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Hello and welcome to another year of the Saturday Morning Ride.


Saturday April 5th will be the start of the 5th addition of the SMR.


Rides until further notice will leave from the adjacent parking lots near Around Town Bicycles promptly @ 8:00am.

The season is long. We will ride a total of 24 weeks this year, which roughly equates to 6 months of riding together.
First week will be the Prologue, a light ride that


will wind its’ way along the Susquehanna to West Pittston and back for
a little more than 20 miles. The ride is easy and fun. I hope that you
can attend.

From there, the rides will be progressive. The rides will be


numbered as Stages; Stage 1,2,3 & so on. By next week, we should
have up on a web a page where you will be able to review and download a
copy of the upcoming rides.


We’ll pick up a little distance, speed, and difficulty each week until
ultimately we do a couple of the classic climbs in the area like Alden
Mtn. or Montage. Those rides are difficult; 40 miles+, but with this
format and some riding on your own you should be able to do it!

It has been rewarding to see so many riders abilities improve over the course of a season.

For the rider’s that are new to this ride format, our hope is that
you will learn to ride safely and effectively while riding alone, or in a group. There is a big difference riding in a group. You are not
immune from Here are some points to get you started…



1) Do not overlap another riders wheel.

(The leading riders sudden movement can take a following rider down instantly). Bikers call this ‘half-wheeling’.


2) Keep your bike in a straight line as far to the right side of the roadway as possible.


3) No more than 2 riders side-by-side.

(Single file is always best, especially if your skills aren’t there yet to ride in a tight formation).


4) Come to ride.


(For the first 6 weeks, the rides will leave at 8:00am. Then, we’ll
move to 7:30am. Prepare the night before and get your pre-ride ritual
established so that when you arrive you are set to have an enjoyable
ride).


5) Road bikes work best for this ride.

(If
you are recommending the SMR to a friend or considering to come out and
join us, a mtn. or hybrid bike may be to slow and strenuous considering
the pace and distance of these rides. We try to maintain a 13-14 MPH pace.


To the more experienced, please consider helping our new riders as they
learn the ‘Rules of the Road’ and pass along tips you have found
helpful to improving your cycling.