This Is What Growth Looks Like

Nearly 20 members gather for a climb up Vail Pass!

There are certain moments in building a community when you can feel something shift.

Not because of one perfect post.
Not because of one big announcement.
Not because everything is suddenly polished, finished, or fully figured out.

Because people keep showing up.

This past weekend was another one of those moments for Spoke.

For the second week in a row, Patrick was out of state guiding bike tours. For the second week in a row, the Saturday ride still happened. Not only did it happen, it grew.

Tom stepped up again to help organize the ride, share route ideas, and give people a clear sense of what they were getting into. Nearly 20 riders showed up.

That is a big deal.

Not just because of the number, although 20 riders before we even hit June is something worth celebrating. It is a big deal because it shows that Spoke is becoming more than a founder-led idea. It is becoming a community rhythm.

People are starting to trust it.
People are starting to plan around it.
People are starting to invite others into it.
People are starting to help lead it.

That is the real sign of growth.

A Repeatable Rhythm Is Starting to Form

One of the biggest takeaways from the last couple of weeks is that riders seem to really appreciate having a clearer idea of the route ahead of time.

Mileage matters.
Difficulty matters.
Elevation gain matters.
Knowing whether a ride is going to be casual, spicy, climby, social, or somewhere in between matters.

Last week, Tom shared two route options and then polled the group when everyone arrived. That simple structure worked really well.

It gave people enough information to feel prepared, while still leaving room for the group to decide together based on who showed up, what the conditions looked like, and what people were excited for that day.

That might become part of the Spoke formula moving forward:

Share a clear ride idea.
Offer an A/B route option when it makes sense.
Give people mileage and elevation.
Gather at the start.
Decide together.
Ride as a community.

Simple. Repeatable. Flexible.

That is exactly the kind of structure that helps a growing group stay welcoming without becoming rigid.

Growth Means More Opportunity, and More Intention

As we head toward June, it is becoming pretty clear that Spoke is entering a new phase.

More people are showing up.
More ride ideas are coming forward.
More members are helping lead.
More routes are being explored.
More momentum is building.

That is exciting.

It also means we are going to keep adding more intention around how we gather, how we communicate, and how we keep the ride experience positive for everyone.

The goal is not to make Spoke complicated.

The goal is to make it easier for people to show up, understand what is happening, find the right ride for them, and feel welcomed into the community.

That is why we have started building tools like the Spoke Field Guide, clearer ride descriptions, route options, and more consistent weekly communication.

If you are newer to Spoke, or if you have been watching from the sidelines and wondering how to jump in, the Field Guide is a great place to start.

It explains the heart of the community, what to expect, how to plug in, and how we are trying to keep this thing grounded as it grows.

https://www.spokesummit.com/field-guide

The Full Moon Ride Series Begins This Sunday

This week also brings something new: the beginning of the Spoke Full Moon Ride Series.

The first ride is this Sunday, May 31.

This is meant to be a unique Spoke experience: a chance to ride under the evening sky, gather under the full moon, and experience the roads a little differently than we do during a typical Saturday morning ride.

Front and rear lights will be required.

This is not just about getting miles in. It is about creating a moment.

A little adventure.
A little community.
A little night air.
A little magic on two wheels.

More details will be shared in WhatsApp and on Instagram, but if this sounds like your kind of ride, keep an eye out and get those lights charged.

Jerseys Are Getting Close

Another exciting update: Spoke jerseys are getting closer.

We are about a week away from production completion, and shipping to members should be coming soon after that.

It is going to be pretty special to start seeing Spoke kits out on the road, on the trails, in group photos, and around Summit County.

The jersey is more than just gear.

It is a symbol of something we are building together.

A community.
A shared identity.
A little flag that says, “You belong here.”

The Road Ahead

The last two weekends have said a lot.

Last week, a dozen riders traveled outside the county to ride Independence Pass while it was still closed to cars.

This week, nearly 20 riders showed up again while Patrick I was still away.

That tells me something important:

Spoke is working.

Not perfectly.
Not completely.
Not without more systems to build.

However, it is working.

The community is showing up.
The rhythm is forming.
The leadership is expanding.
The momentum is real.

As we roll into June, expect more rides, more route options, more opportunities to connect, and more ways to be part of this thing.

Whether you are brand new, returning after some time away, or already becoming one of the familiar faces in the group, there is room for you here.

Thanks for helping make Spoke what it is becoming.

Let’s keep it rolling.

Let’s go.