Central Ohio Bike Clubs

Click the names of any of these groups to be linked to their website or Facebook pages.

The Major Taylor Cycling Club of Columbus, Ohio, is the oldest urban cycling club in the United States riding in Marshall Major Taylor's name.  So named because of Major Taylor’s accomplishments in cycling and his overall character.  Founded in 1978, the club exists today as a multi-racial, growing club focused on developing its members as safe, strong, and community-focused riders.  All of the club founders are still actively involved in the club's growth.  The attached photo illustrates two events:  one, a group ride's start in 1984, the second a group ride starting in 2018.  Http://majortaylorcycling.org 

Black Girl’s Do Bike was founded in 2013 by Monica Godfrey in Pittsburgh, Pa. Black Girl’s do Bike is a National and International  organization with over 108 chapters including the UK.   Black Girl’s Do Bike is interested in growing and supporting a community of women of color who share a passion for cycling. They champion efforts to introduce the joy of cycling to all women, but especially, black women and girls. They are establishing a comfortable place where female cyclists can support, advise, organize meet-ups/rides and promote skill-sharing. BGDB shares positive images of ladies and their bikes that affirm the truth that black girls do indeed bike! They also support bike advocacy, awareness, education and safety in all communities and corners of the world.  The Columbus Chapter of Black Girl’s Do Bike was founded in August of 2014 by Bertie Fields. They currently have 560+ members.  In addition to riding they participate in supporting those in need in our community. 

CycleNuts is an alternative cycling touring experience, where seeing and socializing take priority over speed and (ugh!) sweat.  Join them on bikeway touring adventures to destinations near and far as they strive to create bikeway touring opportunities for casual cyclists and cyclists interested in casual cycling to enjoy together.  CycleNuts tours explore Ohio as well as several other states.  If there is a bikeway, there is an adventure waiting.  

Outdoor Pursuits is a volunteer-driven, nonprofit organization devoted to providing inclusive opportunities for outdoor recreation and adventure. Our shared experiences promote the health of participants, teach responsible enjoyment of the outdoors, and strengthen community. We strive to expand equitable access to the outdoors and to foster environmental stewardship.

Outdoor Pursuits was established in 1939 as the Columbus chapter of American Youth Hostels, which operated up to 9 hostels in the 40s. Activities included bicycling, boating, hiking/backpacking, caving and rock climbing. Outdoor Pursuits disaffiliated from AYH in 1995 and changed its name to Columbus Outdoor Pursuits. Current activities include bicycling, boating and hiking/backpacking. The bicycle activities include Tour of the Scioto River Valley (TOSRV) since 1962, a 2-day 210 mile bike tour to Portsmouth, Great Ohio Bicycle Adventure (GOBA) since 1989, a week-long family-oriented tour of Ohio towns, Cross Ohio Bicycle Adventure (XOBA) since 1998, a week-long tour across the state with longer distances per day than GOBA, and several other day tours with multiple distance options up to 100 mile centuries. Outdoor Pursuits also has weekly rides with experienced ride leaders who welcome new riders and leave no one behind. Other bicycle events include urban park and historical site tours and self-contained overnight bike tours.

Pickerington Bike Club (PBC): This club was formed in 2012 when the Bicycle One Pickerington bike shop ride was discontinued, but six participants wanted to continue riding together.  At their core, PBC is about community and comradery.  The club is just eight years old, but over those years, the club has grown from its original six members, to well over 60 active riders.  They are a blend of all levels of riders as most clubs are, but it’s the personalities in the groups that make even the most painful rides memorable.  You never know you, may even be a part of a George Chatters group ride vibe.  What makes PBC special is the way they have rallied together to support their members during times of need.  A, B and C pace riders are welcome and there are designated rides for each group.  If you are looking for a club and are on the east side, drop in and take us for a test ride. 

Scioto Cycle Club:  This club began in May of 2018.   Rides are every Sunday morning from April 15th - October 15th. Scioto rides are divided into three ability groups. “A” group at 19+ mph, “B” group at 15 - 18 mph and a “C” group that is less then 15 mph. We ride from Northern Columbus, Dublin, Powell area and Westerville, New Albany area on alternating weeks. Mileage varies slightly, but usually about a 2.5 hour ride each week. Liability waiver and helmet required. 

Steady Pedaling of Columbus was founded by Marcus Carmon in 2014.  Their mission is to promote fitness, fellowship and fun.  Steady Pedaling has 200+ members of diverse ages, race, culture and economic backgrounds.  Rides are scheduled and consistent: Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday unless interrupted by weather. 

The Cycling Club For over 20 years a group of road cyclists from New Albany, Granville, Westerville, Bexley and other neighboring towns would launch weekend rides from New Albany. The club would host 2 or 3 organized rides a week between April and October. We deliberately avoided calling the club the “New Albany Cycling Club” because many of our best buddies live outside New Albany, and we aspire to be bigger than the city limits… we are about an attitude and an experience, that transcends location.

