Decatur Third Friday Bike Ride Returns in April!

Join Decatur Active Living for the return of the Third Friday Fun Bike Ride on April 17th. We will meet at the Decatur Recreation Center, just a short hop from the Decatur MARTA station, 231 Sycamore Street. The ride will go through scenic Decatur neighborhoods at a slow pace and is family friendly. We leave the Recreation Center at 6:30 pm.  After we ride, we will visit a local watering hole for refreshment. Helmets are required and lights are strongly suggested for your ride home. This is an all-levels ride and  no one will be left behind! There is parking available in the shared lot behind the Library.

The ride is free! You can find more information at http://www.decaturga.com/biking and you can join the Meet-up Group here.

Riders From a 2014 Ride! Join Us.

Riders From a 2014 Ride…Join Us!

Decatur Rode to the Capitol

On Tuesday, March 24, hundreds of cyclists met at the East Lake MARTA Station to join in the annual “Georgia Rides to the Capitol” bike ride. The City of Decatur had seven employees who joined in the ride, and were escorted by Atlanta Motorcyle Police and our own Officer Lindsey on motorcycle as well as Firefighters who followed us in case there was an emergency. (Luckily there wasn’t!)

Commissioner Boykin organized the Decatur leg of the ride and invited local elected officials to join us. There were many mayors and councilmen who did!

What is Georgia Rides to the Capitol?  It is Georgia’s biggest one-day advocacy event! The ride is to raise support for improved conditions for bicycling in Georgia, including the development of regional systems of both on-road and off-road bicycling facilities and multi-use trails.

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Enjoy more photos on our Facebook page.

 

GA Rides to the Capitol – Join us on the Decatur Ride

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From Georgia Bikes! and the Southern Bicycle League:

2014 will be a watershed year for bicycling in Georgia. Interest in bicycling – be it for sport or transportation – has never been higher. Georgia has six official “Bicycle Friendly Communities,” Complete Streets policies are taking hold statewide, and strong local advocacy groups have won major successes in cities like Atlanta, Milledgeville, and Rome.

We’ve come a long way, but there’s still so much more to do. Join us at the 2014 Ride to the Capitol to demonstrate your support for safe, economically vibrant communities. Let’s create a Georgia that provides residents and visitors alike great opportunities for enjoying the simple, healthy joy of riding a bike.

For more information visit the Georgia Rides to the Capitol web site, an annual event arranged and hosted by your state bicycling advocacy organization Georgia Bikes!

Be sure to register- it is free, and you will be covered by the insurance and receive a free leg band.

FREE Intro Group Riding Skills Clinic on Saturday

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RIDE LEADERS Mike Masters and Mike Sheehan will host an Intro Group Riding Skills Clinic on Saturday, June 8 at 1:30 pm.

 Meet at Glennwood Academy, 440 East Ponce De Leon Avenue, Decatur GA 30030, ready to ride at 1:30pm. The clinic starts with a group discussion covering the basics of bike safety, rules of the road, and group riding skills. There will be time for questions and answers on a variety of cycling topics before the ride begins. Following the group discussion, we will put theory into practice on a 5 mile group ride around Decatur. Participants are encouraged to reconvene at Fellini’s Pizza after the ride for refreshments and socializing (333 Commerce Drive, Decatur).

This clinic is intended for beginner to intermediate cyclists who want to improve their group riding skills and get connected to the local cycling community. The clinic is appropriate for adult cyclists who have achieved at least a minimum level of cycling ability. For example, before attending this clinic you should: Know how to ride your bike, Know how to operate the brakes and stop your bike, Know how to change gears on your bike, Know how to inflate the tires on your bike, Be able to ride your bike in its current condition at least 10 miles, and Be ready to meet new people, learn new skills, and have some fun. No clinic if it is raining.

For more information and to sign up, click here.

Intro Group Riding Skill Clinic Tomorrow

Riding Group from July 2012

Riding Group from July 2012

Have you been meaning to dust off your bicycle and start riding again?  Are you interested in learning how to ride in a group? The Southern Bicycle League offers a free Intro Group Riding Skill Clinic tomoow, February 9 at 1:30pm. They will begin with a quick overview on rules of the road and riding in a group, then ride approximately five miles around Decatur. All levels are welcome but knowledge of how to ride is required. Helmets are also required.

Meet in the parking lot at Glennwood Academy located at 440 East Ponce de Leon Avenue at 1:30pm ready to ride.

For more information and to register click here.

FreeWheelin’ and Group Bike Rides

I have just recently discovered FreeWheelin’  magazine for bicyclists, a publication of the Southern Bicycle League. One of the things that caught my interest was that they have a Calendar of bike rides throughout the metro area. One in Decatur that might of interest is a weekly Saturday ride called “Sam’s Freight Room Ride” at 2pm. It is an easy 11 mile ride through Decatur and Avondale Estates that ends will refreshments at a local restaurant. Sounds like a fun way to spend a Saturday afternoon. I am definately going to join in one Saturday soon. IN case you are new to Decatur, the Freight Room was a restaurant/bar in the  Train Depot. For more information, contact bikelr@comcast.net.

Click here for a calendar of August SBL Rides.

Consider joining the Southern Bicycle League if you take advantage of the free rides and read the magazine. Good to support the things that enhance your life!

Opportunities to Ride Your Bike and Learn Bike Skills

The Southern Bicycle League has two upcoming events that you might be interested in.

On Friday, July 13th they will lead a bike ride through Arabia Mountain.

From their website:
Come and ride The Path through the nature preserve, over the covered bridge to Lake Alexander and onto the newest spur, South Rockdale River Trail.   Shady trail with  lots of wildlife.  Bring water and snacks as there are no store stops on the trail.  About 30 miles with moderate hills at a 10 mph avg.  Call Kelly Bilak for more info 404.831.4247.  Starting point Stonecrest Mall parking lot between Kohl’s and the Hyatt Place.  Look for the Gold F150.   Happy Hour after ride at Buffalo Wild Wings at the Mall.

And on Saturday, July 14th in Decatur they will hold a Group Bike Riding Skills Clinic at Glennwood Academy:

RIDE LEADERS Mike Masters and Mike Sheehan will host an intro group riding skills clinic. Meet at Glennwood Academy, 440 East Ponce De Leon Avenue, Decatur GA 30030, ready to ride at 1:30pm. The clinic starts with a group discussion covering the basics of bike safety, rules of the road, and group riding skills. There will be time for questions and answers on a variety of cycling topics before the ride begins. Following the group discussion, we will put theory into practice on a 5 mile group ride around Decatur. Participants are encouraged to reconvene at Fellini’s Pizza after the ride for refreshments and socializing (333 Commerce Drive, Decatur). This clinic is intended for beginner to intermediate cyclists who want to improve their group riding skills and get connected to the local cycling community. The clinic is appropriate for adult cyclists who have achieved at least a minimum level of cycling ability. For example, before attending this clinic you should: Know how to ride your bike, Know how to operate the brakes and stop your bike, Know how to change gears on your bike, Know how to inflate the tires on your bike, Be able to ride your bike in its current condition at least 10 miles, and be ready to meet new people, learn new skills, and have some fun. No clinic if it is raining or below 40 degrees.

(I don’t think we have to worry about it being below 40 degrees!!)

Enjoy your bicycling in Decatur!