Cycling in the
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Local Group Rides

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Ride Descriptions

Important Note: All group rides listed are open to the public. You do not need to be a member of the club to participate. Everyone is welcome! Everyone rides at their own risk. See the disclaimer at the bottom of the page. Please ride safely, and wear a helmet. See the table below for suggested ride start times (based upon the time of year). We also have a list of rides outside of Oshkosh in the greater fox cities. See below.

Tues. Ladies • Tues. • Wed. • Thur. Mix Up • Sat. • Sun.

Ride Start Times • Other Fox Cities Rides

Tuesday Ladies Trail Ride

A casual Tuesday night Ladies ride has formed. If you're a woman and interested in a sixteen to twenty mile no-drop ride, this ride is for you. The ride starts at 5:30 PM (not 6 PM). Following the ride, the group has enjoyed wine and conversation. As the start location changes from week to week, please contact Carol at the Oshkosh Cyclery (231-2211) if you are interested in joining the ride.

Tuesday Ride

Beginning 5/10/2011, this ride will start at The Bicycle Outlet. The ride starts at the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Lot at 9th & Westhaven.

It is not a "no drop" ride, but it will be geared towards keeping the group together. After all, that's why it's called a "group ride." We will focus on building riding skills and fitness incorporating different focuses throughout the season -- group etiquette, riding "smart", pace-lining, etc. We'll even try to work in some interval workouts.

This is not a casual ride, but it won't be a race either. The pace will be based upon who's riding.

The idea of keeping the group together allows us to vary the routes from week to week without getting people lost. We don't need maps, or known routes, we can just wing it. This ride will be a chance experience the beautiful roads in the greater Oshkosh area.

If the group gets too large to manage, we will split into multiple groups and have a group leader for each group. The group leader role is to make sure the group rides at a smooth pace, keeps weaker riders protected, monitors who is getting left behind and makes sure everyone know where they are going. Ride rules include:

  • The ride will average 18 to 22 mph (but will be based upon who rides, so don't be intimidated). But, if done right, someone who typically rides a little slower could easily manage the pace. The pace will be dictated by who shows up and what the plan for the night is.
  • We will ride as a GROUP -- typically in a 2x2 formation that is tight. This helps form a better draft pocket for the riders behind you.
  • It is NOT a "go out and hammer to show everyone how fast you can go up the hill" ride. If you chose to attack the group, you will be on your own. You can do that at any of the other race pace group rides in the area.
  • There will not be any sprints from the stop signs, and we will regroup after intersections or hills if anyone gets separated.
  • Before the ride leaves, a leader is established that suggests the route and keeps the ride in order. There can be a different leader each night as there will hopefully be some "regulars" that show each week.

If this sounds good to you then come on out and join us for a Training Ride. suggested ride start times (based upon the time of year).

Questions about the ride should be directed to Josh at The Bicycle Outlet at (920) 230-4668.

Wednesday Ride

The Wheel & Sprocket Wednesday night bike ride is designed to provide cyclists of all abilities the opportunity to ride in a friendly and encouraging atmosphere. Cyclists are encouraged to push their fellow riders to do their best and to invite new cyclists to the ride.

Meet at Wheel & Sprocket (1451 S. Washburn Street, Oshkosh). The ride starts in the parking lot behind the shop. Arrive 10 to 15 minutes early to allow yourself time to setup. This year a stop will be added at the 20th Avenue YMCA to pick up riders using the drop in childcare program there. See the calendar for ride start times (typically 6 PM).

The pace of the ride remains under 18 mph until Clairville Road crosses over Highway 44. The ride tends to break into four groups after that point:

  • 21+ mph average
  • 18 - 20 mph average
  • 14 - 17 mph average
  • social pace

The same bike route is generally used each week. See the blue route on the Wednesday Rides Map. 20-mile (green) and 12-mile (orange) routes are also available. If riders can't keep up with the pace of their group, feel free to drop back and ride with the group behind you. Faster riders often take some or all of the purple extensions. The Waukau one is the most common of the three.

This ride starts at 5:30 (early and late in the season) or 6:00 PM. See ride start times for the specifics.

Contact Wheel & Sprocket for more details about this ride. The shop number is (920) 232-0900.

YMCA childcare during the ride. Wheel & Sprocket is excited to announce that they have teamed up with the 20th Avenue YMCA to offer drop in childcare during the ride. Cost is $5 per child and is available every Wednesday from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm.

Post Ride Cook-out. On the FIRST Wednesday of each month, Wheel & Sprocket will be serving free burgers, chips and salads following the ride. It is Wheel & Sprocket's way of saying THANK YOU for joining us.

Thursday - New Road Rider "Mix Up" Night

This group ride is specifically designed to support and develop of new road riders. This ride starts at Oshkosh Cyclery. This is an Oshkosh Cyclery ride. Contact the shop for details and specifics. Anyone who has thought about road riding in a group should feel welcome at the Thursday night new road rider night. We know that a large group a spandex-clad cyclist can be intimidating to new riders. A little bit of knowledge will help you gain the confidence you need. Come on Thursday nights to learn how to ride safely and efficiently in a group. This is a no-drop ride with the slower group going around 10 mph and the faster group going up to 15 mph.

This is a ride for new riders to learn to become safe and effective riders enter our sport, but also so that our sport can safely and successfully move forward, survive, and grow.

Experienced Road riders interested in passing on their knowledge, experience, and skills to new road riders are asked to join the ride. The focus of the ride will be on teaching new road riders how to safely and effectively ride and train in a group road bike ride. As these new riders develop in the sport they will be able to teach other new riders what they have learned. This process will help to maintain the long-term vitality of our sport. See suggested ride start times (based upon the time of year).

Saturday Morning Ride

8:00 AM - Oakwood School (Oakwood and Omro). A moderate paced ride (16 to 18 MPH on road bike) geared towards endurance. Distance - about 40 miles in Spring, then gets a bit longer each week. The route is based on the wind. People that don't have time to ride long are encouraged to join in for as long as they can. If you're thinking about riding this ride for the first time, check the calendar for specifics!

Sunday Morning Ride

8:00 AM - Oakwood School (Oakwood rd. & Old Omro Rd). The route tends to be based on the wind. The distance tends to about 40 miles. It's a laid back conversational paced ride (about 16ish MPH on a road bike). If you're thinking about riding this ride for the first time, check the calendar for specifics!

Suggested Ride Start Times

Below are suggested ride times based upon the time of the year and the amount of sunset. The schedule is only a suggestion but is intended to give people a 2 hour window and to keep you safe. The latest sunset days of the year in Oshkosh are from June 22 - June 29 when sunset comes at 8:41 PM. Sunrise information is available here (among many other places).

Dates - Evening Rides Suggested Start
to the third Sunday in April 5:30 PM
After the third Sunday in April to and including Labor Day 6:00 PM
After Labor Day 5:30 PM

Other Local Rides

Beyond the rides in Oshkosh, here's a list of rides in the greater Fox Cities area. They are organized by the day of the week. Note: See the Fox Cities Tri Club forum for the Group Ride Clearinghouse post. Appleton cyclist can also look at the Facebook Appleton Biking Group wall.

Oshkosh Cycling Club does not sponsor any group bike rides or events and is not responsible for any harm, injury or damage to person(s) or property that may occur during any such group bike rides or events. Anyone taking part in such group bike rides or events thereby waive, release and dismiss all claims from damages and personal injury which may incur before, during or after the above named group bike rides or events, against any and all Oshkosh Cycling Club officers and members.

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Page last updated on 2011-05-14.