By Mark Nardone

You may be puzzled by the names of two rides appearing on the calendar this season: PANDA and CANADA.

These rides are not about cute animals or the Great White North. They are recurring rides designed to help cyclists grow their skill levels in two important areas: paceline and climbing. The rides are scheduled for Tuesday afternoons, and will start at the Natick Common.

PANDA (Paceline Around Natick/Dover) is a development-focused, no-drop ride to help cyclists learn and practice paceline skills on the smooth roads of Natick and Dover.

CANADA (Climb Around Natick And Dover Area) is for riders who want to improve their performance, skills, and enjoyment of cycling. The route includes climbs on the gorgeous roads of Dover, such as Strawberry Hill (3 or 5 times), the Wilsondale rollercoaster, the Skyline loop, and Pegan Hill. The ride concludes with a descent into Natick and a well-deserved ice cream stop!

The plan right now is to run each ride type at least once per month, and to post more frequently as the summer ramps up.

***Ride Leaders: If you would like to help out with either of these rides, please contact Mark Nardone at mark.nardone@crw.org.