Davinci..

I'd like to start group rides, as experience and skills building, should I ever decided to do some light/amateur racing.. As well as just for fun/motivation, to go farther/longer. Everyone does them, but where do you actually find them? A couple of my LBS's have racing teams, but no mention of local group rides. I'd like to "think" i'm fast enough to hang onto an intermediate level group ride, but don't know where to look to find one. Is it just a matter of knowing like minded individuals? As it stands now, i don't know any in person. I live in Toronto, and while there is the "Donut Ride", id like to start smaller then 50+ riders.

Any advice on where to actually find local group rides? And how to join them?

Steev

Shops are a good source of info.
Drop into a couple and ask.

ronburgundy

Where do you live in Toronto? There are tons of club/group rides spread all across - post your general area and I'm sure someone will know of a club/group in the area.....

Machka 

Most/all provinces have a cycling association. Here's Ontario's: https://www.ontariocycling.org/

Somewhere on the page, there is usually a link to Clubs. Here's Ontario's: https://www.ontariocycling.org/clubs/

If you click on the Club Directory link, a page will come up with a long list of bicycle clubs. You can use the links at the top to narrow down your search to the Toronto area. (GTA West or GTA East). Then you can click the View Details link to see what the club is all about. There will usually be a phone number or email you can use to contact clubs that interest you.

If you copy the name of the club into Google, you should be able to find out if the club has a website. Most club websites will have a Membership area either as its own link or within Contact Us or About US or something like that. You should be able to find out what the membership fees and requirements are there.


If you're into longer distances, you might look up the Randonneurs Ontario: https://www.randonneursontario.ca/

ronburgundy

In the east end/downtown - for sure some of the easier ones to recognize: Dukes (Lapdogs), Hello Velo (and Darkhorse Flyers), Beaches Cycling (BCC), JetFuel/La Bicicletta (rideallday.ca)....All have teams to race as well as weekly groups that ride (not all just people racing)....They all have Sat/Sun group rides that are for their group (not just those competing - since they are competing....).

The donut is entertaining - but can feature some hammerfest champions.....and almost always include some elite riders on a day off.....who may or may not decide to punish the group....