The Gyaldem Cycling Collective during a ride in June 2026. | PHOTO: COURTESY OF GYALDEM CYCLING COLLECTIVE
Cycling Clubs for All
From fitness to friendship — or a mix of both — every cyclist can find a club that fits their needs.
By Christina Palassio | Original photography and videography by David Pike
You see them on the streets in your neighbourhood — groups of cyclists, spandex-clad or trail-ready, creating their own vibe. It does look like fun, doesn’t it? And perhaps a little intense. These days, there are as many types of cycling clubs and groups as there are kinds of cyclists. Some clubs prioritize speed; some concentrate on exploration. Some offer skills and bike safety training; others are simply all about the fun of cycling. Some welcome all riders to join; others aim to foster and support specific communities, such as women or BIPOC cyclists. You’ll find some centred on long rides, while others squeeze in 30-km outings before or after work hours. What all these clubs have in common is their focus on building a community around cycling and a safe, fun atmosphere. I first joined a cycling club more than a decade after I started commuting by bike. I’d seen groups out on morning rides and thought of joining, but wasn’t sure it was for me. I like the freedom of riding alone and wasn’t sold on the idea of riding in a peloton (the cycling term for the main pack in a race). I was also not convinced I could keep a set pace as many club rides require. But I decided to give it a try and started turning up for weekday morning rides — 30 to 40 km starting at 6 a.m., followed by a coffee stop. It was fun! I liked the ride chit-chats, the feeling of safety provided by being in a group, and the fact that ride leaders plan the routes, so I didn’t have to. I improved my bike-handling skills and learned how to draft (ride directly behind someone else to benefit from their aerodynamics), as well as how to generate more power on climbs. I saw new parts of the city and met some new riding pals. And I drank some delicious Americanos. When I had a hard time keeping up with the 26-to-28-km-an-hour pace, the group waited up because the rides were no-drop (the cycling term for a group ride in which no one gets left behind). When others lagged, I waited for them. The spirit of the club wasn’t about competition; it was about camaraderie and challenging yourself to be a better rider while having fun. That was perfect for me.
Christina Palassio writes about cycling, culture and causes for a variety of publications, including CAA Magazine, Lonely Planet and the Globe and Mail. She and her bike have been all over the country and the world, from the Cabot Trail and Haida Gwaii to Rwanda and South Korea. She believes there’s no better way to see places and meet people than on two wheels.
“We do not advertise for speed. We do not advertise for what type of bike you have. It’s just ‘Come as you are. Come ride.’ Nobody gets left behind.”
Finding community in a cycling club
Toronto’s Gyaldem Cycling Collective started organically during the pandemic, when a group of women who had been riding in a larger, mixed-gender cohort naturally started to gravitate toward each other. “We realized there was so much benefit from having that female community,” recalls Gyaldem’s co-founder Cass Powell. “And we said, ‘Hey, if we’re loving this so much, maybe other women could benefit from this type of space.’” There were 65 women who showed up for the first ride the group posted. “We just want to ride our bikes. We don’t really care how fast we go. We just want to explore the city together,” says Powell.
The collective runs regular weeknight city and weekend rides out to Hamilton, Niagara and farther afield. There’s often an ice cream stop at the end of the ride. “It’s a very valuable space,” says Powell. “We do not advertise for speed. We do not advertise for what type of bike you have. It’s just ‘Come as you are. Come ride.’ Nobody gets left behind. We’re here for a good time, not a fast time.”
After a ride, members of the Gyaldem Cycling Collective gather at Hutch’s on the Beach in Hamilton, Ont., for a well-deserved break. | PHOTO: COURTESY OF GYALDEM CYCLING COLLECTIVE
(Above and below) A not-for-profit organization, Kingston Velo Club is committed to promoting recreational cycling throughout the greater Kingston, Ont., area.
What to know before you join
There are many different types of cycling groups. Formal cycling clubs are usually registered with a provincial cycling organization. They appoint boards, collect membership dues and carry insurance. There are also informal groups like collectives and associations.
It’s helpful to understand the organizational structure of the group you’re joining and the implications for cost and liability. Most groups will post this information on their websites. It’s also important to think about what experience and culture you’re looking for and then pick a group that’s aligned with your personal preferences. For example, if you’re a beginner, find a club that offers shorter rides at a slower pace — e.g., 20 to 23 km/h.
The perfect pace
The Kingston Velo Club (KVC) is Kingston’s recreational cycling club. It offers group rides of different speeds, lengths and focus every week, including Scenic Sundays, Slow As Molasses and Thumping Thursdays.
