Oops. Posted that before I was done. Anyway, a cursory search finds all sorts of group ride options. My favorite event name is Tour de Troit. Makes me wish I lived in the midwest in many ways! I bet you find so many bike-minded friends, you'll wonder why you didn't move sooner.
On Tuesday, January 18, 2022 at 9:48:23 AM UTC-7 iamkeith wrote: > > https://www.letourdeshore.com/ > > https://lmb.org/events/ride-calendar/ > > https://tourdeville.org/ > > > > https://www.tourdelivingston.org/ > > https://www.tourdayoopeh.com/ > On Tuesday, January 18, 2022 at 9:31:16 AM UTC-7 upyou...@yahoo.com wrote: > >> Dear RivSister, >> I ponder all these things too. I'm happy in the 'Lone Wolf' department >> at this point but welcome opportunities and always try new things. My fear >> is that folks will take a look at my beautiful Platy and think she is a >> Mary Poppins boardwalk bike. As someone mentioned above, it's like showing >> up at school on the first day with the wrong clothes on. I've been there >> before and it brings me right back to the shame I felt as a third grader in >> a new school. There is quite a spectrum of bike riders and when you >> intersect at multiple points it is hard to pick where to jump in. All the >> suggestions so far have been good. If it is your desire to find friendly >> bike people to share experiences, it will happen. >> I wouldn't lead with the 'killer hill crusher' story though!!! LOL >> Long Haul Trunker---Kate >> >> On Tuesday, January 18, 2022 at 11:21:08 AM UTC-5 iamkeith wrote: >> >>> Are there any supported tours in Michigan during the summer months? >>> Those can be pretty fun because they attract such a wide variety of riders, >>> and there's lots of downtime spent camping and hanging out as a group. >>> There will be a small lycra crowd that races ahead each day and brags about >>> how many "additional" miles they added the the itinerary, but most will >>> take their time, stop along the way to take in the scenery and tourist >>> attractions or explore small towns. And you'll see every type of bike >>> imaginable. After 5 days, you usually have time to build great commaradrie >>> and settle in with like-minded and like- paced riders. Somewhere around >>> 300 people is a pretty nice size and gives you the opportunity to meet >>> everyone, but there might be a lottery or competitive registration process >>> to get in. It's also a really nice way to explore and utilize highways >>> that you otherwise wouldn't for safety concerns. The big 1,000+ person >>> group tours are a little cumbersome, and can start to elicit angry behavior >>> from motorists due to the obstruction they cause, and the inevitability of >>> having a few bad-behaving riders. >>> >>> >>> Otherwise, I'd almost say don't approach this from a biking standpoint. >>> Identify things you want to see and places you want to go, and find people >>> who you'd enjoy exploring with. I think most adventurous people ride bikes >>> in some manner and could be willing to use them as a means to an end, even >>> if they're not as obsessive about their bike itself as we are. Especially >>> now that "bike packing" is a fashionable thing being pushed by sporting >>> goods stores. I'm always concerned that my enthusiasm for bikes of a >>> certain practicality and aesthetic will come off every bit as boorish as >>> someone who wears full kit and thinks we all need the latest tech. So my >>> bike "collection" and obsessive build details are pretty much a private >>> thing that I keep to myself and are for me alone (or this group, >>> obviously). As much as I'm tempted to want to prostheletize and explain >>> why others are doing it wrong (and they are), it's also fun to just enjoy >>> the moment and the company and embrace that lone wolf iconoclasm once in a >>> while - even when you're hanging with others. Plus, I'm really bad about >>> mansplaining, even when well intentioned, so Ive learned it's best to keep >>> my mouth shut. >>> On Tuesday, January 18, 2022 at 7:49:07 AM UTC-7 Bill Schairer wrote: >>> >>>> Signing up for a charity ride might be a way to meet some like minded >>>> riders. Something like an MS150 ride attracts all sorts of riders (or at >>>> least used to). Hmmm, maybe not an option in these COVID times, are >>>> charity rides even going on these days? >>>> >>>> Bill S >>>> San Diego >>>> >>>> On Tuesday, January 18, 2022 at 5:38:59 AM UTC-8 David Hays wrote: >>>> >>>>> Great idea Richard. >>>>> I imagine if you use Strava you can find people who have ridden the >>>>> same stretch of trail you’re on. >>>>> >>>>> On Jan 18, 2022, at 8:33 AM, Richard Rose <rmro...