Wednesday Night Group Rides

Spin Lakewood's Wednesday Night Group Ride (Road Bikes)

Our Wednesday Night Group Ride (WNGR) has been a venue for road cyclists of all abilities to ride together for close to two decades. Running from the first Wednesday in May through September. Whether you're an experienced racer looking for a solid training ride, or a beginner looking to learn the pack skills necessary to progress in the discipline of road cycling; the goal of WNGR is to provide a venue and a system that helps people learn, while encouraging them to progress.

To that end, we have always offered multiple groups of various speeds. The idea is that people work their way up and achieve their goals in the sport (whatever they may be). We have seen total beginners progress all the way up to becoming A Ride leaders and accomplished racers, and we are proud of what the WNGR has achieved. Here are the rules, followed by the descriptions of the various groups – 

Ride Rules – 

• Don’t drop down from a faster group then push the pace – Want to go fast? That’s what the faster groups are for. Can't keep up? A slower group is not far behind.
• Respect the Ride Leaders – They'll be identified before your group leaves the shop. They're here for your safety!
• Follow the law – Don’t run red lights. Don’t blatantly jump stop signs. You’re representing more than just yourself out there. Be a good ambassador for the sport.
• If your group is too big, it will be split  –  Usually no more than ten riders is best. 
• Bring lights (front and back) – We often finish close to dark. It’s the law, and good sense.
• Cover that dome – Helmets are required. 
• Be cool – Motorists may not always be, but road rage is lame. Don’t be lame.
• Don’t be a jerk – Follow this rule and everything will work out fine. It’s supposed to be fun; let’s keep it that way!

Group Descriptions –

A Ride – 6:10pm Depart

The WNR A-Ride has the reputation of being one of the fastest rides in the area. Populated by active racers and strong enthusiasts, this ride is challenging and at times cut-throat. This is a drop ride and while the group waits for mechanicals and flats, there is no waiting for weakness. Being comfortable at close quarters and group ride etiquette are assumed skills.

Speed Limit: None (ride sometimes hits 30mph on the flats and cruises in the mid to high 20s)

Drop Ride: Yes

Attacks: Yes

Distance: 35-50 miles (depending on daylight)

B Ride – 6:12pm Depart

A little slower than the first ride, the B Ride is a place for people comfortable in a group to ride together and work together. This ride is NO DROP meaning they will regroup at certain points along the route, NOT that they must wait for slower riders unable to keep up. You should understand group etiquette and have ridden in a pack before. Please don’t join this group and push the pace, that’s what the faster group is for.

Speed Limit: 24mph on flats roads

Drop Ride: No

Attacks: No

Distance: 30-40 miles (depending on daylight)

C Ride – 6:16pm Depart

The C Ride is a place for people who are comfortable riding road bikes, but don’t have a ton of experience with a group. This is not a place for ego. If you need guidance, you will be given some. The C Ride is a springboard to becoming a better road rider, and often populated by experienced riders who just don’t want to throw down all the time. Please don’t join this group and push the pace, that’s what the faster groups are for.

Speed Limit: 22mph on the flats

Drop Ride: No

Attacks: No

Distance: 30-40 miles (depending on daylight)

D Ride – 6:20pm Depart

The D group is for the beginner, or the person looking to just chill and spin. On this ride you will learn basic group etiquette and build the pack skills you must have to participate in the other groups. If you get instruction, you better listen as it is for your own safety (and everyone else’s). If you’re too fast for this group no worries, but if you’ve never been on a group ride before we ask you to do it once or twice just so you’re equipped with the knowledge and skills you’ll need in the faster groups.

Speed Limit: 20mph on the flats

Drop Ride: No

Attacks: Absolutely not!

Distance: 20-35 miles (depending on daylight)