Kimberly Sandaluk and her husband, Marc, joined KVC when they moved to Kingston. Marc wanted a group that would challenge him and teach him skills such as pace lining (a technique wherein riders each take quick turns at the front of the cycling line to reduce wind resistance). The couple met new friends and learned about the city and surrounding area. Now a ride leader, Kimberly is the club’s president and membership director.
As riders become more experienced, they can progress up the pace ladder. “It’s a great confidence booster,” notes Kimberly, “but the social aspect is probably the main attraction for most people.”
Kingston Velo Club members get together for the “Westend Saturday Wriders” event.
Beyond pedal power
While every cycling group has a distinct culture and calendar, there are also many shared elements, with bike safety foremost among these. Cycling groups require participants to wear helmets, have appropriate bike lights (a white front light and red rear light, as required by law from 30 minutes before sunset to 30 minutes after sunrise), obey all traffic rules and know their hand and verbal signals. When new riders join, ride leaders — the cyclists who have volunteered to shepherd the group — will often go over these signals, as well as basic best practices for how to ride in a group, especially on busy roads with lots of cars. Riders can choose to wear cycling safety vests and reflectors if desired. Headphones and other devices that can limit hearing are usually forbidden.
Most cycling groups have a protocol for welcoming new members. Once you’ve assessed your skill level and pinpointed a club that matches your interest, visit its website to read the guidelines and then reach out to them directly if you have questions. When arriving at a ride, introduce yourself to your ride leader and share your experience level and what you’re hoping to get out of the ride. It’s the ride leader’s job to ensure all riders are supported in having a safe and enjoyable experience.
Safety first. One common element among clubs: they all promote safe riding, which includes wearing a helmet and riding single-file on streets so that everyone can share the road.
“Our slogan – Everybody Cycles – is catching on.”
Participants and spectators of the 2025 Granfondo and the 2026 Big Gravel Grind. | PHOTOS: KSHA PINO/COURTESY OF BCO; KERRY’S SLIPS PHOTOGRAPHY/COURTESY OF BCO
Building community spirit
In addition to getting out and riding together, many cycling groups channel their energy into community projects.
In Sarnia, the Bluewater Cycling Organization (BCO) has been working for years to build a cycling community for everyone. On top of weekly rides, BCO organizes Granfondo, a popular annual long-distance event, and a gravel event (a ride on unpaved roads). It runs several cycling programs, including Cycling Without Age, which provides free bike rides to seniors and people with mobility challenges using specially designed three-wheeled trishaws. BCO also lobbies Sarnia City Council for better cycling infrastructure.
“It’s basically taken 10 years to build BCO to what it is now, but we seem to have one of the best all-around multi-focused functional cycling programs,” notes co-founder Ken MacAlpine. “And our slogan — Everybody Cycles — is catching on.”
(Above) Not just all about the bikes: members of the Kingston Velo Club relax and enjoy some social time over coffee after a long ride. (Below) Joining a riding club is just as much about finding your community as it is about getting out and enjoying a bike ride.
Benefits of cycling
Cycling provides so many positives — physical exercise, mental stimulation and a wonderful sense of freedom and discovery. And one of the best things about cycling is that because it’s low-impact, you can cycle from a young age well into your later years — and enjoy the skills and friends you make when you’ve been with a cycling club for decades. For me, over the years, what I’m looking for in a cycling club has changed. I’m now thinking of joining the Bike Brigade, a Toronto-based volunteer network that delivers food baskets, hot meals and other items to local residents who can’t easily access or afford them. Although I still like getting out with a group for a recreational ride, I’m also interested in trying something new. CAA
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Safety first. One common element among clubs: they all promote safe riding, which includes wearing a helmet and riding single-file on streets so that everyone can share the road.
Beyond pedal power
While every cycling group has a distinct culture and calendar, there are also many shared elements, with bike safety foremost among these. Cycling groups require participants to wear helmets, have appropriate bike lights (a white front light and red rear light, as required by law from 30 minutes before sunset to 30 minutes after sunrise), obey all traffic rules and know their hand and verbal signals. When new riders join, ride leaders — the cyclists who have volunteered to shepherd the group — will often go over these signals, as well as basic best practices for how to ride in a group, especially on busy roads with lots of cars. Riders can choose to wear cycling safety vests and reflectors if desired. Headphones and other devices that can limit hearing are usually forbidden.
Most cycling groups have a protocol for welcoming new members. Once you’ve assessed your skill level and pinpointed a club that matches your interest, visit its website to read the guidelines and then reach out to them directly if you have questions. When arriving at a ride, introduce yourself to your ride leader and share your experience level and what you’re hoping to get out of the ride. It’s the ride leader’s job to ensure all riders are supported in having a safe and enjoyable experience.