They may be called the “Richmond Bicycle Club” but this group of cycling enthusiasts knows no boundaries.
Their roots, for sure, are firmly planted in Richmond, having been founded in the early 1970s by Jim Smith and his friend, Peter, as a recreational touring club.
But since then, the group – now numbering about 40 or so members from across the Lower Mainland – have put their feet to the pedals as far away as the Oregon Coast, the Rockies, Quebec, Nova Scotia, Ireland, France, the Czech Republic and the last trip, prior to Covid, to Budapest.
Closer to home, the club has toured the Sunshine Coast and still sets out locally most weekends and on a Wednesday.
Ride pace "brisk to smell the flowers"
According to club president Bev Robertson, the pace of their rides can range from “brisk to smell the flowers.”
“The people are so nice, it’s a great group. We love getting together and enjoying these rides,” said Robertson, who’s been a member since 1985.
“We try to ride every weekend and have midweek rides on a Wednesday. The weekend rides are scheduled and members are asked to sign up and volunteer to lead a ride.
“We have fast riders and slower ones. We did one on Sunday at 35 kilometres, but some can be 60.”
Robertson said the group members come with a variety of bikes, some conventional, but many of them now possessing hybrids.
The membership, added Robertson, is only $30 a year, which goes towards insurance and an annual picnic and Christmas dinner.
Safety-conscious rides get around Lower Mainland
“It’s a great opportunity to join a weekly ride. We’re very safety-conscious and very well-led,” she added, noting that the Bradner Daffodil Festival in the spring is next on the hit list.
“We do many rides in the Langley area as well. It’s a fun social club.
“We have a lot of members who’ve been in the club since the ‘90s. Our youngest is 45 and oldest is 85.”
Anyone interested in learning more about the club can contact Sue at [email protected].
