MANSFIELD – Mansfield’s series of slow roll bicycle rides are back. The first slow roll of the season kicked off at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 1 at the Richland Carrousel Park in Downtown Mansfield.
“It combines bike riding – a physical activity – with a social atmosphere and getting to meet new people,” said Nelson Shogren of Richland Moves.
The rides continue weekly on Tuesday evenings through October. Bicyclists meet at 6 p.m. and roll out at 6:30 p.m.
The first event featured a typical bike ride, but many future events will have themes. For instance, the one scheduled for Tuesday, May 8 will be set up as a scavenger hunt. The “Ride & Seek” will encourage bicyclists to explore the city while finding things on a checklist.
“We think of all the unique and unusual things that Mansfield has – it has plenty – and explore them by bike just to expose people to different aspects of our community,” Shogren said.
Another unique ride, scheduled or May 22, will include stops at local baseball fields.
“We’ll carry our gloves and baseball jerseys, and visit ball fields in Mansfield,” Shogren said. “It’ll be a combination historic ride and sports ride.”
Lori Linn, known as the “slow roll queen” by fellow bicyclists, participates in most of Mansfield’s slow rolls. She’s also attended bike rides in Detroit, Akron, Canton and Cleveland.
“I like being able to see things differently,” she said. “When you’re in a car going 35, 40 miles per hour you don’t see the same things as you do on a bike going 5 miles per hour.”
She was instrumental in planning the local slow rolls.
“I was looking for something here, and there was nothing, so I talked with Nelson and we set a date and started riding,” she said.
The first slow roll took place last year. The events typically bring in 15 or so riders, but have attracted up to 50 on some occasions.
Ellen Claiborne of Richland Public Health encourages drivers to watch out for bicyclists at this time of year.
“We try to wear bright colors and be seen, but the more drivers can keep an eye out themselves is always helpful,” the health educator said. “Just know, it’s getting to be that time when you’ll be seeing more people out.”
She too was participating in 2018’s first slow roll.
“It’s just a fun ride at a slow pace,” she said. “When I moved up in two years ago, I hadn’t biked in forever, but with it being a part of my job, it occurred to me to get out and do it myself.”
Outside of the weekly slow rolls, Richland Moves has organized a Ride of Silence that leaves from the Cycling Sports Center at 6 p.m. Wednesday, May 16 to pay respect to those killed in cycling accidents and to draw attention to safety.
The organization promotes the Bike-A-Palooza festival, too. It is scheduled for Saturday, May 19 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at North Lake Park and is sponsored by the Mansfield Police Department and other community organizations.
The complete slow roll schedule is listed below.
May 1 – May Day Celebration
Leaves from the Carrousel Parking lot, rides the Bike Route in reverse
May 8 – Ride & Seek
Leaves from the Carrousel Parking lot, rides a neighborhood route with downtown
May 15 – Bike to Work week
Leaves from Richland Public Health, rides through Woodland
May 22 – Baseball Themed Ride
Leaves from South Park pavilion
May 29 – Ice cream Ride
Leaves from the Carrousel parking lot
June 5 – Lexington B&O Northbound Ride
Leaves from the restroom pavilion south of Community Park area, rides a loop including North Lake Park
June 12 – Ride & Seek Round 2
Leaves from the Carrousel Parking lot
June 19 – Juneteenth
Leaves from the Dairy Land, rides through the North Mansfield area
June 26 – Cycling Sport Center Ride
Leaves from the Cycling Sports Center, rides through the Heatherwood area
July 3 – Independence Day
Leaves from South Park
July 10 – Ride & Seek Round 3
Leaves from the Carrousel Parking lot
July 17 – Shelby Ride
Leaves from Episcopal Church
July 24 – 7 scenic wonders of Mansfield
Leaves from the Carrousel parking lot
July 31 – Burton Park
Leaves from area off Sunset Blvd.
August 7 – Alley Cat ride
Leaves from the Carrousel Parking lot, rides through alleys
August 14 – Ride & Seek Round 4
Leaves from the Carrousel parking lot
August 21 – Mansfield Murals Ride
Leaves from the Carrousel parking lot, features local murals
August 28 – Bennington Heights
Leaves from Berean Baptist Church
September 4 – Ride & Seek Round 5 – Yoga Ride
Leaves from the Carrousel parking lot
September 11 – Memorial/ First Responder/ Tour de Flats Ride
Leaves from the Carrousel parking lot, hopes to include Police and Fire Fighter participants
September 18 – Schoolhouses Rocks
Leaves from the Carrousel Parking lot
September 25 – Prospect Park
Leaves from Prospect Park
October 2 – Bakery and Brewery
Leaves from Mansfield Memorial Museum, park across the street, ride features bakeries and breweries
October 9 – Ride & Seek Round 6
Leaves from the Carrousel parking lot
October 16 – Woodland Ride
Leaves from the Mansfield Art Center, rides through Woodland
October 23 – 70’s Soul Roll
Leaves from Old Soul Vintage Attire and Records
October 30 – Zombie Roll
Details to be determined.
November – Random Rides begin
Dates and times vary.
