By Alex Johnson
The Community Stage
What is your Saturday morning routine? Does it involve sleeping in late, making a fancy coffee?
For me, whenever I’m in Hutch on a Saturday morning, I set my alarm for 7 a.m. so I can be prepared to roll down the bicycle boulevard on Washington Street to join the weekly Saturday Cycles group that meets at 8 a.m., organized by Harley’s Bicycles.
These weekly rides are great opportunities to explore Hutchinson at a leisurely pace, gawk at beautiful houses, and admire landscaping I would never devote the time to actually make a reality. Each week is a different route, so we’re always in for a different experience. Sometimes it’s less garden tour and more rough and ready trail riding on the Martinez Trail down to Carey Park.
Some of the regulars include a dad and his two young daughters piled on his bicycle—a young toddler on her very own seat between her dad and the handlebars, and her big sister riding on the tag-a-long behind. This perfectly captures the family-friendly vibes.
Sometimes when there’s a large group, the ride splits into two sections—one fast ride for the more serious bikers and one at a more leisurely pace for the families. (I usually stick with the family rides. I see this as more of a social experience than a grueling exercise opportunity.) The Saturday rides usually clock in at 7 to 9 miles and take the group about an hour to complete, returning to the bike shop for a round of coffee and Daylight Donuts. (Did I mention donuts are involved?) If Saturdays don’t fit in your schedule, Tuesday Pizza Rides are another opportunity to get out on the road with the group. These 3-mile rides occur every other Tuesday and end at Sandhills Brewing, with discounts on food and beverages.
I am relatively new to bicycling. I’ve always had a healthy respect for bicycles, and the gnarly accidents people have found themselves in. I am religious about wearing a helmet—it’s easily worth avoiding a brain injury. But I have come to appreciate the joys of riding, too. Now I am the owner of two bikes—a Townie I use to ride 2.5 miles to work when the weather’s right, and a Trek for more adventurous rides (but not too adventurous).
Last year was the first time I stretched myself. I joined two local races to test my newfound confidence. I started with the Sand Plum Bicycle Classic. Presented by Hutch Rec, this ride offers routes for the intermediate to advanced rider with distances ranging from 20 miles to an intimidating 70+ miles with the “Bad Bobby” route. Last year I rode the 20-mile paved route, which started in Buhler. And I can tell you, my butt felt every inch of the last 2 miles. Saturday Cycles once a week wasn’t quite enough to get me there!
Cranksgiving was an entirely different experience, and one I found far more rewarding. Before Thanksgiving, Harley’s Bicycles puts on this bicycle “race” and donation drive benefiting a local social service or food pantry nonprofit. Racers are challenged to ride to all four Dillons stores in town. You can choose your own route, starting from downtown. You purchase donations at each Dillons and race back to Harley’s Bicycles. Dillons Marketplace has never felt so far away, but it was a beautiful ride up Main Street and across the bicycle path to reach it. The winner and loser receive gift cards to Harley’s Bicycles. Last year, I was one of four riders. This is a great project, and this year, we can do better Hutch! Put it on your calendars now to keep an eye out for it come Thanksgiving.
Saturday Cycles has become an important part of my week; equal parts an opportunity to exercise, become a part of this community, and eat a donut. Start your weekend off with a refreshing ride through Hutch and experience the city on the slower side. Let’s pump up those tires, and don’t forget your helmet (it’s required!). Will I see you this Saturday?
Alex is the founder of Classical Revolution ICT. She can be reached at alex@classicalrevolutionict.com.