The Semi-Tough Cycling Club’s Saturday “O.C. Ride” has quickly become one of my favorites rides. So much so, that I’ll pass up an always eventful Friday night in New Orleans just so that I can #earlytobedearlytoshred it.

The ride starts most Saturday mornings at 7:15am at the PJ’s near Magazine and Jefferson (edit: new starting location at Manhattanjack on Prytania) and is a de-facto “tour of NOLA” as it winds its way thru Uptown, Midcity, Lakeview, Gentilly, New Orleans East, the 7th Ward, Treme, French Quarter and Marigny.  Keeping with the Semi-Tough ethos, this ride is open to all folks on bikes (I’ve been on rides with mountain, road and track bikes all in the mix) but keeps a minimum pace of 15mph. However, for the most part, it is a no-drop ride and there are two meet-up points for re-grouping which often happen when half the group sprints off to chase Strava KOMS. Almost important as the riding is the coffee and food after. At the last re-group near SUNO, a phone call to Cake Cafe is made and breakfast sandwiches are ordered and ready by the time we come rolling into the Marigny. A quick pick-up and then it’s off to the Orange Couch to commandeer a few outside tables and enjoy the spoils.

The O.C. Ride is a perfect mix of cycling, exercise and good conversation. Check with the Semi-Tough Cycling Club’s Facebook Group for further details on future rides.