Mission

The Charlottesville Bicycle Club is a group of cyclists dedicated to riding as often as we can the hills, valleys, and occasionally the mountains of the greater Charlottesville region.  Membership is open to all.

Club rides take advantage of some of the most scenic terrain in the Eastern United States, from the softly rolling Virginia Piedmont, to the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, to the iconic ridge rides on the Blue Ridge Parkway and in Shenandoah National Park.  We look forward to you exploring this beautiful place with us from the best seats available… our bike saddles.

History

More than 30 years ago, the Charlottesville Bicycle Club began as a loosely-organized circle of friends with the goal of arranging safe group bike rides throughout our region. The club also has maintained a website with detailed maps and cue sheets, along with valuable information about the cycling scene.  This site has become the go-to resource for local and visiting cyclists about riding in this great region.

The Great Pandemic of 2020-2021 had a major impact on the club’s activities. Regularly scheduled rides were suspended. During the break, however, some members decided to reimagine what the club could become. The result is the launch of “Charlottesville Bicycle Club 2.0.” The “new” club is now incorporated as a 501(c)7, volunteer, member supported, non-profit organization. Modest dues will support the club’s ongoing activities, and provide members with multiple benefits, including liability and excess medical insurance, access to a Ride With GPS Club Account, discounts, and other member-only features (see Member Benefits).

CBC has also expanded its mission to support riders and groups of different interests, speeds, and abilities.  The calendar is starting with weekly Saturday rides, but new club events, including gravel routes and rides of all classifications, are being developed and will be added to the calendar soon.  With our new, interactive website, we hope to bring our vibrant cycling community together so that everyone – especially new riders and riders new to the area – can enjoy the incredible benefits of group cycling. 

The club has transitioned to a membership-based organization, but its commitment to serve the needs of the local cycling community at large remains unchanged. So, this new website will continue to provide free route suggestions and riding information for members, guests, and visitors interested in learning about cycling in the greater Charlottesville area. To unlock all the club benefits, please consider joining us as a member.

The Charlottesville Bicycle Club is a proud member of The League of American Bicyclists.

Requirements For Riders

Wearing a properly fitted helmet is mandatory for all riders; lights, a rear-view mirror, and wearable identification, such as a Road ID (see discount here), are highly recommended.  You are also expected to have adequate fluids and a road-worthy bicycle in good repair.  Many rides, but not all, will include the opportunity to stop at a store to replenish supplies.

To help you find the right group ride, scheduled rides are rated according to pace, terrain, and distance, as described in CBC’s Ride Classification guidelines.  If you are just getting started, also see the New Rider Information page for suggestions.  These resources will help you match up with other riders with comparable interests, so you can best enjoy all the great benefits of group club riding. 

You should be able to fix a flat tire and perform other minor repairs on the roadside.  If you are new to cycling and are not comfortable with these procedures, don’t let that stop you.  However, you should talk to a more experienced member before the ride so the group is prepared to help if necessary.  

Safety On The Road

The club considers safety to be our very highest priority.  Please review the information on the Bicycling Safety page before you join us for a ride.

We hope that you will find this site helpful; your questions and comments are welcomed.

Virginia Law