If Karen Karabell owns a car it must be hidden away, for in all the years I’ve known this CWEnder I’ve never seen her without her bike. Not only does she cycle everywhere – in all weather – she’s also an instructor for Cycling Savvy, an organization that empowers people to ride bikes anywhere, safely & confidently. The organization, which originated in Florida, began offering classes in St. Louis in 2011.
When Karabell, one of 100 Cycling Savvy instructors nationwide, was teaching a class in Charlotte, NC last December, she learned about the city’s weekly Plaza Midwood Tuesday Night Ride (#PMTNR). She was so impressed by the buzz over the community-building experience the ride offered, she returned to St. Louis pondering how to recreate that experience here.
As she thought about where to meet each week, it dawned on her that “the heart of the heart of St. Louis’ finest neighborhood would be a perfect meeting spot.” Karabell continued, “From Maryland Plaza, we could easily ride a different route each week.”
It was cold that early January 2016 evening when the first ride took place, and through March there were very few riders. One bitterly cold Tuesday in February, Karabell was the only rider. Remembering that evening she said, “I had a ball. Riding for fun in the stillness of the night is magical on a number of levels.”
The photo above shows last Tuesday’s riders gathering before the 8 p.m. start of #MPTNR (Maryland Plaza Tuesday Night Ride) at the Maryland Plaza fountain.
Each ride covers an 8-mile radius from Maryland Plaza and includes a refreshment stop at a restaurant or bar before the group returns to the CWE by 10:30 p.m. Last Tuesday the riders stopped at PaPPo’s Pizzeria & Pub on Forest Park Blvd.
While the organizer has made a personal commitment to ride every Tuesday night this year, #MPTNR has taken on a life of its own and Karabell says she isn’t really needed anymore, though I can’t imagine she’d ever miss one.
Everyone is welcome to join Maryland Plaza Tuesday Night Ride. Meet at the fountain at 8 p.m. All you need is a bike with a light and a helmet. (Karabell has extra bike lights if you need one). Word is that this Tuesday’s (August 16) group will cycle to Ted Drewes Ices Plain & Fancy.
Find out more about #MPTNR on Facebook. To learn more about Cycling Savvy’s next set of classes which will take place on August 20 and 21st at 320 N. Vandevender, 63108, click here.
Great article Nikki and Karen you are a true inspiration. You have gotten me to back in the groove of doing something that I love!
Ices Plain & Fancy is a good reason to borrow a bike and join you!
P.S. Nicki, because of a special guest planning to attend this Tuesday’s ride, we planning to stop at Ices Plain & Fancy in the Shaw Neighborhood. Here’s a link to this Tuesday’s route…first published here! http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/1216522756
Thank you, Nicki, for a wonderful post. I hope you’ll join us on the ride soon. Bring Jim!!!