Bicycle Clubs For Seniors: How to Find Senior Bike Clubs Near Me

By jwilder

Have you just bought the perfect bicycle and are excited to start riding it? You might be able to increase your enjoyment of cycling by joining a biking group in your area!

Bicycle clubs for seniors aren’t always easy to find, but they’re a wonderful way to enjoy your new hobby with others! Read on to learn more about how a bicycle club for seniors can be part of your routine.

What is a Bicycle Club for Seniors?

Cycling clubs for seniors can be very simple or very involved; the one thing they have in common is that they exist to bring seniors together to enjoy bike riding together. Most of the time, this involves meeting together- weekly, bi-monthly, or monthly- for group rides on bike paths, trails, or roads. Cycling clubs may also enter races together in the senior division for a bit of friendly competition.

What are the Pros and Cons of Bicycle Clubs for Seniors?

Pros

• Social Interaction: Millions of seniors report feeling lonely. Unfortunately, isolation has been shown in research to be related to shorter lifespans. Getting involved in a cycling group gives you social interaction that you may be missing in your life; even if you have an established social group, it’s never a bad idea to make new friends!
• Exercise: Cycling is good for your heart- reducing your risk of heart disease and heart attacks by up to 40%. Bike riding is also good for the joints, strengthening the muscles in your legs without wearing down your knees or hips. Joining a cycling group is a great way to engage in exercise without getting bored or quitting; when you do something with other people, they can hold you accountable and help you achieve your fitness goals!
• Adventure: Riding your bike in the same area, at the same speed, for the same distance every day can get boring over time. Cycling activities of bicycle clubs for seniors may take you to new places, rides at different tempos, and potentially even trains for races together makes everything more fun!

Cons

• Availability: While there are many senior bike groups and likely some in your area (more on that below), cycling groups aren’t always easy to find. If you live in a smaller town or an area separated from large concentrations of other seniors, you may have trouble finding a group near you.
• Scheduling: Adding something new to your schedule is never easy; cycling group meetings will take up a big chunk of your day, and it can be hard to carve out 2-3 hours at a time that might not work well for you. It is very disappointing to find bicycle clubs for seniors in your area, only to discover that they meet at times you aren’t free.

Most Popular Types of Bicycle Clubs for Seniors

Road Cycling Clubs

This might be the most popular type of bicycle club for seniors. These groups will meet together (likely in the morning before it gets too hot to ride) on a regularly scheduled day and ride together. Sometimes, it’s just 10-15 miles of casual riding.

Other times, you may be riding up to 50 miles as part of a long weekend cruise. Many of these cruises end at breweries and pubs where everyone can relax, eat, and drink together once the ride is over!

Mountain Biking Clubs

If you’ve got a taste for adventure (as well as some life left in your knees and shoulders), you can join a mountain biking club. With your group, you’ll embark on new and exciting trails, challenging yourself to complete parts of the trail that are a challenge for both the mind and the body.

Figuring out the best way to get over a downed tree, a steep drop, or a section of large rocks is a large part of the fun of mountain biking. When you join a mountain biking club, you’ll get to do that together!

Indoor Cycling Clubs

Exercise bikes are perfect for seniors who want to experience the fitness benefits of cycling without risking a nasty accident on the road. Joining a spin class or indoor cycling class for seniors is a casual and natural way to stay in shape, meet new friends, and never have to pick yourself up after falling off your bike!

How to Find Bicycle Clubs for Seniors Near Me

Finding Clubs Using the Internet

• Facebook Groups: Facebook, though we might have a love/hate relationship with it, is very useful for finding people to connect with. Facebook has a massive network of groups dedicated to every interest and location imaginable. Start your search for a bicycle club for seniors in your area by checking here!
• MeetUp: This website was built to help people create, manage, and promote groups and clubs in their areas. If you live in a larger city, there’s a decent chance you can find a bicycle club for seniors on MeetUp!

Finding Clubs In Person

If you cannot find a club in your area by checking online, you aren’t out of options just yet. Continue your search by checking bulletin boards at your local senior center, retirement home, gym, or bike shop. Look for a bicycle group for seniors in your area. you’ll find a flyer for it on the bulletin board at one of these places!

In case the bulletin board leaves you dry, you can call these establishments and ask if the staff knows of any groups in your area. If all else fails, they should be able to direct you!

