Easy Riders - Cycling Group

Finally escaping the confines of the COVID pandemic, a congenial group of emeriti (and some partners) formed the Emeritus College’s new Special Interest Group, The Easy Riders, in the summer of 2021. Our first outing, a get to-know-you event that set out from the Hasting Mill Store and circumnavigated False Creek included a stop at Mario’s Gelato for a mid-ride refreshment and further conversation. There was clearly a deal of enthusiasm for the SIG, but participants displayed varying levels of fitness and purpose. To accommodate those who wished for longer, more demanding rides, the Easy Riders spawned a spin-off, appropriately called the Not-So-Easy-Riders Club (or NSERC -- granting opportunities for those in search of serious exertion). The NSERC group is self-identifying and self-organizing; we share a list of those interested in longer, faster rides and leave it to them to set up partnered or small group rides). The Easy Riders committed to riding together about once a month. We relish the exercise and the camaraderie, and make these the main goals of our outings, but our aim is enjoyment rather than intense fitness training.

In 2021 they had five enjoyable “circular” rides. After the False Creek circuit we ventured from West Memorial Park through Pacific Spirit Park, South Campus and parts of the UBC campus, with several stops en route for conversation and informative discussion of the changing landscape and some of its most symbolic features (such as the Reconciliation Pole on Main Mall). Our third outing took us from the Arbutus Greenway through East Vancouver to Trout Lake and back. Then we met at the Richmond Olympic Oval to ride the Middle Arm, West and South Dyke Recreational Trails, returning to ROC via #4 Road and the Richmond Greenway. Our fifth outing, departing from Science World to circuit Stanley Park (by seawall or roadway) was postponed by inclement weather. Although the rescheduled ride took place in cool and windy conditions, no one was hindered by coyotes. 

To date some forty people have expressed interest in being included on the Easy Riders mailing list, although turn-out for rides (which have been scheduled on different days and morning or afternoon) has varied between 10 and 15 or so–– which is a good number for easy, found conversations. Most outings are in the 20– 30 km range and speed is not of the essence. E–bikes are welcome. Thanks to one of our number, cookies sometimes appear, and we go our separate ways after each ride imbued with a warm glow from participation in a shared enterprise. Riders come from many different departments and corners of the University, and all are welcome.