@gmail.com> wrote: >>>>> >>>>> Leah, your trail system may hold an answer. I rely heavily on Facebook >>>>> groups for trail conditions & event / ride notifications. I have met many >>>>> other riders using these groups. Find those groups! >>>>> >>>>> Sent from my iPhone >>>>> >>>>> On Jan 18, 2022, at 7:39 AM, Leah Peterson <jonasa...@gmail.com> >>>>> wrote: >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> You all are funny. And that goes a long way when the topic is rather >>>>> demoralizing. Our RivSister, Pam Murray, has been a wonderful resource on >>>>> the subject. She has been a leader in her community because it didn’t >>>>> offer >>>>> what she wanted - so she created it. She has a recorded presentation that >>>>> I >>>>> will post here if she grants permission. >>>>> >>>>> Yesterday I cleaned and then rewarded myself with a trip to find the >>>>> local trailheads to the 2 rail trails that are famous here. I found both. >>>>> They go through wooded areas and fields and over covered bridges and all >>>>> the way to a historic port city on Lake Michigan. Bikes and horses in >>>>> spring/summer/fall, and snowmobiles in winter. I’ll have to drive to the >>>>> trail head, however. The trail is 33.5 miles one way. >>>>> >>>>> If I just cannot find like-minded riders, I suppose I can Lone Wolf it >>>>> until I get the lay of the land here and then I could organize a ride. I >>>>> can’t imagine myself in this role, but Pam says it’s possible, so it must >>>>> be. But I’m still holding out hope there is a group for me somewhere! >>>>> >>>>> L >>>>> >>>>> On Jan 18, 2022, at 1:23 AM, Ian A <atte...@gmail.com> wrote: >>>>> >>>>> RivSisters is a pretty good name for a biker gang. >>>>> >>>>> IanA >>>>> >>>>> On Monday, January 17, 2022 at 10:22:29 PM UTC-7 Joe Bernard wrote: >>>>> >>>>>> I SO could see Leah becoming the ringleader of her own bike gang. >>>>>> "Follow her, I'm not sure where she's going but it looks fun!" 🥳🎉🎈🚴♀️ >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> On Monday, January 17, 2022 at 8:51:39 PM UTC-8 John Rinker wrote: >>>>>> >>>>>>> Well, I do believe that when you find a group with whom (which?) to >>>>>>> ride, you'll show up on that beautiful Platy and cause quite a stir. At >>>>>>> which point you'll be able to choose your own direction and ride off >>>>>>> with >>>>>>> any number of riders smitten by raspberry, steel and Ornithorhynchus >>>>>>> close >>>>>>> behind. And, you'll become a group of your own. Have some possible >>>>>>> group >>>>>>> names ready! >>>>>>> >>>>>>> Cheers, >>>>>>> John 'A lone wolf who enjoys bumping into other lone wolves' Rinker >>>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>>> On Tuesday, January 18, 2022 at 11:48:33 AM UTC+9 Patrick Moore >>>>>>> wrote: >>>>>>> >>>>>>>> Minneapolis, Minnesota, Michigan, they're all the same. >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> I'll think about a bobblehat pic. And after I think about it, I'll >>>>>>>> wince. But the earflaps do work very well. >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> On Mon, Jan 17, 2022 at 7:45 PM Leah Peterson <jonasa...@gmail.com> >>>>>>>> wrote: >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> Patrick, who lives in Minneapolis? Not me! (And as the bikiest >>>>>>>>> city in the nation, yes they beat Portland, they certainly DO have >>>>>>>>> such >>>>>>>>> groups. And the most Rivs I have ever seen has been in Minneapolis, I >>>>>>>>> will >>>>>>>>> add.) >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> Can we see the faux-Peruvian bobble hat in scarlet with fuzzy chin >>>>>>>>> ties? >>>>>>>>> Leah >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> > On Jan 17, 2022, at 9:40 PM, Patrick Moore <bert...