Cycling is often a solitary pursuit that can bring peace, focus, introspection, and determination. Sometimes, though, it can get a bit lonely out there. Fortunately, there are many bike clubs and weekly and monthly group rides in the Inland Northwest where you can pedal with others.
Road Rides
Whether in Spokane or North Idaho, you can hook up with a road ride almost every day of the week through bike shops and clubs. Spokane Bicycle Club, established in 1985, is a “recreational bike club that wants to have fun and be healthy,” says club president Gerry Bergstrom. They offer casual, long-distance, and fast-paced road rides, and a handful of other rides. Pend Oreille Pedalers in Sandpoint coordinates a variety of rides around the area. There are also bike groups, like the all-ladies Baskets and Belles, who host regular rides.
Mountain Bike Rides
Bike shops and clubs host regular mountain bike rides throughout the week around the Inland Northwest, and many involve post-ride get togethers. Coeur d’Alene Bike Co. follows up its Wednesday evening Canfield Mountain rides with burgers and brews, alternating weeks at The Post Ride and Slate Creek Brewing Company. Spokane N’ Suds Biking Group posts regular group rides on its Facebook page, naturally followed by “a beer and chill.”
Cruiser and Full Moon Rides
Cruiser rides involve vintage and modern cruiser bikes cruising comfortably around town, and often stopping for beer, ice cream, coffee, or other provisions. Most are also open to other casually-pedaled bikes. After a few brews, the Valley Clunkers Vintage Bicycle Club rolls out of English Setter Brewing Company on Sullivan in Spokane Valley around 3:30 p.m. on the third Sunday each month. Check out CDA Cruiser Ride and BikeCDA on Facebook for rides happening around the Coeur d’Alene area.
Full moon rides occur monthly on the evening of a full moon and are highly social events that typically begin or end with beer. The Full-moon Bike Club (FBC) in Sandpoint is part of a national club that started in St. Louis and expanded across North America. Their Full Moon Fiasco rides meet at Eichardt’s Pub and routes vary. You can follow the Lake City Lunar Landers for info about its full moon rides around Coeur d’Alene, where they “check out everyone’s sick bikes and enjoy the fresh lunar breeze in our hair,” according to co-organizer Corrie Bouchard.
Adventure and Gravel Rides
A gravel or adventure ride follows a combination of pavement and gravel or trail routes, and can utilize gravel bikes, which are road bikes with bigger tires. Trek Bicycle Store in Coeur d’Alene holds a monthly ride through their Hilly Nilly Gravel Series. This year, Mojo Cyclery in Spokane Valley will be launching weekend adventure rides. Check websites for details. //
Group Ride Schedule
As summer heats up, group ride times and locations may change and rides may be added and others canceled, so check the shop or club website or Facebook page for current information.
Mondays
- The Bike Hub Road Ride, Spokane, 6 p.m.
- Spokane Bicycle Club Traditional Road Ride, location varies, 10 a.m.
- Spokane Bicycle Club Paved Trail Ride, location varies, 10 a.m.
- North Division Bicycle Shop Mountain Bike Ride, alternating Spokane trailheads, 7 p.m.
Tuesdays
- Mojo Cyclery No-Drop Road Ride, Spokane, 6 p.m.
- Badlands Cycling Club Intervals Road Ride, Spokane, 5:15 p.m.
- Coeur d’Alene Bike Co. No-Drop Road Ride, Coeur d’Alene, 5:15 p.m.
- Vertical Earth Canfield Mountain Bike Ride, Coeur d’Alene, 6:30 p.m.
- Spokane Bicycle Club Scenic Ride, location varies, 9 or 10 a.m.
- Greasy Fingers Bikes N’ Repair Mountain Bike Rides, Sandpoint, 5 p.m.
Wednesdays
- The Bike Hub Humpday Road Ride, Spokane, 6 p.m.
- Two Wheeler Dealer Road Ride, Hayden, 6 p.m.
- Spokane Bicycle Club Women’s Ride, location varies, evenings
- Coeur d’Alene Bike Co. Burgers, Bikes, and Brews, Canfield Mountain, Coeur d’Alene, 5 p.m.
- Evergreen East Millwood Brewery/Beacon Hill Mountain Bike Rides, 6 p.m.
Thursdays
- Wheel Sport South Road Ride, Spokane, 6 p.m.
- North Division Bicycle Shop Fast Tempo Road Ride, Spokane, evenings
- Badlands Cycling Club Intervals Ride, Spokane, 5:15 p.m.
- Wheel Sport Valley Mountain Bike Ride, alternating Spokane trailheads
- Wheel Sport Central E-Bike Ride, Spokane
Fridays
- Spokane Bicycle Club Women’s Ride, location varies, 10 a.m.
Saturdays
- North Division Bicycle Shop Non-Stop Road Ride, Spokane, mornings
- Vertical Earth, Coeur d’Alene Road Ride, 8 a.m.
- Two Wheeler Dealer Road Ride, Hayden, 8 a.m.
- Spokane Bicycle Club Steady to Brisk Ride, location varies, 9 or 10 a.m.
- Spokane Bicycle Club Steady and Leisurely Ride, location varies, 9 or 10 a.m. //
S. Michal Bennett is a freelance writer living and playing in North Idaho. She has recently penned articles in Out There Outdoors on the topics of spring cooking, DIY sprouting, a vibrant 92-year-old skier, and joining a community garden.
Feature photo: Courtesy of Jaime Rees
Originally published in the May 2018 print edition of Out There Outdoors under the title “Make Riding a Social Event This Summer.”
