Where to find other riders?

[bluerider]

Hi from Canada *waving*

I am a new roadie and am in love with my bike and cycling. I'm wondering how other newbies found other riders to ride with. The boys at the bike shop are too fast for me (for now) and would like to ride with someone as my rides start getting longer and faster. Any ideas?

Thanks and it's great to see such a thriving community of women riders here!

[DeniseGoldberg]

Hey Bluerider -
Welcome to the forum, and welcome to the world of road bike riding. Where are you in Canada? Have you seen the "How many Canadian girls do we have here?" thread? Maybe you'll be lucky and someone else from your area has already identified herself. Some of us (TE members...) in the Boston area have started to do some rides together. It's been a nice change of pace for me, since I've been a solo rider for many years.

Another place to try is a local bike club. Often club rides will have fast and slow groups. (Of course, that didn't really work for me since I always found myself in between the groups - but it's worth a try!) Or - check with your LBS. Sometimes shops will hold rides too.

--- Denise

[KSH]

Well, I did a search on the internet for bike clubs in my city and state.

Then, I joined the "no drop" rides... meaning: we will wait for the slow ones.

That has worked out well for me!

Good luck!

[LBTC]

Hi, Blue! Welcome, from another canuck!

What part of Canada are you in?? I"m in BC. The cycling community is amazingly "tight" here in the west. It seems it doesn't matter where I go I know somebody who knows somebody there....

Happy riding!

Namaste,
~T~

[bluerider]

Oy! Thanks for the suggestions. I will definitely check out the forum you suggested Denise. LBTC, I’m from Ontario. I will check out my local bike shop and join the “slow” group but there doesn’t seem to be many girls who ride with them that night. I guess chicken me is a little intimidated. Nonetheless, will continue riding solo until I find someone else/group to ride with. Again, it’s wicked to see that there are other women out there riding, unfortunately not in my area!

[Biking Chick]

Welcome to the forum Blue ... I hope you'll find a few 'sisters' who will want to ride with you. Have you thought about organizing an all girl week night ride? Maybe you LBS will let you put up a poster in the shop - they might be able to help you with a couple of different routes. When I first started biking I would have definatley been intimidated riding with an all guy group - heck, I was intimidated going on my first group ride!

That is what I love about cycling - if you find that bikes are your passion and you stick with it you will become a better rider which in turn gives you more and more confidence in yourself and your ability. I know you'll enjoy this forum - the TE ladies are awesome.