Anyone who has been spending these unusually warm winter days thinking about riding their bicycle can look forward to participating in the group rides sponsored by BikeWorld in Paducah, the Chain Reaction Cycling Club (CRCC) and 1025 Gallery. With the beginning of Daylight Savings Time on March 11th, BikeWorld sponsors a “Crack of Dawn” ride on Monday through Friday beginning at 6:00 am. These rides are dependent upon the roads being dry and the temperature being above 40 degrees (they may be passionate about riding but they’re not crazy).
The rides begin at the Family Video Store (414 Lone Oak Road, Paducah, KY 42001) and usually last for about an hour. There’s a different route for each day of the week, with Friday being the most relaxed and probably the best ride for newcomers. Call Hutch at 270-442-0751 for additional information, or send an email to hutch@bikeworldky.com.
In addition to this early morning ride, the Chain Reaction Cycling Club (CRCC) and 1025 Gallery will sponsor evening rides Monday through Thursday at 5:30 pm. On each route, riders can choose the distance they want to ride: shortest is 12-14 miles; middle is 20-25 miles; and longest is 28-32 miles. All routes are marked with directional arrows on the roads. Everyone rides at their own pace, but almost everyone finds someone pedaling at their speed. Monday rides usually cover the flattest terrain, and may be best for beginners. One of the regular riders brings up the rear, so no one is left behind. The route for Wednesday’s ride is described on BikeWorld’s website as “rolling to downright hilly”, so riders should be prepared for a challenge on that day. Check this website for complete directions for starting points and descriptions of each route, together with additional information concerning the group rides. The CRCC website also has a telephone number for up to the minute ride information (270-441-2357).
The rural roads around Paducah are ideal for riding bicycles. There is very little traffic and an abundance of tranquil scenery. Most of the terrain is slightly rolling, with an occasional challenging hill here and there. For those more interested in seeing the sights of Paducah, bikers can park their cars at BikeWorld and ride around Paducah to enjoy the restaurants, museums, historical architecture and such attractions as the Floodwall Murals along the river. For those riders who are unfamiliar with the city, BikeWorld offers assistance in planning a route to avoid traffic and include the most scenic avenues. BikeWorld also offers bicycles for rent for those visiting the city for a short period of time.
One of Paducah’s newer attractions for bicycling is The Paducah Greenway Trail . This trail of densely packed gravel is two miles in length, and runs through a shady wooded area between Bob Noble Park and Stuart Nelson Park. The access from Noble Park is behind the baseball fields.
If lack of biking attire is a problem, BikeWorld has an extensive selection of clothing and gear. Finally, for those who want to train indoors during the winter months in preparation for all those great spring bicycle rides, BikeWorld carries a complete line of exercise equipment, with free assembly and delivery within ten miles. Many of the local gyms also offer stationary cycling exercise equipment, so get out there and get ready – it’s almost time to hit the road for a great bicycling adventure!
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