Every year, BTCNJ schedules over 2,000 rides for different riding abilities/levels. We are a very active club.

The rides are mostly in Bergen, Essex. Morris, Passaic counties in NJ and Rockland county in New York. But we also have rides outside of these places.

We have rides for new riders and families all the way to experts. So, whether you prefer fast or relaxed (it's all good!), there's a ride for you. But, if you are new to riding with a club, start with a ride you think will be easy.

If you want to become a better cyclist, your club membership can be one of the most effective ways to do that.

Club rides vary by length (of course) but also by average speed/pace (how fast) and terrain (how hilly). (There's more guidance for picking an appropriate ride here.)

If you are used to riding by yourself, note that it's a bit different riding in a group. Also, keep in mind that there are a few requirements and rules to participate on a club ride. Helmets are required on all club rides.

 Ask us  about a free one-month trial membership.   Download our new member guide.  

The times indicated are when the group meets. The rides "roll" (depart) 15 minutes after the listed time. This gives people time to set-up (check their bikes, add air to their tires, etc), and sign-in.

The rides are "loop rides" (almost always) where people meet at a location and return to the same location at the end of the ride. Often, there's a stop at around the middle of the ride for lunch or a snack (unless the ride is short, like, <= 20 miles in length). People usually drive their car to the start location.

A BTCNJ club ride has a leader, who the other riders follow. Some BTCNJ rides have a sweep (a coleader) who follows the group to keep track of any riders who might be having issues staying with the group (maybe, due to a mechanical problem). Riders are expected to be inbetween the leader and the sweep.

Typically, a Ridewithgps link is posted, which provides a cuesheet (a PDF of the streets to turn on that can be printed) and a file to download to a Garmin (or other) GPS device. Some rides have a link to a cuesheet PDF on our website.

Note that leaders are not all the same person: different leaders will have different styles in how they lead a ride. If a particular leader's style doesn't work for you, try a ride led by someone else!

There are a few basic things that make a ride "harder" or "easier": (1) the speed you ride at; (2) the distance you ride; (3) how hilly or flat the ride is (also called "elevation gain"); and (4) the surface you are riding on (paved, unpaved, trail).

BTCNJ categorizes road rides (paved) using a letter (A, B, C, D, etc) to indicate the general speed. Mountain and gravel bike rides (on unpaved paths or trails) are categorized similarly. The "terrain" (how hilly the ride is) is also indicated.

Some experience is usually required to really understand how this works.

If you are new, pick a ride that you expect to be fairly easy (and on the short side). If it's easier than you like, it's simple enough to pick a harder ride the next time. (Starting out with a ride that is too hard will likely be frustrating to you and the other riders in the group.)

Keep in mind that you are riding with a group (not merely in a group). That means it's important to pick a level that is appropriate (for you and the other participants).

BTCNJ uses the following designations (letters, basically) to categorize the expected average speed of rides in our schedule.

Keep in mind that the average speed on flat terrain is often higher (+2 mph) than the average shown below.

Note that the meanings of the A, B, C, etc. qualifiers for gravel or mountain bike rides don't match the meanings for road rides.

For the categories B and above, Ride Leaders are not obligated to wait for stragglers as long as the advertised pace is not exceeded and directions are provided with a GPS route or cue sheet, unless the ride is advertised as a no-drop ride. 

For the categories C*, C and D, Ride Leaders are obligated to wait for stragglers and to assist those having mechanical difficulties, that is, rides in these categories are no-drop rides. 

