Weekly WBC Rides

Lots of rides for all levels. Whether it’s a casual ride, a social ride to meet friends, or a training ride, you’ll find the option and location to suit your mood. Our ride leaders are knowledgeable, personable, and care about helping you achieve your riding goals.

Riders should arrive ahead of ride start time to socialize and be prepared to roll. Helmets are required for all WBC rides, and headphones/ear-buds are not allowed. Your bike should be in good working order and you should carry a spare tube along with the tools to change a flat. Don’t forget water and nutrition, especially as the days start getting warmer.

Follow our Facebook page for more rides!

Ride Definitions

Drop ride – You will be left to navigate on your own if you can not keep up with the pace of the group.

Regroup ride – Ride leaders will stop at certain intervals to ensure that the riders are able to regroup and no one is left behind. This ride involves a sweep to ensure that all riders make it safely to the interval points.

No Drop ride – Riders ride at pace of slowest rider and riders stay together as a group.

ROAD RIDES

Sunday Social Ride

Need a chance to recover from a brisk Saturday ride? Maybe just want to take a leisurely spin to start the new week? WBC’s Sunday Social Ride is just the ticket.

We ride at a C pace (13-15 mph), and we regroup as often as necessary to keep the ride together. Our starting locations vary from week to week, and starting time is adjusted seasonally. All WBC members receive regular weekly email announcements with the details for the upcoming ride.

Remember that helmets are required on all WBC rides.

Come on out. It’s time to ride.

Dam Ride –  Evenings

Levels:  A, B, C

Terrain: Flat to moderately rolling hills with low to moderate traffic

Start: First ride of 2024 – March 12 – Roll out at 5:45. Please be early and ready to roll at designated start time. Please wear your new WBC kits.

Waco Dam
3803 Skeet Eason Rd
Waco, TX 76708

Bring lights! Just in case.

Please note the guidelines below for riding abilities for all groups. A, B, and C groups are for those people who can at least ride 25 miles in a group setting. If you are not quite at that level of ability yet, please check out our weekend Social Ride.

**If you are new to the Tuesday ride please introduce yourself to one of the ride leaders.**

“A” Level: Average speed is 2o+ mph, with max speeds in the mid-30’s
Ride Length: 41 miles – Drop Ride
Group riding experience is required as revolving pace lines are used extensively.

“B” Level: Average speed is 18-20 mph, with max speeds in the mid/upper-20’s
Ride Length: 32 miles – Regroup (if necessary) Ride
Previous group riding experience is recommended. It’s recommended that B riders are able to average at least 18 mph solo over a 20 mile distance.

“C” Level: Average speed is 13 – 15 mph
Ride Length: 25 miles – No Drop Ride
This is not a beginner ride. This is a no drop/regroup ride, and geared towards cyclists with some group riding experience and/or those building a fitness base or desiring a more sociable ride. C riders should be familiar with their equipment and average 15 mph solo over a 25 mile distance.

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In general, if you’re not sure which group to join, ride with the slower group. If the pace holds you back, you can ride with a faster group next time. It may also be helpful to keep a log that records average speed on your rides. Over time, that can help you to better predict your average speed going forward.

When every rider in the group can maintain a common pace, it helps to keep the ride together. That makes the ride easier and more enjoyable for everyone.

Here’s more information to help you choose the right group.

RUDE Ride –  Day – Ongoing

(R) Retired (U) Under- (D) Differently- (E) Employed

This is a social ride, and we roll at a pace that’s appropriate for our group on any given day. We regroup as often as necessary.

Ride start location varies each week. The ride rolls promptly at the start time, so give yourself enough time to unload, sign in and gear up. If you have any questions, feel free to email our RUDE Ride Leader, Harry Thompson.

Remember that all riders are required to wear helmets on all WBC rides. There are no exceptions. If you’re younger than 18, we’ll need a signature from a parent or guardian.

Come on out. It’s time to ride.

Members of Waco Bicycle Club receive emails each week with the start day and time and location of the ride. It’s well worth your membership dues to get Harry’s emails each week.

In general, if you’re not sure which group to join, ride with the slower group. If the pace holds you back, you can ride with a faster group next time. It may also be helpful to keep a log that records average speed on your rides. Over time, that can help you to better predict your average speed going forward.

