Dessa Paris-Gant’s love of cycling is timeless. As a kid growing up in St. Louis County, she rode her bike to the pool every summer day but put it aside for nearly 20 years while raising her family. When she returned to school as an adult, she was required to take a PE class. She chose cycling, which rekindled her childhood passion. Not only did she ride, but she also began competing in races.

So, shortly after starting to volunteer with AARP in 2015, she suggested creating a cycling group that would meet regularly on weekends to enjoy the trails around St. Louis and the company of similarly aged riders. Since 2016, she has served as ride coordinator for Boomers and Bikes, a free monthly gathering that attracts up to 65 cyclists per outing.

Why is your group important?
It gives not only AARP members but their guests and anyone in the community who rides bikes a social opportunity and the benefit of a healthy activity. And the rides are free.

What’s a typical ride for your group?
We have free monthly rides from April through October and cap our registration at 65 participants for safety reasons. Most of our rides are on trails in the St. Louis metro area. We usually offer two routes: a shorter ride of 10-ish miles and a longer one of 20-ish miles. We advertise our pace as experienced recreational — not beginner — and to be at least 10-14 miles per hour.

What’s the age range?
AARP no longer has a tight age restriction for its members, but for the safety of our registrants and ride marshals, we limit the ages to 18 and above with an active fitness level and recreational riding experience.

 

Dessa Paris-Gant, ride coordinator for Boomers and Bikes. (Dessa Paris-Gant)

Do you offer SAG support (i.e., a vehicle that offers assistance to riders)?
Yes. We offer SAG through Vanimal, a mobile bike shop.

Any advice for older riders who want to start or restart riding?
Get involved with a beginner bike group, get out and ride the trails often, and purchase a good bike from a local bike shop.

What have you learned about cycling or your fellow riders since launching Boomers and Bikes?
I’ve been riding and racing for at least 26 years. I’m still learning, but staying active and riding often helps me feel healthy.

What’s your favorite trail?
I love all the trails we ride, but my go-to is out in the Wildwood area.

What’s the most fun aspect of riding with this group?
For me, it’s the social interactions with riders who are mostly within my age group and love to be active.

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Upcoming Rides

May 23: 9 a.m. at Creve Coeur Lake Park (meet at Lakehouse Bar & Grill)

June 20: 9 a.m. at MetroBikeLink Trail (meet at the Belleville, Ill., station)

July 18: 8 a.m. at MCT Schoolhouse Trail (meet at Drost Park in Maryville, Ill.)

August 15: 8 a.m. at Katy Trail (meet at the Defiance Trailhead)

For more information, go here.

Author: Kathleen Nelson is a frequent contributor to Terrain.

Top image: Dessa Paris-Gant (far left) with her fellow members of Boomers and Bikes. (Dessa Paris-Gant)