Riding Just for Fun
The majority of the riding we do are our “club rides.” This is when our members get together and go for a ride for fun and adventure. Club rides are open to all our members.
Many of our youth choose to only participate in our club rides, and not enter any formal races. This group makes up about half of our members!
Our mission is to get more kids on bikes, and the most important way we do that is by keeping it fun. We’re happy to have this group of kids riding with us!
Who can Join
Our club is open to boys and girls in the Greater Rochester area from grades 5 – 12. Your are not required to race as a member of RYCC, but to be covered by our insurance, we require all our riders to be registered with NICA NY.
Where We Ride
RYCC holds regular club rides at many parks in the Rochester area. Tryon Park and Irondequoit Bay Park West are two regulars since they’re centrally located. We also make regular visits to Dryer Road park. Occasionally we venture out to Ontario County Park. When the weather is less cooperative we may choose to ride at Seneca Park, the Auburn Trail, or the Erie Canal Towpath.
Many of our families choose to carpool to make the logistics of getting to the parks easier.
Ride Format
During our club rides we help the youth riders break into groups with similar skill levels and a similar goal for their ride.
Some groups want to ride fast and hard and “thrash” the technical trails, others want some fresh air and quiet on a more leisurely ride. And many kids change their preference from ride to ride.
Each group will have at least of of our more senior “Level 2” coaches leading, and will usually have at least one other coach helping. We ride with one coach leading, and the other coach “sweeping” at the rear of the group.
No-Pressure Riding
We hold club rides all year long. Some of our members want to ride in any conditions – even dark snowy nights! Some of our members want to ride when it’s “nice out”. Members can come to whichever club rides they think they’ll enjoy. This is about giving kids an opportunity to ride, not an obligation to ride.
Skill Development
Most of the skill development takes place on the trails during these club rides. The coaches will be observing and giving feedback during every ride. Some rides might start out with a particular skill that we’re focusing on. This ensures that every time we ride, we all get a little better.
We also teach our riders to inspect their bikes before each ride for mechanical issues, and we teach repair and maintenance clinics so riders can keep their equipment in good working order.
Road Trips
Our club is focused on bikes and fun. While most of our riding is done locally, we do make a few exceptions.
We plan an overnight trip to Ray’s Indoor Mountain Bike Park in Cleveland, Ohio twice each season during the Winter months.
There may also be other events, camps, and races that may pop up from time to time that we may choose to attend as a club.
WheN We Ride
Our 2026 Schedule is:
- January through March
- Sundays: 45 minute spin class 10:00 am at Vault Rochester
- Thursdays: Outdoor ride 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm (lights required)
- April through June
- Thursdays: Outdoor ride 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm
- Saturdays: Outdoor ride 9:30 am – 11:00 am
- July through December
- Tuesdays: Outdoor ride 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm (lights required October through December)
- Saturdays: Outdoor ride 9:30 am – 11:00 am
Riders are asked to be at each ride 15 minutes before the start so they have time to prepare their bikes for an on-time start. We have a brief wrap-up meeting after each ride where we evaluate the ride and discuss any club business.
Our youth riders are welcome to come to as many of these outdoor rides and spin classes as they would like, where they can ride with friends while honing their skills under the guidance of our registered coaches.
When to Join
The club rides all year round, so this is the perfect time to contact us and see what we’re about. Prospective members can join us on a ride and see if RYCC is a good fit.