It goes without saying that this has been an unusual year. But one way to enjoy the outdoors this summer is the Saturday July 11th return of Market Rides group bike rides to the Clarence Hollow Farmers’ Market.

Market Rides are FREE, fun group bike rides at a friendly 10-12 mph pace every Saturday morning (meet at 9am, ride leaves promptly at 10am) brought to you by Discover Main Street and the Clarence Hollow Farmers’ Market. Tom’s Pro Bike will be partnering with us this year and offering e-bike demos. Please keep reading for information you will need to know if you wish to join us.

Please note there are new check-in procedures, so give yourself plenty of time before the ride to register. As of now, there will be a strict limit of 25 participants (not counting volunteer ride leaders), and you will be screened upon arrival. When we reach 25 participants registration will be closed.

Like everything else, we’ve had to make a few COVID-related changes. As mentioned, we have a cap on participants to start, although this may (hopefully) change. You must be feeling well on check-in, have not tested positive for COVID-19 within the last 14 days, or been notified you have been exposed to anyone COVID-19 positive for 14 days. Masks are required at all times when in the Farmers’ Market and any time you cannot maintain social distance when not riding.

As mentioned, Tom’s Pro Bike will be joining us. Tom’s will have a limited number of e-bikes available to demo, both before and during the group ride. E-bikes are the single fastest growing segment of cycling, with pedal-assist power to increase your own natural riding ability when you need that little bit extra. With an e-bike, you can climb that hill or take that long ride with confidence!

And there will be a hill or two along the way. After all, we are starting in the Clarence Hollow, so we have to climb no matter which way we go. Participants should be capable of riding independently, and have a bike in good-working mechanical order.

If you joined us last year, you will notice that we will not be riding any paths this year. After all, our goal is to promote a bike-friendly Clarence, and it’s just not possible to bring 25 riders down a path in 2020 without interfering with everyone’s social distance. Of course, Clarence has a growing network of paths and designated bike lanes to help you bike to and from the ride safely.

We’re so happy to be back riding every Saturday – see you there!