There are so many different groups in different sizes that congregate in Center Grove. Just this morning there was a "traffic jam" of three groups in front of the Playhouse. The groups all have their own speeds (some do 10 mile an hour rides, others get up to 40 mph) and they all know each other. They have the run of the streets since there aren't many cars out very early on weekend mornings.
I have friends who take off from Starbucks at CocoWalk for long distance rides, they meet between 7 and 7:45 am and at exactly 7:45 am, they take off for their rides, going north or south, but going far. I usually stop by on my way to the gym, about 7:30 am and we kibitz until it's time for them to take off.
Sometimes I'll see one person riding solo. I feel bad for them, I don't know why, I feel like they don't know anybody, but most likely, they just want to be alone on their morning ride. Small groups tend to end up at the Starbucks next to Monty's, usually groups of two, three or four.
I had to laugh this morning because one of the ladies who works at CocoWalk was complaining about "all those kids." I told her that those kids were her age, about 45 to 60. But in Spandex, everyone looks younger. Don't they?
This is the scene all over the county but for some reason, they all congregate in Coconut Grove on Sunday mornings.
A few facts: Saturdays and Sundays mornings there are of course more cyclists, because you can leave and come back a little later, but many of us also ride on weekdays, except many people don't see us out there at 6:30 am, back at 8:30 to go to work.
ReplyDelete"(some do 10 mile an hour rides, others get up to 40 mph) " There's a huge difference between road cycling, speed bikes, and others. You hardly ever go as slow as 10mph. (Unless it's the Granpa's of the Everglades Cycling club, lol) . You go at least 15mph. There are faster groups that maintain 20-25mphs, even against the wind, average, and can go for short bursts at 32-35. MPH. 40 mph is a wishful story someone told you, maybe going down the big bridge with tail wind for a few seconds.. or at the Tour de France short sprints.
The Grove is indeed a central gathering spot. And Gables. And the Toll Plaza. Simply because they are central people come from everywhere, even Kendall or Downtown, North areas to hit Key Biscayne or "Go South".
Long South rides have gotten more popular for several reasons (Cartagena Plaza: "the Circle" is a main gathering spot). After so many years in cycling, you get tired of KB, as beautiful as it is, plus it's only like 10 miles. So we head on South to Homestead, to places like Blackpoint Marina (40 miles r/t) Bayfront Park (60 miles) or more (Roberts: 72 Miles, and the Keys).
Heading south also has the advantage of less cars, while KB starts getting packed after 9am, even on weekends.
Get in Gear!!
These middle aged men in lycra are an absolute menace. They ride along the road shouting at each other and riding more than one abreast - ILLEGAL - as if they are in the Tour de France. They ignore traffic lights and pedestrian crossings.
ReplyDeleteIf I got into my car on a Sunday morning dressed in a NASCAR drivers uniform and started going through red lights and ignoring pedestrians on crossings, not only would I be universally vilified, I would also be arrested.
These imbeciles should go play dress up somewhere off the road.
HOT TAEKS!
ReplyDeleteThe brain-dead macho man above probably needs a liver transplant by now, besides the usual pot-belly evisceration.
ReplyDelete@10:02 LMAO That was awesome
ReplyDeletePS you are not a bike rider and they are annoying. The worlds best does not do do 40MPH so stop exaggerating
ReplyDelete