BRBC has multiple club-organized rides weekly, mostly year-round. Our rides were developed to provide riding opportunities for all experience levels. So, whether you just bought your first bike or are a seasoned veteran, we have a ride to meet your needs.
Our Ride Leaders are instructed to maintain the integrity of the ride, meaning they must manage both speed and distance to be within posted guidelines. There may be instances when speed may fluctuate depending on road and weather conditions. Please keep this in mind when choosing your ride.
All new riders may want to choose a ride pace below the one they feel is best suited to them until they can consistently complete that ride without feeling stressed at any point during the ride. This will ensure that all riders get the enjoyment from the ride that they were looking for. When you can successfully complete the ride without difficulty, a faster pace awaits you as your next challenge.
Are you a new to BRBC?
If you have questions about our rides, contact our Ride Leaders for ride information. When you become a member, in your profile, please be sure to check what rides you might be interested in during the registration process (you can also do this from your member profile at a later time). This will enable you to get emails from the ride leaders as to the exact place and time that the ride will start.
Review the “Rider’s Responsibilities” page for more detailed information on ride etiquette, equipment, and ride safety. Prepare for the ride. Have your bike in good working order with tires properly inflated. The local bike shops can check and "tune up" your bike. All riders must wear helmets. They should bring two water bottles. For longer rides, snacks are recommended. Riders should have a fully-stocked bike bag (tube that fits their bike, tire tool, small patch kit, hex tool set, and either a cartridge or a pump) and a functioning tail light. If a ride includes sections on the Blue Ridge Parkway, a headlight is required.
The right ride level for you
If you are a new member with limited cycling experience, or it’s the start of a new season you'll probably want to start at a slower pace/shorter distance. Check the ride schedule on the event calendar Events - Blue Ridge Bicycle Club (clubexpress.com) and choose a ride that suits you. Read the description to be sure it matches your assessment of your abilities. If you're unsure, contact the Ride Leader and discuss the ride and your abilities with him/her. We want you to have fun, ride safely, gain confidence, and to improve. It may seem hard at first, but don't get discouraged. If you stick with it, you'll surprise yourself with your progress. The most important part of club riding is not your ride speed, but that you enjoy the ride and feel comfortable at whichever speed/distance you choose.
Definitions
These are some club definitions of rides that may help you in determining the best ride.
RIDE PACE:
Average Ride Speed will be slower on hilly rides, faster on less hilly rides. The ride leader will identify the pace for each posted ride.
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Average Ride Speed
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A Pace
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20+mph
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B Pace
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15-20 mph
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C Pace
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11-15 mph
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D Pace
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Up to 11 mph
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LENGTH:
Ride distance in miles.
RIDE TYPE:
No Drop: All BRBC rides are “No-Drop” rides unless specified. The ride will regroup as needed or a sweep may be identified.
Drop: Group will only stop due to a medical issue or at the Ride Leader's discretion to regroup. Riders should be self-sufficient.
Regroup: Ride Leader may regroup at pre-determined locations on the route. The frequency of regrouping will vary from just once to frequently depending on the ride and the Ride Leader’s preference.
TERRAIN:
FLAT: Occasional hills with easy grades (less than 5% max grade, Average of 0-50 feet of climbing per mile) - Example: Looking Glass Falls from Etowah - A bike ride in Etowah, NC (ridewithgps.com)
MODERATE HILLS: Rolling hills and/or hills with moderate grades (less than 10% max grade, Average of 50-75 feet of climbing per mile) – Example: Apple Pancake on the Lamb - A bike ride in Hendersonville, NC (ridewithgps.com)
SIGNIFICANT HILLS: Extended and/or frequent climbs, or very steep grades (more than 10% max grade, An average of more than 75 feet of climbing per mile) – Example: Caesar's Head 43 - A bike ride in Transylvania County, NC (ridewithgps.com)
RIDE WITH GPS: Ride leaders will provide a link to the select route on the club’s Ride With GPS web site: Blue Ridge Bicycle Club - www.blueridgebicycleclub.org (ridewithgps.com). Members can download the route and/or cue sheet to either their smart phone or Garmin/Wahoo/etc. device.
SAMPLE RIDE INFORMATION
The following is a sample of the types of information a Ride Leader will provide for their ride.
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Ride Pace:
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B Pace – 16 mph
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Time:
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Noon, 3 hours estimate
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Location:
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Jackson Park
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Length:
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37 miles
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Ride Type:
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Regroup, Drop
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Terrain:
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Moderate Hills, 2100 ft elev
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Ride with GPS:
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Apple Pancake on the Lamb (link)
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Remarks:
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Planned stop (regroup) at Griffin's Grocery in Edneyville. Regroup occasionally.
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Responsibilities of RIDERS and RIDE LEADERS
With group riding there are responsibilities for both the rider and the Ride Leader, please be aware of both.
RIDERS: All riders should read and understand the BRBC Rider’s Responsibilities. We value the safety of our riders and leaders. We've taken a lot of time to think it through and describe actions we expect of riders and leaders to keep us all safe. If riders are unclear on any aspect of the BRBC policies, we encourage them to take responsibility and ask the Ride Leader to explain the policy.
Riders should also assess their ability to meet the demands of the ride.
1. Can I maintain the ride pace for the entire ride?
2. Do I want to ride at ride leader’s pace?
3. Can I ride the listed terrain?
4. Is this the right ride for me today?
It is unfair for riders who cannot meet the requirements of a ride to expect the other riders to wait. We encourage riders in doubt to select an easier ride.
RIDE LEADERS:
1. Understand and follow the BRBC Ride Leader Guidelines.
2. Ride at the listed pace for the ride.
3. Adhere to the listed ride type.
RIDE REALITIES: There may be more than one group of riders on any BRBC ride. The Ride Leader will choose and publish a pace for the ride. The Ride Leader will always ride at that published pace.
BRBC rides may have riders or groups of riders who go faster or slower than the published pace. This is normal and expected. It is the choice of those riders. However, the support of the Ride Leader may not be available to those riders who choose to ride at a different pace or are unable to ride at the published pace. The primary responsibility of the Ride Leader is to those riders who ride at the published pace, since the ride was designated for a particular skill level of rider.