By Ventura Breeze Staff –
Get ready to pedal your way into fun with an exciting new biking initiative recently launched by BikeVentura and the Channel Islands Bicycle Club (CIBike). “Easy Rides” promises to enhance your cycling experience while bringing the community together outdoors to enjoy the freedom and exhilaration of cycling.
Easy Rides promises that the only thing you’ll break a sweat over is deciding which snack to bring with you! These group outings cater to cyclists of all levels, offering rides that range from 15 to 30 miles at a leisurely pace of 10 to 12 mph—what they like to call the “yes, I could eat a donut after this” speed. Scheduled for the second and fourth Saturday of each month, riders meet at 8:15 a.m. in the parking lot of the Museum of Ventura County, located at 100 East Main Street in downtown Ventura. And don’t worry—their unofficial motto is: “We ride slow, so you don’t feel rushed!”
Every ride kicks off with the dynamic trio of cycling gurus—Bill Faulkner, Kate Faulkner, and Larry Abele—alongside other seasoned cyclists, who share essential tips for riding safely in a group and navigating traffic (yes, surviving it!). Participants will learn how to communicate effectively with fellow road users, master proper lane positioning (because no one wants to be the cause of a synchronized bike tumble), and even pick up basic bike maintenance skills—because nothing says “fun” like fixing a flat tire in the middle of a scenic ride!
With tens of thousands of miles of road cycling experience between them (yes, that’s a lot of sweaty bike shorts!), Bill, Kate, and Larry have truly made cycling their life’s work—and they’ve even mastered the art of avoiding potholes and pesky squirrels along the way. Their deep enthusiasm for cycling has made them key advocates for fostering a strong and inclusive cycling culture in our community.
BikeVentura, a nonprofit bicycle advocacy organization, runs the Ventura Bicycle HUB at 490 Ventura Avenue where you can buy a used bike, take a bike mechanics class, or use their tools to fix your bike, and they also teach bike riding to over 2,000 elementary school students each year—imagine little ones zipping around with huge smiles and the occasional wobble!
CIBike plays its part too, organizing regular group rides and teaming up with Kiwanis of Ventura for the annual Cool Breeze Century ride, held the third Saturday of August, offering fully supported rides for cyclists of all abilities so participants can enjoy the scenery without worrying about getting lost or running out of snacks!
Both organizations aim to get more people on bikes, contributing to a cleaner, healthier, and more active Ventura community, with cycling benefiting both mind and body—kind of like eating pizza but with fewer calories and no greasy fingers!
To get started, cruise over to the BikeVentura webpage for free registration in Easy Rides or check out CIBike’s Ride Calendar for upcoming events; don’t miss your chance to be part of the Cool Breeze Century, an experience that promises to be as enriching as it is entertaining—embrace the joy of biking and discover the many local opportunities waiting for you!
For more information, visit bikeventura.org or cibike.org.
