Whether pedaling around Sun City or across the country, the Sun City Cyclists are “retired and ready to ride.” That’s how club president Leanne Waldo describes the group of 180 cyclists. And what better place to ride than “one of the most gorgeous places in the United States”?
“The great thing is folks like me whom I can connect with any day of the week to share a ride, burn energy, and improve my health; folks to have fun in the fresh air and beauty of the Texas hill country,” Leanne says.
Designed to accommodate all levels of speed and distance, groups ride 20-60 miles a day. Some stay in Sun City while others venture out into the county. “We know every farm to market road in the vicinity, from Salado to Hutto,” Leanne says. Members participate in the Red Poppy Bike Ride, and in Spring, they usually enjoy a scenic hill country ride to Kerrville, Utopia, or Fredericksburg.
Some members, like Bill McMillan, go a bit further. During one cross-country trip, he and several members rode from Mexico to Canada. He and his wife Ricki ride a tandem and enjoy being part of the club. “Having people you identify with and enjoy the same activity has been a treat and a positive effect for us,” he says. “The side benefit is good exercise. It’s always good to be out of doors.”
The club also hosts an annual Bicycle Tune-up Open House with CycleWerx bicycle shop to help Sun City residents get their bikes safe and ready to ride. A Safety Improvement Committee made up of experienced members provides regular safety reminders and road condition updates to members.
CHECK OUT THESE BIKES
The club’s efforts extend beyond Sun City. Since 2018, the group has collected more than 200 “pre-loved” bikes from residents and donated them to the Austin Yellow Bike Project, a nonprofit organization that refurbishes used bikes and gets them back on the streets.
The club also donated and continuously maintains 10 bikes for the Georgetown Public Library’s bike share program. You may have noticed bikes lined up at the library’s entrance (their bright yellow hues make them hard to miss). The program began in 2014 as a partnership between the library and Visitors Center that allowed tourists and residents to enjoy downtown, and hike and bike trails. However, staff soon realized some residents were using the bikes to get to work. “It started out as more of a tourist recreation program, which is still part of the goal, but anybody that needs transportation can use it for now,” Library Director Eric Lashley says.
Anyone can check out a bike from the library at 402 W Eighth St., even without a library card and regardless of age (kids need to have parents sign for them). Typical check-out time is 24 hours, but if someone needs a bike for transportation, they can borrow it for a week.
For more information about the library’s bike share program, call 512-930-3551.
HOW TO JOIN
Avid cyclists should join the Sun City Cyclists, Leanne says, because members are familiar with roads with less traffic and it’s safer to ride in a group, which allows you to be more visible. Plus, it’s a lot more fun socially. (Members gather for socials throughout the year when there’s not a pandemic.)
Williamson County residents who are interested in joining the club can email [email protected], join https://www.facebook.com/groups/Sun.City.Cyclists/ or visit SunCityTXCyclists.weebly.com .
photo by Walt Grabowski