Ride of your life

Cycling is not only a great sport to improve your fitness levels, but it’s also a great way to meet new people in a different setting.
In fact Michael Johnson of the Sydney Spokes says cycling gives you the opportunity to experience the unimaginable.
“You will see places in Sydney you have never dreamt of,” he said.
“Last weekend we rode at Mudgee. We did a very beautiful ride around the wineries and visited the countryside.”
Established for more than 30 years as a gay and lesbian cycling club, the Sydney Spokes has 350 members and is unique in the way it uses the internet to communicate with members.
“It is a cheap way of running a club and important to know where everyone is going to meet,” Johnson said.
The club rides every weekend, with all levels of rides from beginner to advanced levels.
“We have done rides in Sydney, NSW and Australia and even some rides overseas,” Johnson said.
“The good thing about Sydney Spokes is that it is a club without any politics and without any cliques.”
Johnson said prospective members could join the club under a free trial covering a couple of rides and then, if interested in becoming a member, join permanently for an annual fee of $30.
“There is no need to join straight away before you have checked us out and like what we do,” he said.
“It’s simple. All you have to do is send an email with a few words regarding why you want to join.
“You will then become a member of the E Group, which is a Yahoo group telling you where everyone is meeting and who is leading the ride.”
The Sydney Spokes holds meetings every quarter. It is at these meetings people get the opportunity to lead a ride. A full ride calendar is available on the website.
“I have never been part of anything like this. It’s a really nice club and we do great things,” Johnson said.
The club is also a part of Team Sydney, which will be leading the ride for visitors to the 2008 Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras.
To find out more about the Sydney Spokes visit www.sydneyspokes.com.