Trailblazers is a co-ed cycling group whose primary mission is to promote a healthy lifestyle through camaraderie and cycling safely.  Trailblazers was founded in 2017 by Helen Wilks, Leslie Belle and Victor Watson Jr.  The group blazes the way for all riders to develop their cycling skills and confidence.  With Trailblazers, beginner riders can learn the principles of cycling etiquette and safety while veteran riders can strengthen their riding skills, log in more miles of experience and transition into other cycling groups.  Whether it is your first, or you have too many miles under your saddle to mention, Trailblazers is a dynamic and supportive group of cyclists who are motivated to improve in athleticism and to keep cranking on!

Westerville Bicycle Club (WBC): The WBC is a nonprofit recreational and touring club for bicyclists of all ages and abilities. For four decades, the Westerville Bicycle Club has been the source of cycling pleasure for hundreds of bicyclists.

If you are a new rider who enjoys cycling or want to get more involved in the sport, the Westerville Bicycle Club will introduce you to group riding: the quickest, easiest, safest way to learn more about bicycling. You will benefit from the diverse riding styles and social interaction of some of Central Ohio’s most experienced riders. You’ll not only have the opportunity to participate in a wide variety of rides but also learn more about maintenance/repair, accessory selection, and safe riding techniques.

If you are already an experienced rider, the WBC offers you new challenges. We have a very active ride schedule that includes weekend rides throughout the year, Wednesday evening rides from April through September, Monday morning rides between 50 and 60 miles. Most of our rides have distance options so they appeal to all skill levels; and are routed using quiet, back roads away from heavy traffic. Many members enjoy group trips to out-of-town/state organized rides. The WBC sponsors its own organized century tour, the Dry Run Tour each September. This is a fun, volunteer supported effort that involves many club members. Also throughout the entire year, the WBC Social Committee is busy putting together events to bring the members together off the bicycle which in the past have included: dinners, pizza parties, backyard cook-outs, picnics, winter hikes, cross country ski, and an annual Winter Banquet. 

'First Dates' ride recap

Ride leader Aliceanne Inskeep introduces the ride with her sweetie, Ken Cohen. Photo credit: Keith Mayton

A big Yay Bikes! thanks to Aliceanne for a fantastic ride! 

Aliceanne Inskeep put together a lovely ride for October's Year of Yay!, during which we recreated her first date with Ken Cohen. Our group of 20ish traveled 17 miles on a perfect 70-degree day, exploring downtown Westerville together.

Our group kicked off by rolling through friendly neighborhood roads and making our way towards Westerville. Once we arrived, we dismounted at the Westerville Bike Shop and took the next 40 minutes to explore State Street's shops, cafes and bakeries—and people definitely took advantage! 

Spooky cyclist @ Westerville Bike Shop. Photo credit: Keith Mayton

YUM! Photo credit: Keith Mayton

We then took our two-wheelin' selves and made way to Westerville Cemetery (Of course! Because all good first dates include a cemetery visit!). We learned that Benjamin Russell Hanby, a composer in the 1850s who wrote the classic Christmas song "Up on the Housetop", was buried there. After a bit of a history lesson from Aliceanne and a failed attempt singing the song as a group, we headed back to our starting point.

We made a quick stop to take a group picture at the Alum Creek park amphitheater. The way back was spent mostly on the Alum Creek trail.

'New Americans' ride recap

New Americans was the theme for this Year of Yay! ride, which exposed us to the lives of people who are not from this country. The people we encountered on this day were mostly new to the ways of American tradition and customs. Sometimes in order to understand people, you must jump knee deep in their culture, and that's just what we did. All in all, the ride went beautifully! The route went through various easy-going neighborhoods with kids waving and good vibes.

Who needs Morse Rd?!?! Photo credit: Pete Heiss

The weather was nice and the riders were ready. The day graced us with temps in the 70s perfectly fitting for the 17.9-mile ride ahead of us. The first stop on our cruise was Global Mall, a marketplace where you can find several different imported goods and gifts. Along the aisles, you could purchase colorful Somali garments, ceramics and even groceries that you wouldn't find in a conventional supermarket.

Perusing the Global Mall. Photo credit: Keith Lugs

Ride leader Nancy Niemuth considers a garment. Photo credit: Keith Lugs

Next up was Masjid As-Salaamah, a mosque on Cleveland Avenue where Madhi Warsama was nice enough to speak to us about their place of worship, Islam and the daily life of Muslim people. He even let us take a peek in the men's prayer hall! He closed out with giving us info about various CAIR (Council on American-Islamic Relations) Central Ohio activities and programs.

Hearing from Madhi Warsama Masjid at As-Salaamah, a mosque on Cleveland Avenue. Photo credit: Keith Lugs

The last stop on our journey was the Columbus Global Academy, which houses the Columbus City School district's ESL (English as a Second Language) programs, which teach young immigrants to speak English. The principal wasn't available to speak, so our ride leader, Nancy Niemuth, talked to us in-depth about what the program entails and how it impacts the lives of students.

At the Columbus Global Academy to learn about their ESL program. Photo credit: Pete Heiss

Thanks to everyone who joined us for the adventure, and especially Keith and Pete, who captured it so beautifully in picture and video, and Nancy for creating such a fascinating experience. See you next month!