So I had such a great time last month at Moving Planet Pensacola, I’ve decided there should be more of the same. On a more-or-less regular basis.
Uh — yeah. I’m an irregular blogger these days, so I didn’t bother writing up Moving Planet here. Pop over to the site, flip through the pictures, and see why I’d like to keep casual downtown bike rides a regular deal.
Normal people on normal bikes. Wearing normal clothes, even. Lycra will be begrudgingly tolerated, if that’s how you feel comfortable on a bike. But it’s rather like turning up at a public pool in a Speedo: If you need race kit for an easy little spin around town, you must want people to point and stare. And if they don’t, we will.
No douchebaggery allowed
Weather-appropriate street clothes will do just fine. This is an amble. Call it slow biking, if you wish (I do). The ride starts at 8am from Ever’man’s Natural Foods on West Garden. We’ll follow parts of the Moving Planet Pensacola route, rolling north through Belmont-DeVilliers neighborhood, east on shady (and partially brick-paved) La Rua Street, and south on 17th Avenue (under Graffiti Bridge).
Then it’s breakfast at Bagelheads on Gregory, so bring some pocket money. This is the reason you don’t wanna dress like a sausage — we’ll be in contact with the non-cycling public. Save the Leopard-Trek jersey and bib shorts for a club ride.
Which this isn’t. If you ride Slowbike Saturday, you’re riding as an individual. This means you are responsible for your own safety, conduct, and breakfast. That ought to make the cops and my lawyer happy.
After Bagelheads, we’ll probably loop through DeLuna park at the end of the pier, then back up to Palafox Market to see what’s fresh. You’ll enjoy this a lot more of you’re riding a bike that has a basket or something.
A grand experiment
Total ride should a couple hours, including bagel and coffee time. If it’s not, we’ll adjust next time. This is an experiment.
I’m posting this late on a Friday evening, so I may be the only one who shows. That’s more coffee and cream cheese for me. But feel free to roll along — slowly.
