Whatever happened to the Hub on Wheels Bike Event?

Bicycles 🚲

Funny how Boston is now more bike-friendly but yet this event no longer happens.

For recent transplants, it was an event that happened in the fall on a Sunday. You would start at Government Center/City Hall Plaza. And there was a 10 mile, 30 mile and 50 mile ride loop.

On the first part, they would close down Storrow Drive for only bikes.
The rest of the ride was amazing and went through places like Arnold Arboretum, Stony Brook reservation, and would return to Boston right on the harbowalk. There would be a party at the end back at Government Center/City Hall Plaza.
There were multiple Rest Stops where vendors had free food and water.
Mayor Menino would give a speech at the start and claim that "it wasn't a bike race", although to some people it certainly was lol.

How can we bring this event back? I feel like attendance would be even bigger than before, since over the past 5 years the amount of people biking in this city has grown substantially.

And to the anti-bikers that I know will comment: It was 1 day out of the year for like 3 hours that Storrow Drive was closed to cars. HoW CoUld yOu PoSsibly HaNdle tHat?

in bostonby climberskier

84%

14d

EarlGrey57

Sadchester

14d

I miss it! It was super fun.

climberskier

14d

It really was a great way to see Boston's beautiful parks and cemeteries. I don't believe you are allowed to bike in the cemeteries normally but don't quote my on that--so that was another unique part of this event.

henry_fords_ghost

Jamaica Plain

14d

Yeah you can’t bike in forest hill cemetery at least (although you can drive though it for some reason)

FlattenYourCardboard

14d

As a European, this will never cease to amaze me: Driving a car on a cemetery!! It’s so bizarre.

The_rising_sea

Thor's Point

14d

There are some that are too massive for walking. I also assume that those who drive are not in any physical condition to walk or bike. Are cemeteries more compact in Europe?

FlattenYourCardboard

14d

Depends. But mostly, yes. People who have mobility issues will use wheelchairs. The idea of the noise of a car engine in a place that’s supposed to be quiet and solemn is odd to me.

The_rising_sea

Thor's Point

14d

I can see your point. I personally prefer cremation, lest I take up any space, but it should be a place of peace and quiet. I have tried jogging in a cemetery but it feels heavy. Even though most of the ones in my area have at least 5k worth of paths, I just dislike the experience.

FlattenYourCardboard

14d

I’m also definitely for cremation. For some reason, the jogging doesn’t bother me as much. As long as you are not sprinting or directly running by a funeral, or someone who is tending to a grave, praying etc. But if I had to choose between cars + running or just walking, I’d prefer the latter.

The_rising_sea

Thor's Point

14d

There are similar organizations that organize rides. Look up Bike to the Sea if you’re interested. I think they have an event in June. Tons of those group rides have moved to Strava so you might find something there. full disclosure: I get mistaken for an anti bike person. Feel free to draw your own conclusions. Hub on Wheels specifically was a casualty of COVID. Landrys bikes is a big sponsor of that and PMC. They might already be lobbying for the ride to come back. Could always start a letter campaign to Mayor Wu.

Any-Chocolate-2399

I Love Dunkin’ Donuts

14d

Landry's is advertising that they're planning group rides, although I haven't received an email about one yet (or mistook it for an ad).

The_rising_sea

Thor's Point

14d

Right. On Landry’s website, the last one was 2019, and now it says nothing is scheduled. Further down in their website they have some group rides and the Brain Tumor ride is supposed to be today. And yes, sometimes I will get the ubiquitous useless Bed Bath and beyond emails but something else that I really actually want is buried in the junk folder. If I figure out how to fix that, I’ll shout from the rooftops.

blizzacane85

14d

Whatever happened to predictability?

Lilafowler1228

Quincy

14d

The milkman, the paperboy…evening tv.

MonorailCat567

14d

Glad I did it a couple times. Great tour of the city and I can say I've biked Storrow

TraditionalAd1951

Boston

14d

You can bike Storrow during the July 4th festivities when it is closed down. It's not official, but nobody cares and you have the road pretty much to yourself.

TinyEmergencyCake

Latex District

14d

Boston Bike Party, MassBike, Boston Bike Union, some orgs to connect with and find out

anonyface

It was a really unique event and I’m sad it’s no longer held. I’m sure it was a beast to organize though.

If you’re interested in group rides in general, bikereg.com is the standard place that most group rides will do registration nowadays. Last year my favorite was the Nashoba Valley Pedalers century, which takes a really elegant route around Lincoln, Sudbury, Harvard, and Groton up to Nashua and back. Highly recommended.

lilstarlite

14d

I agree - it was so fun!!

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