With the warmer weather coming, it is a great time to start a new outdoor activity. We obviously recommend cycling! Cycling can seem like a daunting activity to get into, plus who wants to ride alone. Lucky for you Calgary has many cycling clubs that can help you find your niche, and give you a group to ride with. Below are 3 cycling clubs in Calgary that can help you find your footing when it comes to cycling.

Bow Cyclist Club

Founded in 2013, Bow Cyclist Club has grown to a 250 member club with the focus of keeping the fun in cycling. Their team of ride leaders are passionate about cycling and able to accommodate many different levels of riders.

BiciSport Cycling Club

BiciSport was originally founded by a small group of cycling enthusiasts known as the Spokes Racing Team in 1988. In 1992, the name was changed to “BiciSport Calgary Cycling Club”. They are dedicated to promoting both a healthy lifestyle, and to supporting and promoting all levels of bicycle racing. They are a great place for junior athletes, and at the same time are keen to help all of their members reach their full potential.

Calgary Cycling Club

Calgary Cycling Club aims to grow the cycling community in Calgary focusing on inclusivity and connection. If you like long road rides, downhill, track, or commuting within the city this is the right group for you. They will be having all types of rides all summer long. The purpose of the group is to promote and expand the use of bicycles within and outside the city.

Calgary has a great reputation for its bike paths and trails around the city, in this blog we will be discussing 5 fun trails in Calgary that you definitely need to try out!

Rotary Mattamy Greenway Bike Trail

The Rotary/Mattamy Greenway Trail is a 145 km long pathway system that loops around the entire city. This trail connects almost 1000 km of existing pathways as well as natural areas, parks, and greenspaces.

This bike trail is a fun way to explore most of Calgary via bike! Check out Parks Foundation’s page on the Trail and how to best navigate it.

Glenmore Reservoir Bike Trail

The Glenmore Reservoir Bike Trail is a 15.3 km biking and hiking loop that is good for all levels of cyclists and even pets! This trail has beautiful views of the reservoir and a nice mix of flat sections and mild inclines.

This trail is very popular and the best times to go to avoid the crowds are first thing in the morning or after dinner.

Fish Creek Park Bike Trails

The Fish Creek Park Bike Trails are a great way to explore South Calgary, Fish Creek’s main Cycling artery stretches 20km in length. These Trails have a scenic woodland surrounding and have access to fire pits and picnic tables if you needed a rest stop.

Due to its woodland nature cyclists are asked to be aware of the wildlife we share the park with.

Edworthy Park to Fort Calgary Bike Trail

The Edworthy Park to Fort Calgary Bike Trail is a family friendly 9.3 km long ride that begins at Edworthy Street and ends at a pedestrian bridge at Fort Calgary on the Bow River’s South Bank.

This is an easy ride that is open year round. Parking for this trail is available at both Fort Calgary and Edworthy Park.

Bowness Park Bike Trails

The Bowness Baker Park Loop is 4.3 km long and suitable for all levels of cyclists. The Trail features a river, and dogs are able to use this trail as long as they are kept on a leash.

This is a quick ride, especially great if you plan on taking the family along with you!

Calgary has so many great biking spots it was hard to choose just 5. We hope you are able to check out some of these spots.

Happy Cycling!

 

 

If you’re like us and love to listen to podcasts about anything and everything (including cycling) - then you’ll want to hear some of our suggestions.  Podcasts have become a 21^st century phenomenon that let anyone talk about anything they want and reach a very large audience of like-minded people. Cycling is no exception. There are tons on all things cycling that are sure to pique your interest.   

We’ve compiled a list of the best podcasts on cycling for those who are interested in learning more about biking in general, bikes and gear, trips and routes, and everything in between.

• Canadian Cycling Magazine Podcast

Hear cycling stories from all across the country and around the world right from the pros. You can also learn about bikes and gear, as well as training tips.

• CyclingTips Podcast

CyclingTips offers the best advice, tips, and tricks, while sharing the beauty of cycling aiming to inspire all audiences.

