Pedal through Valley Bike Month with local cycling clubs.
Park the car in the garage for the day and grab your helmet and bike instead. April is Valley Bike Month, and Valley Metro is sponsoring events all month, from family-friendly rides to a two-day bike festival. There’s beauty to discover while biking in this city, but it’s hard to see from behind your car windshield as you zoom down Scottsdale Road at 50 mph. Novice or avid cycler, let this month inspire you to pedal your way around town with these year-round bike clubs.
Bicycle Ranch
This Scottsdale bike shop prides itself on “service without compromise” and has been a favorite of Valley cyclists for 15 years. Bicycle Ranch is more than just a bike shop. Owners Markus Zimmer and Andy Peshek encourage riders of all levels to join them for weekly group rides that include a hill ride, night ride and women-only ride. Bicycle Ranch’s goal is to create a friendly group atmosphere to promote the enjoyment of cycling.
15454 N. Frank Lloyd Wright Blvd.,
Scottsdale, 480-614-8300,
bicycleranch.com
The Ladies
LaVerne Lindsey leads this ladies-only bicycle group on rides the first three Saturdays of every month. The group will start biking five miles per ride this month and add on two more miles each week. Lindsey has an end goal of preparing every rider for the Bike MS tour next spring, a 75- to 100-mile ride to raise money for people living with multiple sclerosis. Lindsey invites women of all ages and cycling levels to join the group she’s been leading since 2007.
oneonewithlaverne@gmail.com, 602-565-1839, meetup.com/The-Ladies-Womens-Cycling-Group
Phoenix Spokes People
Phoenix Spokes People is a nonprofit group that advocates for bicycle infrastructure in Phoenix and encourages bicycle culture. The group promotes cycling as a main transportation option and hosts weekly Bike to Work rides in Downtown Phoenix. The group also hosts fun and friendly bike parties with music, food trucks and beer, like Hello Vélo last October and Bike Prom set for April 4.
phoenixspokespeople.org
Arizona Bicycle Club
Arizona Bicycle Club was founded in 1964 and has since been promoting the positive results (no-pollution transportation, recreational fun, camaraderie and fitness) each rider can experience from cycling. Through advocacy, education and organized rides and tours, ABC hopes to make Arizona a more bike-friendly state. Join the group for moderate weekly rides and train for their overnight Grand Canyon tour this summer.
azbikeclub.com
