RocketGirl Rides
I’ve been cycling for almost a year now and I have noticed that men dominate the roads…yeah it’s pretty hot to see a pack of men all decked out in their spandex (at least I think so) and it’s also lots of fun and challenging to ride with them too, but I don’t really want to bike with men all them time. Too much testosterone is never good for anyone.
So, I’ve decided to start bi-weekly road ride for women. These rides are for women cyclists that ride at good pace (about 30km), enjoy a challenging workout and that don’t act like a serious dick on the road 
Rides and reviews will be posted in this section, so keep checking back for updates and changes (due to weather, work, etc).
Feel free join me! Seriously, the more the merrier. And feel free to suggest routes that you do or have done in the past. I’m up for checking out your normal ride route with you too!
As always you can message me for directions, with questions or comments about any of the RocketGirl Rides I post here.
Ride on!
RocketGirl 2009
Hi – I am looking for people (well, ok, girls really) to ride with in Toronto. This seems perfect. (I’ve been cycling for two years…)
Hey! That’s great!!! I’ve been a bit under the weather lately, so I haven’t had a chance to put together a ride schedule. BUT, I’m going out this weekend and you’d like to join that would be totally cool.
We’ll probably be doing a 60km ride to Oakville and back early Saturday morning.
Email me directly at rocketgirlblog@yahoo.com
Cool!
Jen,
I have just bought my first road bike and need to gain confidence in my riding skills and learn to ride with the new shoes. It feels intimidating on my own, I am a bit afraid of the speed and breaking, do you know any beginner groups? I have done many 60K rides but on my mountain bike.
Hi!
That’s a pretty good question, I know that the Toronto Bike Network has a range of rides for all kinds of riders…. I have never been on any of them so I am not too sure how they are…. BUT if you’re up for it I can totally take an hour or more on Sunday morning and go for a slow ride with you… teach you some tricks of the trade and show you my mistakes! I’ve fallen over numerous times
with no serious injuries except my pride.
Let me know… I’m game if you are… but let’s make it early to avoid the crowds and cars… yeah? Maybe in High Park?
Cheers,
Jen
Jen,
You are very kind. I can meet you any time in High Park, just tell me where and the time. I haven’t tried the shoes yet. I have just been riding around my neigbourhood in the cementery with my running shoes. I think for now I will use my old pedals with toe clips, unless I can manage to try the new pedals between now and Sunday.
Awesome!
So, let’s meet in High Park at the entrance at Bloor West and High Park at 9 am on Sunday? If you go in this way you’ll find parking past the stop sign to the left. I’ll be there wearing a red helmet and riding a black and yellow Devinci… You can’t miss me. I’ll email you my cell number, just in case. Also, I would totally suggest to put on those new clipless pedals on and try your new shoes out. That’s something that needs the most “practice”, once you feel comfortable clipping in and out everything else comes easier.
As a tip, maybe get your bike shop to put your pedals on for you.. depending on your shoes and pedals.. your shop can tighten or loosen them, so it is easy to clip-in and unclip. I know my lower end pedals were “adjustable” and my shop fixed it, so I didn’t have to use too much force to unclip… but my newer SpeedPlay ones aren’t adjustable (i don’t think so at least), but they’re really easy to clip in and unclip from.
Anyways, do what makes you feel comfortable. We’ll take a slow ride around the park and get you comfy on that new bike of yours.
See ya soon,
Jen
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Hi Jen
Are you organizing any group rides this month? I am a decently experienced rider who would love to get in on long weekend rides with a group of gals.
Let me know!
Lisa
Hi Jen – I am trying to organize weekend rides for a group of women – Running Room marathon runners who are now doing triathlons. We all have road bikes and have been going out best we can around TO but that is not ideal with traffic, etc. None of us are actually experienced bikers who know good routes outside the city, etc, so we have been looking for an existing group to ride with. Do you do your rides on Saturdays? I think most of us could handle up to 60 km or more no problem.
Hey Shawna!
Great to hear that you and bunch of ladies have gotten into triathlons! I would love it if you guys came out with us on a Saturday ride
I won’t be around this Saturday, but will be riding next Saturday. We can definitely do a nice ride out to Oakville and back. The trick to avoiding traffic is to leave early. I’ll post my August Rocket Girl Ride schedule this week, and you and your friends are more than welcome to come and join us on any of the rides!
Also check out my Racer Sportif women’s ride post. They’re awesome and often ride with the MidWeek ride on Saturdays. Midweek offers more technical instructions on cycling, which is great! BUT I am not sure about membership fees when it comes to the midweek ride club (I am pretty sure there is a small fee to ride with both Racer Sportif and the Midweek ride).
Hope this helps! Have a great weekend and see you soon!
Jen
Hi Jen!
I’m moving to Toronto in the 3 weeks and am looking to get back into cycling after a LONG hiatus! I enjoy your blog and hope that I can join you on some rides in 2010!
Can you keep me posted on this year’s group rides?
Cheers!
Jen
Of course! Meet me at CYKL indoor spinning when you get here in the mean time
I’ll be the sweaty moose on the stage yelling at you to crank the tension!
I’ll start posting outdoor rides in April, most likely, when the snow is gone and I can show off my amazingly white legs to the world.
Cheers!
Jen
Hi Jen,
I’m wondering if you will be riding into October (or even November depending on weather)? I’ll be away for August but I’m back in September for school and would love to ride until the weather doesn’t allow it anymore. Thanks,
katie
Yeah! leave me a msg when you return and we’ll go out for a ride!
Sounds great Jen, thanks!
Hey James!
I don’t have a message board or a email blast, but I can send this message out to my friends tonight! Sorry for the late reply I’ve been in Philly doing the Livestrong Challenge! Oh and can I audition!?
Wicked!
Jen