This time of year always feels a little strange in Summit County.
A few weeks ago, our chats were full of routes, meeting times and photos from rides. Now the daylight is shorter, the weather changes by the hour, and bikes are beginning to share space with skis.
We do not have a big ride recap from October 26 through November 1, and there are no formal Spoke rides confirmed for the coming week. But quiet does not mean disconnected. New members are still finding us. Informal plans can still take shape in the chats. Fat Bike, Nordic and Alpine are beginning to give us new reasons to get outside together.
I have spent the past week thinking about what this community became over the summer. Spoke grew into much more than a calendar of rides. It became a place where people found riding partners, friendships and a stronger sense of belonging in Summit County. Before we rush toward 2027, I want to listen to the people who made that possible, including those who wanted to join but never quite found their way in.
Photography by Mariana Hosbach of The MCSH Project: https://www.instagram.com/themcshproject/
Help Shape Spoke in 2027
The Spoke 2026 End-of-Season Community Survey is now open.
The survey is for everyone who encountered Spoke this year. We want to hear from the people who rode regularly, those who joined once or twice, members who participated through WhatsApp or Strava, and those who followed along but never found the right opportunity to attend.
That last perspective matters. Growth cannot be measured only by the people who found their way into a ride. We also need to understand what kept others from participating. Scheduling, pace, unclear route information, equipment, confidence and not knowing anyone can all influence whether someone feels able to show up.
The survey asks about those barriers, the activities members valued, preferred communication, possible 2027 programming and the parts of Spoke that should never be lost as the community grows. It also gives members an opportunity to express interest in hosting, welcoming newcomers, planning routes, supporting events or contributing in another way.
It takes approximately four to six minutes. Most questions are optional, and anonymous responses are welcome.
Complete the Spoke End-of-Season Survey by Sunday, November 8
We will review the responses for common themes and use them to inform our 2027 planning. Feedback should not disappear into a spreadsheet, so we will also share what we learned and how it affects the direction of the community.
The Final Jersey Store of 2026
The final Spoke jersey store of the year closes at the end of the day on Sunday, November 8.
If you have been waiting to order your first Spoke jersey, replace one or add another piece to your rotation, this is the final 2026 ordering window.
Shop the final Spoke jersey store
The jersey is more than a piece of cycling clothing. It makes the community visible on the road and trail, and it helps members recognize one another outside a scheduled gathering.
One More Gathering
We are also working toward an end-of-season gathering at the Spoke container.
The idea is part container closing and part community celebration: one more opportunity to gather, tell a few stories and recognize what people created together during the 2026 season.
The date and details are not confirmed yet, so this is an early heads-up rather than an official invitation. We will share the complete plan once the timing, format and any winterization needs are settled.
Staying Connected Through Winter
There is no formal Spoke ride schedule confirmed for the coming week.
Members can still use the Road, Mountain, Gravel and Fat Bike groups to propose informal plans when weather and conditions allow. Nordic and Alpine conversations are also available for members looking to connect beyond the bike.
When proposing an outing, provide enough information for someone unfamiliar with the plan to make a confident decision. Include the activity, meeting time and place, approximate distance or duration, terrain, expected pace or ability level, equipment needs and relevant conditions.
Experienced members can help by answering questions, introducing themselves and remembering that familiar routes and group language may be completely new to someone else.
A clear invitation makes participation easier. A genuine welcome can turn someone’s first outing into the beginning of a lasting connection.
What We Carry Forward
The past week was quieter in terms of documented riding, but meaningful work is still happening.
New members are arriving. Winter conversations are beginning. Feedback is being gathered. Next season is being planned with more structure and a better understanding of what the community needs.
Now we need the people who make Spoke possible to participate in that reflection.
Take the survey. Place your jersey order before the store closes. Watch for the container gathering details. Continue sharing appropriate member-led plans through the community groups.
The cycling season may be closing, but the community continues.
The people are the point.
