Five years ago, neighborhood resident Don Mason decided to dust off his son’s neglected bicycle and put it to use. For inspiration and motivation, Mason joined the Greater Dallas Bicyclists Club and joined the club’s bike rides.

“When I first started riding, one time around White Rock Lake was an accomplishment,” Mason says. “Now my favorite-length ride is 50 or 60 miles.”

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Not only does the club motivate members to ride bikes regularly, but it stresses good riding habits, Mason says.

“There are only two kinds of cyclists: Those who have had a fall, and those who will eventually fall,” Mason says.

The club holds monthly meetings in East Dallas with topics involving various aspects of biking. One recent meeting featured a fashion show highlighting biking outfits.

The 500-member club, which includes many neighborhood residents, also sponsors several bike rides of varying degrees of difficulty and distance each week. Some of the rides incorporate shopping, lunch or stops at historical points of interest.

Neighborhood residents Moira and Richard Cumming have been club members for the past 12 years and say they joined the club for the fellowship and safety of riding with a group.

“I believe strongly in riding with a group because lots of things can go wrong,” Richard says. “A single rider is a calamity waiting to happen. With a group, even if an accident can’t be prevented, at least someone can go for help.”

For information, call 214-946-2453.

News & Notes

East Dallas Horticultural Society: An evening garden tour is scheduled June 3 at 7 p.m. at the home of Bill and Ruby Frazier, 6903 Lakewood. Margaritas will be served. The EDHS will travel to Nacogdoches June 7 for a tour of the Stephen F. Austin State University Arboretum. Club membership and the trip are open to the public. For information, call 327-9081.

SKILLMAN SOUTHWESTERN LIBRARY

Health Matters: The Skillman Southwestern Branch of the Dallas Public Library, 5707 Skillman, presents its summer health series continues in June with two programs cosponsored by Presbyterian Senior Medical Centers. On June 7 from 3-4 p.m., Dr. Anita D’Mello presents “His Health, Her Health: The Vital, Healthy Woman at 40 and Beyond.” Topics include routine medical checkups, osteoporosis, breast cancer, cardiovascular concerns and estrogen replacement therapy. A question and answer session will follow the presentation. On June 21, Dr. Craig Billinghurst of the Eastlake Center will present a seminar involving routine medical checkups, prostate health, heart disease and cancer detection/prevention.

Fire Safety: The “Keeping Your Family Safe” series begins June 25 at 2:30 p.m. with a program about fire safety presented by the Dallas Fire Department. Exhibited during June is a nostalgic display titled “Deep South 1951: Images of Kids and Comics.” Regular library hours are Monday and Wednesday, 10 a.m.-8 p.m.; Tuesday and Friday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Saturday 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Thursday and Sunday, closed. For information, call 214-670-6078.