It’s a Tuesday evening at the UA, but all is not calm. At Old Main, an assortment of people have gathered. Nearly a hundred people in size, this group doesn’t seem to have much in common with each other, except for the fact that they’re all on bicycles.
As even more people start to appear on their ride of choice, one can hear the sound of bells ringing among the people chattering and see flashlights strobing on and off. Every single one of them has the same goal in mind tonight: to enjoy their Tuesday night with fellow bicyclists while riding through Tucson. This is Tuesday Night Bike Ride.
Tuesday Night Bike Ride is a group unaffiliated with the UA that meets to go on bike rides around Tucson every Tuesday at Old Main around 8:30 p.m. The rides range from five to 15 miles long, and despite the name, anything from unicycles to trikes are accepted. Basically, as long as it’s not motorized, it’s welcome to ride with the group.
Collin Forbes, the self-appointed guide for the group, related back to beginnings of the group.
“It’s been going on for about eight years,” Forbes stated. “It started in June of 2007. It was this guy’s 21st birthday and he wanted to go on a ride with his friends. … They had a lot of fun, and they decided to do it the next week, and the next week, and the next week.”
Since then, the event has grown greatly from word of mouth. The largest groups were estimated at 220 to 250 people back in the beginning of the movement in 2007, according to Forbes. However, the current average group sizes are around 100 people.
The individuals who participate in the ride are a veritable cornucopia of people. They range from university students with a love for biking, to adults in their mid-20s and 30s looking to unwind after a long day at work, to older couples looking to stay fit.
Chris Vesper, a junior at the UA, sees the ride as a way to expand his social circle and improve riding.
“[My favorite part is] meeting new people as well as stepping outside of my comfort zone and improving my biking skills,” Vesper said.
Veteran of the ride and recent graduate of the UA, Nathan Wasserman said he discovered Tuesday Night Bike Ride while he completed his master’s degree and met most of his friends who cycle at the event. When asked about the best part of the ride, Wasserman said it was definitely the community.
All in all, Tuesday Night Bike Ride is a group of bike enthusiasts wanting to relax and enjoy their Tuesday nights with like-minded people. It is a diverse and very accepting community that will gladly welcome anyone willing to join them. So, if you’re looking to expand your community, and you have a bike and some free time on a Tuesday night, pedal on over to the flagpole in front of Old Main and join in on the ride.
Follow Alex Angeles on Twitter.
