May 2005 – The Seven Hills Wheelmen have been providing riding opportunities for Worcester County cyclists of all ages and abilities since 1970.

The group originally formed as a recreational cycling club but has since become involved in other activities. “Wheelmen” are what bicyclists were called in the 1890s, so the group picked the name up as a way of paying homage to the bicycling tradition.
Lynne Tolman works as the group’s Newsletter Editor and Publicity Coordinator and has been riding with the Wheelmen since 1987. “We have road cycling and mountain biking almost every weekend in the spring, summer, and fall,” she explains. “We also do other outdoor activities such as hiking, snow shoeing and cross country skiing.”

Peter Howard, owner of Barney’s Bicycle Shop, has been with the club for three years. He is also in his first year as President of the club. “It’s a great sport and a great recreation club,” he says. “We try to keep it open to a wide spectrum of riders – young and old, beginner and advanced.”

He explains that the main purpose of the Wheelmen is to provide ride opportunities for anyone who wants to participate. “One of our biggest purposes is just to bring together people who like to ride bikes,” he says.

Tolman explains that the group consists of about 100 members of all different ages. “We get all kinds of riders, from people who like to go at a smellthe- roses pace to people who like to get a good, hard workout,” she says.

According to Tolman, one of the biggest draws of the club is the motivation factor. She says the group really forces people to try new trails and routes, to meet new people, and just to get out there on their bikes in the first place. “It’s motivating to go with other people,” she explains, “It really gets you to try new stuff.”

The group rides all over Central Massachusetts and has regular bicycle rides every Monday and Wednesday. They also host a number of other rides and events each month and there is a ride that will soon resume on weekends; the schedule is constantly updated. “In Central Massachusetts, we have some of the best cycling terrain anywhere,” Tolman explains. “There are plenty of places where we can get out of the traffic and just check out the landscapes.” The group also hosts the George Street Bike Challenge in partnership with Barney’s Bicycle Shop and the Major Taylor
Association, a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving the legacy of the 1899 world champion cyclist Marshall “Major” Taylor, who overcame racial prejudice to become the first internationally acclaimed African-American sports star.

The challenge is in its fourth year and will be held on June 10. It is a time trial race with a 500 ft. long course; the racers must pedal up George Street, the very steep hill in downtown Worcester where Major Taylor used to practice. The race is open to anyone age 12 and up; all money raised will benefit the Major Taylor Association and its mission to memorialize Major Taylor in the form of a statue to be placed in front of the Worcester Public Library. For more information, visit the group online at www.majortaylorassociation.org. The Seven Hills Wheelmen also host the Major Taylor Century in the fall. Check out the King’s Tour of the Quabbin, scheduled for June 4. Howard says anybody interested in the club should feel free to stop by Barney’s at 165 Chandler Street in Worcester. You can also visit the club’s website at www.sevenhillswheelmen.org for more information.
Seven Hills Wheelmen
(508) 831-0301
www.sevenhillswheelmen.org

Helmets required

May 14Bicycle Ride (25 miles, meet 9:00 a.m. at
Rochdale Park, Stafford Street, Leicester)

May 14, 21, 28Bicycle Ride (10-15 miles, meet 1
p.m. at Mass Central Rail Trail parking area,
Thomas Street, West Boylston)

May 15 Bicycle Ride (intermediate off-road,
meet 9:00 a.m. at Route 140 and Leominster
Road, East Princeton)

May 19Bicycle Ride (17 miles, meet 6:00 p.m. at
Dresser Hill Dairy, Route 31, Charlton)

May 21 Bicycle Ride (30 to 45 miles, meet 9:00
a.m. at Village Congregational Church, 25
Church Street, Whitinsville)

May 22Bicycle Ride (35 miles, meet 9:30 a.m. at
Thomas Prince School, Route 62, Princeton)

June 4 King’s Tour of the Quabbin (100 or 125
miles, starting from Naquag School, Route 122A,
Rutland; $10)

Mondays Easy Evening Bicycle Ride (12 miles,
meet 6:15 p.m. at Barney’s Bicycle, 165
Chandler Street, Worcester)

WednesdaysOutdoor Workouts (Meet 6 or 6:30
p.m. at location TBA in West Boylston or Holden)