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NHBC Frequently Asked Questions

  • What kinds of bike rides does NHBC organize and host?

    • NHBC mostly organizes and hosts road cycling rides.

  • Where can I find more information about NHBC rides?

    • In addition to this website, information about our rides is regularly posted to the New Haven Bike Rides Facebook group. You can also find information about lots of other non-NHBC local rides there.

  • When are the rides? How often do they happen?

    • From March to November, NHBC hosts weekly group rides on Tuesday and Thursday evenings at 5:30 pm, occasional weekend morning rides, as well as special event rides, like the East Rock Century. During the winter months, NHBC hosts weekly Zwift group rides on Thursday evenings, and occasional weekend morning rides, weather permitting.

  • Where do the rides start and end?

    • Tuesday and Thursday evening rides start in the parking lot of Wilbur Cross High School on Orange Street in the East Rock Neighborhood of New Haven, and end at P&M Market (also on Orange Street in East Rock), where riders often gather outside for a post-ride beverage/snack and some socializing. For other, non-regularly-scheduled rides, the start and end point will be specified when the ride is announced.

  • Do I need to be an NHBC member to join a ride?

    • Non-members are welcome to join our rides, but you must sign our waiver on an annual basis even if you don’t join the club.

  • What are the safety and etiquette expectations for NHBC rides?

  • What kind of bike do I need to join an NHBC ride?

    • Most cyclists who join our rides ride road bikes with drop handlebars, but they are not required. There are also cyclists who regularly join our rides with gravel bikes, hybrid/commuter bikes with flat handlebars, and pedal-assist (i.e. Class 1 and 3) e-bikes. It is important to keep in mind that certain types of bikes might not work well for every ride or pace group. For example, you might find it hard to keep up with a faster-paced or a longer distance ride on a gravel or hybrid/commuter bike if others in the group are riding road bikes, but that doesn’t mean you can’t give it a shot.

  • Are there any types of bikes that are not allowed on NHBC rides?

    • Time trial bikes, throttle-assist (i.e. Class 2) e-bikes, and fixed-gear bikes are not allowed on our rides.

  • How long are the rides?

    • Depending on the route and pace group, Tuesday and Thursday rides vary in length from 22-30 miles. Weekend and special event rides vary in length, and are often longer (sometimes up to 100+ miles) depending on the ride. 

  • How fast are the rides?

    • Information about pace groups for Tuesday and Thursday rides is included in the safe group riding slide deck. The pace for other NHBC rides will be specified when a ride is announced.

  • If the pace of a ride is described as being “xx mph average,” what does that mean?

    • This means the average pace over the entire course of a ride relative to the route profile. It does not mean that the group will hold a pace within this range at all times during a ride. For example, if a ride is advertised as “16-18 mph average pace” and the route includes a mix of flat sections, rolling hills, and at least a couple of difficult hill climbs, this means that you might expect to average in the range of 16-30 mph on flat sections, 12-25 mph on rolling sections, 5-10 mph on climbs, and 25-45 mph on descents.

  • How do I know if I am fast enough to keep up with a specific ride or pace group?

    • The best way is to have a sense of your own average pace on a ride you’ve done before that has a similar distance and route profile to the ride you’re thinking of joining (while keeping in mind that the benefit of the draft will usually enable you to ride a bit faster in a group than you can by yourself). The best way to measure average pace is by using a bike computer or a fitness tracking app like Strava, which can be downloaded onto a smartphone. If you’re really unsure or don’t have access to either of those resources, it’s always a good idea to join a slower-paced group the first time, and if that one feels too slow for you, step up to a faster group next time.

  • What does it mean if a ride is a “drop or “no drop” ride?

    • A “drop” ride is one where the group will not stop and wait for you if you can’t keep up with the pace. On this type of ride, you must make sure to know the route in advance so that you can finish the ride on your own if you get dropped. A “no drop” ride is one where the group will moderate its pace and/or stop and wait periodically to make sure that everyone stays together and finishes the ride as a group. 

  • How many people typically attend the rides?

    • During the best weather months (May-September), upwards of 80+ cyclists attend Tuesday night rides, while Thursdays are typically less well-attended, usually maxing out at 30-40 cyclists. On weekend rides the groups are often pretty small, maxing out at about 10-20 riders.

  • Do I need to be a certain age to join the rides?

    • You must be at least 18 years old to sign the waiver and join an NHBC ride. Beyond that, we regularly have cyclists of all ages join our rides, from folks fresh out of high school to 70+ year-olds. If you are under 18 and would like to learn more about youth cycling opportunities in Connecticut, contact the Connecticut Cycling Advancement Program (CCAP).

  • I am completely new to cycling. Can I join one of your rides?

    • Yes! On the last Tuesday of each month we host a casual beginner’s ride that is shorter in distance and slower in pace than all of our standing pace groups. This ride is geared toward cyclists who might be new to cycling in general, or who haven’t ridden bikes in a group before and feel unsure about it. If you are looking for a more regular ride at a beginner’s pace and distance, you might consider joining the Wednesday evening ice cream ride (not hosted by NHBC), which meets at the flagpole on the New Haven Green for a 6:00 pm departure during the summer months.

  • I am interested in local mountain bike and gravel group rides. Where do I find more information about them?

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