• VeloNews Podcast

This incredible podcast hosted by Velo Magazine aims to bring you news about cycling, race results and reviews on the best bikes for all cycling enthusiasts.

• Voxwomen Cycling Podcast

Brother UK offers an amazing source for everything on women’s cycling.  Meet some great riders in exclusive interviews or listen to some race reactions and analyses.

• The Slow Ride Podcast

If you’re looking for something that will make you laugh, look no further. The Slow Ride Podcast offers sarcastic and funny remarks on the world of cycling and spends a lot of time on cyclocross content for fans of the muddy sport.

These podcasts are available on most podcast platforms including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Anchor and more. Listen in a café, on your way to work, or with your friends!

If you're also a book lover, check out our recommendations for books about cycling here. 

Happy listening!

Whether you’re an avid cycler, or just starting out, there are plenty of great stories, people, and ideas written in books that are sure to change the way you think of cycling. To many people, riding your bike is just an activity, or a method of transportation – but to others, it is a lifestyle or an adventure.

We’ve compiled some of the best books all about cycling – where to do it, how to train, incredible human feats, the history of the sport, and more.  Reading these will surely teach you, surprise you, and even inspire you to ride further.

1. The Man Who Cycled the World by Mark Beaumont

This is the story of how Mark Beaumont set the Guinness World Record of cycling the 18,000 miles around the world in 194 days and 17 hours.He tells stories of how he managed to beat the previous record while sharing some stories of his youth, and riding across Italy for charity.

2. Where There’s a Will: Hope, Grief and Endurance in a Cycle Race Across a Continent by Emily Chappell

This book shares the harrowing story of Emily Chappell, who pushed herself to the limits in trying to cycle across Europe unassisted.  She takes you through her journey of climbing and overcoming mountains, both literally and figuratively. 

3. Epic Bike Rides of the World by Lonely Planet

For those who are world travellers and adventurers, this book might inspire your next cycling trip. Lonely Planet offers 200 of the most amazing and scenic bike routes the world has to offer.

4. The Official History of the Tour de France by Serge Laget

If you’re a fan of the Tour de France or races in general, this insightful book gives you all the details of this incredible event and how it all started, from its early days to now.It also doubles as a great coffee table book with its plethora of photographs.

5. The Cycling Chef: Recipes for Performance and Pleasure by Alan Murchison

Any good cycler will tell you food and diet are imperative to good performance. Alan is a Michelin-starred chef who cooks for British Cycling athletes - he also happens to be a champion athlete himself. You’ll find 65 great recipes for tasty meals fit for the professionals.   

Here are some more if you are interested from bikeradar.com.

Happy reading and biking!

Cycling has been proven to not only improve your physical well-being – but also your mental health. Whether biking indoors or outdoors, we consistently see positive effects on your brain and body.  There are multitudes of benefits that can affect all parts of your life.

Exposure to the outdoors has often been prescribed to combat mental health problems such as depression and anxiety. Cycling outdoors is no different!  Your brain positively reacts to the influx of blood flow and nutrients and enables greater performance.  Meaning, consistent cycling in your day-to-day life keeps your brain healthy and young in your later years.

Studies conducted on cycling have shown these are just some of the mental health benefits people experience:

-Decreases in depression and anxiety

-Greater well-being and relaxation

-Enhanced creative thinking

-Improved memory

-Improved moods

-Better sleep

Additionally, you can reap the social perks of this hobby by meeting like-minded people who also greatly enjoy cycling.  There are endless ways to connect to these groups: many are on social media like Facebook and Instagram, or even on cycling apps like Zwift and Strava.      

It is often recommended to cycle for about 30-60 minutes at a steady pace three to five times a week to enjoy those benefits.  This can be done on your way to work, around your neighbourhood, or anywhere else you like to bike. During the winter months, this can be especially challenging, but even getting on a stationary bike helps with your well-being and mental health.

So, next time you’re thinking of commuting to work or wanting to get outside, grab your bike (and helmet) and see the benefits for yourself!