Report: Shape Note Singing Ride

Reporter/Ride Leader – Tom McTighe
Ride Date – Sunday, June 13, 2010

Report
Great fun was had by all on yesterday’s Shape Note Singing Ride! It was my first time leading a ride, but I attended the How to Lead a Ride meeting at the Hawthorne Hostel a few weeks ago and got several ride-saving tips from Carl and Shawn. Thanks to them, I actually pre-rode the route, and was generally prepared (sweeper swept and photographer clicked). I greeted riders with lemonade and watermelon, and things went downhill from there (in a good way). We hit the road with about 22 riders, which seemed like a ton of people. Several competent singers made the singing part easy, but next time I will allow for more than 90 minutes. Although I had stated “12:30 sharp,” we waited and left 10 minutes late but still missed about 12 people (although some were able to call me and join us mid-ride). It was pretty relaxed, but it would’ve been nice to be even just a bit more leisurely. We made a big rectangle through SE – stopped in Ladd’s Addition at one of those rose parks, up the hill at Saint David’s on Harrison, and ended at Pix on Division, where we had ice cream cones out front (parked our bikes next door). Lots of smiles and high fives all around. Might become a monthly thing.