- May 1, 2024
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Most bicycle groups that you see on the road are all about speed; the riders are bent over and pedaling furiously. Not so with the Sandy Cyclers. They maintain a leisurely pace and their focus is fun.
On their most recent tour, they were a little late pulling into The Bike Shop, 39 S. Yonge St.
“We were having too much fun having tea at Rose Villa,” said leader Liz Bonds, of Daytona Beach, as they coasted into the parking lot. “They showed us the speakeasy.”
They were dressed in the style of the 1920s and 1930s, so visiting a speakeasy was appropriate. Each ride has a theme, and they dress accordingly.
Started last December by Bonds and her friend, Ashley Redelico, of Ormond Beach, the group takes a tour every couple of weeks to see the area, make various stops and socialize. They like having educational stops and also enjoy food and drink.
Currently, about a dozen bikers go on each ride, where they travel in bike lanes when available and also make use of sidewalks. All ages are welcome.
At The Bike Shop, they received some pointers on bike maintenance.
“Some of us are new to biking,” said Redelico.
Their previous ride was the Thrift tour, where they stopped and bought clothes at thrift stores and donated them to the homeless.
In their Christmas ride, they decorated their bikes, and for one coming up in March, they will likely wear leather. It will be during Bike Week, on March 12, and they are going to ride down Main Street in the Motor-Free Main Street Ride.
Eva Horne, of Ormond Beach, recently joined the group.
“I love the social aspect,” she said. “I like seeing different parts of the city and learning about the community. Biking is a healthy lifestyle and we’re exploring the city we love.”
