Seniors in Howard County dusted off their bicycles and hit the road as the Department of Citizen Services kicked off its third annual Cycle2Health Thursday morning in the parking lot of the East Columbia senior center.
The department's Office of Aging administrator, Starr Sowers, said that during the program's initial development the general idea was to have it led by volunteers.
"The volunteers lead the bike riders," Sowers said. "[Cycle2Health] is really to keep people healthy and to keep people active. It's sponsored by Office of Aging and it brings people to the office to let them know what we do and to know the services and programs."
Socializing also plays a valuable role in the weekly rides held between May and mid-November each year, Sowers said.
"It's for people who want to ride but don't have anybody to ride with," she said. "This program is developed to say that nobody ever rides alone, so that for every ride, there's a leader. The leaders plan the trips."
Program coordinator Jennifer Lee agreed.
"I think this program is as much for their social benefit as it is for their physical benefit," Lee said. "The physical benefits of cycling are well-documented. Everybody knows that it's a way to improve your cardiovascular health and stamina. But with this, they're riding outside of the [program] with friends and having lunch afterwards. It's a way for them to connect."
Although moderate and advanced rides were offered May 14, Lee said Cycle2Health generally appeals to riders of all levels.
"There are three ride groups within the Cycle2Health program: the casual, moderate and advanced groups," Lee said. "[Thursday], the moderate and advanced groups are going to go out and ride. … Usually, Tuesdays are when the casual group will go out and then Thursdays are when the moderate and advanced groups will go out."
Local businesses, such as Race Pace Bicycles and Performance Bicycle, had demonstrations and provided safety tips for beginner riders at Thursday's kick off.
"There's also a [Howard County] police officer to give orientation to casual riders on safety," Lee said.
Newly retired Mike Andrews, 60, said he heard about the program through a group of friends.
"I recently retired at the beginning of the year and a friend of mine was a part of Maryland Mountain Club," the Ellicott City resident said. "It's a hiking club and, on one of the hikes, there were people talking about biking and I found out that this was during the week."
With the average weekend's hustle and bustle, Andrews said he would rather bike during the week.
"I like riding during the week and this makes you make a commitment to go out and do it," Andrews said. "I've been riding a long time."
Meme de Carvalho, a senior who lives in Columbia, said she attended the program last year and enjoyed the company of other riders.
"It's different when you're riding alone," Carvalho said. "Here, you're riding with other people around your same age, your same speed and on safe roads."
While the program begins at the senior center, Howard County Executive Allan Kittleman said it's designed for all ages.
"I think it's an awesome opportunity for individuals of all ages," Kittleman said. "My wife and I bike together. It's something that we feel we can do together. We both bought hybrids a few years ago and we ride as often as we can."
Whether it's a 5- or 18-mile ride, Kittleman said Cycle2Health allows riders to experience a change of pace.
"I think this is a great way to get people to come out," Kittleman said. "People who may be retired and felt like, 'I don't want to go walk on a treadmill. I don't want to go run.' I think it just offers more opportunities for people."
As cyclists began the day's ride, Lee said she hopes the Office of Aging continues developing more programs.
"Typically, we don't offer a lot of recreational programs through our office," Lee said. "I think that this is the beginning of something new."