The Bloomin' Metric Bicycle Ride is on Sunday, May 20,2018

Spring is here and the Bloomin’ Metric bicycle ride is just a few weeks away on Sunday, May 20th.

The Bloomin’ Metric, Connecticut’s premier cycling event, attracts approximate 2,500 riders - from novice to expert level - who cycle along at their own pace past stunning beaches and through classic New England countryside as the flowers and trees are in bloom. The Bloomin’ is NOT a race ride! The Bloomin’ emphasizes safety.. There are SAG wagons, ride marshals and police support along the routes. You can register for Bloomin Metric via this link: https://www.bloominmetric.com/

The Bloomin' rides begin at the Sherwood Island State Park (Westport, Ct.), with 4 fully supported routes – from short n’ sweet 25K (15 miles) to mid 40K (27 miles), 75K (48 miles), to see-it-all 100K (63 miles). There are fully supported rest stops with food/hydration/bike mechanics, Breakfast serves at 7am and post-ride lunch with music, cycling trip drawing, fabulous variety of food trucks and ice creams!

When you ride the Bloomin’ Metric, you're not just riding one day of beautiful scenery, fun and fitness! You are joining a passionate riding club and community with Sound Cyclists Bicycle Club. Once you register to ride Bloomin Metric, you are provided with free trial membership with Sound Cyclists Bicycle Club (SCBC).

SCBC club membership brings you access to Sound Cyclists Bicycle Club’s full calendar of scheduled rides and cycling seminars, social events, and more. The Club provides fun, fitness and social activities for novice to advanced riders, with the following benefits:

• 1,300 organized member-led rides on the most beautiful routes in Fairfield county area and beyond throughout the year on weekdays and weekends
• Free bicycle inspection and SCBC discounts at 36 participating bike shops
• Free RidewithGPS club membership
• Free bicycle related clinics: Garmin/Strava/RidewithGPS, Group Riding, Pre-ride Safety checking, Defensive riding skills, and many more
• Social events year round, from our Spring kickoff party to New Member Ride and various picnics/dinners, a great way to meet the Cycling Community!
• During summer, many out of area destination weekend rides such a Newport, Block Island, Shelter Island, Long Island, West Point, Cape Cod.

Safety is the preeminent concern for all SCBC rides. Each year, there are Ride Leader training seminars provided on the rule of the roads and group riding skills. Before each of our club rides, the ride leaders (RLs) always present a short talk to all riders, mainly stressing safety issues: ride single file, obey all traffic laws, always give motor vehicles right of way, communicate with each other, etc.

There is an absolute rule within SCBC — no helmet, no ride. It is critical to have a properly fitting adequate cycling helmet before riding. That means it also has to be sufficiently secured on your head.

Cycling is a tremendous amount of fun and probably one of the best ways to age backwards, since that old adage of "use it or lose it" is very true. Just make sure to "use it" along with a dose of common sense and keep safety in the forefront. Visit http://www.soundcyclists.com/and join!