Biking Buddies: Columbus Cycling Groups Can Help Keep Riders Motivated

When warm weather returns to Columbus, so does the appeal of cycling. To stay motivated, however, it helps to have some company—in particular, a group of fellow riders to teach you the ropes, keep you safe and make the miles more fun. Here are four Central Ohio cycling clubs to consider joining this spring.  

Outdoor Pursuits

Participants: About 1,000 members 

Cost: $25-$30 memberships  

Website: outdoor-pursuits.org  

Description: During the cycling season, this nonprofit sponsors several weekly rides throughout the region for a variety of cyclists, from beginners to hardcore road warriors. In addition, Outdoor Pursuits is well-known for its three mega-tours: the Tour of the Scioto River Valley (TOSRV), the Great Ohio Bicycle Adventure (GOBA) and the Across Ohio Bicycle Adventure (XOBA). “We’re anything for anybody—a one-stop shop where you can find your people,” says Jeff Stephens, the organization’s executive director.  

Nocterra Mountain Bike Team

Participants: About 100 (15-20 typically at group rides) 

Cost: Free 

Website: nocterrabrewing.com/mountain-bike-team  

Description: Nocterra Brewing Co. is revamping its mountain bike team this year. When the brewery’s new Scioto Audubon Metro Park taproom and restaurant opens—projected to occur this spring—its club will gather there once or twice a month for rides to nearby Berliner Park, where team members will do a lap or two on the park’s mountain bike trail before returning to the brewery for a social hour.  

Major Taylor Cycling Club of Columbus

Participants: More than 75 members 

Cost: $50 annual, $100 family or $500 lifetime membership fees  

Website: mtcc1979.com  

Description: This group, which started in 1979, is the first cycling club in the country to name itself in honor of Marshall “Major” Taylor, the first African American cycling champion. All are welcome to join the club, which during the cycling season hosts Wednesday evening rides and longer rides on the weekend at several locations around Central Ohio. The club also sponsors the Major Taylor Cycling Club Signature Ride every September, which attracts folks from other Major Taylor clubs around the country.  

Black Girls Do Bike Columbus

Participants: More than 500 members (about 50 regular riders) 

Cost: Free 

Website: facebook.com/groups/BlackGirlsDoBikeColumbusOH  

Description: Founder Bertie Fields started the local chapter of Black Girls Do Bike in 2014 with eight cycling friends. It’s a year-round group, hosting Zoom calls in the winter to stay connected and Wednesday and weekend rides during the cycling season. What’s more, the group offers special trips to Granville, Akron and Buckeye Lake; a cancer awareness ride in October and low-key fun rides, including one that ended with line dancing last year. “We aim to be inclusive to all levels of riders,” Fields says. 

This story is from the March 2024 issue of Columbus Monthly.