First Group Ride

[Roadtrip]

First Group Ride... Friday... NIGHT. Maybe.

http://reserbicycle.com/2010/11/co-ed-howl-at-the-moon-ride/

Am I crazy for even thinking of doing a night ride my first group ride?? The ride itself sounds awesome. Easy pace, beginners welcome, but I don't know how hilly this ride is and it sorta scares me. I know this town is LOADED with hills that would make a grown woman cry, but I doubt they'd include them on this ride if they're saying beginners welcome.

I bought lights, rear Planet Bike SuperFlash Blinky and PB Blaze 2W headlight, but wondering if there is any other gear I might want to make sure I have (gloves/helmet a given)-- temps likely in the 40's.

Any thoughts? Advice? Encouragement?

Thanks!!
Shannon

[kermit]

You could always go to a camping store and get some cylume sticks to hang somewhere. It sounds cool!

[Owlie]

Ask for the route and see if you can drive it beforehand.

Personally, I'd be a bit nervous riding with a group I've never ridden with before on an unknown route in the dark, but I'm a huge chicken. Having said that, the shop I bought my bike from hosts a night ride on one of the local trails, which sounds like fun...but that's flat.

And just make sure you don't blind the people behind you! I second the glow stick suggestion--bright, but not "My retinas!"-bright

[spokewench]

This ride sounds perfect for a beginner first time group ride.

Go for it.

[Roadtrip]

Here's a video I found of one of the Ladies Only night rides earlier this year.

http://www.youtube.com/v/Bb6m1QRL6l8?fs=1&hl=en_US

Shannon

[Owlie]

Okay, I didn't read the whole thing. If it's just around Newport, I'd go for it!

[Roadtrip]

It says Newport to Ft. Thomas... I sent the shop an email asking for more info on the route.

[Rebecca19804]

Night rides are magic! A wonderful way (especially for city cyclists) to get out into the countryside and soak up long smooth miles on lovely country roads without traffic.

Funny thing too - hills are not nearly as intimidating in the dark! The perspective is different and you often just can't see (or won't notice) how long or steep they may - or may not - be.

Enjoy! And don't blame me if you become addicted. ;)

.... here (http://fnrttc.blogspot.com/) are some of the night rides I do from London. Breakfast on the beach! :)

[Roadtrip]

Well I'm bailing on the ride tonight. I really wanted to go. It's the stupidest thing... I freaking stubbed my toe yesterday morning and it's still killing me. I think I actually cracked the toenail on my big toe. It hurts and while walking is tolerable I'm afraid what it would be like on the bike.

The route is actually taking you across the Ohio river on the old L&N Railroad (Purple People) Bridge and into downtown Cincinnati looping around and back across the Robling Suspension bridge... then across a small bridge over the Kentucky River and finally back to Newport and the bike shop. About 8 miles and several climbs up onto the bridges, but mostly flat other then that, but enough to make me question if my foot issue would allow me to go.

Dang it. This is a really stupid thing to keep you from riding.

Bummed. I hope they continue the moonlight rides next year.

Shannon

[Owlie]

Actually, that sounds fun and relatively well-lit. If I'm still in Cincinnati when it's warm enough to ride (and I don't die from allergies) and they're still doing it...