Maine’s Women’s Ride

By Shoshana Hoose

The Bicycle Coalition of Maine’s annual Women’s Ride is known for its supportive atmosphere.  The ride, with distances from five to 50 miles, attracts women who are just starting to bicycle as well as experienced cyclists training for long distance events.  Each year, some women use the ride to meet personal goals.

Last year, a girl about 12 years old bicycled with an older woman.  The girl hadn’t ridden much before, but she was determined to finish the 25-mile route. 

“She didn’t have bike shorts,” said Elizabeth Patten, a volunteer who was riding sweep.  “She obviously was in pain.”  A couple of miles from the finish, Patten learned that the girl’s mother had died not long before.  The girl was bicycling with her aunt as a way of paying tribute to her mother.

“She was so proud that she finished,” Patten recalled.  “It was really touching.”

Each year, Patten thrills at the sight of hundreds of women of all abilities taking off on bicycle from L.L. Bean’s Casco Conference Center just outside downtown Freeport. 

“People are kind to each other,” she said.  “No one is in it for the competition.”

This year’s Women’s Ride will take place on June 13.  Pre-registration is strongly encouraged.  Please visit Bike Maine’s website here or call 207-623-4511 for more information.