Oktoberfest Ride with RBC
The Wild Life - A fun, low-key autumn ride along the Erie Canal with the Rochester Bike Club — a mix of electric and acoustic bikes, golden light, great company, and burgers in Fairport to finish the night
Some rides are about challenge, and some rides are just pure fun. The Oktoberfest Ride with the Rochester Bike Club turned out to be one of those easy, social, feel-good adventures — a perfect fall evening along the canal, surrounded by friendly riders, crisp air, and the kind of sunset that nudges you to savor every mile.
⭐ The Ride
We had a great little crew for this one: Betsy with her Trek electric bike, Dave with another electric, the other Dave acting as sweep on his acoustic bike, Jay with his Trek electric, Bob, and a handful of other riders. What surprised me most was the balance — about half electric bikes, half acoustic. I usually expect more acoustics on these club rides, but it was nice to see such a mix. It made the pace relaxed and inclusive.
This was classified as an H1 ride, one of the easiest levels the club offers. The route followed the Erie Canal — flat, scenic, peaceful, and perfect for conversation as we rolled along. The plan was a mellow 16-mile loop, but as the sun started dropping faster than expected, we adjusted and wrapped it up at around 13–14 miles instead. Nobody minded. The golden light was beautiful, and the shortened ride kept the whole evening comfortable and fun.
⭐ Post-Ride Fun
After the bikes were loaded and the helmets came off, a bunch of us headed to the Brauhaus in Fairport for burgers and a casual Oktoberfest vibe. There’s something about ending a ride with good food and relaxed conversation that always makes the whole adventure feel complete. It was the perfect cap to a simple, joyful fall outing.
⭐ Closing Paragraph
This ride reminded me why I enjoy cycling communities so much — friendly faces, low-pressure miles, small moments of connection, and the shared joy of being outside before winter settles in. Not every adventure needs to be big or dramatic. Sometimes the easy ones — the ones that drift into burgers and laughter — are exactly what you need.
