Mount Pleasant Magazine Sept/Oct 2020

26 www.ReadMPM.com | www.MountPleasantMagazine.com | www.VOICEforMP.com feature H umans have a need to remain social, even in the most challenging of times. That’s why families in the Mount Pleasant area have recently been bonding over an age-old and beloved activity — bicycling. “We see all ages interested in cycling — it is becoming a family activity for the enjoyment of riding together,” said Tom Schott, manager at the Trek Bicycle Store at 1180 Oakland Market Road. He reported a recent increase in pedal-assist electric bikes, trikes and hybrids, all designed to empower riders with the ability to get out in the fresh air. “Cycling is a great activity because it is a low-impact exercise that gets you outside,” he said. “It introduces you to like-minded individuals for some great group rides, or it motivates you to load up the bike and travel to destinations you otherwise wouldn’t have traveled to.” Tod Mattson, manager of the Bicycle Shoppe at 1539 Johnnie Dodds Boulevard, gets “lots” of families visiting the store. “We have many young families in Mount Pleasant, and they bring their children here for their first bicycle. I love it when I see the kids come into the store because they are also my future customers,” he said. Mattson said since many neighborhoods in Mount Pleasant were built within the past 20 or so years, they incorporated paths for walking and biking, along with lower speed limits. “Families can go from one neighborhood to another, without having to cross routes 41 or 17. There are tons of miles of roads and paths in places like Dunes West, Rivertowne and Park West. I even see parents biking their young children to school and then coming back to pick them up,” he said. Lee Edwards, owner of Sweetgrass Cycles at 234 Mathis Ferry Road, recommended the best time to take young children on family rides. “It depends on how well- behaved they are and where you are planning to ride,” he advised, adding that it’s a good idea to avoid busier roads. For short and safe family routes, Edwards praised the “quieter streets of Old Mount Pleasant,” Carolina Park, Mathis Ferry Road, Mount Pleasant Memorial Waterfront Park and the area around Patriots Point. Mattson, too, likes Old Village, as well as the islands, where speed of traffic is controlled. For beginners with a thirst for adventure, Schott recommended a trek over the Ravenel Bridge for great views, or a tour of Sullivan’s Island and the Isle of Palms. “Longer rides can be connections of smaller rides, BY JOHN TORSIELLO Have a Pleasant Ride Families Enjoy Biking East Cooper Maggie Brothers enjoying a ride with her daughter and friends. Photo by Juli Kaplan.