We want to help beginning road bikers get started in a safe and fun way.  Too many people start out with falls, accidents, injuries, and narrow escapes.  They can also make bad equipment decisions and choose routes poorly.  We use a six-step process to get people started:

1)      written materials on getting started including safety, skills, and equipment information;

2)      an equipment check by a trained BCC Ride Leader and a Bicycle Village bike mechanic;

3)      a short ride with a Ride Leader to work on basic skills and road safety;

4)      a longer ride with a Ride Leader to evaluate your skills and endurance to see if you are ready to go on a group ride;

5)      if you can not meet the minimum requirements for B group rides, you will be given a training schedule with suggested safe routes; and

6)      initial group rides on the buddy system where you will be paired with a Ride Leader.

Our group rides have A and B group routes with the B routes being shorter and slower.  We start at the same time and try to end at the same time because many of our members like to socialize after rides.  The minimum fitness requirement to go on B group rides is the ability to sustain 14 mph on the flats for five miles.  The minimum is 18 mph for the A group.  In addition, riders should look at the ride length (time and miles) to make sure you can handle it.  All of our rides are guided by trained ride leaders and are no-drop, i.e. no one is left behind.  That is why it is important to only go on a ride if you meet the minimum requirements.  Most of our riders are beginning and intermediate level riders, but we have some advanced riders who ride with us as Ride Leaders or just to take a break from the “nose-to-the-grindstone” riding that most clubs and teams do.

A $50 donation to the club is recommended for anyone who takes the program.  You could easily save that much just by avoiding bad equipment decisions.  You must also join the Club so you will be insured.   If you are interested, please email info@bouldercyclingclub.com.