 "Photo: Bobby Longoria/The Daily Texan")
I pedal down Lamar Boulevard listening to the smooth sound of tire treads gliding on asphalt. Over Town Lake, I see to my left the pedestrian bridge lavished with bikes of every type.
Turning the corner, a group of riders is basking in the golden glow of the sun’s last light Thursday.
We gather on the Pfluger Pedestrian Bridge for the weekly Thursday Night Social Ride, which is a 10-mile ride that ends with free beer at a bar. The route changes every week, but sticks to its philosophy of providing riders a fresh view on different Austin locales.
Social Cycling ATX founders Brooks Goldsmith and Keith Byrd established the ride in March of this year. The organization is a group of riders with a shared interest in-cycling and the friendships that bloom as a result.
What began with less than 35 cyclists, now boasts upwards of 200. As a result of the increasing number of riders, Byrd has been able to establish a sponsorships of bars in and around downtown that provide free drinks for riders.
The ride helps cyclists understand the uncertainties of riding in an urban setting, according to Brooks.
“I have a great respect for the dangers of traffic and the unpredictably of individuals,” he said. “I hope the ride allows people to grow accustomed to riding in traffic and showing respect on the road. People are unpredictable both in cars and on bikes.”
Tonight, they roll 150 deep, talking to one another about music, life and a mutual love of bikes.
The ride means different things to different people. Sam Parker, an East Austin resident, says it’s about camaraderie. Josh Alley, a third-time social rider, recalls the unity he felt when the pack rode through the blackness of a thunderstorm a month ago.
Byrd’s voice yells to the crowd, “It’s time. Let’s ride!”
The pack travels south and battles up a hill into the Bouldin neighborhood. Streams of water from sprinklers lining lush lawns accent the magenta, red and orange sunset.
Around the bend an older couple greets the riders and the man asks to join.
As they wait to cross over South Lamar Boulevard near Oltorf Street, several cars pass and honk their horns in support. A semitrailer calls out with his baritone horn, and the pack replies with cheers of appreciation and ringing bicycle bells.
The group makes a pit stop at the Bluebonnet Food Mart, where I meet Tatiana Ryckman, a regular Thursday night rider wearing a bikini under a summer dress.
“The ride is everything you could ever want at one time,” she says.
To alleviate the summer heat, they ride down to Barton Springs Pool for the 9 p.m. free swim. Their presence is immediately known as bikers gather around the diving board and show off who can accomplish the best and most painful belly flop.
In darkness they ride, but not before receiving Xs on their wrists to gain access to free beer at the ending point, Club De Ville.
After grabbing my first free beer, I sit under a white chiseled cliff near the back of the bar and talk with Byrd.
“Putting butts on bikes is really important,” Byrd says. “I’ve got friends that come on this ride now that haven’t been on their bike in 10 years. Not only are they back on their bikes every Thursday, but they are riding other times too.”
There is a bond between riders that I feel in the moments of silence as sweat trickles over my eyes and red flashing lights illuminate faces breathing side by side. All the faces of the riders look the same, each with a smile staring at one another as the mechanical horses carry them around the capital city.
have fun and ride your bike
Great article and we are glad to have ANY one that loves riding bikes, join us!