After the weather gods forced us to reschedule the Pampered Pedal to May 1, the great weather we had for the Taste of Downtown returned this Saturday for the Boggy Creek Farm Picnic ride, the second in our three social ride series Discover the City on Two Wheels. The ride sold out Saturday morning, and we had just enough Dutch demo bikes to cover everyone who needed one for the ride. Also joining us was Hill Abell, the owner of Bicycle Sport Shop, a sponsor of our ride series.

After a slow, circuitous route bypassing the Art Austin Festival, Saturday Austin Farmer’s Market, and all the construction in downtown, we had some smooth flat riding east of downtown to Boggy Creek Farm. Though we started a little late, we still made the tail end of the Saturday farmer market at Boggy Creek (and carried some purchases back in the Gazelle Cabby.) While our ride guide staff set up the dinner tables next to the farm house in the shade of a glorious old tree, the ride participants got a guided tour from the farm’s tour guide, MeriJayd O’Connor. MeriJayd was very knowledgeable about the farm and seasonality of the vegetables and pointed out items that were part of the lunch menu.

Chef Chris Howard discusses the ingredients from the meal.

Appetite sufficiently whetted, the group was seated for a three course meal by renowned local chef Chris Howard. Howard took a decidedly gourmet route with simple potato and green salad followed by a couscous salad with cumin-orange marmalade and Morrocan chicken for the omnivores. Things got decadent at the end with a strawberry and triple cream brie dessert. Sufficiently stuffed, we headed back to our ride host, BoConcept, where they had a beer and snack reception for us.

More pictures from the ride here.

UP NEXT: The Pampered Pedal Tour

Our third and final tour will be a fun afternoon of shopping with friends ending with a light yoga class and mini-spa treatment on Saturday, May 1. We’ll start at our ride host BoConcept at 430 W 2nd St in the 2nd Street District and ride to three downtown retail shops locally owned by women. Stops will include Hem Jeans, Estilo, and Beyond Tradition. All our tour hosts will be providing refreshments and nice discounts to tour participants. Plus, shop all you want and let our ride guides carry your purchases for you in our cargo bikes.

After we finish shopping, we’ll stop at at Halcyon Coffee House for coffee and a snack before heading to Black Swan Yoga for some light yoga and mini-spa treatment with massage by Seize the Day: Energizing Chair Massage, foot bath, and cosmetic gift bag. During the spa we’ll have cupcakes courtesy of Delish Cupcakes.  The ride will end up back at BoConcept for champagne. Total ride distance approximately 5 miles round trip. Food and drink, bike valet, ride guides, yoga, and mini-spa are included in the ride as well as coupons for future visits to our ride hosts. We’ll also be drawing for some great gift certificates at the end of the ride and you’ll be entered into a drawing for an Electra Amsterdam Royal bike at the end of our ride series.

Pampered Pedal

DATE: NEW DATE! Saturday, May 1, 2010

TIME: Meet up at 11:30 AM, Leave at Noon (please arrive at least 15 minutes prior to departure for check-in). Ride will end at BoConcept between 5-5:30 PM.

LOCATION: BoConcept, 430 W 2nd St (map)

COST: $30/person, Ride day cash registration $35. Bring a friend and save $5! 2 persons registration: $55, Ride day cash registration $65. (Ride is limit to 50 riders.) Bringing 5 or more riders? We’re offering a group rate of $20/rider for groups of 5 or more. Register here.