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Community Corner

Velopalooza: Bullet Bikes Invade Martha's Vineyard

Six visiting velomobiles are joining three Island velos for a weekend of group riding all over the Vineyard. Have you spotted them yet?

The third annual Martha's Vineyard Velomobile Gathering is taking place this weekend, with six of the speedy cycle-powered vehicles traveling to the Island from as far away as South Carolina.

Click here to see a video from the first Vineyard velomobile gathering.

The South Carolina rider is bringing his aerodynamically-shielded bike by van; the rest are riding their velomobiles all the way from their homes in Connecticut, Maine and Western Massachusetts, said organizer David Whitmon.

The visitors will join three year-round Vineyard velomobilers for a weekend of riding around the Island, from Gay Head to Edgartown and most places in between.

Some of the riders are already here and exploring despite the rain: You won't find them hard to spot, with their streamlined carapaces often colored bright yellow or white.

Saturday morning, Whitmon said, the nine velomobiles will set out in a series of group rides beginning at 8 a.m.:

  • A spin down to Main St Vineyard Haven and then  a spin around West Chop.
  • We will get back out on State Rd at John's Fist Market.
  • A short stretch on State Rd to Lamberts Cove Rd.
  • Then State Rd to the Panhandle and Middle Rd to Beetle Bung Corner.
  • From there to Lobsterville Rd and down to Menemsha Harbor. 
  • Then back up the road to Light House Rd and the cliffs. Moshups Trail back to State Rd, back to Beetlebung.
  • Then we have a choice of either South Rd or Menemsha Crossroads to North Rd. Both roads are VERY fast roads to ride on with a Velomobile.
  • Either way we will have a rest stop a stop at Alley's General Store. 
  • Then a spin through the State Forest bike path and back to the campground.
Sunday's schedule, according to Whitmon:
  • A flat ride from the (Martha's Vineyard Family) Campground,
  • a lap around the State Forest and down to Katama,
  • From there up to Edgartown (for a) round trip ride to and from Chappy, 
  • From there a romp up Beach Rd to Oak Bluffs where some of our group will be catching the fast ferry to head on home.
At least two of the visiting riders will be here until Monday before heading back to the mainland, Whitmon said: "It is going to be a blast."

Whitmon, a year-round Islander and velomobile advocate, uses his velo for everyday errands on the Vineyard but also travels off-Island, paying $2 for a ferry ticket and boarding before the motor vehicles, he said.

On Island, Whitmon said he can easily reach the top speed limit of 45 miles per hour in his three-wheeled conveyance.

Have you ever ridden a velomobile? Tell us in the comments.

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