Bike Club Offers Third Saturday Rides

The Martinsville-Henry County Family YMCA, Activate MHC, and Henry County Bike Club will be teaming up to offer group rides this biking season! Each ride will begin at the Bike Barn and riders of all levels are invited to join the fun. The outings will include riding on the trails as well as the streets and will depart promptly at 9 Saturday mornings from the Bike Barn located on Doyle Street in Martinsville. Bring your own bike, or borrow one from the barn. If borrowing a bike and helmet, please arrive 15 minutes before 9 to allow time for checking out a bike and being fitted with a helmet. Rides ranging from 10 to 15 miles in length will take place on the third Saturday of the month -- May 18, June 15, July 20, August 17, September 21, and October 19. Shoes and helmets are mandatory on any bike club ride. A member of the Henry County Bike Club will lead each ride.

The rides are a perfect opportunity to learn the rules of the road for bike riders as well as etiquette for pedestrians, riders, and vehicles. Each entity must show respect for the other -- bikers yield to pedestrians and vehicles to bikers. The rides will help one another learn and demonstrate respect for all.

In an effort to expand and enhance programs of the Henry County Bike Club, it is now a part of the Martinsville-Henry County Y. Brad Kinkema, CEO of the Y stated, "First we added Activate to help create and sustain a healthier community outside of our four walls, now, adding the bike club is a natural extension of those activities". Members of the bike club are looking forward to increased participation in group rides. "The camaraderie is wonderful among our members, we want to share our enthusiasm for riding with others in the community," said Tommy Smith, Henry County Bike Club President.