Image: Contributed
Cyclists rejoice!
The sun is finally starting to creep through the clouds, asphalt is drying under melted snow, and the almighty street sweeper is making appearances across town.
The Okanagan is dangerously close to full-on cycling season, and as bike nuts begin oiling their chains in anticipation, the team at Fresh Air is making preparations of its own.
Later this month the bike and ski shop will once again officially kick off the cycling season with a major bash at its Concept store in the Mission.
Ryan Olar, the shop’s general manager, says the party is a chance for the cycling community to get together and celebrate the start of another Okanagan cycling season.
Groups like the Bike Okanagan Association, Chicks in the Sticks, and others will be on-hand giving the skinny on their summer seasons and taking registrations.
“This is a pretty big kickoff to the summer for us,” Ryan says, adding that the event usually brings out well over 100 people.
The bash will also be a chance to brush up on the many rides Fresh Air offers, and even learn about its new, female-focused riding club.
As Fresh Air’s merchandising manager Amie Olar explains, the shop created Athena to inspire women to come out and ride in a less intimidating environment.
Image: Contributed
There are tons of women who love to hop in the saddle, she says, but riding with a group of hyper-competitive dudes can sometimes be a bummer.
Athena rides will follow the same routes as others, but will be women-lead and paced a little more moderately.
Outside of Athena, Ryan says Fresh Air hosts rides for cyclists of all fitness (and intensity) levels.
Looking to punish your lungs and chew the handlebars up some steep climbs? Stop by Tuesday nights to take on Knox, Dilworth, and Clifton with Club 81.
“It’s a pretty gruelling ride. In the summertime and the dead of heat it’s a challenge,” Ryan says.
The mountain bikers leave on Wednesday evenings, and Thursday the shop hosts a moderately paced, 50-km ride.
Saturday mornings there’s also a more casual, 30-kilometre spin that includes a stop for snacks.
Ryan says anyone is welcome at any of the rides—all they need to do is show up and bring a bike.
He said Fresh Air will be handing out fridge postcards with times and dates for all its rides at the March 27 kickoff party.
Along with celebrating all things cycling, the event will also be a chance for Fresh Air to celebrate its relationship with its biggest charity partners, YMCA Strong Kids.
He said this year’s event will feature an inspiring speech from someone who benefited substantially from Strong Kids’ help, who will talk about the program and what it has meant for her and her family.
For more information on Fresh Air check out the shop online. Information on its group rides will also be posted weekly on the company’s Facebook page.
This article is written by or on behalf of the sponsoring client and does not necessarily reflect the views of Okanagan Edge.
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