CONNECTION RIDES
Some times you just want to go on a bike ride. Some times you want some thing different.
This as our introduction to connection rides.
We start with intros, as always. We get in a circle and ask people to introduce themselves, their pronouns only if they feel comfortable to do so, and where they usually ride.
Some other ideas for intros are..
What is the latest album you listened to?
What was the last book you read?
What TV series are you binging at the minute?
We have a blog post about our usual group ride intros here.
This all serves to be a bit of social lubrication before you get going and helps set the tone. Remember that people will be joining you in all different states.
Some one might have had a row with their partner before leaving the house, some one else has rushed to get to the start in time, some one else has been nervous to join you but has finally managed to muster up the courage to come to their first ever group ride.
Whatever you do at the start of the ride will serve as a callibration. Choose what you do wisely.
Then we set off on a gentle spin to connect with a Forest highlight. One of those highlights is the Knightwood Oak.
When we arrive, we get to drink what ever we have in the flask, share snacks and discuss topics that increase our awareness of the land we’re cycling on. For example, the right to roam, the balancing act of increasing access to the forest whilst preserving it’s delicate eco system and what lessons we can learn from the Forest highlight we’re stood next to.
A gentle spin back to base finishes with us asking people to gather in a circle once more and to share what they are thinking and feeling as a check out.
Most people don’t realise that those two things are even different.
We spend so much time rushing, disassociating and thinking of others that we sometimes even struggle to connect with how we are feeling let alone have the vocabulary to describe it.
Slowly, gently and passionately, we build a new normal for ourselves, along with radical community care.
If this sounds like a bit of your, sign up to our newsletter so you can be the first to hear of rides.
Also, we can’t recommend “The Art of Gathering” by Priya Parker enough. Priya shares how you can bring people together, meaningfully. It has so many brilliant pieces of advice in it, we’ve been listening to it all year.
We think Henry’s words sum up a connection ride perfectly.
“A beautiful time in the Forest looking at Oaks, breathing, being, feeling the warmth of the sun, the warmth of companionship, the healing balm of acceptance. Thank you, love and peace”
If you end up leading a connection ride, let us know how you get on! We’d love to hear all about it.
