Toledo Area Bicyclists (TAB) is an all-volunteer organization, active for over 30 years in Northwest Ohio. Our mission is “to promote cycling in our community.” We are active in community education and support the Metroparks, promote safety in group rides and mentor new riders.
I first joined as a newcomer to road riding, borrowing my father’s extra bike and building skills and fitness over the past seven years.
It was hard work at first, trying to stay with the experienced riders only to fall behind. A few nice souls came back to check on me and ride the rest of the route with the newbie. As time progressed over that first spring and summer, I saw that after each ride I was stronger on the next effort.
Each Sunday outing meant a better result on Thursday’s ride and soon I could keep up with the group. Now we have designated novice groups where newcomers can be tutored in ride and traffic etiquette, technique and training tips.
A few years ago, a group of women put together a Monday Night Ladies Ride, which was a great way to make new friends, exchange knowledge and have fun while getting some good exercise. It was so popular that the guys wanted in as well, and now the Monday Whitehouse Ride is our second-best attended group ride.
Our biggest ride is the flagship Thursday Night Ride out of Side Cut Metropark, featuring four groups at different levels, including a designated beginner group.
From May to October, TAB offers rides every day of the week except Friday. Weekend rides continue a little longer into the fall and a Winter Ride Series on Saturdays is attracting a good group during these cold months.
It features both road and off-road riding with points and prizes awarded. A spin class for TAB members was started at the Sylvania YMCA/JCC two years ago. It is one night a week and a great way to keep fit and in touch with cycling friends over the long winter.
TAB had a good year for community outreach this year, organizing riding clinics, safety training and helmet fittings for both young and adult riders.
We mentored Bike to the Bay riders before their big event, instructed our own members in group and traffic safety and instructed at several scout and school groups.
Our annual fundraiser is the Mad Anthony River Rally, an organized ride with several options for distances, from a 10-mile family ride to 100 miles. It is a huge volunteer effort led by two chairwomen and the numerous helpers needed at registration, food and rest stops. This event allows us the budget to contribute to the community efforts.
This year our annual banquet will be Jan. 25, featuring speaker Frankie Andreu, a former professional rider making news recently for his and his wife’s refusal to cave to pressure and lie in the doping scandal at the highest level of the sport. He will speak about the past and future of racing, both the good and the bad, and share his insights as a current Tour de France commentator on television. The banquet is open to both members and nonmembers and is a good way to get to know the club and see if it would be a good fit for you.
Please visit our website www.toledoareabicyclists.org for a summary of our ride schedule, club details and how to sign up for the banquet.
Hope to see you out on the road!
Cindy DiVitto is president of Toledo Area Bicyclists.
