With the weather in the high 60s and the bright spring sun shining, the Cream City Cycle Club set off last weekend on its first ride of the season. Actually, its first two rides -- a 17-mile route leaving from Greenfield Park and the option of a nine- or 31-mile ride from Centennial Park in Cedarburg.
About 40 cyclists showed up for each ride, which is slightly more than the club's average. President Donna Hepp credits the gorgeous stretch of warm weather Mother Nature's generously provided, although it could just be further proof of a trend in the right direction.
In the nine years since she and her husband moved to Milwaukee, she's recognized a significant increase in general cycling, with the Cream City Cycle Club and otherwise.
"I think there's been a lot of improvement on trails and streets -- something as simple as a stop light on the Oak Leaf Trail can make a huge difference in making it safer for riders and pedestrians to get out there and enjoy Milwaukee's parks."
The Cream City Cycle Club has long worked with the city, contributed financially to the county's parks, helped with the campaign to get racks on buses and with the Boys and Girls club's bicycle initiative.
Hepp's been an avid rider since childhood and her husband is a former professional bike racer. They've lived in various cities all across the country, but the one thing that remains constant is their desire to join a cycling club.
"We found it was a great way to meet people and find great places to ride," she says. "We enjoy the camaraderie and the opportunity to get outdoors and on our bikes with people who enjoy doing the same."
When they discovered Cream City Cycle Club, which has been riding together since the early '70s, they knew they'd be a good fit. With about 120 members, the club embarks on more than 100 weekend group rides in and around the greater Milwaukee area from April through September each year. And on its 12 camping rides, the club books group sites at places like Devil's Lake and makes a weekend of exploring the area's scenic trails.
The riders vary in ages, but most are 40 and up -- including at least a member or two in their 80s. As president, one of Hepp's goals is attracting more young families. "We can all use some more exercise these days, and it's particularly true for young people."
You certainly do not need to be a professional cyclist (or anything remotely close to it) to ride with the group. The club starts off the season slowly with shorter distance treks and slowly builds throughout the summer, working its way up to the annual century ride on Aug. 29. This 100-mile ride (other mileages are offered) begins in Waterford and features a spaghetti dinner as well as homemade goodies at the rest stops.
It's also important to note that you don't need to be a member to ride, although you do need a helmet. Hepp advises that "drop-ins" arrive at least 20 minutes prior to the ride to fill out liability wavers. Find the 2010 ride schedule on the Cream City Cycle Club Web site, here.
OnMilwaukee.com staff writer Julie Lawrence grew up in Wauwatosa and has lived her whole life in the Milwaukee area.
As any “word nerd” can attest, you never know when inspiration will strike, so from a very early age Julie has rarely been seen sans pen and little notebook. At the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee it seemed only natural that she major in journalism. When OnMilwaukee.com offered her an avenue to combine her writing and the city she knows and loves in late 2004, she knew it was meant to be. Around the office, she answers to a plethora of nicknames, including “Lar,” (short for “Larry,” which is short for “Lawrence”) as well as the mysteriously-sourced “Bill Murray.”
