Maine is lucky to have so many great charity rides each year. These are wonderful opportunities for people to ride together for a common cause. They are a bike ride, social event, fundraiser, community builder and party all rolled into one. If you haven’t done one, I highly recommend it. Many of them include portable showers, wonderful meals, mechanical, emotional, nutritional and, if you need it, motorized support to get you from start to finish. A rider of nearly any ability can have fun in one of these events. If you are thinking of doing one for the first time, here are some things you might want to pay attention to that will help you enjoy it more.
Research what rides are out there. Some are hilly, others flat. Some are multiple days and others are half-day rides. And of course each serves a different charity and has different fundraising requirements.
Don’t sweat the fundraising. It’s really a lot easier than you might think. And once you ask a few folks, it just rolls off your tongue because you see that people are willing to support it. All of the causes are worthy.
Find a buddy. As with any training program, having a friend to ride and learn with makes a huge difference. Even two totally novice riders will progress much faster together than if they go it alone. And most of the rides have support groups of other riders so you can match up with someone in your area and with your ability. It really helps keep you motivated and confident.
Get your bike checked out early. Take it to the shop ASAP and make sure it’s up to par. That way you won’t be disappointed on your training rides by getting stuck with broken equipment. Even if you are unsure whether you will actually do the ride or not, at least you will have a working bike for your own enjoyment.
Beware of the group mentality. Individual riders don’t usually blow through stop signs but those same riders might when they are in a group. Make sure you follow your own instincts when you ride. Remember, the rules for bikes are the same as the rules for cars. These events are very well managed so traffic conflicts are minimal, but you still want to ride your own ride.
Learn about your bike. Ask for help figuring out how to use all those gears. They can really be handy if you know how to use them. And learn how to use both of your brakes too. Most of your stopping power comes from your front brake so make it your friend.
Have fun. These are rides, not races. Don’t be intimidated by the spandex and the gadgets. That isn’t what they are about. They are about people getting together, riding bikes, having fun and supporting a good cause. And at the end of the ride, that’s all most folks remember.
Erik West is a certified bicycle riding instructor and mechanic, who teaches alternative transportation for the Greater Portland Council of Governments, the Bicycle Coalition of Maine and The Bicycle Workshop. He generally has his nose in most things related to promoting pollution-free transportation in Maine. To learn more or make yourself heard, check out www.thebicycleworkhshop.com or email him at erik@thebicycleworkshop.com.