Our History

The Village Idiots started as 8 friends that cycled together. The group doubled every year as they ran into people at other rides. We moved to Facebook with about 64 riders when Facebook started to become popular.

At that time, the group wanted a tent to take to local rides such as the St. Pete Spring Classic (now the St. Pete Cycling Classic); Wheels & Wings; Sharkey’s Ride the Beaches and to races. It was then that the club was formed.  In addition, the group wanted an official race team, which requires a USA Cycling Club.  The name came from the bike shop Village Bikes that they gathered at before the rides and a little brainstorming. That was decided in 2009 on a Memorial Day Longboat Key ride.

Today, we offer official group rides on Wednesday nights (Wednesday Night Worlds) (during daylight savings) & Saturday mornings (the Bacon Ride).  We have the “Muffin Run” ride the last Sunday of each month from May to September (it is suspended during snowbird season). And pick-up rides (unofficial rides) on Tuesday nights and occasional Sundays to Myakka State Park, the “Chicken Shack,” Casey Key & San Antonio.

In 2018, we incorporated mountain biking as an official part of the club – going to Alafia and Balm Boyette.

Group members are encouraged to post pick-up rides any day there isn’t an official group ride (following group rules of time, speed & distance).

The club has been and remains a great social club. We have a Start of Season & End of Season party (1^st Wednesday after daylight savings and the last Wednesday before daylight savings ends) and a holiday party. We gather for dinner and drinks after every Wednesday ride & encourage significant others to come out to socialize as well.  On Saturdays after the “Bacon Ride” we meet for breakfast at Starbucks or Station 400.