Bloomin' Metric®:
Join Us for Connecticut's Most Popular Cycling Event
The Bloomin' Metric!
The Bloomin' Metric!
A day of riding and fun for all levels!
Sound Cyclists Bicycle Club's Premier Event!
Sound Cyclists Bicycle Club's Premier Event!
Sunday, May 17, 2026
(Rain or Shine)
Sherwood Island State Park
Westport, Connecticut
REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN!
Bloomin' Metric® is a bike touring event – not a race! – for every type of rider, novice to advanced. We offer four routes (15, 25, 47 and 62 miles) that travel along quiet roads and stunning beaches of Long Island Sound and through classic New England countryside in Connecticut.
Enjoy a beautiful Spring day on your bike, cycling in the morning followed by a delicious lunch, music and fun at Sherwood Island State Park (Westport, Conn.) overlooking the Sound. Ride with club members, friends, family (12 & up) or other groups!
Experienced rider? Our longer routes are fully supported for you. Just choose your favorite route and go. Food stops and exceptional scenery await you on quiet roads with some of the best riding in Connecticut! Afterwards, enjoy lunch and entertainment as you relax by the Sound.
Novice or infrequent bicyclist? Unsure of your ability? Haven't ridden in a while? Choose a shorter route. If you prefer, ride with our experienced leaders showing the way - slow and easy with few cars. In those 'no worry' rides, you are with others in a group, going at a relaxed pace with several stops. No one is left behind. Enjoy the riding, then join the lunch, post-ride relaxation, activities and entertainment at the Park overlooking Long Island Sound.
Bring your young adult kids. They are welcome to ride with you if age 12 or over. Choose a short route at a leisurely pace and savor the beautiful scenery and terrain. Consider joining one of our ride leaders on a relaxed group ride. Then, stay for a fun lunch and entertainment by the shore.
You Get a Shirt!
This Year's Bloomin' Metric® T-Shirt
Most registrants attending the 2026 Bloomin' Metric® will received the official event T-shirt. It's important to remember to register early so you don't miss out. Make sure you designate your gender and size during registration. You must register by May 4th in order to get your shirt.
What the Bloomin' Offers
The Bloomin' Metric® offers more than just a bike ride.
4 fully-supported routes on quiet roads: 15, 25, 47 and 62 miles
Special support for novice, infrequent or younger cyclists for 'no worry' relaxed riding, with optional ride leaders, on our 15 & 25 mile routes
Food stops, a delicious lunch at Park, music and more!
Multiple route navigation options: Electronic (cellphone or device); Paper cue sheets; Ride leader guided rides (15 & 25 mile routes)
Free in-shop bike inspection at 25 area participating bike shops (before Bloomin' day)
Free Limited Time Sound Cyclists Membership (if you've never been a member)
What's New for 2026
Two Ways to Navigate Our Routes
Full, Free Electronic Navigation & Cue Sheets
With the exception of route splits, food stops and caution signs, we have gone fully electronic for navigating all cycling routes. Of course, you will still have access to cue sheets. Note: the 15-mile and 25-mile routes will, optionally, be led by seasoned ride leaders. All participants will be receiving an "Invite" from us via email containing a link to access all four Ride with GPS routes, which can be downloaded to your phones once you have downloaded the RWGPS app for free. Those with Garmin, Wahoo or any navigation device will be able to download or link via Bluetooth. All devices with speakers, including your smart phone, will deliver audio turn-by-turn cues. Those who need a cue sheet can access them from the RWGPS files and print them out. For precise details about all this, click here.
E-bike Clarifications
Since E-bikes are very popular we are allowing them with some very important restrictions. For precise details about this, click here.
Please check back here often to see any new added information.
Volunteers! We Want You!
The 2026 Bloomin' Metric® can't be a success without our volunteers. It's what made this event such a success over the years. This year we are recruiting early to get the ball rolling. If you would like to volunteer, just click here or on the Volunteer Poster or on the SignUp logo.
Please note that our current SignUp System is not set up just yet. We expect the system to open in early February. Once the system is set up for this year, you can choose from a number of spots. We encourage you to select more than one thing to do. During the months leading up to the event, you will receive emails from the SignUp system requesting your first and last name and your t-shirt size. A specific email address will be provided to you to send in your info. Unfortunately, our system doesn't know whether you sent in your information or not so this request will go out a number of times. If you already sent yours in, you do not have to send it in again.
DO NOT REGISTER FOR THE BLOOMIN' METRIC IF YOU ARE VOLUNTEERING. Volunteers ride for free if your schedule allows.
If you haven't already set up an account with SignUp from previous years, do that first when the system is up and running so you can log in and select where you would like to help out. We would encourage club members to give of themselves for just a few days during the planning, setup and day-of-event help.
A week or so before the Bloomin' you'll have an opportunity to ride with organized groups so that you can see the routes. Volunteers will be getting special long-sleeve T-shirts with the 2026 design.
Directions to Sherwood Island State Park
Driving
I-95 to Sherwood Island Exit 18. Turn LEFT off exit if coming southbound/turn RIGHT off exit if coming northbound onto Sherwood Island Connector. Drive .9 mile into the park. Follow parking signs.
Metro North
Take train to Green's Farms station. Exit the platform and ride over to New Creek Rd. Turn RIGHT and pass under I-95. At the T intersection, turn LEFT onto Green's Farms Rd. Cycle 1.1 miles to the traffic light. Turn LEFT onto Sherwood Island Connector for 1.2 miles into the park. Follow parking signs.