Saturday, 9/10/11, was the first of our weekly Saturday rides and it was just what we are looking to do: integrate cyclists of various skill levels

USOCF Ride Club, First Ride 09/10/11

and help them move forward in confidence, technique and on-road skills.  We had riders raging in age from 18 to 60+ and did a 25.5 mile loop through Seekonk and out to Barrington on public roads, then back – at about5:45 on a fairly empty East Bay Bike Path.

It is a good route for folks that have not gone that distance before because of the low motor-vehicle traffic volume, the bike path return and the  India Point Park Bridge back into Providence and the start point, Legend Bicycles @ 181 Brook Street.  Along the way we had some great conversation, saw a young deer and got to know each other a little better.  Cameron did a great job leading the pack and everyone else did a great job of staying together and following the rules of the road.

As the group grows, we will definitely be splitting into groups of various speeds and, I think that we will work to design routes where, regardless of whether you take the shorter or the longer one, we’ll all finish together.  Perhaps to retire for some refreshment or just wish each other a good week ahead.

Come on out and join us.  In a two-hour ride from Providence’s East Side you will see a little suburbia, farmland that looks for all the world like my home in Ohio and shore scape that makes the Ocean State a great place to be!

Next Saturday. 4:00. 181 Brook Street, Providence.  You can register by clicking on the “Events” button above and scrolling down to the PayPal button.

See you there and, until then, downshift!  That’s why the thing has 20-odd speeds!

~ Durishin

PS: here’s the link to the Strava.com recording of the ride.  Clicking on the map will pull up the dataset.

We’ve been inundated with requests for weekly rides so…Ok!

There will be a U S Open Cycling Foundation ride each Saturday from September 10 at 4:00 leaving from John and Brook Streets in Providence (Fox Point).

Cameron Moquin

The rides will be between 30 and 40 miles in length and will be done at a moderate pace.  We will add a 15-20 mile ride if we get a minimum of five requests.  Rides will be led and swept.

We’re going to do some League of American Bicyclists group riding training along the way because, well, learning group riding technique by trial and error can be both painful and expensive.  What we teach will help you sharpen your bicycle handling skills too.

We’re also going to help you reach your personal fitness goals.  The mission of the foundation is to help people achieve a healthy life through bicycling for fitness, fun and pleasure and these rides serve that mission and you!

Road bikes and helmets are required.  There is a registration fee that – first year will be $45 to cover insurance and the  group riding training.  In subsequent years, your US Open Cycling Foundation Rider’s Club renewal fee will be less.  We also ask for a $5 donation per ride after the first to help cover our time putting together the rides.

Rides will be lead by Cameron Moquin (pictured), Richard Durishin and, maybe, Sarah Thomas will join in now and again.

The registration button is below.   Please do not hesitate to email me at rdurishin@usopencycling.org if you have any questions.  Cameron, Sarah and I look forward to riding with you!

We’re up to a lot of things at US Open Cycling and we are thrilled to have you involved and riding with us.  We’ll also give you the opportunity to share your passion for cycling throughout the community.

To join our weekly rides, please register your USOCF Riding Club Membership below.