Category	Description
A*	Average speed 19+ mph - For strong/experienced cyclists. Stops every 30+ miles.
A	Average speed 17 - 18.9 mph - For strong/experienced cyclists. Stops every 30+ miles.
B*	Average speed 15.0 - 16.9 mph - Average speed on flats 17.0 - 19.0 mph. For Strong cyclists. Stops every 20 - 25 miles.
B	Average speed 13.0 - 14.9 mph - Average speed on flats 15.0 - 17.0 mph. For solid cyclists. Stops every 15 - 20 miles.
C*	Average speed 11.0 - 12.9 mph - Average speed on flats 13.0 - 15.0 mph. For average cyclists. Stops every 15 - 20 miles.
C	Average speed 9.0 - 10.9 mph - Average speed on flats 11.0 - 13.0 mph. For average cyclists. Stops as needed.
D	Average speed Under 9.0 mph - Average speed on flats 10.0 mph. For newer, less-experienced cyclists. Frequent stops.
Vr	Virtual - Online programs like Zwift.
Fa	Family - For Families. Frequent stops, child friendly.
All	Event - An event that provides multiple rides in more than one category.
NR	Non-ride event.
GB	Gravel Bike Hard - Challenging gravel riding (not flat, not smooth, not short). (Don't pick this if you are not an exper­ienc­ed gravel bike rider.)
GC	Gravel Bike Moderate- Moderately hard gravel rides (longer/faster than MD; easier than GB).
MB	Mountain Bike Hard - Single track with challenging surfaces, rocks, roots, logs, and technical terrain. Extended ascents and challenging descents. (Don't pick this if you are not an experienced mountain bike rider.)
MC	Mountain Bike Moderate - Single and double track trails with uneven surfaces and minimal obstacles. Gradual and moderate climbing and descents.
MD	Unpaved Easy - Wide unpaved paths with a flat, obstruction-free riding surface and little change in elevation. Suitable for hybrids and wide-tire bikes as well as mountain bikes. This is for easy (not overly fast) rides. Step up to MC or GC for harder/longer rides.

 

"Elevation gain" is the total amount of climbing (typically, spread among multiple hills).

The Terrain Class for a ride is determined using the average elevation gain per mile. To get this number, divide the elevation gain in feet by the length of the ride in miles.

For example, a 50 mile ride with 2,600 feet of elevation gain gives you a rate of 52 feet/mile, which is Moderately Hilly. A 50 mile ride with 1,750 feet of elevation gain gives you a rate of 35 feet/mile, which is Rolling.

Terrain Class	Elev. Gain Rate    (feet/mile)	Description
Flat □□□□□	0-25	Minimal gear shifting required. 0-1,250 ft per 50 miles.
Rolling ■□□□□	26-45	Some small hills. "Farmland" ups and downs. 1,300-2,250 ft per 50 miles.
Moderately Hilly ■■□□□	46-55	Numerous climbs with no "killer" hills. 2,300-2,750 ft per 50 miles.
Hilly ■■■□□	56-75	Numerous long and steep climbs. 2,800-3,750 ft per 50 miles.
Very hilly ■■■■□	76-100	3,800-5,000 ft per 50 miles.
Mountainous ■■■■■	100+	+5,000 ft per 50 miles.

 

Don't avoid hillier rides

New riders often try to avoid hills. Given where the club typically rides, that strategy isn't going serve you well (about 20% of our rides are "flat"). Leaders really don't care how long it takes riders to get up hills and the common practice is to wait ("regroup") at the top of the more difficult climbs.

It's certainly reasonable to start out with easier rides. But working towards being able to ride hillier rides will give you more opportunities to ride.

Elevation gains are estimates

The gain determined by a cycle computer tends to be a bit higher than the estimate that RWGPS computes. This can be due to small bumps that RWGPS misses.

Cycle computers that use barometers are considered to give better estimates.

Keep in mind that elevation gain doesn't directly consider grade (steepness), which has a large impact on how hard a ride is.

E-Bikes eligible to participate in BTCNJ group rides must be low-speed pedal-assisted (the bike does not move without pedaling and assistance ceases at 20 mph (Class 1) or 28 mph (Class 3).

It may not utilize a throttle, meaning that it must be a Class 1 or Class 3 E-Bike.

In addition

• E-Bike riders may participate in all group rides but should use good judgement in choosing the ride categories suited for the rider.
• E-Bike riders who participate in group rides are responsible for knowing and following the rules for rides, with particular emphasis on observance of the prescribed ride pace.
• The role of ride leaders remains unchanged. They are responsible for ensuring that all riders are made aware of the ride rules and their responsibility for obeying them as well as established traffic laws. Ride leaders are not responsible for determining whether a rider is using an E-Bike or what class of E-Bike a rider may be using.
• Just as with riders on traditional bikes that participate in group rides, ride leaders have the authority to speak with any rider of an E-Bike, if, in their judgment, they feel that rider is compromising the safety of others on the ride.
• Just as with riders on traditional bikes, this authority includes making the E-Bike rider aware of what they are doing incorrectly and to request that the E-Bike rider maintain a position at the back of the group ride or even leave the ride, if deemed warranted to ensure the safety of others.