Brush the frost off your eyelashes, because it is time to ride!

Your bike has been tuned up and has been waiting, patiently (Oh who are we kidding? My bike has been pestering me incessantly for weeks!), for the roads to be clear and the sun to shine long enough for leisurely cruises around town or adventures to new, faraway places without having to worry about frostbite.

I've compiled a list, below, of a few WTF group rides that I am aware of, but I'm sure there are more! Post here and let us know about them.

EXCO's Bike Feminism Course at Macalester College

I wrote a little about this event here, and several people have been interested in riding to Mac Bike together. I propose meeting at 11:15 at the Midtown Freewheel on the Greenway, rolling out at 11:30. This ride will a social and relaxed 5.5 miles. We will ride the Greenway and Summit Blvd., which are both calm and easy to ride. Email me and I'll give you my phone number if you're interested in joining us. The location of Mac Bike, on the Macalester campus, is located on this map with the purple marker.

Grease Rag Group Rides on 1st and 3rd Thursdays

The group ride happens on the 1st and 3rd Thursdays of the month, before Grease Rag. We meet at the W. River Rd. at 6PM, and ride at 6:10. This is a social, skill- and confidence-building ride. If you are looking to become more comfortable on the road, we can all ride on the road together. If you'd like to become more comfortable in a group, this is the ride for you. Bring friends! More info about the group ride.

Grease Rag Group Rides to Sibley Bike Depot's Women and Trans Nights

Last year I led a ride from Sunrise to Sibley on the first Tuesdays of the month for awhile, but interest died off. Sibley is a really awesome space, especially on a women and trans night which happens every Tuesday, and you're missing out if you've never been. Learn more about Sibley's women and trans night here.

March, June, and September all have 5 Thursdays per month, meaning there are THREE whole weeks in between GR nights. (We only have Grease Rag on the first and third Thursdays of the month.) Tragedy! How about we go on a group ride to Sibley on the last Tuesday of the month in March, June, and September? I will send out a reminder to our Facebook members and email list before rides on 3/29, 6/28, and 9/27, so if you're interested make sure you're connected in one or both of those ways. More info, including route, here.

The Hub Women's Weekly Ride

This ride leaves from the Minnehaha location of The Hub at 6pm every Monday, April through August.

Like riding bikes? Looking for a social group ride? Want to discover new routes around the Twin Cities? Interested in bicycle racing and looking for women to train and try racing with? If any of these are true for you then come check out the Hub Women's Ride!

From ride's Google group:

These are women-only, no-drop (no one gets left behind and we re-group after hills), friendly rides. Helmets are mandatory, and blinky red and/or white lights are recommended. We usually get back to The Hub before 8:00 pm.

Both of the group rides are lead by an experienced female rider. They will be set up like the last three years:

• A 15-20 mile ride at about a 15 mph average speed. We will ride in a single or double line on streets and with traffic. Before each ride, group riding instructions will be given. Road bikes are recommended (bikes with skinny tires and drop handlebars).
• A causal-paced ride that will use a combination of bike paths and streets. This is a ride suitable for all kinds of bikes - hybrids, mountain bikes, single speeds, fixies, and even road bikes. 

Freewheel Wednesday Womens Rides

This ride will be starting up in Mid-May and will be lead by Leslie. The ride leaves from the Midtown Freewheel on the Greenway at 6pm on Wednesdays, through October. I believe that men are welcome on this ride, but it is primarily geared toward women riders. Contact FreewheelWomensRide@gmail.com if you need more information, or just show up!

From Leslie:

...they averaged about 30 mile rides last year; mostly trails, some road depending on route. Pace "moderate" varying per group preference; goal being to challenge ladies and develop riding skills in a welcoming environment, without being frustrating. Absolutely no-drop policy, at least one planned stop to rest, hydrate and re-group. Last year, on occasion, the ride would split into 2 groups to accommodate those who want a faster, longer ride and those who'd prefer a shorter, more leisurely ride.