New to Cycling?

Where do you start?  How do you ride with a group? 
You can start with us.  Join the cruisers (our riders that enjoy slow and easy) on our rides, and we can help you learn as you ride.  (There is no need for classes.)

How?  ...Just follow these steps; it's very easy to learn.

Learn the Safety Tips listed here. 

     * Go to our Ride Calendar and pick a suitable scheduled ride. 

     * Show up 15 minutes before the ride is scheduled to start.

     * Let us know you are a beginner.

     * We will then advise and coach you while you ride. (Be prepared to ride at least

        15 to 20 miles on your first ride, then slight increases on subsequent

        rides.) (Note: our Wednesday night ride and Monday night rides are only 12

        miles.) 

     * Plan on riding every week to get stronger, faster, and capable of riding farther.

     * Over a period of time you will learn how to change gears, climb hills, perform

        minor bicycle maintenance, learn equipment needs, and fix flat tires as needed.

Which kind of bike should I use or buy?

       * Comfort Bikes are good if you want to ride with the kids in the neighborhoods. Slow

          and easy.  Designed for an upright position and easy to stop and get off.

       * Mountain Bikes are good if you want to do off-roading or in the gravel or rocks on

          the trails.  This bike is built to withstand the punishment, but it is heavy and can

          wear out the rider on 30+ miles road rides.

       * Hybrids are good on streets and occasionally for off-road on smooth gravel trails. 

          This bike is usually cheaper than a road bike and many people use them as an entry

          level bike for riding the roads.  The upside about this is, if you don't ride often, you

          won't waste your money. The downside is that if you enjoy bike riding, and if you ride

          often you will want to upgrade to a road bike that will be easier for you to keep up

          with the group.  (However, doing it this way you will have two bikes, which is ok

          because you will have a backup when your road bike is not available.)

       * Road Bikes are best for roads and streets.  They are lightweight and are made for

          long distance riding, typically 30 to 100 miles, and for faster rides.  If you want to

          ride with a group, this bike will make that effort easier.  Most people in our club ride

          bikes for fitness, which means you have to ride a lot of miles to get in shape, and

          stay in shape.  We don't race, but as riders trying to stay in good shape, we tend to

          want to ride faster.  A good road bike will let us do that.

       * Cruisers or Urban are similar to Road bikes in shape and weight, and they are good

          for riding on city streets for commuting with frequent stopping at intersections.

          They are good for shorter distances on flat roads, but they have only one gear and

          climbing hills are very difficult on this bike.

       * Touring Bikes are also similar to road bikes.  They are designed for riding extremely

          long distances.  They are capable of carrying equipment and towing small trailers

          for cross country riding.  They can be used for group club rides, but they are not

          designed for speed.

       * Recumbent Bikes are two or three wheel bikes where the rider is in a low

          sitting position that leans back.  These bikes are for those riders that have back

          problems or those that want to be in a low position that reduces risks of falling

          over.

Whichever bike you choose, and if plan to ride with groups, please make sure your bike has quick-release wheels.  These allow you to remove your wheels without tools in order to fix flats.  Everyone has flats sooner or later, you cannot avoid them.  The great thing about riding in groups, is that someone will always help to fix flats, but only if they can get the wheels off.  (If your current bike doesn't have quick-release wheels don't let that stop you from riding with a group.  You can always carry a wrench in your pocket or bike pouch.)Type your paragraph here.

​​Safety Tips:

      ​* Always wear a helmet

      * Obey all road signs and traffic signals

      * (Helotes and Grey Forrest police will give tickets to bicyclist for not stopping

         at stop signs and crossing on red traffic lights)

      * Use hand signals to indicate turns and stops

      * Never pass on the right

      * Say "on your left" when getting ready to pass another bicyclist or pedestrian

      * Stay to the right of the road (Texas State Law)

      * Ride single file to let approaching traffic pass safely

      * Use a blinking red light at night or on dark or foggy days.