APRIL 4, 2026 – HARDEEVILLE
Perfect ride today in Hardeeville! Ideal Spring weather with temps from the high 60s to high 70s. Another enormous turnout of 32 riders, split into two ride groups, with the long ride rocking a looooong double pace line that worked marvelously for our abundant crowd! The flaw in this Persian rug of a ride, as always, is the pockmarked pavement of a good portion of Purrysburg Road, but we persevered and were rewarded with an otherwise ideal journey through the South Carolina lowcountry.
We had some noteworthy wildlife spotting today, including Burnside Mike’s backwoods bathroom turkey, a swallow-tailed kite, and a large flock of Great Egrets in the blackwater swamp at the second rest stop (it pays dividends to do the long ride, folks!). Finally, a VERY select group of dedicated Clubmembers, who understand and appreciate that this is a social club and requires, nay THRIVES UPON, good food and drink, camraderie, and frivolity, attended lunch at Tacos & Tequila for a post-ride fiesta!!
MARCH 28, 2026 – NEVILS
Another great ride in Nevils on Saturday – Bev’s favorite course! We had a leaner turnout of 14 riders (13 bikes ;-)) on this one, but it was a fun and adventurous bunch, to be sure. We continued developing our double pace line, and it really went flawlessly. It was a bit breezy, especially the opening stretch until the first left turn onto Golf Club Rd., so the half mile pulls and double-wide configuration was a welcome respite there. After that, we were really flying along – we nabbed half the top 10 for the 3.25-mile Anderson Rd. Strava segment doing just under 22 mph! A special cadre of lunatics added the extra loop to get over 40 miles for the day – check out the flex photo that’s sure to make this year’s CBTC calendar.
Anyone not from uber-flat Savannah might laugh, but this is definitely our hilliest ride (900 ft. by Strava’s reckoning), and that adds a fun and challenging element that we don’t get on any of our other regular courses. It’s surely a struggle at times, but there’s a real feeling of accomplishment when it’s done. Refueling at Sally Mae’s with rib-sticking BBQ and seafood is just the salve needed afterwards. Next ride is Hardeeville, y’all!
MARCH 21, 2026 – WAKULLA SPRINGS
Somehow, this trip was even better than the last one – and that’s really saying something! The weather was once again an absolute dream – highs from the 70s up to about 80 and perfectly blue skies all weekend long. What really made the difference this time around, I think, was that 1) we had more attendees, which really added some zing and extra camaraderie to the trip and 2) nearly all of us stayed at the Lodge, which acted as a phenomenal base of operations from which we were able to ride all weekend.
And the rides went fantastically! From Friday’s inaugural trek to St. Marks Lighthouse, where we kept nearly the entire group together for the duration, to discovering the hidden gem of Shell Point Beach with its sky-high houses and expansive ocean views, to the final foursome’s out and back to the St. Marks Trailhead through an eerie yet enchanting fog that last morning (not to mention Nathy and new Club friend Galen’s alternate Sunday mountain bike ride through Panacea’s dunes and beach). In the end, some of us logged over 126 miles when all was said and done, but, more importantly, everyone enjoyed a beautiful, joyful, and safe biking weekend. Add to all of that our annual kayak adventure (this time a manatee tour where we saw over twenty of the lumbering giants) and jungle cruise (with wildlife galore), and it made for another winning club trip. As usual, a very special thanks to Kathy S., who planned this adventure down to every detail (particularly impressive were the transitions on Friday, where we went straight from biking to lunch to kayaking to showers and then to dinner) and club emerita Deborah T., who once again hosted this even larger group and treated us to a homemade lasagna dinner (with three different kinds of lasagna!) at her amazing home. Who knows where the next trip will lead us, but you don’t want to miss it!!!
MARCH 14, 2026 – ISLANDS
Conditions were ideal for today’s ride once the morning fog burned off, with sunny skies and temps in the 70s. We also had what has become our typical large turnout of 20+ riders. This is a great route once we get out of downtown, but it’s always a bear with the lights in and out of the city. Still, totally worth the hassle for both the mileage and the delicious lunch at the finish at Sly’s Sliders and Fries! Nice safety briefing from Kevin this morning that we mostly heeded on the route, and we’re continuing to work in and acclimate ourselves to a double pace line where we can. Welcome back to Craig and Cathy and Kim after extended hiatuses!
MARCH 7, 2026 – RIGHT TURN CLYDE
Another huge turnout for this ride, especially in the longer group. The weather was on the verge of too warm and the sand gnats at the start were an unwelcome harbinger of spring, but conditions on the road were perfect. The highlight of the day: we pulled off our first successful double pace line. Despite some early reservations, it worked well and kept our large group tighter and more manageable for vehicular traffic. Having two riders at the front may create a slight go-faster tendency – the average speed came in a little higher than usual at around 18.7 mph – but that cuts both ways if you’re one who prefers a quicker pace. A big group stuck around for lunch afterward at El Mariachi. Great ride all around.
FEBRUARY 28, 2026 – PARTY GRAS (DARIEN)
On a laissé les bons temps rouler! CBTC made the trip to Darien for Party Gras and turned out in force – the organizers logged us at 17, but Bill’s count had us at 32, easily the largest group representation at the event. The next closest group had just eight riders. Club members Joe V. and Corbin P. made the podium as well, finishing second and first in the century and metric century, respectively. The rest of us enjoyed a relaxed group ride of about 18 through Darien’s quiet roads. It was a bit misty at the start (and for the first 30 miles or so), but the temps were impeccably spring-like and the sun broke through in patches by the second half. Rest stops were friendly and well-provisioned, and the post-ride meal of grilled chicken and sides was outstanding. Darien really turned out for this event.
FEBRUARY 21, 2026 – FANCY HALL
Near-summer temps after a month of cold rain brought another massive turnout – 29 riders on the log. The group split four ways: a shorter ride, two long-ride groups of about eight each (separated for traffic safety), and a faster breakaway group. It was breezy throughout, though there was no real consistent headwind or tailwind to speak of. The roads were excellent, there were no mishaps, and the ride finished fast with a big tailwind on Port Royal Road into Publix. Brunch at Sunshine Breakfast was friendly and well-attended as always.
FEBRUARY 14, 2026 – RICEBORO
It had been nearly a month since our last ride in Ellabell – the weather had been terrible, at least by Savannah standards – but spring temps returned just in time for the restart of the popular Riceboro ride, which had been on a long road-construction hiatus. The combination of good weather and pent-up demand brought cyclists out of the woodwork: 31 riders showed up for our largest turnout in recent memory. Ride leader Kathy split the long ride into two groups, and we had a strong 10-person shorter route as well. Temps were cool at the start, but the sun was bright and warm – a fine day for riding. There was a headwind right before the rest stop, but the tailwind coming back more than made up for it. Lunch afterward at Smokin’ Pig was well-attended and well-enjoyed.
