Let’s celebrate spring with a bike ride (or two or three!). There are three opportunities to ride with friends this weekend. Be sure to read each ride description to know the expectations for each one (one requires registration!). Please note that Saturday’s ride is hosted by us, Bike West Hartford. The rides on Friday and Sunday are hosted by Bike Mafia.
1) Friday, March 28th, 2025 – 6 pm-9 pm – Critical Mass Ride hosted by Bike Mafia
Starting location: Elizabeth Park Rose Gardens.
*Women’s month edition! Celebrate the women including the transwomen in our lives and who inspire us to be better humans! Wear pink, bring stories of those that inspire you, add songs to our playlist from womxn artists! Start at Elizabeth Rose Gardens. Ride out at 6:20pm. End at West Hartford Center for food and desserts. Celebrate the cyclists right to the road. Be kind. Be careful. No aggression towards non-cyclists (cars). Allow cars to pass if possible. Stay in a tight group. We are a school of bikes 🐠🐟🐠🐟 Leaderless ride. If you have the route you can lead. No one is responsible for you. Hop on and off whenever you like. Decorate your bike. Lets make this fun and festive!”
Route: https://strava.app.link/RHcsZv1xuMb
Add to playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1Z62dWAc4dsrDrElpuI8Z1?si=Gvdn4tf_R6qkqgZjD_nLZQ&pt=28831f4ea1491f3c403bfa2532d1ea81
2) Saturday, March 29th, 2025 – 11 am-12:30 pm – Bike Ride to New Britain hosted by Bike West Hartford
Please register online ahead of time to join our free and fun group bike ride to New Britain, hosted by Bike West Hartford.
Our group bike ride is designed to be fun and open to all skill levels, rolling at a friendly pace of 10-12 mph, with no one left behind.
Bring any type of bike in good condition, wear a bike helmet, bring a full water bottle, and money if you wish to buy food or drinks at the end.
Meet up 11am at Farmington Ave and Trout Brook Trail intersection, West Hartford for introductions and safety check, and roll out by 11:10am
Our 9-mile route is mostly on separated bike trails and some quiet streets, plus 0.5 miles along a busy road (Route 173/Newington Road/Willard Ave).
For a family-friendly ride with children, join us for the first 3 miles on Trout Brook Trail to the Elmwood Community Center.
End around 12:30pm at Five Churches Brewing, 193 Arch St, New Britain, and bring money if you wish to buy food or drink.
Bring cable bike locks to secure bikes together, since there are no bike racks at this location.
This is a one-way ride. You can go back on the same route, ask other cyclists to ride back with you, or bring your bike on the CTfastrak green bus.
Ride route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/49979658
Email any questions to Jason Wang or Jack Dougherty
3) Sunday, March 30th, 2025 – 8 am – 11:30 am – Bike Church hosted by Bike Mafia
Starting location: Parking Lot for Farmington Canal Heritage Trail and Farmington River Trail, Canal Heritage Trail, 1008 New Britain Ave, Farmington, CT 06032, USA
“Let’s do a fun Sunday morning spin on the Farmington Canal Trail Loop up through Avon, Simsbury, Canton, and back to Farmington! We will meet in a parking lot for the canal trail at the address above and head out on a counter clockwise loop of the trail. About two thirds of the way we will stop at Lasalle Market and Deli in Collinsville for snacks (pancakes?) and coffee. The route is about 28 miles and the pace will be in the 11-13 mph range, no drop. The majority of the route is on the canal trail itself with about 2.5 miles of on road riding and mild single track between Simsbury and Canton. The main route is linked below as well as a link to a bike friendly route from the Hartford/West Hartford border to the starting point for folks that don’t want to use a car.
Public transit is also available from Hartford via the #66 bus to Farmington Ave @ Wyndwood Rd stop and then down the canal trail to the starting point. I’ve put a photo in the gallery of the route to the starting point from that bus stop.
Main ride route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/48391146
Bike route to the starting point: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/48391410