Riding through Life with Ladies on Spokes

The concept of true friendship has been a subject of interest for all the greatest minds, from Cicero to Socrates to Ralph Waldo Emerson. Perhaps Emerson captured the spirit perfectly, insisting that when friendships are real, “they are not glass threads or frost-work, but the solidest thing we know.”

The members of the Fayette and Coweta County-based group Ladies on Spokes know this notion well. Founded officially in September 2008 by three ladies—Barbara Aldred, Lori Nichols, and Angie Forslund—with a common interest, Ladies on Spokes has been flourishing as a women’s bicycling club ever since.

Although the name might so suggest, Ladies on Spokes (LOS) is hardly just a cycling club. While the primary activities of the group revolve around bike pedals, the LOS find themselves participating in any number of other activities, from triathlons to casual jogs and walks. Encouraging women towards a goal of physical fitness is important to the group, but that is just a happy consequence of a greater reward.

“By participating in Ladies on Spokes, we all have gained some of the greatest friends with kindred spirits,” says Barbara, the group’s co-founder and its current vice president and secretary. Her sentiments nicely reflect the group’s mission statement, which says that the most important goal of LOS is to unite, support, and encourage women in every way possible. “There is something lovely about a group of women coming together dressed in spandex, wearing little or no make-up, helmets on their heads and greeting each other with great big smiles,” Barbara adds. “Encouraging each other is just standard procedure.”

Though the club started small, LOS has grown well over the past two years. Angie Forslund, current president of LOS, has noticed that initial interest for potential members lies in the physical aspects of the club, usually attracting women who are seeking some organized form of fitness. But that’s not why they stick around. “New members realize how nice and fun we are and want to join,” Angie says lightly.

After the group’s very first meeting in September 2008, they had 25 new recruits. Today, the group has grown to over 60 members. “There are a lot of nice ladies out there with nothing to do and are all alone. We like to think that we can be a part of making them feel loved, cared for, and befriended, all while getting fit,” Angie explains. Finding the right group exercise can be difficult, especially for those reluctant to sign on with gyms or other expensive fitness facilities such as tennis clubs or golf memberships. With yearly dues of only $25, Ladies on Spokes is ideal for budget-conscious active women who enjoy a sense of community.

Once signed up, women needn’t worry about their current skill levels; Judy Coleman, the group’s treasurer, stresses that the group is extremely accessible and understanding. “We can have different levels of riders that ride at different speeds,” she explains. The group tries to organize rides based on the skill levels of all the participants; but as LOS is still young, this isn’t always possible. “In those cases, we have riders who will rotate through the ranks. All riders will take rest stops along the way (faster ones waiting for the others to catch up). When we start out again, a faster rider who was riding with a slower one may move back to the front and another strong rider will accompany the slower one,” Judy continues. “It gives us a chance to get to know several people and everyone still gets a nice workout.”

Once out on the roads, Judy insists that safety is of utmost importance. Since many of the women who join are beginners, the group makes sure that new sign-ups are acclimated with not only the mechanics of their bikes, but also the safest way to ride on busy streets. New riders adjust well on their new routes, as the more experienced riders look out for the others. LOS also works with local bicycle shops to provide seminars on bicycle maintenance and safety.

There are several rides per week, as well, led by several different ladies. And although it is called Ladies on Spokes, Judy explains that men—husbands, boyfriends, and sons, usually—are allowed on the rides if they’d like to join. They can’t, however, become members of the group. Keeping with the welcoming spirit of LOS, dogs are also allowed on walks and jogs, though for safety reasons, not on rides.

Of course, LOS isn’t all and only about fitness and camaraderie; they also strive to volunteer their services as often as possible. The ladies have lent their time and efforts to a number of causes, including the March of Dimes events at Callaway Gardens, the Ferst Annual Bike Ride (for children’s literacy), and Erin’s Fight, dedicated to the struggle against multiple sclerosis.

LOS is always looking for new members, ready to welcome them with open arms. “My desire is that every woman in our group feels love, acceptance and encouragement and has the desire to pass that on to every new member that comes our way,” Barbara says. For more information, contact Barbara Aldred at Barbara@ladiesonspokes.com or visit their website, www.ladiesonspokes.com.