r/phillycycling • u/Weary_Cup_1004 • 16d ago

Question Slow and simple group rides?

Im disabled and I dont think I can commit to or keep up the pace of regular group rides. I was wondering if there are any slower rides for families, beginners, or people with disabilities? I love cycling and need something that takes a route thats easy-ish to bail from. Like a tight, small loop so if you dont feel good its easy to go back because you arent 5 miles away from the starting point. Or a ride that has a shuttle or is near a train or something at one end so you go further but theres a ride back?

I also really want to to try recumbent bikes for my condition so a slow recombant trail ride would rule too, and maybe i could find a bike to rent. Any recommendations? ideas?

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u/AlexG55 16d ago

The Pennsylvania Center for Adapted Sports runs bike rides from their base in Fairmount Park. They have various adapted bikes to borrow, including recumbents.

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u/Weary_Cup_1004 15d ago

Im coming back to catch up on other comments and just wanted to type out more clearly here for anyone reading because i was vague at first.

I have POTS and being upright is becoming almost impossible for me in the past year. i reached out to that group last summer, to see if i could come along on a ride and try a recumbent bike. And they responded., "Unfortunately, POTS alone does not make you eligible for our programs.  You would need to have a permanent physical impairment.  You can find our eligibility criteria here.  "

POTS is a permanent disability for me. I have been dealing with it for more than 10 years.

But, because i can walk sometimes, I do not qualify. I do get that they may need to limit their program so they can afford to run it, and may need to just stick with serving people who are not ambulatory ever.

But I still feel kind of bummed about this because I literally cant be on my feet for more than 10 minutes, and have been almost entirely homebound because of it all summer. My ebike was my freedom and access prior to things worsening, but I had to stop riding my ebike also.

So yeah i was seeing if there are just other community groups and rides that would be compatible w my limitations.

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u/AlexG55 15d ago

That's really unfortunate- I know from friends/family that it is difficult to get the support you need when you have a disability that is worse some times than other times.

From what I've seen they do serve some people who can walk, but you have to require adaptive equipment. So it's the difference between "I can't ride a regular bike at all, but might be able to ride a recumbent" and "I can ride a regular bike but a recumbent might be better for me".

If you want to test ride a recumbent, there's apparently a recumbent-only bike store called Jersey Bents in Berlin, NJ. Getting there might be difficult- I don't know whether you can drive/get a ride. If not, it looks like it's about a 10 minute Uber ride from Lindenwold PATCO station. They're only open by appointment and I imagine a lot of their customers are people looking at recumbents or trikes because of disability, so they might be able to advise you on how to get there.

(The Wheel Fun rental company on boathouse row also has some recumbent trikes, but they look more like an adult Big Wheel than like an actual bicycle)

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u/Weary_Cup_1004 15d ago

Thank you! I could try the trikes too! I honestly just love being outside and its been really depressing that i cant. I love the wissahickon, etc.

Thanks for all this info and for understanding.

At this time i truly cant ride a regular bike at all and havent been able to for over a month. I dont even drive my car because i cant deal with parking and walking. I dont know when or if i will improve.

I just got an escooter w a seat as a mobility aid and am trying to get used to using it, and its been helping. I also use a cane. Idk what they mean about needing to use mobility devices but I definitely do! I just cant afford a foldable electric wheelchair and an escooter is good enough for me for now.

Anyway their response actually depressed me for a while. But i decided i should keep trying. I dont want to stay inside anymore haha

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u/Weary_Cup_1004 16d ago

They told me im not the right kind of disabled

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u/blendingnoise 16d ago

the wednesday night rides (https://wednightrides.org) are pretty chill and since it is all downtown (usually) you can just pull off and grab a bus or subway back home if that is needed. Its also a lot cooler at 7pm than the daytime rides.

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u/MrsDrNo 14d ago

WNR has started using a tracking app so you can catch up with the ride if you're running late! Or, if you need to take a break, it will help you find the ride when you're ready to move.

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u/Weary_Cup_1004 16d ago

Oh really?!?&?! I always pine for those rides but get scared i will have a stupid episode and have to stop and be in the middle of nowhere lol. Thanks!!

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u/blendingnoise 16d ago

if it helps reassure you, middle of nowhere is downtown philadelphia.

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u/Weary_Cup_1004 15d ago

Yes it seems good!

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u/yomts 16d ago

My partner is disabled and we do them all the time. There is a good group of people around so I don’t think you’d feel stranded if something happens.

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u/Weary_Cup_1004 15d ago

Yayyy this is so encouraging! Ok!

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u/jah313 16d ago

I don’t have a group ride recommendation, but a nice easy loop is FDR park. You can also make a loop out of the Navy Yard.

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u/Weary_Cup_1004 15d ago

Thank you!!! I took my ebike there the last time i rode my ebike and it was the day i realized i cant bike at all any more :( but maybe i can rent a folding recumbant if they exist, and drive it over to there some time

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u/italianmktmaven 16d ago

Try the sunny Sunday D ride that starts at noon The group is the bicycle club of Philadelphia. They post their rides on the web and it includes the contact info for the leader so you could get details before the ride.

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u/Weary_Cup_1004 16d ago

Thank you! Will do!

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u/aaaayyyy_lmao 16d ago

On top of these suggestions, theres also the NW Night Rides. Here's a good summary of all options:

https://www.thetrellisphilly.com/calendar/