Do I have to join the club to ride with you?

Anyone is welcome to join us for a ride. The first one is free, but for insurance reasons we ask that you join the club if you plan on coming after that.

The price is extremely low and supports cycling in the community. You also get a 10% discount at local bike shops.

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I’ll be in town for a couple days,can I ride with your club?

Absolutely! Please see our ride calendar for our scheduled rides. Guests are always welcome. If you want to ride with us more than a few times, we ask that you join the club (it’s really cheap).

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Can you recommend any good routes in the area?

Yes. Please check out our routes page.

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I have no experience riding in a group. Will I be OK on a club ride?

Yes! The only way to learn is to do it. We pride ourselves on being a welcoming club and would be happy to show you the ropes.

It might be a good idea to mention to the ride leader that this is your first group ride, but here are some other tips:

• Hang out towards the back at first and let other riders rotate in front of you. This will let you get a feel for the flow of the group.
• If you don’t think you have the fitness to take a pull from the front of the group, don’t move up to the front. Let other riders rotate in in front of you so you don’t disrupt the flow of the group.
• When you do take a pull on the front, try to maintain the same pace the previous rider was holding. Don’t put in a big acceleration, let the previous rider come off and slowly move back. If you do want to go faster, increase your speed gradually.
• Keep your eyes up to see the rider in front of you and down the road. Don’t just stare at the wheel in front of you.
• Try to brake as little as possible. Let up on your pedaling or soft-pedal as much as possible to slow down.
• Point out obstacles to riders behind you. Yelling out is not preferred, but use it as necessary to prevent accidents.

The important thing is to relax and not be intimidated. We have riders from all levels – from pure beginners to state champion racers. Take advantage of this abundance of experience to improve your own skills.

How many people usually show up for the club rides?

This varies greatly depending on the season. Normally, we have anywhere from 20-35 riders depending on route and weather. In the winter those numbers are cut in half, but in the summer we can have 40+ at times.

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Can I ride a triathlon bike (or TT bike) on the group rides?

Yes. Many of our club members ride TT bikes on the group rides. A good practice is to stay out of the aero bars while group riding. This allows for better bike handling and more control when riding in close proximity to others.

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How fast does the club ride go? Am I fast enough to ride with you?

To ensure everyone has an enjoyable and safe riding experience, we've established clear pace parameters for all group rides. These guidelines help riders find the group that best matches their fitness level and riding goals.

Group Speed Parameters
Our groups are organized by moving pace speed on flat terrain:

• Group A: 22+ mph
• Group B: 19-21 mph
• Group C: 17-19 mph
• Group D: 15-17 mph
• Group E: 13-15 mph

Important Notes
These are moving pace speeds, not average speeds - measured on flat road conditions
Speeds may vary on hills and challenging terrain, but groups should maintain their designated pace on flats
Choose the group that matches your comfortable sustained pace, not your maximum effort

Our Commitment
The club is making an effort to strictly adhere to these pace parameters. Ride leaders will monitor group speeds to ensure everyone stays within their designated range, creating a better experience for all participants.

Finding Your Group
Not sure which group is right for you? Consider:

• Your typical comfortable riding speed on flat roads
• Your fitness level and riding experience
• Whether you prefer a social pace or training intensity

When in doubt, start with a slightly slower group - you can always move up as your fitness improves!