Looking to meet fellow cyclists and level up your rides? In this video, I share six proven ways to discover local cycling groups—from hitting up your neighborhood bike shop to starting your own ride. Plus, learn the top benefits of group rides, including safety, skill-building, and community fun. Whether you’re into road, mountain, or urban cycling, these tips will get you rolling with like-minded riders in no time. Top Recommendations for Finding a Local Cycling Group: Local Bike Shops (LBS) Ask your local bike shop—many organize or sponsor rides (road, mountain, hybrid). Even if they don’t host rides, they often know local cycling clubs and can connect you. Facebook Groups Use Facebook to search for local cycling interest groups. These are often active with ride announcements, group chats, and social posts. Reddit Explore both cycling-specific subreddits and city-based subreddits (e.g., r/cycling or r/yourcityname). Great for niche cycling interests and local group discovery. Meetup.com A well-known site for event-based socializing. Search by location and cycling type (road, gravel, leisure, etc.). RideWithGPS Members can access forums and group routes. Helps find people riding similar distances or terrains. Organized Rides (especially in larger cities) Look for big city events and rides—e.g., NYC has numerous charity or advocacy rides. These are prime spots to meet new cycling partners or groups. Cycling Advocacy Groups These groups support biking infrastructure and rights—and often ride, too. Great for meeting people who are passionate about cycling and community. Start Your Own Group Invite friends or post in local online communities. Pick a route, a time, and you've got a group ride. Benefits of Group Riding: Easier Logistics The route, pace, and stops are typically pre-planned, making it beginner-friendly. Performance Improvement Riding with more experienced cyclists helps you level up your skills, pacing, and endurance. Learn fueling tips, riding techniques, and bike maintenance tricks. Safety in Numbers Larger groups are more visible on the road, which improves safety. Drivers tend to give more space to bigger groups. Social Connection Group rides are fun and foster friendships and community.