Toronto is a diverse city and, much like the city itself, the cycling scene is a diverse mosaic of cultures and identities. In this post I’ll review a few of the top clubs but I would encourage readers to get out there, try a demo ride with a few different groups. Riding in a group of like-minded people makes this beautiful sport even more exciting.
Dark Horse Flyers Cycling Club
The Dark Horse Flyers Cycling Club has been around since 2007. With over 300 members they participate in fun club rides, road races, charity rides and gran fondos. They are self-labelled Toronto’s friendliest cycling club – give them a try and let us know if you agree!
Morning Glory Cycling Club
With over 900 members MGCC has rides in Leaside, High Park and Oakville every day of the week. They always have a good and lively crowd ranging from those learning to ride to some of the fastest riders around. MGCC gets up early though! Rides start at 5:40 am on weekdays, think you can get up and get going that early?
Midweek Cycling Club
Midweek is re-knowned for their Monday learn-to-race series and the Tuesday night crits. The club’s 100 plus members are focused on racing and bringing more people into the sport of cycling. Midweek is open to all types of riders and the best way to get involved is to go see their Tuesday criterium and strike up a conversation with a member before or after their race.
Toronto Bicycling Network (TBN)
TBN is more in line with those first starting out or less inclined to get involved in racing. Jump into a TBN ride if you are interested in turning your cycling into a social activity. They have rides throughout the cycling season of all sorts of distances and on different terrain including mountain biking in the Don Valley.
Beaches Cycling Club
The Beaches Cycling club started in 2007 and now has over 100 riders who participate in scheduled rides Tuesday through Saturday (plus hill intervals on Thursday). BCC rides are targeted at all levels of rider. There are social rides for novices while the Tuesday advanced ride is fast-paced and focused on training.
Shop rides
D’Ornellas: a well-rounded bike club that brings together enthusiast road riders of various levels. Starting at Lawrence and Victoria Park the rides head north towards Markham.
Bateman’s Cycling Club: a large and active racing team based out of Bathurst and Bloor. Bateman’s riders compete across Ontario in road, cyclocross and mtb throughout all four seasons.
Bikes on Wheels: BOW has mixed and womens only rides that leave their Kensignton Market location. These rides are a tick above novice rides and depending on the day can be very fast.
Blacksmith Cycles: A great group of hardcore bike enthusiasts. Although Blacksmith holds a few scheduled ride your best bet is to drop into their Souranen Street shop and let them know that you would like to join in.
Time to get out there
We are deep into summer and it’s the perfect time of year to get out and join some like-minded and enthusiastic cyclists.
What’s holding you back?
Share with us in the comments below or on twitter. And of course, if we’ve missed your favourite club we want to hear who they are and where they ride.
Two Wheels Together 