@gmail.com> >>>>>>>>> wrote: >>>>>>>>> > >>>>>>>>> > I like to think of myself as a Velominatus, one of the cycling >>>>>>>>> > enlightened, earnestly and exactingly preserving the Rules and >>>>>>>>> the >>>>>>>>> > Lore while wearing an expression of noble and aloof gravity >>>>>>>>> befitting >>>>>>>>> > the dignity of the responsibility, but I expect others just take >>>>>>>>> me >>>>>>>>> > for a dork on a bike, especially when I wear my faux-Peruvian >>>>>>>>> bobble >>>>>>>>> > hat in scarlet with fuzzy chin ties. >>>>>>>>> > >>>>>>>>> > Slightly less in earnest: in ABQ there is the NM Touring Society >>>>>>>>> which >>>>>>>>> > hosts daily rides year 'round and has 3 or 4 different ride >>>>>>>>> levels >>>>>>>>> > including "slow and friendly and we stop for everyone." I have >>>>>>>>> twice >>>>>>>>> > almost signed up only to forebear since they start at 7:30 or >>>>>>>>> 8:30 in >>>>>>>>> > the morning and I take pleasure in cycling only after about 10 >>>>>>>>> am. My >>>>>>>>> > mornings are in any event too busy, and in any event I prefer to >>>>>>>>> ride >>>>>>>>> > mid-day, even in the heat. >>>>>>>>> > >>>>>>>>> > Pre-Covid I did several rides with a friend and q group of fellow >>>>>>>>> > engineers and managers from Sandia National Labs, and that was >>>>>>>>> fun for >>>>>>>>> > the occasional ride even tho' I had to get up at 4 to get ready >>>>>>>>> for >>>>>>>>> > and drive to the 6 am start; this was summertime, but 6 am rides >>>>>>>>> are >>>>>>>>> > Not My Thing. I do like to ride with said friend, but two is not >>>>>>>>> > group. >>>>>>>>> > >>>>>>>>> > I can't imagine that in a city like Minneapolis there isn't at >>>>>>>>> least 1 >>>>>>>>> > riding group that is neither roadie nor mtb and that emphasizes >>>>>>>>> > friendliness and "wait up" with cafe stops at the end. >>>>>>>>> > >>>>>>>>> > Patrick "life begins after 10 am" Moore >>>>>>>>> > >>>>>>>>> >> On Mon, Jan 17, 2022 at 7:31 AM Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! >>>>>>>>> >> <jonasa...@gmail.com> wrote: >>>>>>>>> >> >>>>>>>>> >> We recently moved to SW Michigan. I was a total Lone Wolf >>>>>>>>> (borrowing from Eben Weiss, The Bike Snob) in Vegas but I dream of >>>>>>>>> having >>>>>>>>> Real Life Bike Friends here. This List has really been a gift to me, >>>>>>>>> but it >>>>>>>>> has also made me want more: I want REAL people and REAL experiences >>>>>>>>> with >>>>>>>>> them. I have found a shop that hosts rides of various kinds 9 months >>>>>>>>> out of >>>>>>>>> the year. There is hope! >>>>>>>>> >> >>>>>>>>> >> The trouble is: I don’t know what I am, and neither does anyone >>>>>>>>> else. >>>>>>>>> >> >>>>>>>>> >> I have never done a group ride. I don’t know how fast or slow I >>>>>>>>> am, and I don’t know how far I can go. I don’t know etiquette or what >>>>>>>>> would >>>>>>>>> tick off other riders in the group. (My “group rides” were with my 2 >>>>>>>>> sons >>>>>>>>> on the way to school. And it’s true that you learn a rhythm that >>>>>>>>> works for >>>>>>>>> your group and on the rare occasion my husband got included, he made >>>>>>>>> us all >>>>>>>>> nervous.) I would like to have a good first experience and not be a >>>>>>>>> drag >>>>>>>>> for a group. I think failure would send me right back into Lone >>>>>>>>> Wolfdom. I >>>>>>>>> suppose I will just have to risk it. >>>>>>>>> >> >>>>>>>>> >> When I say I ride, everyone thinks Roadie, and then they think >>>>>>>>> of their friend who is also a Roadie and want to plan a meeting for >>>>>>>>> us. >>>>>>>>> Now, I doubt I’m going to keep up with a group of road bikes on my >>>>>>>>> Platypus. When I say I don’t have a road bike, the person will say, >>>>>>>>> “Oh, >>>>>>>>> you like to mountain bike!” When I try to explain, try to say what it >>>>>>>>> is >>>>>>>>> that I ride, I don’t have words. If I admit I don’t have a road bike >>>>>>>>> or >>>>>>>>> mountain bike people assume hybrid bike from big box store = not a >>>>>>>>> serious >>>>>>>>> rider. I don’t know what I am. I don’t know what “we” are. Where do >>>>>>>>> bikes >>>>>>>>> like ours fit? Who do we ride with? >>>>>>>>> >> >>>>>>>>> >> In looking at local events online, it seems there are Roadies >>>>>>>>> and there are Gravel Kings (my own term). If I roll up on my >>>>>>>>> fendered, >>>>>>>>> raspberry sparkle Platypus, both groups will be uncomfortable. >>>>>>>>> >> >>>>>>>>> >> My shop did mention some community rides, and those I will try, >>>>>>>>> though I suspect they might be short and slow for my taste. There are >>>>>>>>> some >>>>>>>>> very exciting events state-wide