Superior Riders to begin summer biking season

IRONWOOD — With the arrival of warm weather, the Superior Riders will soon begin another season of weekly bike tours throughout the area.

The weekly rides will begin at 6:30 p.m. every Wednesday — the starting time will switch to 6 p.m., on Aug. 19 as the days get longer — with riders meeting at a different bar or restaurant every week. The first ride will take place on May 20 and begin at Maplewood Steak House on U.S. 2.

Described as “just a casual ride” by Sam Davey, who organizes the event, the rides generally cover 8 to 14 miles and last about an hour to an hour-and-a-half, with dinner or drinks at that week’s restaurant or bar after the ride for those interested.

“We wait for everybody and make sure everyone is going in the right direction,” Davey said, explaining that the group likes to keep together and stop frequently to wait for stragglers.

There isn’t any racing or an attitude that everyone has to keep up or be left behind, Davey said.

It might be the relaxed attitude that has contributed to the group’s growth, beginning with 8 riders when it started four years ago, and growing to as many as 50 bikers last year, Davey said. In addition to the smaller core group, there were others who only rode with the group sporadically, and if everyone who participated at least once was counted, Davey estimated around 100 people were involved last year.

The rides take place on primarily on pavement, according to Davey, meaning that almost any skill level can participate in the rides and all kinds of bikes are welcome.

The complete schedules of rides is:

May 20 — Maplewood Steak House, Ironwood, 6:30 p.m.

May 27 — Rigonis Bar, Ironwood, 6:30 p.m.

June 3 — Don and GG’s, Ironwood, 6:30 p.m.

June 10 — Old Suffolk Ale House, Ironwood, 6:30 p.m.

June 17 — Joanie’s Side Kicks, Iron Belt, Wis., 6:30 p.m.

June 24 — Pit Stop, Bessemer, 6:30 p.m.

July 1 — Riders’ Choice, 6:30 p.m.

July 8 — Parking lot behind the Iron Nugget, Hurley, 6:30 p.m.

July 15 — Festival Ironwood, 6:30 p.m.

July 22 — Don and GG’s, Ironwood, 6:30 p.m.

July 29 — Manny’s, Ironwood, 6:30 p.m.

Aug. 5 — Pub and Grub by Powderhorn, 6:30 p.m.

Aug. 12 — Brewster’s, Ironwood, 6:30 p.m.

Aug. 19 — Rigonis, Ironwood, 6 p.m.

Aug. 26 — Pit Stop, Bessemer, 6 p.m.

Sept. 2 — Hautalas, Ironwood Township, 6 p.m.

Sept. 9 — Maplewood Steak House, 6 p.m.

For more information on the group, call 906-932-2020 and ask for Sam or Anne.