The Girlfriend Ride marked its 10th year as riders braved the heat in support of female empowerment.
Organizers said about 500 riders — mothers, daughters, granddaughters and groups of friends — turned out for Saturday morning’s event, which began when temperatures were in the mid-70s and climbed about 10 degrees by noon. The ride started and ended at 450 North Brewing Co./Simmons Winery east of Columbus.
Participation levels have varied over the years — from 500 to 1,000 on average — based on weather or other factors, such as the number of other events held on the same day.
Most riders arrived with groups of friends or family, and some added to the fun by wearing matching outfits. Choices ranged from shirts reading “Bicycle chicks rock” above a picture of a chicken to grass skirts and flower necklaces.
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“We started (attending the ride) five years ago and we started inviting all the girls,” said Eswi Chora of Columbus, whose group wore unicorn horns on their bicycle helmets. “Everybody likes to support other women.”
Loogootee resident Marty Kay Arvin said riding gave her a chance to reunite with friends she had lost touch with over the years, and she was excited about “just getting out and enjoying the weather with friends.”
For others, the Girlfriend Ride is a way to keep existing relationships strong by spending quality time together.
Janet Lang of Columbus brought her two granddaughters to the ride so they could spend a day in each other’s company before one goes off to college and the other relocates to another community.
“I thought it would be a lot of fun, and they need exercise,” Lang said, laughing.
The ride is certainly a way to get exercise, but one of its most appreciated qualities are the snacks available to riders along the way.
Before even leaving the starting point, women were treated to cherry cobbler and tortillas covered with peanut butter, chocolate and marshmallows.
Asked why she returns each year, “My first thought is the food,” joked Judy Tews of Columbus.
Riders have a chance to burn calories at two levels.
A choice of two rural courses, 15 and 25 miles long, were each marked with pink hearts along the roadside to ensure no rider got off-path.
Both routes traveled through the countryside and featured stops at The Greenhouse at Windy Hill near Clifford and Willow Leaves of Hope in downtown Hope.
At each place, women and girls could take a break from the ride, enjoy more snacks and take part in activities such as photo booths and visiting with llamas.
“I like the layout of the land,” said Francie Kamer, who drove from Kentucky with friends to attend. “It’s a safe course.”
The routes also provide an opportunity for women to simply enjoy the scenery, as Tews pointed out.
“Since I have lived in a large- or mid-sized city all of my life, I love being able to ride among the acres of good ole Indiana farmland,” Tews said.
At its conclusion, riders were treated to a pizza buffet, complete with garlic knots and salad.
But while the ride is a fun and laid back event for the riders, it also supports meaningful causes in the community.
Paul and Carol Ashbrook of Hope came up with the idea for the ride after a close friend’s sister was killed by her boyfriend in an act of domestic violence.
When the Girlfriend Ride was launched, proceeds initially went to Turning Point Domestic Violence Services in Columbus. But its beneficiaries have changed and expanded to include a variety of programs and organizations dedicated to female empowerment.
This year, proceeds will benefit two programs:
Columbus Bike Co-op in its efforts to increase cycling among women.
Dreamers-Seeds of Hope Grants, with money used for community projects and programs focused on four main areas: Hunger, children and community, the environment and volunteerism.
The Girlfriend Ride has raised more than $200,000 for organizations providing services for women over the past decade, Paul Ashbrook said, and this year proceeds surpassed $10,000.
Holly Barrett of Columbus has been one of its supporters as a volunteer for at least five years.
“We have been very fortunate,” Barrett said of herself and her daughter, Sarah, another volunteer. “But not everyone has. Raising money and awareness is key to any event like this, because you get caught up in life and forget.”
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Columbus Cycling & Fitness Group Ride
When: Mondays at 6:10 p.m.
Where: Columbus Cycling & Fitness, 833 16th St.
Length: 20 to 28 miles
Speed: 15 to 18 mph
Cost: Free
More information: Call 812-372-7486 or visit columbus-cycling.com/ride-calendar
Columbus Women’s Ride
When: Tuesdays at 6 p.m.
Where: Eos statue at 5th and Lindsey streets
Length: No set mileage, lasts one hour
Speed: Leisurely, accommodates speed of the slowest rider
Cost: Free
More information:visit facebook.com/ColumbusWomensRide
Bicycle Station Tuesday Ride
When: Tuesdays at 6:15 p.m.
Where: The Bicycle Station, 1201 Washington St.
Length: 40 to 50 miles
Speed: 19 to 20 mph
Cost: Free
More information: call 812-350-0740 or visit thebicyclestation.com/articles/rides-and-events-pg37.htm
Columbus Indiana Wednesday Night Downtown Road Bikers
When: Wednesdays at 6 p.m.
Where: Varies, listed on Facebook page
Length: Varies, 10 to 30 miles
Speed: Varies by rider
Cost: Free
More information: Visit facebook.com/groups/102876179750142/
Bicycle Station Saturday Ride
When: Saturdays at 8 a.m.
Where: The Bicycle Station, 1201 Washington St.
Length: 40 to 50 miles
Speed: 16 to 18 mph
Cost: Free
More information: call 812-379-9005 or visit thebicyclestation.com/articles/rides-and-events-pg37.htm
Moonlight Loop Evening Bicycle Ride
When: Aug. 4 at 9 p.m.
Where: Bartholomew County Public Library Plaza, 536 5th St.
Length: 19 miles
Speed: Varies by rider
Cost: $25 entry until June 30, $30 fee from July 1 to Aug. 3, $35 for same-day registration.
* Money raised will benefit Columbus Animal Care Services.
More information: Call 812-376-2505 or visit columbus.in.gov/animal-care-services/moonlight-loop/
Chart your own course
For people who prefer riding independently, many roads have bike lanes, and riders can use the 27-mile People Trails; the ColumBIKE program offers bicycles for rent. Maps and guides can be found by visiting columbus.in.us/walking-and-biking-columbus/.
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10: Number of years held
500: This year’s number of participants
$10,000: Funds raised this year for charity
$200,000: Proceeds raised over ride’s 10-year history
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