First Annual Major Taylor/Cincinnati Cycle Club Unity Ride

The First Annual Unity Ride

Over the past several years, cyclists from both the Major Taylor Cycling Club of Cincinnati and the Cincinnati Cycling Club have joined together for the Monday Night Wyoming Ride. We have enjoyed great camaraderie and friendships have grown between respective Club members that will surely stand the test of time.

During the pandemic year, a question was often asked:

Why don’t these Cincinnati-based Clubs ride together more often (or at all)?

The answer….because no one has planned a ride. Well, that time has passed and on September 17th and 18th, 2021 our first Unity Ride will take place.

Co-sponsored by the Major Taylor Cycling Club of Cincinnati and the Cincinnati Cycle Club, we are coming together…to ride. We will have a conversation or two, make new friends, share some stories and share a common passion. It’s long overdue.

Is it Just an All Club Ride?

Nope. The Countryside YMCA in Lebanon has graciously offered use of their pool pavilion as Ride Central. We have a covered pavilion with seating for several hundred riders, restrooms, changing areas and showers, paved parking for several hundred and a fenced camping area. All dedicated to Unity Riders for Friday and Saturday.

We have two days of riding. Friday, September 17th a casual ride is planned around the beautiful Little Miami River Valley. For those arriving Friday, the YMCA has ample room for tent camping and the Warren County Convention and Visitors Bureau will be providing information on hotels and local overnight accommodations. More information to be posted shortly.

A more formal All Club Ride will be launching Saturday morning September 18th, joining all local Cycling Clubs and our Major Taylor partners. Routes from 45 to 65 miles are planned in addition to a shorter bike trail route for a more casual ride. All routes will traverse low traffic and scenic Warren County cycling routes. Always wanted a police escort on a ride? We have one for you on Saturday as we depart Ride Central.

All routes will be posted one week before the ride (this allows us to avoid all newly chip sealed routes). Expect around 2,500 feet of gentle climbs for the 65 mile route, and 2,000 feet for the 45 mile route. Each route will have at least one Major Taylor and one Cincinnati Cycle Club ride leader as well as SAG support.

Is there Food and Entertainment?

Yes we have entertainment. Friday September 17th is the City of Lebanon’s last “Third Friday” celebration for the year. The Third Friday entertainment area is a short bike ride (on a dedicated bike trail) or walk from Ride Central. We are currently arranging for shuttle transportation from Ride Central to the Third Friday Entertainment Area for those a little leg weary from the Friday Ride.

Never heard of the Naked Karate Girls? They’re not naked, they do not know karate, they aren’t even girls …but they can make you move. Check them out here.

The City of Lebanon also has a wide variety of restaurants and eateries lined up for this event. We encourage all cyclists to patronize local small businesses as a part of this ride both Friday and Saturday. We will have limited food and beverage support at Ride Central, so all are encouraged to spend your hard earned dollars where they matter most…local small businesses. Invite a new cycling friend to dinner or lunch Friday and Saturday, enjoy your conversation and plan a ride together next week. That is what this event is all about.

Event details:

Friday September 17th:

• YMCA Ride Central opens at 12:00 pm
• Casual Ride Starts at 2:00 pm
• Return to Ride Central at 4:30
• Time to shower, shave and…..
• Third Friday entertainment and shuttles start at 6:00 pm
• Ride Central lights out at 12:00 pm.

Saturday September 18th:

• YMCA Ride Central opens at 6:30 am
• Pre-Ride Announcements and Prayer for Unity at 7:30 am
• All rides depart 8:15 am
• City of Lebanon Beer Garden opens at 12:00 pm
• Ride Central closes at 4:00 pm

Cost:

$10.00 (yes…. ten bucks). We want all your hard-earned dollars to support those local small businesses, many of which have had a rough year. And…we want to be invited back next year! Local small business information will be posted soon! Shuttles from Ride Central to the Third Friday Entertainment Venue will be charged per round trip (cost to be posted soon).

SWAG: None. No T-shirts, no jerseys, no mugs, no socks. Take that hard earned $$ and invite your new cycling friends out for lunch or a post-ride beverage and support local small businesses. That’s what this ride is about.

Ride Central: Countryside YMCA Outdoor Pool Pavilion 1699 Deerfield Road Lebanon, OH 45036

https://countrysideymca.org/

39°24'32.1"N 84°12'40.5"W 39.408924, -84.211260

Registration is required:

First Annual Major Taylor/Cincinnati Cycle Club Unity Ride - Ride Calendar - Cincinnati Cycle Club