Kalamazoo Bicycle Club Ride Schedule
The KBC strives to meet the needs of all riders, regardless of riding ability. The wide variety of rides listed is the fruit of this effort. However, all rides are led by volunteers, so if you see a need for a ride not listed, please show your interest in the ride, and volunteer to lead the ride until it get some wind behind the wheels. That's how all of these rides started, so don't be afraid to sign up - you're sure to be supported and accompanied.
KBC Summer Ride Schedule
During June, July, and August, KBC evening rides (except for the Hammerfest) all begin at 6:15 p.m. The Wednesday night Hammerfest will start at 6:00 p.m.
Our weekly ride schedule is as follows:Monday:
The Monday Ride at Texas Drive Park will consist of 4 ride groups, which should provide a pace to suit riders of all abilities:- 15-20 mile group at 12-15 mph, led informally by a number of riders
- 25-30 mile (Recovery and paceline) group at 17-18 mph, led by Zolton Cohen and Doug Kirk
- 25-30 mile group at 20-22 mph, led by Joan Orman
- 25-30 mile group at 22+ mph, led informally by a number of riders
The 25-30 mile groups will typically ride the same route in the early part of the season.
KBC recommends the 17-18 mph Recovery and paceline group for more experienced riders who are new to the club, those wishing for an easy spin on flat roads, or anyone interested in learning how to ride in a rotating paceline. Participation in the paceline in this group is not mandatory. This ride is very steady and consistent, and one of the club’s most popular ride groups.
The 20-22 mph group is recommended for more experienced riders who want to ride faster, and on hillier terrain.
All riders who want to push the pace can do so in the 22+ mph group.
Tuesday:
Plans for the 7th year of the Tuesday Night Time Trial are in the works. The Barnes Family and Team KBC/Little Caesar’s will run the time trial again this year; the ten mile route will be the same as in years past. The route starts at the Pavilion Township Hall at the corner of Q Ave and 28th Street , and will run the first and third Tuesday of the month. Check the Pedal Press Ride Schedule in the coming months for more information on the TNTT.A new Tuesday evening MOUNTAIN BIKE ride is also forming, led by Mike Birmann and Joe Kucharski The dates for the summer will be 6/24, 7/8, 7/22, 8/12, and 8/26. The ride will meet at the Texas Township Park lot, same as Mondays, and leave for the ride at the designated ride group ride time (currently 6:15). We will divide the group based upon speed and ability, if necessary.
Wednesday:
The Wednesday ride meets at the Kal-Haven Trail Parking lot on 10th Street. Remember that if you drive to the trailhead and park in the parking lot you must display a Kal Haven Trail parking pass on your dashboard. Parking passes are issued with the purchase of a seasonal or daily trail pass. Those passes are available for purchase at local bike shops, Gazelle Sports, and at the trailhead itself when a staff member is attending the caboose. KBC plans to offer 5 ride groups:- 13 – 15 mph group, led informally by a number of riders
- 30 mile group at 19-20 mph (the Quarter-Fast Ride), led by Ron Gauthier and others
- 30 mile group at 22+ mph (The Half-Fast Ride), led by Zolton Cohen
- 46 mile group at 22+mph (Kirk's Hammerfest ), led by Doug Kirk and others
- 46 mile group at 24+ mph (the regular Hammerfest ), led by Jeff Hamilton and others
The 30 mile groups typically ride the same route.
The 19-20 mph Quarter Fast group will try to be steady at the pace indicated.
The 22+ Half-Fast group will likely break up into smaller groups.
The regular Wednesday night Hammerfest starts at the Kal-Haven Trailhead Parking lot at 6 PM throughout the summer. The pace of the ride is typically greater than 24+ mph and the route goes to Bloomingdale and back (about 46 miles). Since the route is well known to most of the regular riders, no maps are available for this ride. This group is typically large (more than 15 riders) and consists of racers and other experienced riders. Typically, there is no designated ride leader. The group usually fragments into smaller groups and the riders often times do not finish together. This ride is hard and is not suitable for inexperienced riders. Some riders can expect to be dropped from the main group.
Thursday:
The Thursday Night Ride, led by Elaine Naegele, is a nice and easy social ride and has a loyal following. It starts at the Texas Drive Park at the regular KBC ride start times, 6:15 pm. Riders of all riding abilities are welcome. The pace is typically 15-17 mph and distance is 20-25 miles.Friday:
The Women's Friday Morning Ride is now on Friday mornings at 10:00 , meeting in the southwest parking lot at KVCC. During May, September, and October, we’ll begin at 10:00 . In June, July, and August we’ll start at 9:30 . This ride is social and relaxed, with speeds in the 15-16 mph range. A slower group is available if needed. This is a no-drop ride. Distance is 25 miles. Led by Jelania Haile and Rene Mitchell.Friday Tour de Gull The Friday ride now meets in the parking lot at the new high school, 1/2 mile east of Galesburg , at the corner of 37th Street and M-96. The route of this ride has been well established over the years, and travels northward from Galesburg and around the top of Gull Lake before heading back south again to the high school.
The pace of the main group varies depending on who shows up, but is usually in the 20-22 mph range. Members interested in riding the new route at a 17-18 mph pace are encouraged to attend this ride and get the ball rolling on a new group.
KBC’s Special Weekend Rides: Various special weekend rides are pending. Information about these rides will be posted when available. If you have comments about the above-mentioned rides or have suggestions for other rides, contact Ride Captain Knute Jacobson at hkjinwv@yahoo.com . Impromptu weekend rides can happen anytime the weather is suitable and someone is willing to organize them. The best way to advertise such rides is through the club Yahoo Group email.