here, but they do seem to be geared >>>>>>>>> to road >>>>>>>>> bikers. I admit that I know very little about bike culture here, and >>>>>>>>> talking to real people might open up a lot of possibilities. Where >>>>>>>>> are >>>>>>>>> these people I can talk to?! >>>>>>>>> >> >>>>>>>>> >> The locals tell me spring will be here in March. I’ve got 2 >>>>>>>>> months to figure out where I fit, Rivsters. >>>>>>>>> >> >>>>>>>>> >> Who can relate? Who has words of wisdom? Who just wants to >>>>>>>>> commiserate? Are we the outcasts of bike culture or are we unicorns? >>>>>>>>> Where >>>>>>>>> are we in the Velotaxonomy? How do we make the cool people take us >>>>>>>>> seriously? Should I buy Lycra? >>>>>>>>> >> >>>>>>>>> >> What I wouldn’t give for a couple of RivSisters living locally… >>>>>>>>> >> Leah >>>>>>>>> > >>>>>>>>> > -- >>>>>>>>> > You received this message because you are subscribed to a topic >>>>>>>>> in the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. >>>>>>>>> > To unsubscribe from this topic, visit >>>>>>>>> https://groups.google.com/d/topic/rbw-owners-bunch/PPpgoQuIGhk/unsubscribe >>>>>>>>> . >>>>>>>>> > To unsubscribe from this group and all its topics, send an email >>>>>>>>> to rbw-owners-bun...@googlegroups.com. >>>>>>>>> > To view this discussion on the web visit >>>>>>>>> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/CALuTfguQihYDZVn9MU9jf-9k7tVZBudCzKaR97gvwzvE0ozE8A%40mail.gmail.com >>>>>>>>> . >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> -- >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google >>>>>>>>> Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, >>>>>>>>> send an email to rbw-owners-bun...@googlegroups.com. >>>>>>>>> To view this discussion on the web visit >>>>>>>>> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/0460A2E1-5B0E-4083-9F9F-679AC507F186%40gmail.com >>>>>>>>> . >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> -- >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> ----------------------------------------------------------------------- >>>>>>>> Patrick Moore >>>>>>>> Alburquerque, Nuevo Mexico, Etats Unis d'Amerique, Orbis Terrarum >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> >>>>> -- >>>>> You received this message because you are subscribed to a topic in the >>>>> Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. >>>>> To unsubscribe from this topic, visit >>>>> https://groups.google.com/d/topic/rbw-owners-bunch/PPpgoQuIGhk/unsubscribe >>>>> . >>>>> To unsubscribe from this group and all its topics, send an email to >>>>> rbw-owners-bun...@googlegroups.com. >>>>> To view this discussion on the web visit >>>>> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/46538df1-39ad-4b5e-a793-7289756e1037n%40googlegroups.com >>>>> >>>>> <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/46538df1-39ad-4b5e-a793-7289756e1037n%40googlegroups.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> >>>>> . >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> -- >>>>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google >>>>> Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. >>>>> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send >>>>> an email to rbw-owners-bun...@googlegroups.com. >>>>> To view this discussion on the web visit >>>>> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/996729D4-FD04-43F4-BD05-4ACF87100C35%40gmail.com >>>>> >>>>> <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/996729D4-FD04-43F4-BD05-4ACF87100C35%40gmail.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> >>>>> . >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> -- >>>>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google >>>>> Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. >>>>> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send >>>>> an email to rbw-owners-bun...@googlegroups.com. >>>>> >>>>> To view this discussion on the web visit >>>>> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/B66FBF32-5721-4ED8-B0F0-C3BE5B36425C%40gmail.com >>>>> >>>>> <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/B66FBF32-5721-4ED8-B0F0-C3BE5B36425C%40gmail.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> >>>>> . >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. 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