Pedal Power Can Get You Back On Your Bike
Sandy Schreyer, The Fit Tourist

Have you thought about getting back on your bike but just haven’t figured out how to start?  Do you look at your neighbors cycling off on local trails and think that it might be fun?  Do you want to improve your fitness this summer and are trying to figure out how?  We can help you with all of these questions through our Pedal Power rides! 

The Fit Tourist, Whahoo Adventures and Have Fun Tours will offer three guided rides aimed at helping  new and/or returning cyclists (re)discover the fun and health benefits of cycling.  A Pedal Power ride will be offered in May, June and July, with each month the distance progressively increasing from 12 miles, then to 21 miles and finally to 35 miles, as you build up your stamina.

Before each ride, we will start by helping you evaluate your bike for needed maintenance or repairs and offer tips on how to adjust your bike for optimal fit.  During each ride we will also offer suggestions for the oft-avoided and sometimes embarrassing question about whether bike clothing is really necessary and/or whether it makes a difference in the biking experience. We will also address the issues of cycling nutrition and hydration, where to find good biking trail or safe road route near your home and whether to consider joining a cycling group.  Our goal for these rides is to offer a safe, friendly and interactive environment that will increase your confidence and motivation for biking in the Twin Cities.

Our first ride occurs on Friday, May 18, beginning at Theodore Wirth beach, just west of downtown Minneapolis.  On this ride, we will venture south and travel around several of the lakes on bike friendly trails, taking in the spring scenery as we go along.  The ride is 12 miles long so you don’t have to be intimidated by the distance and we will have several food stops along the way to keep you energized. 

The second ride takes place on Friday, June 29, starting at Maplewood Community Center.  The 21 mile route will utilize multiple bike friendly trails as we meander into the heart of St. Paul, wave at the capitol, sample food at various local cafes and peek at the Mississippi River. 

The final ride is on Friday, July 13, and starts at Minnehaha Falls Park. We will travel 35 miles and cross the Mississippi 12 times  during this outing, with plenty of food stops.

At the end, if you schedule all three you will have seen some of the best biking venues in the Twin Cities and will have ridden 68 confident-building-miles.

But, most importantly, no one will be left behind! Each of the three rides will have several guides leading and following the group to insure that no one get lost or frustrated! 

The cost for these events are $39 each or $99 for all three rides.  Registration can be found at www.signmeup.com/81948. 

Further information or questions can be posted to sandy@havefunbiking.com

Article Published: 03-26-2012