Bike Ypsi: Your friends do!

I was just a growing bundles of nerves as the ride time got closer. I was no-way in charge, but I'd helped to organize, to publicize, and to refine the route. I definitely felt responsibility for how it would go. And then, 10 minutes before we departed, I got drafted to lead a third group. We hadn't expected needing a third group so those originally supposed to be sweepers (Natalie and myself) became leaders. I'm self-conscious about my erratic speed when riding with others, inexperienced in judging how long it will take a big group to get through a light, and stingy in my hand signals... but I knew the route, I bike plenty, I figured it would be good for me to try something new, and it needed to be done because:

Folks just kept rolling up.... all types of bikes, all types of people. We had young 'uns in trailers and on tag-alongs, we had people on $4000 road bikes and others $20 garage salers. It was beautiful. Group one looked good. Group two was too big, but they went anyway and managed to get everyone around. Our group, group #3, with two rookie ride leaders up front was nicely-sized at 15. The pace was slow, but the ride was pleasant. The folks were swell -- several in our group said they didn't think they could ride that far, most have never been on a group ride (myself included!), all were forgiving of our under-organization on a few minor points (note: stagger start times on the next ride!), and while one bike crapped out near the end, we ALL made it to the Corner Brewery with smiles on our faces.

Wrap up: 62 people (including organizers), 17 miles, 50 new e-mail contacts, heaps of good biking energy, several contacts made and casual rides set up, a threat to ride every Sunday at 2:10 (see Terry's comment on the myspace Bike Ypsi page), and some will to do more. I love Ypsi. I heart bikes. And biker chicks are so sexy...

Thanks to Mark Maynard and Mary for the photos! There are lots more on the Bike Ypsi page.