The Ride Club
Our club is a community for cyclists to enjoy the sport through comradery. Our primary goal is to offer a fun and inclusive club for people to enjoy group rides. This means you’ll be able to get out of your comfort zone, try something new and still be comfortable knowing you’ll never be left behind in our “No Drop Rides”.
Registration
Registration is open! If you're interested in joining, please email rideclub@thebikeshop.com and include:
- First and last name
- Cycling disciplines you're interested in
- Contact information
Road Rides
Road rides take place at least once a week, with our regular ride happening on Thursday evenings at approximately 7 pm. The starting point will be in a central/west location, often from Angel’s Café, Canada Olympic Park, or a nearby restaurant.
Additionally, we schedule ad hoc weekend rides that are longer and explore new areas like Bragg Creek, De Winton, and Banff/Lake Louise.
• Thursday Night Rides: 30-40 km
• Weekend Rides: 50-100 km
We do our best to group riders according to fitness and experience levels
Mountain Bike Rides
Mountain bike rides take place on Wednesdays and Sundays. We explore local Calgary trails, as well as destinations like Bragg Creek, Moose Mountain, or the Canmore Nordic Centre.
Weekday rides start at 6-6:30 pm, while weekend rides typically start around midday and are longer. The difficulty and length will be set by the ride leaders, but most of our rides are geared toward intermediate riders.
Frequently Asked Questions
What sort of riding does the club do?
What sort of riding does the club do?
- Mountain Biking - Cross country and trail rides
- Winter Fat Biking - Rides in West Bragg Creek require 3.7" fat tires or larger, rides in South Fish Creek Park require plus tires.
- Gravel Rides
- Road Rides
What time of year does the club ride?
What time of year does the club ride?
We run rides all year-round, but winter riding is weather dependent.
What do I need to bring to rides?
What do I need to bring to rides?
- A well-maintained bike suitable for the ride's terrain
- A basic repair kit and spare parts
- A helmet
- Clothes for changing weather conditions
- Snacks and water
What happens if I'm a slow rider?
What happens if I'm a slow rider?
- The Ride Club rides are no drop. We like to be inclusive and make sure nobody is left behind.
- If the group size is large enough, we will break into multiple groups, each with a leader and sweep.
How long are the rides?
How long are the rides?
- Mountain Bike Rides - intermediate rides are 8–15km; advanced rides are 15+km
- Fat Bike Rides - intermediate rides are 8–12 km; advanced rides are 12+km
- Gravel Rides - 50km
- Road Rides - 40km on weekdays, 50-100km on weekends
What experience level is required?
What experience level is required?
- The Ride Club hosts intermediate to advanced rides.
- Ride levels will be determined by average speed.
- All rides are "no drop", unless stated otherwise.
What fitness level is required?
What fitness level is required?
- An intermediate fitness level will be okay for intermediate rides.
- Longer rides with more elevation gain will require a higher fitness level.
- Approximate distance and elevation gain will be published ahead of time for rides.
What happens if I'm late to a ride?
What happens if I'm late to a ride?
Ride times are posted in our app, and to be considerate to other members we start on-time.
What happens if I have a mechanical issue?
What happens if I have a mechanical issue?
- Riders should be on a mechanically sound bike (we know a guy, if you need help fixing/maintaining your bike, as a member you do get discounts on parts.)
- Riders should carry basic tools and spare parts.
- Within groups many basic trail-side repairs can be facilitated.
Do we hangout after rides?
Do we hangout after rides?
- We are social afters rides. If you have time, please feel free to join and byob.
- We also offer some Ride Club events throughout the year, keep and eye on the Events section of the app.
How do I sign-up for rides?
How do I sign-up for rides?
- All rides & communications are facilitated within the Stack Team app
- To register for a ride or event select one of the “Yes”, “No” or “Maybe” options.
- Feel free to post comments on individual rides if you have any questions.
- Download the app from the Apple or Google Play app stores.
How do I become a member?
How do I become a member?
- If you're interested in joining, email us at rideclub@thebikeshop.com. Include your name, which cycling disciplines you're interested in, and your contact information.
- Ride Club registration and license fees (insurance coverage) will be collected through the ABA
- Registration is completed on Zone4
The Ride Club
We're a team of cycling enthusiasts who share a love for bikes, the outdoors, and the community that brings it all together. We believe in creating a welcoming and inclusive environment where knowledge is shared and every ride is celebrated.
