Village of Progress offers bike club

Posted 7/30/18

It’s 8:45 on a Wednesday morning. The sun’s out and there’s a slight breeze in the air.

Volunteers from “The Village Bike Club” are pulling the Village of Progress three side-by-side tandem bicycles out of the garage.

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Village of Progress offers bike club

Posted

OREGON – It’s 8:45 on a Wednesday morning. The sun’s out and there’s a slight breeze in the air.
Volunteers from “The Village Bike Club” are pulling the Village of Progress three side-by-side tandem bicycles out of the garage.
About 10 years ago the Village received a donated side-by-side tandem. Since that time, the bike has been used occasionally by a volunteer or two.
Over the winter, however, Ogle County’s 708 Mental Health Board solicited projects to receive “mini-grants.” The Village thought it would be a great time to expand its biking program by adding a second bike. The grant was accepted.
The opportunity to expand the program even further arose when BJ at Green River Cyclery in Dixon offered funding to help secure a third side-by-side tandem.

By spring, all three tandem joyriders were set up and ready to go. The Village Bike Club recruited 20 cycling-minded volunteers from the community and 25 men and women from the Village signed up for rides.
Joyce Stephens was among the first to sign up as a volunteer, completing CPR and first training in April to become a lead cyclist.
 “Last week I was riding behind Karen Baylor and Sandra,” Stephens said. “Sandra was coasting down a hill, as she had her arms in the air like she was riding on a roller coaster. I snapped a picture and I feel like it just epitomizes the freedom and joy that these ‘joyrides’ provide.”
Joyce Groenhagen, another volunteer, added, “I really feel like we’re receiving so much more than we’re giving.”
The men and women who attend the Village feel the same way. Each day they thank the volunteers for taking them cycling. Teresa commented, “I really like the ladies and guys I ride with.” Sandra added, “I love it.”
Typically, the three tandems are used in the morning for 2-3 hours five days a week, weather permitting. In two month’s the program has logged almost 200 hours.
 “I am very pleased with the response to the program,” said Brion Brooks, Village executive director. “And the great thing about the cycling club is that two people are spending forty minutes experiencing a shared activity, a little exercise, and some fresh air. There’s really no better way to get to know someone.”
Trips start from the Village’s parking lot and head over the Oregon Park District’s boardwalk and through areas of Park West. Cyclists take a short break in the shade while talking about their day and sipping on some water. The ride then continues around the soccer field and back over the boardwalk.
“Having the Boardwalk and Park West so close has been such a gift,” Brooks said. “It allows our cycling club to go on rides without worrying as much about traffic.”
The Village Bike Club will continue into the fall and then start again in the spring.