Alternative: Start Your Own Club

What do you do if you go through all your available search options and can’t find one? You get to work starting your own! If there isn’t a bicycle club in your area, it’s likely you aren’t alone in your desire to be part of one. Post a flyer, create a Facebook group, and let your local senior centers, bike shops, and gyms know about the group.

Once you do that, it might take a while for people to find and join the club, but they will eventually come around. Managing the club doesn’t have to be complex: set a time and place to meet, get to know each other a bit, and go for a ride. That’s all there is to it!

Recumbent Bike Club for Seniors – What it is & how to find one

A recumbent bike is an exercise bike that you ride in a reclined position, and they provide several health benefits that differ from standard bikes. Riding in this type of position helps to take pressure off of the back and neck, and many people find it more comfortable than riding a traditional bike.

You can also get a recumbent cross trainer that is a combination of a recumbent bike and an elliptical trainer.

If you are a senior looking for a recumbent bike club or group so you can work out with other seniors, you may have to get a little creative.

First, try searching online. You can search for “recumbent bike clubs” or “recumbent cross trainer clubs” and see what comes up. In this case, going to a gym or senior center may be your best option.

Your local gym may have a recumbent bike club that you can join. However, your best bet is to find a gym that has lots of senior members. Many gyms such as the YMCA have special membership rates for seniors.

Some gyms even have senior programs while others specifically cater to elder clients. You may want to join one of these gyms and form a recumbent bike group of your own if one does not exist.

Ebike Club For Seniors – what it is & how to find one

Ebikes, or electric bikes, are becoming more popular with seniors. They have a battery-powered motor that assists with pedaling, making it easier to ride up hills or ride for longer distances.

These bikes can be a great option for seniors who want to enjoy bicycling but may not be able to do so without some assistance.

The weblog E-mountain biking for seniors is run by 3 friends who provide great firsthand insight about using an e-bike for mountain biking.

Meetup.com has some groups for electric bike riders in various cities. The site provides an easy source to start your own senior e-bike group as well. You can also try searching for “electric bike clubs” or “e-bike clubs” online.

Mountain Bike Club For Seniors – what it is & how to find one

Mountain biking has gained popularity in recent years, and it can be a great workout. But it can also be dangerous, so it’s important to be prepared before hitting the trails.

If you’re a senior who is interested in mountain biking, the best way to get started is to join a mountain bike club. These clubs typically have group rides where everyone stays together and helps each other out.

This can be a great way to learn the ropes and find out what trails are suitable for your skill level. It’s also a great way to meet other seniors who share your interests.

Since mountain biking is more common, you can find an appropriate one by way of Facebook Groups as well as MeetUp.com.

Social Cycling Club for Seniors – what it is & how to find one

A social cycling club is a great way to stay active and make friends, especially if you’re a senior.

These clubs typically have group rides where everyone stays together and chats as they ride. It’s a great way to get some exercise while also enjoying the company of others.

People casually get together once or twice a week to go for group rides. There is no need to join a club, although some do exist. You can find social cycling groups on websites like Meetup.com.

You may be able to organically form a social cycling club right in your neighborhood. If you have a group of friends or neighbors who are interested, you can start your own social cycling club. Just be sure to choose a time and route that is safe and suitable for everyone.

Beginner Bike Club For Seniors – what it is & how to find one

Some people learn to ride a bike later in life. If you’re a senior who is interested in learning, or if you know someone who is, there are beginner bike clubs that can help.

Your local senior center may offer beginner bike classes. You can also check with your local parks and recreation department to see if they offer any biking programs for seniors.

Safety Tips For Riding In a Seniors’ Bike Club

Before you join a seniors’ bike club, it’s important to brush up on your safety skills.

Here are a few things to keep in mind:

• Wear a helmet whenever you ride, no matter how short the distance.
• Make sure your bike is the right size for you. You should be able to sit on the saddle with your feet flat on the ground.
• Check your tires before every ride to make sure they’re properly inflated.
• Ride in the direction of traffic, and obey all traffic laws.

Wrapping Up

Joining a bicycle club for seniors is a great way to stay in shape, make new friends, and keep from feeling like you’re trapped in the house. Joining a club in your area might take some searching, and you may even have to start your own group if none exists. However, it is well worth the effort to enjoy all the health and social benefits of being part of a biking group for seniors!

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