Tampa Bay Cycling Meetup and Facebook Group

Meet at Riviera Bay Park @ 7:15 a.m. Roll @ 7:30 a.m.
8131 Macoma Dr. NE
St. Petersburg, FL 33702

Ride leaders: Earl & John
Speed 13-15 mph
Distance: 25-ish miles

We'll meet in the parking lot just north of 81st Ave (the SW corner of Riviera Bay Park).
This ride will be almost 100% entirely on roads.

We'll meet for breakfast after the ride at Buttermilk Eatery (10316 Roosevelt Blvd N, St. Petersburg, FL 33716).

Be prepared with plenty of fluids/hydration, a snack & a spare tube/flat kit.

We are recreational bicyclists. Rides start from different locations in Tampa Bay led by volunteers. You must wear a helmet and exhibit safe riding. Cyclists are subject to the same traffic laws as drivers.

Ride at your own risk: By joining, you acknowledge that you're unconditionally accepting full personal responsibility for all associated risks to yourself and your property.

Casual ride on the Ream Wilson to Philippe Park. We’ll stop at Kapok Park along the way hoping to see the gators. The ride will be a no drop ride of 17 miles at a rolling speed of 12-13 mph.
Please note...... there is a detour on this route requiring riding beside Clearwater Toyota on Rt 19 sidewalk and street riding on Fairwood Avenue for a short time.
Option for coffee break at Starbucks in Safety Harbor if the group desires.

Parking is immediately on your right as you enter the Long Center soccer field.
Please arrive 15 minutes early so we may start on time.
Helmet required, hydration liquids and bright clothing suggested.

TERMS OF PARTICIPATION
By registering and participating in this or any of our future meetups, you acknowledge that you have read and agree to the following statement.
I understand that the activities herein involve certain dangers and risks which I am prepared to fully assume for myself. I will abide by all laws and regulations and agree to participate in a safe and prudent manner. In addition, I agree to waive all claims which I, or any member of my family, or my heirs, executors or assigns, may have against this meetup or it’s agents for damages or injury sustained in the physical activity.
We are volunteers, not professional hosts, leaders, medical personnel, cartographers, weather forecasters or mechanics, coaches or psychologists, just folks who enjoy group events with like-minded peers :) . You are totally responsible for your own equipment, personal skill level, health, personal safety and decisions

• What to bring

a spare tube (flat tire fixings),
bike lock optional,
plenty of liquids;
helmet will be required.
Bring money for food and refreshments.
Bright clothing,
front & rear lights are very good to have

Ride as fast as you want (well, unless you’re like me, and are limited to only as fast as you can, not as fast as you want to be able to), up to 26 miles. It’s an out and back, almost guaranteed to have wind in your face one of the two, where you are allowed to ‘break away’ the whole entire ride. Yes, sometimes there’s someone near your speed and you can draft each other, and sometimes similar speeds gaggle up, but also possibly you’ll ride unescorted. No one could ride as slow as i did last time i signed up for this ride, so there’s no need to be embarrassed. Heck, I didn’t even ride the full 26 miles, but turned around at the top of the Bridge of Doom.

It’s not a competition, it’s not a race, it’s just a chance to burn the carbon out on a supported ride. When i host, i sweep, and no one gets left alone out there. If you cramp up or flatten a tire, eventually i’ll be there to either watch you writhe in pain or listen to U swear at your spare tube. (-;

Socially, the ride itself leaves a lot to be desired, but surely U noticed the title, Taco Tuesday. After the ride we all go to The Screaming Jalpeno and most of us choose the Taco Tuesday special options. Great tacos, decent price, and because it’s not part of the ride, we can drink cold, refreshing, calorie-replenishing, beer. Or wine or cocktails or iced tea or water. And at that point it doesn’t matter how fast U did or didn’t go, it’s just fun to hang out with other bicyclists post-ride.

We start in Safety Harbor, and when they finish remodeling the marina, we’ll meet at the bathrooms there. But during remodeling we meet at the fountains with all the sculptured birds at the turn-in to the marina. Then down along Bayshore to 60 (Gulf To Bay) and left along the Courtney Campbell Causeway for its full length. When we get to the Grand Hyatt driveway, we take a left under Route 60 and follow the bike path to SkyWay Park for restrooms and water fountains. That’s halfway, and all U have to do is pedal back.

Helmets are required, as is a reasonable expectation that U are physically capable of doing the pace and distance U choose to do. Please also be prepared to deal with typical bike maintenance issues along the way, especially flat tires. Politeness and courtesy in riding is required, too, especially since there are often a significant number of people along the CCC between the bridge and the hotel. Any and all Tampa Bay Cycling Meetup rules and restrictions that i didn’t mention are still applicable, too.