Riders in snug black bike shorts and colorful jerseys converge every Saturday morning on a Snohomish bike shop.
They chow down on muffins and coffee, wander the shop, and talk about the weather and the Tour de France. At 9 o’clock, they head outside, mount up and take off behind Martin Mollat, the owner of Snohomish Bicycles.
Mollat, 38, leads a two-hour bike ride every weekend, rain or shine, arriving back at the shop in time to open the doors at 11 a.m.
There’s a group of regulars, but all riders are welcome and the pace is adjusted to the group. It’s just a fun ride for people who love to cycle.
Mollat isn’t the only one who leads a weekly ride. A number of local bicycle merchants offer these free rides, known as “shop rides,” regularly scheduled open rides around the county for groups of any size.
A recent Saturday morning saw a handful of riders buck the rain to reap a sunny finish to their ride along the Snohomish River, over Ebey Slough to Lake Stevens and back.
Show up with a bike and join in.
Snohomish Bicycles: 1201 First St., Snohomish; 360-862-8300. Ride leaves the shop at 9 a.m. Saturdays, led by Marvin Mollat. All are welcome. The pace is adjusted to the riders in the group. Routes sometimes vary.
Terrain: some hills.
Pace: moderate to brisk.
Regroup: occasional.
More shop rides
Bicycle Centres: 4707 Evergreen Way, Everett; 425-252-1441
Rob Beyer from Bicycle Centers is the leader. Rides on Sundays at 8 a.m. All are welcome and pace is adjusted to the riders in the group.
Routes: sometimes vary; 20 to 30 miles.
Terrain: hilly.
Pace: moderate.
Regroup: frequent.
Performance Bicycle: 3225 Alderwood Mall Blvd., Lynnwood; 425-774-4096.
Jacob Kearns from Performance Bicycle is the leader. All are welcome and pace is adjusted to riders in the group. Meet before 8 a.m. Saturdays.
Route: 35-mile ride.
Terrain: some hills.
Pace: moderate.
Regroup: occasional.
Bicycles West: 18503 Highway 99, Lynnwood; 425-672-2777.
Mountain bike rides only, at 6 p.m. Wednesdays at St. Edwards State Park in Kenmore. All are welcome. The rides are led by Ed McCall. Sign up for McCall’s email blast at ed@bicycleswest.com.
BikeWorks of Lake Stevens: 2010 Grade Road, Lake Stevens; 360-334-7812.
Mountain bike rides.
Routes: vary
Stanwood Velo Sport: 401 N Olympic Ave, Arlington; 360-629-6415.
Social and mountain bike rides.
More on biking
The Cascade Bicycle Club website has information about club rides. See www.cascade.org/.
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