Saturday in The Park

It’s finally time for our first mid-December, post-first snowfall, pre-ToD Christmas party ride of 2025! Please join us as we bundle up and mount our trusty steeds for a spin on familiar roads through Research Triangle Park and beyond. The current forecast calls for 45 degrees at the start and mid 50s by the end, and with luck, the tailwinds and downhills will be plentiful ;-).

We'll begin this 36-mile ride at La Cocina on T.W. Alexander. The route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/36780213. Please download the route to your favorite device and let me know if there are problems with the link.

There is one planned rest stop at the American Tobacco Trail park at New Hope Church Road, about 23 miles into the ride. Outside water fountains at the park are cut off for winter; bathroom faucets are working…but consider bringing 2 full water bottles if public bathroom water isn’t your thing. Elevation: The route includes no huge climbs, just a handful of hills where you may or may not find yourself wanting to get up outta the saddle. I expect to ride at an average of about 16+/-, and depending on the group we may have two or more pace groups.

Please arrive early so we can have our safety chat and roll promptly at 10:30. Bring whatever snacks and water you need, and definitely bring spare tube and other necessary maintenance. We require you to wear a helmet.

Please acknowledge the waiver at https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfZ7Gz6Zi9mbhgyt4KFo2ZLCRYaYSBXijcRYa6laoh_3O8dEA/viewform if you haven't done so in 2025.

Afterwards we’ll gather at La Cocina for post-ride, mid-afternoon, pre-evening refreshments.