Ride Robins exists to promote bicycling and micromobility for all ages and abilities as an integral part of our daily lives in the Robins region. For us, the bike commuter, the rider who can’t afford a car, the athletic cyclist, the Mom and her kids, the retiree looking to enjoy the outdoors and stay active, and all others all matter!
We aim to grow and connect our communities of riders, while in the long term address our built environment to be friendlier to those of us who wish to escape our subdivisions outside of our cars, at least some of the time.
I’ve been trying to do a bit of a balancing act between hosting group bicycle rides for Ride Robins and doing a bit of athletic cycling with the Rusty Chains cycling club, one of six local road biking organizations here in middle Georgia. I’ll be the first to admit— this juggling act has been pretty difficult.
One thing that has been working extremely well for the Rusty Chains is having regular bike rides, twice a week, like clockwork. Folks enjoy routine and predictability, especially when it comes to fitness.
So we’ve decided to partner with the Rusty Chains!
Pop-up group rides.
Ride Robins will move to a pop-up group bicycle ride schedule. Folks who responded to our event feedback poll indicated that they enjoyed both regularly scheduled group rides and riding together to local events. Ride Robins will focus on riding to local events at least once a month, especially when the weather is nice. These rides will be slow rolls, maybe 4 to 8 miles long, and we hope to have them all over Houston County and Byron.
These rides will focus on leisure cycling. For example, we might ride to a food truck event in Perry, go visit a splash pad in Centerville, or ride around downtown Byron. We’re hoping to partner with the local city visitors centers to make some of these rides extra interesting! e-bikes, trikes, and pretty much anything that rolls will be welcome!
Regularly scheduled rides.
For the folks that want to put a little pep in their step and get into athletic cycling, we’ll encourage folks to participate in the Rusty Chains group rides every Wednesday at 5:30pm and Saturday at 8:00am, kicking off from The Bike Store in Warner Robins. I’ll be there riding with the Rusty Chains beginner riders.
The Rusty Chains has a tiered approach based on average speeds:
- A+: 19 to 21 mph.
- A: 17 to 19 mph.
- B: 15 to 17 mph.
- C / beginner: 12 to 15 mph.
12 mph may seem like a lot, but we’ve been riding on the back roads in Byron and you go pretty fast when you don’t stop at a bunch of traffic lights! The beginner rides are typically about 20 miles long, but the speeds and distance can vary depending on who comes to ride.
Goals: for rides and for our organization.
The goal Ride Robins has with these group rides is to get folks on their bicycles, teach folks how to ride on our current roads (yes, we want to see more bicycle infrastructure), and generally foster cycling culture here in the whole region.
This goal fits in with our overarching goal as an advocacy organization for transportation infrastructure that promotes active use by pedestrians and cyclists of all ages and abilities. A transportation system that serves the needs of the entire population. A transportation system that is safe, dignifying, and interesting!
Wrap up & inspiration.
Whether you’re into athletic cycling and going fast or if you just want to get around and enjoy the scenery, we’re all in this together. Here’s an inspirational video from the YouTube channel Shifter, where the host asks us to join together in our love of cycling:
We’re looking forward to riding with you soon— keep your eyes peeled for more group rides to come!
Ride Robins 
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