Rochester’s Recreational Cycling Source – Dedicated to promote cycling for health and well being.
RBC events include; Recreational weekend riding, Social evening dinner rides, Road cycling, Mountain Biking, Friendly competition, Time Trialing, Overnight weekends and more.. We have beginner rides from 10 miles all the way up to the most challenging 200+ mile rides.
Membership to the Rochester Bicycling Club includes a ride schedule, a set of maps, a ride calendar and bimonthly newsletters. Even though our members have a wide range of cycling abilities, we are a touring, not a racing club.
Every Sat and Sun from mid March through mid November, rides are scheduled from a variety of over 350 mapped routes. During the summer months, evening rides are scheduled during the week. We offer rides for all abilities in a variety of tandem, recumbent and road rides, as well as mountain bike rides, time trials, as well as slow and easy rides for those who prefer a more relaxed pace.
Road rides range from 10-125 miles with the most popular being in the 40-70 mile range. The speed of the ride will depend on who shows up on any given ride and will vary from ride to ride. Don’t give up on the first ride, eventually, as you do more rides you will find someone that rides your speed.
Slow and Easy Rides are just that. They usually follow a bike path, but can be on roads, are usually flat and no longer than 20 miles in length and have a “no one gets left behind” policy. Quite often, there is a rest stop at the furthest point out involving food.
Sweep rides are a bit longer, maybe a bit hillier and a chance to do a little more without getting left behind. Someone on these scheduled rides has agreed to stay with the last person. Hopefully, they will allow someone riding Slow and Easy rides a comfortable chance to go a little further.
Recumbent and tandem rides welcome single bikes, but are there to offer fellow bikers to ride with other like minded riders.
True off road mountain bike rides have not been offered lately due to a lack of available nearby mtb friendly areas, but there are a few “dirt road” rides that you need at least a hybrid with fat tires to ride.
Time trials are offered in the summer months as a chance to race against the clock. You are not competing with others, just yourself. This is a great chance to monitor your improvement over the riding season.
Ultra riding is in a class by itself. The club is not really involved with this but you can find more information www.quadzilla.us
We have 4 “social events” during the year. In March, a bring a dish to pass buffet and award ceremony is held after some of the braver members finish riding. Then in July we have the annual picnic and bike rally which is NOT a race but a chance to challenge yourself by riding as much, and/or as far as you want in a 24 hour period. This is also a bring a dish to pass event.
In November we have the general meeting and elections which is proceeded by (of course more food), this time bring a pizza to swap. Finally in February, we have a slide show which usually features someones summer biking trip and this is complete with munchies of course. Joining one of the “lists” or calling other club members during the winter may find you an impromptu ride, hike or ski depending on the weather.
Membership requires that you be at least 18 years of age. Children are welcome when accompanied by parents. We also strongly encourage the use of helmets. All club information is contained on a CD which works on any platform. Newsletters are published electronically. Membership is $20 a year. If you would like to join the RBC, please send a SASE to PO Box 10100 Rochester NY 14610, or pick up an application at any of the area bike shops or even get one from the website as long as you are here. Please be sure to sign the application. Our insurance provider requires member signatures on all waivers. Also, it is imperative that we have a current email address in order to send newsletters. All email addresses are kept in house, and never given to other orgaizations or businesses. Thanks, and see you on the road!
