This summer, we launched something new and beautiful: a weekly community bike ride to celebrate our Red Shed Bike Camp graduates, and it has been a total hit.
Every Friday, a growing crew of family members, friends, neighbors, and longtime Greenway riders have joined us for the Graduation Ride Series. It is a 3.5-mile roundtrip ride from Riverside Park to the Manton Outdoor Classroom and back again. What started with just 7 guests has doubled, then tripled, growing to more than 20 people riding together in recent weeks. Every ride has been filled with joy, pride, and community.
“This week and last week- out of 25 campers, 18 started out who had never been on a bike and able to peddle. Now they’re riding with confidence and that’s what this is all about” say Phill Mattes, Bike Programming Manager.
These rides are more than a celebration. They are an invitation.
We have seen adults join who have not ridden a bike in years, and a few who were pedaling for the very first time. We have seen hesitant parents and siblings ride off a little nervous and return beaming. These rides are reconnecting families to the fun and freedom of biking, and they are introducing new people to the Woonasquatucket River Greenway for the first time.
Along the way, we have gotten to share more than just our campers’ accomplishments. Riders are discovering the beautiful, climate-resilient parks and public spaces we have helped build along the river. For folks new to the Greenway, it is a revelation.
And of course, at the heart of it all are our campers—the 8- to 13-year-olds who have spent their week at Bike Camp learning how to ride safely, take care of their bikes, and care for our watershed. Each week’s ride ends with a small celebration at the Manton Outdoor Classroom, where friends and family cheer them on.
There is still time to join us.
The Graduation Ride Series continues through August 15. If you have been meaning to check it out, now is the time.
Graduation Bike Ride Series Info
Starts: Red Shed Bike Shop, 50 Aleppo Street, Providence
Ends: Manton Outdoor Classroom, 15 Goldsmith Street, Johnston
Arrival: 1:00 PM
Ride Out: 1:30 PM
Graduation Ceremony: 2:00 PM
Returns to the Red Shed
Bike and helmet loans are available. Please pre-register to reserve yours.
Not riding but want to attend the graduation? Limited parking is available at the Manton Outdoor Classroom.
Come ride with us and help celebrate the next generation of confident, joyful cyclists in Providence.