How to Ride in the Street class

You have a few more days to sign up for our next How to Ride in the Street class. In it, you have the opportunity to gain comfort and confidence to ride in the street. We recognize that it can be a big, scary step to head out among the cars, if you’re not used to it. But we can help!

Maybe you already ride all over town. But do you have a friend who feels nervous? Send them our way, and then you’ll have a new buddy to ride with you! Class begins Sunday, October 30 at 2:00 p.m. Read more and sign up here!

 

Greenline Bridge

What a great experience to attend the Public Meeting, last week, about the extension of the Shelby Farms Greenline! If you missed the meeting, you can read more here and see the plans of what the path will look like. I love that this will not only be an extension of an excellent recreational path for bicycles and pedestrians, but it will also increase the transportation options for all the surrounding neighborhoods. Memphis Bike/Ped Manager Nick Oyler said:

A common complaint heard from citizens is the current hardship faced when trying to cross the Poplar Avenue or Union Avenue corridors on foot or by bike. This project will provide a direct connection across this west-east axis completely separated from automobile traffic. What’s more, it will extend one of the region’s most popular bicycle/pedestrian paths, the Shelby Farms Greenline, and link up with the planned Hampline cycle track through Binghampton, Broad Avenue, and into Overton Park. Construction on the Hampline will start next spring.

Of greater symbolism, though, is what the project site represents. Nearly 100 years ago, the Poplar Avenue and Union Avenue viaducts were constructed and allowed Memphis to expand eastwards, beyond the Parkways, and into what we now know as East Memphis. These two viaducts facilitated the advent of suburban-style development in Memphis, as well as the migration of residents out of the urban core. Now in 2016, the City intends to build a new bridge between the two viaducts that not only represent a desire to better connect suburban areas back to the urban core, but also forgoes cars altogether. Memphis seems to be coming full circle, and perhaps in another 100 years residents will point to this bridge as a landmark to the era when the city launched another transformation of itself.

 

Big River Crossing

What a wonderful new place to visit. I’m so proud of Memphis for completing this amazing project. If you didn’t make it to yesterday’s Grand Opening, you missed a wonderful celebration. But don’t worry! This awesome bridge is now open and ready to take you across the river!

For our route, we rode down the new Crump Blvd separated bike lane. Crump is very hilly. But the separated bike lane is great. On our return, we took Vance. We had one flat going and one flat coming back home. But our good friend Reggie “Bike Man” McGregor got us running again quickly. Thanks for a great ride, y’all!

Upcoming Rides

Bikes & Basketball

We thought it would be fun to ride to a Grizzlies game! On Sunday, Oct. 30th they are playing the Washington Wizards. If 15 of us buy tickets, we can get them for $10 each. So follow the link and purchase your cheap seats, with our group. Then join us on Sunday at 4:45 p.m. to ride Downtown. You are welcome to join us, even if you have your own Grizz tickets.

Bike to Brunch

On November 5th, we’ll ride to Cafe Eclectic. This is much closer than Bryant’s! You should be about to ride for about 35 minutes, each way. We have bikes to rent, if you need one: City Bikes, Family Cargo Bikes and trail-a-bikes that we can help you attach to your bicycle, so a kid can help you pedal.

Rides meet at Revolutions, on the Cooper-side of First Congo, in front of our gate with bike art above it. We’ll meet at 9:00 and roll out by 9:15, at the latest. If you are renting bicycles, please come at 8:45. 

All rides are weather dependent (we will postpone, if it looks like rain). And we require helmets on all Revolutions sponsored rides. Bring your bike in to Revolutions ahead of time for a tune-up, to make sure it’s ready to ride! Please bring a locks, if you can. We take a pretty easy pace. Please remember that you ride at your own risk.

 

What’s Happening This Week
Oct 23–30

SUNDAY:
2:00-6:00 p.m.    Members’ Open Shop, plus Retail Shop is OPEN–and bike rentals!

MONDAY:
6:30-9:00 p.m.    Members’ Open Shop, plus Retail Shop is OPEN

THURSDAY:
2:00-9:00 p.m.     Retail Shop open for Retail, Service and Rentals
6:30-9:00 p.m.     Members’ Open Shop, plus Retail Shop is OPEN

SATURDAY:
8:30 am-3:30 pm  Retail Shop WILL be Open for Retail, Service and Rentals

SUNDAY:
2:00 p.m.               How to Ride in the Street begins!
2:00-6:00 p.m.    Members’ Open Shop, plus Retail Shop is OPEN–and bike rentals!
4:45 p.m.                Bikes & Basketball ride to the Grizzlies Game — tickets here!

Coming Up, Soon!

THURSDAY, Nov 3
6:30 p.m.                eBike Exploratory Team

SATURDAY, Nov 5
9:00 a.m.                Bike to Brunch: Cafe Eclectic

MONDAY, Nov 7
9:30 a.m.                Moms and Tots Ride: Memphis Lake

MONDAY, Nov 21
6:30 p.m.                Fix a Flat class