The New York Cycle Club (NYCC) offers friendly group bike rides every weekend and some weekdays. Favorite destinations include Westchester, Connecticut, Long Island and across the Hudson to Bergen and Rockland counties. No matter what pace you ride, you can find a ride to suit you. A complete listing of rides can be found in the Upcoming Rides page.
NYCC ride levels are designated by a two-part ride level system:Ride Level: the letters A, B, C indicate the expected skill set and typical max ride length, stop frequency, vertical gain, max hill grade, and predominant terrain.
Cruising Speed: This is the target speed for a flat road in the absence of wind. This is not the average speed, which is generally 3MPH lower than the cruising speed. NYCC does NOT classify or describe rides by average speed.
Note: Below are general guidelines for road rides. Gravel rides will be listed by level using a comparable road cruising speed. Ride leaders have the discretion to modify these guidelines and will generally indicate that in their ride description.
Tight, straight, rotating pace lines; completely self-sufficient.
65 - 100+ miles
30 - 40 miles
Average around 1000 feet per 10 miles or more, could include steep grades
Tight, ride together in a straight line; should be comfortable riding close together
40 - 80+ miles
10 - 20 miles
Average 500-700 feet per 10 miles, could include some steep grades
New club members; less experienced members; and members looking for a more relaxed ride
35 - 60 miles
10 - 15 miles
Typically, gentle but may have a steep hill or two.
Here are some tips for a great first time riding experience!
Start conservative. Choose a ride easier and shoBe conservative. Choose a ride easier and shorter than you think you can ultimately handle. You will not enjoy struggling to keep up with a ride that is too fast for you, nor will the group enjoy waiting for you.rter than you think you can ultimately handle.
If a ride looks interesting but you are still not sure, reach out to the ride's leaders to introduce yourself and ask some specific questions. Our leaders are happy to answer your questions and provide you some guidance. Everyone wants you to enjoy your experience on a club ride.
Another option is to complete a self-test in Central or Prospect Park and use this chart [link to a page with the self test so if riders are interested they can access but it's not worded as mandatory] to determine the pace that best suits you.
Our expectation is that all riders will abide by the following:
No aerobars (whether or not in use)
Bike must have working brakes.
The use of cell phones is restricted while riding, no phone calls, text messaging, photography, or social media usage. GPS Navigation and Ride tracking/logging on a cell phone are permitted as long is the phone is physically mounted on the bike.
Helmets are required on all NYCC rides. This requirement cannot be waived by the ride leader.
Conduct a thorough pre-ride bike inspection to confirm the overall mechanical functionality of your bike. For each ride bring your helmet, protective eyewear, adequate water/food, appropriate weather-specific clothing (including items for potential adverse weather), and repair tools (two spare tubes, pump/compressed air, bike multi-tool, tire changing tools). If there is a mechanical problem that cannot be fixed on the road, you must be prepared to find a way home. Pedal-assist E-bikes are permitted on C and B rides at a listed pace of 16 m.p.h. or less and on faster B rides at the leader’s discretion. At present, E-bikes will not be permitted on A rides. Participants in SIG rides will not be permitted to use E-bikes.