When every rider in the group can maintain a common pace, it helps to keep the ride together. That makes the ride easier and more enjoyable for everyone.

1st, 2nd, 3rd Saturday Mornings

Location: Harris Creek Baptist Church
McGregor ( Hwy 84 )

Time : Usually 8 AM. But the start time varies depending on the weather – Check email and social media each week to make sure.

3 Groups

3 Groups
A – Drop (20+ average) – 41 mile route with option of 32 mile route
B – Regroup (16-18 average) – 41 mile route with option of 32 mile route
C – No Drop (13-15 average) – 41 mile route with option of 32 mile route

4th and 5th Saturday Mornings

Location: Leave from Downtown Waco. Check email and Facebook for routes and exact start location.

Time : Usually 8 AM. But the start time varies depending on the weather – Check email and social media each week to make sure.

 

 

Guidelines for Road Rides – Safety is Important

Knowing and following these Do’s and Don’ts will keep everyone safer.

  • Don’t cross the centerline.
  • Don’t overlap wheels.
  • Don’t wear ear buds.
  • Don’t ride in aero bars.
  • Don’t suddenly brake unless absolutely necessary.
  • Do choose the right group for your skill & fitness level.
  • Do ride steady and predictable.
  • Do hold your line in the corner. When cornering, take it wide when turning left, and take it as far inside when turning right on blind corners. You never know what’s around the corner.
  • Do gentle braking or use hand signals when beginning to brake.
  • Do use hand signals when making turns.
  • Do shout outs ( car up, car back, passing, walker up, dog, etc).
  • Do point out with hand gestures obstacles & hazards that can’t be seen by riders in the back.
  • Do ride two abreast when safe to do so.
  • Do stay alert and focus on the rider(s) ahead of you.
  • Do pull off or move to the back of the pack to drink or eat.
  • Do follow traffic rules and signs (stop at intersections).
  • Do call out “On Your Left” when passing slower riders (and give them plenty of room).
  • Do know your limitations.

MOUNTAIN BIKES

Sunday

Level: All – No Drop
Time: 2:00 pm
Start: The Redwood Shelter, Cameron Park.
This ride is for all ability levels. The ride may be broken up into separate groups depending on numbers and riders ability. Ride length is usually 9 to 11 miles. Ride time 1.5 to 2 hours. Ride leaders: Scott Littrell ([email protected]) and Rusty Hansgen ([email protected]).

Tuesday and Thursday

Level: Beginner to Intermediate – No Drop
Time:  1 pm (Winter)
9 am (summer)

Helmets and water are required.
Start: The Redwood Shelter, Cameron Park.
The Tuesday and Thursday rides are geared for Beginner to Intermediate riders but all ability levels are welcome. We will select ride routes suitable for the riders ability. We typically ride beginner and intermediate trails. Technical routes can be included as skills merit which can include rooty hard packed trails, switchbacks and rocky climbs. We usually ride 1-1/2 to 2 hours covering 8 to 11 miles but shorter rides can be made to accommodate the riders abilities and time constraints.
Ride leaders: Scott Littrell ([email protected]) and Rusty Hansgen ([email protected])

Weekly rides of various lengths leave from the Redwood Shelter and venture into Waco’s crown jewel of Cameron Park. The park has 20 miles of single track along the banks of the Brazos and Bosque Rivers. Many of the trails venture up and down the drainages leading to the rivers. The trails range from Beginner (green circle), Intermediate (blue Square), Advanced (black diamond) to Expert (double black diamond). Be prepared for technical routes, hard packed trails, roots, switch backs, rock gardens and crazy climbs and descents. ***Please let the ride leader know if you are new to Cameron Park and what your experience level is so the route can be tailored for maximum enjoyment and safety. Helmets and water are mandatory on all rides.

See our Local Waco Mountain Bike Routes page for maps and additional places to ride.

SPONSORS

Thanks to our sponsors for their ongoing support of cycling in Waco.

Gold Spoke Sponsor

Ben E Keith Co

Ben E. Keith Company

Silver Spoke Sponsors

The Bear Mountain Logo

The Bear Mountain

WBC Members receive 10% discount off regularly priced products.

HEB

HEB

Slow Rise Slice House

 

Slow Rise Slice House

Bronze Spoke Sponsors

First National Bank of Central Texas

Holt Getterman

Martin Schwartz