rides go year round, through slight drizzles, whispy fog, light snow and dark of night. All you need to take part in the fun (ok…some call it insanity)are warm clothes, a sense of adventure, and a light. (Editor’s Note: Buy the best light you can afford. You’ll use it. Light envy is well known among those who ride year round.)
There are lights that mount on the handlebars and lights that clip on your helmet. Both have their advantages, so get the system that suits your needs. There are wide beams and narrow beams, and a wide variety of bulbs. Even the battery options are many…hid, nimh, bottle shaped, bike mounted, pocket sized…Ask around, most riders will tell you what they like or dislike about a given type of light or mounting system.
Once you’ve chosen a light. read the directions for charging the battery, mounting it to your bike or helmet and adjusting the beam or focus if you have those features. Know what it means when your light starts to blink or changes from high strength to low strength (usually, that means you’d better be close to home, cause you’re out of battery…).
Then come and ride:
Trek Store Ride led by Slimen und Grossen
Mondays, 6:30 PM Year RoundVarying route and pace depending on who’s there and how tired the ride leaders are after the weekend. Stay for a little socializing afterwards.75th Street Brewery Ride
Tuesdays, 6:30 PM Year RoundMeet in the back parking lot for a fast 18 miles loop. Good food and beer await you at the finish.Chelly’s Winter Ride
Wednesdays, 6:30 PM Year RoundNo Maps and no leaders…plan to ride at an average of at least 15-16mph to keep up if you don’t know the route. Chelly continues the $2 Import bottled beer special and $2.95 margaritas for us.Chelley’s is on 85th St just east of Wornall on the north side of 85th. It’s a corner strip mall.
Blue Moose Ride
Thursdays, 6:30 PM Year RoundBlue Moose Bar and Grill is located at the corner of 71st St and Tomahawk Creek Rd in Prairie Village Shopping Center. The ride goes north through Mission Hills, Fairway and into Wyandotte County where there are some challenging hills. It then returns south and goes through the Corinth area and back to PV. Join the big Thursday crowd at the Blue Moose after the ride for $1.50 beers and great food.