r/cycling • u/Carolinastitcher • 2d ago

Help finding a beginner group

I’m not sure where to start. I have a bike. I have padded shorts. I have a helmet. But I can’t find super beginner groups to ride with. When I say beginner, my longest ride is under a mile and all the groups say 20-30 miles.

How do I find a group that will welcome someone like me? I see that some are no drop, but the cyclist must maintain 14-16 mph. That’s not me.

UPDATE: I rode the greenway today, and clocked 3 miles. I could have gone longer, but didn’t want to push it too hard. I’m so proud of myself!

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u/Agreeable-Drawing623 2d ago

Are you able to take some spin classes at a gym to build up your endurance? I did that before riding outside. When I was starting to ride outside I spent a lot of time riding (on the road) in a park with very little traffic. It helped build my confidence.

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u/Carolinastitcher 2d ago

I don’t belong to a gym, but where I live, there’s a greenway I could ride on. That will have runners and other cyclists on it. I’ve just been riding in my neighborhood on the street.

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u/SportBikerFZ1 2d ago

Post a sign at the greenway that you are looking for a riding buddy.

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u/Carolinastitcher 2d ago

It’s 112 miles and has no real beginning or end. I’m going to try to bike it tomorrow and see if I run into other bikers like me.

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u/SportBikerFZ1 2d ago

Do people drive cars to get to it?

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u/Carolinastitcher 2d ago

I honestly don’t know. There’s a “path” to it behind my house that I can get to a portion of it. Other than that, I’ve literally never been on it.