Texas - Arlington/UTA-Area cyclists?

Hey everyone! Fairly new to riding (last few months) and looking for people to ride with around the Arlington area. I've seen the UNT club on here and was wondering if there is anything at UTA or in this area. Thanks! :thumb:

Bike Friendly Arlington (https://www.facebook.com/bikefriendlyarlington) (Facebook group) is one place to start. If you can get to Fort Worth there are several rides that start from here.

The Fort Worth Bicycling Association frequently holds group rides in the Arlington area. Usually toward the south side heading toward Mansfield and Joe Pool Lake. http://http://fwbaclub.org/ (http://http//fwbaclub.org/)

(http://http//fwbaclub.org/)

I think there's a cycling club at UTA, although race oriented- I used to have the guy on facebook, don't see him there now, though.

I think there's a cycling club at UTA, although race oriented- I used to have the guy on facebook, don't see him there now, though.

The only thing I can find at UTA is the Tuesday night rides but from what I gather they meet at bars and ride about 10-20 mi to another place... I'm looking for people to ride with, don't much like drinking and riding around, lol

I took a look at the FTW link and I guess Mansfield isn't too much of a stretch from Arlington but it would be great if something were going on here locally. I do know of a ride on New Years here so that's a plus!

Don't often jump into this forum, but happened to pop in. Are you a student at UTA?

They were starting a cycling club at UTA, intending to do some college race events, but also do fun rides as well as training rides. As far as I know, it just sort of fizzled out. They were even looking at ordering kits and everything and I guess it just sort of never went past that stage.

Anyhow, there are some students that do a good bit of riding. The Tuesday night thing is definitely a bit of a mess sometimes. Too much alcohol and other things... No one ever just really messed themselves up, but it did make for some rides lacking ambition. One week we might say "Oh hey, let's go to Dallas tonight!" and people would be excited, and then I'd show up and some of the regulars who don't like long distances would talk it down to like a 10-20 mile ride. I have had a few really great nights with the Tuesday night ride, but one of the main organizers/ride leaders recently moved to Dallas, and I haven't been there recently.

BFA is a great organization and they're big on bike advocacy and just getting bikes in front of the public. However, they seem to lack the actual riding part sometimes. I went on a pub roll with a group once and it was great. I looked forward to doing it again, and then it never happened again. Was supposed to be a monthly deal. But check them out on facebook and join the page to keep an eye out for any events you might want to go to. They are fun people and it's a good way to meet folks for future rides if the BFA ones are few and far apart.

I work at the Maverick Bike Shop on campus. Well, as on campus as you can get I guess. We're in the cooper chase apartments right at the southwest corner of Cooper and UTA Blvd. Apt. 109. Stop by and say hello. We're open M-F from 11 until as needed, but usually 5 on weekdays and 3 on Saturdays. I'm Jonathan and I'm usually there at least once a day it seems. Or Ellie would be happy to chat you up. They have been doing a ladies night ride on Thursdays (you didn't say if you were male or female...) and a "Sunday Funday" ride that leaves at 7 p.m. on Sundays. They may have changed the time for winter. The Sunday rides are usually a more casual, easy pace, and usually not too long, but it could be a good ride to meet other folks to do longer rides with. HOWEVER, the girl who has been organizing both of these recently broke her leg in a hit and run accident on one of the Tuesday night rides. She's a good rider, they were just a terrible driver. But she should be on course to be up and going shortly after the next semester starts. We are in the process of getting another bike together for her.

For longer rides, we have done a couple of organized camping trips out of Arlington through the bike shop. One was out to Grapevine lake and the other was out to Cedar Hill State Park on Joe Pool Lake. We have talked about ding another one up to Denton on a friend's land maybe in January/March. Or later in the spring. These are usually fun and can either be just an overnighter or a two-night deal. I think 2 nights for Denton is the plan so we can ride around and enjoy Denton.

As far as other group rides in the area goes, I know Sun & Ski Sports does a longish group ride on Saturday mornings. There is also one out of B&B Bicycles in Cedar Hill on Saturday morning. Might have to drive rather than ride to the ride, but it's a nice area, good folks and great roads, hills and scenery. I've never actually gotten to do either of these, so I can't really say if they are true "no drop" rides or hammer fests. Most rides like these will have subgroups that break apart after a while. Something for everyone's pace. I'm pretty sure Bikes Inc does one as well. You should probably hit up all of these shop's websites to check for times.

And if all that fails you, I know at least a couple of UTA students that put in some miles. Stop by the bike shop and I can hopefully introduce you to them, or get you in touch. They both volunteer from time to time there.

Whew! So, am I missing anything? Oh yeah! I ride bikes. I just rode to Dallas to see a friend where we rode around and found out of the way bike paths, got a killer burger, and then I rode back home. All in all, just over 64 miles for me. I'm shooting for a big number by the end of January. I plan on riding out to REI in Dallas probably next week.

Wow, was not expecting such a response!!

Yes, I am a UTA student, and male. I actually took a ride a few weeks back with Sarah before she broke her leg, she gave me the quick tour of the area. I have hesitated to go on Tuesdays because of the bar thing and the general lack of a decent way to carry a lock and cable for the carbon bike (I just don't trust Arlington bars and don't much care to drink and ride).
I will definitely stop by one of these days! I bike commute (car-free) so I'll swing by before or after class. I am by no means a long distance rider yet, working on it... just the usual 20mi weekend ride, but I really need to find a group to push it and get stronger. You guys sound pretty cool, would be nice to do some casual or training rides around town sometime.

I have winter class starting Monday so maybe I'll stop by before class around 11-12... thanks for the well thought out response! :-)

Just to let you know, I'm not sure who will be there tomorrow, or if we'll be open. But we are expecting an order in on Tuesday, so I plan on being there. Other than that, we should try to fill out the rest of the days. I'll be there for sure Tuesday and maybe Thursday-Friday.