Eatery sponsors Monday night bike rides geared toward families

The sport that influenced the name and decor of a local restaurant has become an even larger part of the place's personality.

Every Monday evening, weather permitting, cycling enthusiasts gather for a family-oriented ride at SPIN Neopolitan Pizza in Overland Park.

Co-owner Gail Lozoff says that while she is not a serious or competitive cyclist she seriously enjoys the sport. That is obvious when customers walk into the restaurant on 119th Street. Images of cycling are seen in the restaurant's artwork and architectural features. Even a metal fence encircling the outdoor dining area was shaped to resemble a bike rack.

The cycling influence is even more obvious on Mondays as bikes are unloaded from cars just outside the eatery and riders prepare to embark on a 12-mile journey in the surrounding neighborhoods.

The idea of mixing food and cycling came to Gail and her husband, Richard, when they spent some time in Italy years ago. She said part of the joy of a bike ride is gathering with friends over food afterward.

Not at all coincidentally, the restaurant's name also has Italian roots. The Lozoffs became fans of the annual Giro d-Italia cycling event. Giro is Italian for spin.

The rides became reality after Jon-Paul Shores and his wife happened to dine at the restaurant a couple of years ago. The owner of Shores Sports, which helps companies organize and lead athletic events and charity rides and races, thoroughly enjoyed the cycling theme of the restaurant and got to know the owners. One thing led to another, and Shores was hired to develop the rides.

He brings with him a highly qualified ride leader. Cameron Chambers participates often in major mountain biking events. He won the 24-hour Mountain Championship in Moab, Utah, in 2003.

Turnout since the rides began a year ago indicates customers appreciate the importation of this European tradition of biking and eating. The first ride this spring had more than 50 participants. Many stay around to dine, in part because the riders are given a 10 percent discount on food.

Sure it helps business, but Lozoff said it is more than that.

"I love the energy it brings to the restaurant on Monday nights. It's a casual place anyway, but it is so colorful to have everybody here. Even the non-riders in the restaurant enjoy it," Lozoff said.

"Yeah, there's an endorphin buzz with a lot of chatter," Chambers added.

The rides are designed to appeal to the casual cyclist. Shores said other organized rides are billed as such but then more accomplished riders get involved and set a pace that is so demanding the average cyclist has trouble keeping up.

"In this ride I don't think anybody feels like the odd man out. It's a social ride. People learn how to ride in a group and in a more controlled environment," Shores said. "They've said they appreciate that the ride really was as advertised and we didn't leave people behind."

That does not mean serious riders do not show up for these gatherings.

"It's definitely a family ride, but if you've been riding a lot over the weekend and want a more leisurely recovery ride, which is a healthy thing to do, this ride gives you that," Chambers said.

Some ride alone, some are husband and wife, and sometimes a parent brings the kids. Occasionally, Lozoff said, one or two family members will do the ride and the rest of the family joins them for pizza when the ride is over.

All manner of bicycle has been mounted for the ride, including tandem and recumbent bikes.

As people ride they also learn about safety from Shores and Chambers.

"It's not particularly easy to ride with a large group. You have to be courteous and think about cars and whatever else is around you," Chambers said.

Riders who gathered on a recent Monday evening talked about the appeal of the ride.

"You get to have an enjoyable ride, dinner and cocktails, and you can't beat that. It's a social event, and the social part is half of cycling," said Chris Longly of Overland Park, who acknowledged he is somewhat of a fair-weather participant.

"When August comes it's too hot," he said.

Andrea Wosel of Overland Park said she enjoys the socialization and the pace of the ride.

"It's a great way to meet people. It appeals to all levels. This is easier and more fun than others. You're not always at the back of the pack," Wosel said.

There has been enough interest and popularity in the rides, in fact, that the SPIN in Lee's Summit began offering Saturday morning rides this spring.

The weekly Monday night rides at SPIN Neopolitan Pizza, 6541 W. 119th St., begin at 6:30 p.m. Staging begins at 6:15. The Saturday rides at the Lee's Summit restaurant, 1808 NW Chipman Road, are eight miles longer. They begin at 10 a.m., with staging at 9:45. For more information on either ride, call (816) 451-7746.

Contact Loren Stanton at 385-6068, or e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

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