Community bike ride runs through October

Want to know how much fun a healthy life can be? Then check out the weekly Avondale Park Road Bike Ride hosted by Life Time Fitness. It’s scheduled every Sunday through October at 2:30 p.m. The ride begins at Avondale Park and ends at Avondale Brewery. Riders at all levels are welcome. 

Life Time sponsors such rides to show Birmingham residents how much fun a healthy way of life can be, said Stacey Davis, Life Time Cycle Club coordinator. And the Avondale event is a no-drop ride, meaning everyone stays with a group, she said.

“New riders don’t need to worry about being left behind or riding alone,” Davis said. “There’s going to be someone close by to make sure their experience is fun and as safe as possible.”

Four groups roll at the same time but with different routes, distances and ride leads. All participants meet for beer at Avondale Brewery after the rides, she said.

“A sense of community has developed,” she said. “It’s pretty special how supportive everyone is toward each other and new riders.”  

The popularity of the Avondale ride, for which about 85 cyclists attend, reflects the growing popularity of bicycles in the area, Davis said.

“Cycling has never been bigger in Birmingham,” she said. “Multiple new group rides in the area have developed with the goal to get more people on bikes. Cycling can be an intimidating sport, so, by offering beginners a safe and fun way to try it out, they’re much more likely to fall in love with riding.”

Riders must be at least 18 and should bring helmets and water bottles.

Those who need bikes can contact Cahaba Cycles at 205-987-4043. For more information, contact Davis at sdavis@lifetimefitness.com or find Life Time Cycle Club Vestavia on Facebook.