New to Cycling Group Ride - out of Fox Mill

NEW TO CYCLING GROUP RIDE

This ride is for beginners of all types and is a very welcoming group! It is geared to people that are new to cycling, new to riding on the road, and/or new to group rides. 

RBC is dedicated to encouraging cycling in the area and that includes those folks that are interested in learning how to ride in a group and/or on the road. Or even those folks that know how to ride a bike causally but want to get into cycling (spandex not required). We do require you know how to ride a bike already* but we're here to teach the rest, from how to use your shifters appropriately to safety signaling in the group. 

This ride will be out of the Fox Mill Shopping Center, on the border of Reston and Herndon. We will meet as a group at 10am and go over some basic cycling skills, road safety signals, and group ride etiquette. Our Ride Leaders for this event will be experienced cyclists who are prepared to teach you about cycling and doing it safely! Depending on the turn-out, we may break into groups based on current cycling abilities but this is tbd based on number and skillset of riders. We will likely be wheels up (your first lesson! this is a bike term meaning the group will start riding at this time) about 20-30 minutes after this session.

For this first session, there is a short, ~2 mile lap (see below), around the shopping center that we will do laps around. This gives us the opportunity to do a lap, then check in on what we experienced and answer any questions you might have. This also allows folks a chance to stop for the day or do extra work with one of our Ride Leaders (more on those below). Then we'll set out for another lap and repeat as desired/needed. This is a no drop ride which means you will not be left behind. We always have a sweep to stay with riders who have a mechanical issue or are struggling to keep up. 

We have just a few requirements to join:

1. Know how to ride a bike generally - if you need resources to learn to ride a bike, we have coaches for referral or you can look at WABA for classes.
2. Please show up with a bicycle that is ready to ride. If it's been on the garage wall for a few months, please take it to your favorite local bike shop and let them give it some love. Please have a red blinky tail-light - we will have a few extra on hand but those are first come, first serve. You must carry an inner tube that fits your bike. (We'll help you change it if you get a flat - the bike shop can help you out here, too!).
3. Most importantly, please come with a warm heart and open mind! Have patience with the riders that will be at different skill levels and have patience with the RBC Team supporting! This is a new type of ride for RBC so we ask that you not only come prepared to learn and communicate but with a bit of patience as we develop this series. We know we won't be perfect but we will be trying!

IF YOU'RE INTERESTED BUT STILL INTIMIDATED (I mean, it IS a lot of spandex!!), please email Maggie, Chair of RBC to chat through your concerns and discuss alternatives. 

Rides are not held when the forecast for rain is greater than 50%. Ride cancellations will be emailed.