Frequently Asked Questions

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Club Information and Membership 

 

Why should I sign up with the NYCC?

How do I become a member of the NYCC?

How do I find out my membership number?

Can I purchase gift membership for a friend?

May I have more information about the NYCC monthly meetings?

How can I inform NYCC members of a cycling-related event?

How can I advertise to NYCC members?

 

Member Resources and Benefits

 

How may I access the bulletin of the rides listings online?

What benefits does the NYCC offer its members?

How can I order NYCC stuff? (clothing, water bottles, etc.)?

How can I rent an NYCC bike travel case?

Does the NYCC sponsor any cycling-related tours or vacations?

 

Rides and Riding

 

Do I need to be a member to take part on a ride?

I am a beginner rider. Do you have ride options for me?

How do I get involved in some rides?

How many people are usually on an NYCC ride?

What are the differences between the three levels of rides - A, B, and C?

I am a member of NYCC, how do I find out about upcoming rides?

I am NOT a member of NYCC, how do I find out about upcoming rides?

What are the SIGs? How may I sign up for next year's SIG?

 

General

 

Do you know of anyone who is able to teach me how to ride a bicycle?

Do you know of anyone or have any recommendations on how to teach a child how to ride a bicycle?

How can I get information about bicycle racing in NYC?

 

Other

 

How can I get a proper bike fit?

I have a cycling-related injury. Can you recommend a doctor I can go to?

Where can I find maps useful for planning cycling routes in the NYC area?

How do I travel between Manhattan and New Jersey with a bicycle?

Can I take my bike on public transportation: subway, city buses, MetroNorth/LIRR. NYC yellow cabs?

Can I ride from any of the NYC area airports into Manhattan?


 

Club Information and Membership

 

Why sign up with the NYCC?



The Club lists rides, presents monthly meetings featuring dinner and interesting speakers, holds imaginative monthly social events all over the City, maintains a ride library, a message board and many other resources on the website, offers free training series with instruction each spring, members can obtain discounts at cycling shops around the city – and the list goes on. In short, a membership would be a well-spent $30 even if you do not ride in our organized groups very often!

 

How do I become a member of the NYCC?



The easiest, fastest and most recommended way to join NYCC is online.

 

How do I find out my membership number?



Please check our NYCC Member Number list.

 

Can I purchase gift membership for a friend?



Yes, you can purchase a gift membership. Simply register for your friend on NYCC.org

 

May I have more information about the NYCC monthly meetings?



Meetings usually take place on the second Tuesday of each month at Connolly’s Bar & Restaurant, 121 West 45th St. (3rd fl.) 

 

How can I inform NYCC members of a cycling-related event?



Contact our Content Editor with the following information: event name, date, starting place, distance(s), organization hosting the event, website, contact information (email and phone number) and description. Submissions may get listed as an Out of Bounds ride on our website, however, please make submissions as far in advance as possible to allow for the necessary lead times.

 

Member Resources and Benefits

How can I access ride listings online?



Our online ride listings are password protected.

Members of the New York Cycle Club, receive the username and password in an email confirmation upon joining the club, as well as in the NYCC eWeekly – a weekly email message on NYCC events and rides that is circulated to all members. If you do not receive confirmation email or the NYCC eWeekly email, please check to see if your Internet service provider or spam filter treats this email as spam. Naturally, the email submitted when joining NYCC must be a functional email address.

Members who feel they are excluded from NYCC email messages may contact the Membership Director to request help.

To access the Club Bulletin or the Ride Listings online, you have to enter the username and password, and in some cases, the domain name (nycc.org). Do not type them; copy and paste them. Case does matter.

Note that these passwords change from time to time. The password changes are announced in the NYCC eWeekly email.

 

What benefits does the NYCC offer its members?



Besides the marvelous fellowship of our membership and keeping this fabulous all-volunteer organization smoothly spinning, members also have access to our complete ride listings, monthly NYCC Bulletin, contact information for other members in our roster, discounts at many bicycle shops, participation in our SIG and STS ride series held each spring, and buy our club jerseys and other gear.

 

How can I order NYCC merchandise (clothing, water bottles, etc.)?



You can order NYCC merchandise from the NYCC Gear page.

 

Does the NYCC sponsor any cycling-related tours or vacations?



Getaway weekends in the Berkshires over Memorial Day weekend and to West Point over Fourth of July are organized each year. Touring companies advertise in our bulletin and some offer discounts to our members, but we are not affiliated with any of them.

 

Rides and Riding

Do I need to be a member to take part in a club ride?



If you like the Club, please consider becoming a member. The NYCC SIG programs require that those who take part in the programs become members.

 

I am a beginner rider. Do you have ride options for me?



Our rides vary greatly. We offer three levels, A, B and C with a range of speeds for each. Those starting cycling with no personal history of athletic endeavor, will certainly want to start with C-level rides. More fit beginners may wish to try B-level rides. Rides that meet to do laps in Central or Prospect Park offer a safe introduction to club riding and allow riders to ride as long or as short a distance as desired.

 

How do I get involved in some beginner rides?



The New York Cycle Club is a recreational club for cycling enthusiasts. We have rides for all levels of cyclists. Our training series in the spring (SIG programs) teach people group riding skills as well as individual bike handling skills. You’re certainly welcome to ride with us anytime.

A-rides generally go at 19-24 mph on flat terrain. B-rides range from 15-18 mph. C-rides range from 12-14 mph. Average speed is usually about 3 mph slower than the listed pace. The main differences between A-, B- and C-rides are the speed, distance and number of stops. Also A-rides typically ride in paceline formation whereas the B and C may not, depending on the leader.

The first step would be to come out for a ride (selected rides for the current week are listed on our homepage) and then to sign up for NYCC membership. Once you join you will receive our weekly email (NYCC eWeekly) with all of the ride listings and Club activities. You can ride with us immediately, however, those with little riding experience are recommended to start with a B- or C-ride depending on your confidence/skill level. Also, we have fewer rides in winter than in the spring and summer, but there are rides year-round nonetheless.

 

How many people are usually on an NYCC ride?



It depends on the ride (and more often the weather), but usually between 5 and 15 members will show up for a posted ride. When larger numbers of people show up for a ride the ride leader(s) will sometimes split the ride into multiple groups to ensure safety.

 

What are the differences between the three levels of rides: A, B, and C?



A-rides generally go at 19-24 mph on flat terrain. B-rides range from 15-18 mph on flat terrain. C-rides range from 12-14 mph on flat terrain. Average speed is usually about 3 mph slower than the listed pace. The main differences between A-, B- and C-rides are the speed, distance, and number of stops. Also A-rides typically ride in paceline formation whereas the B- and C-rides may not, depending, of course, on the group and the leader.

 

I am a member of the NYCC, how do I find out about upcoming rides?



Depending on how close the date you wish to ride is, we recommend looking for possible options in the Online ride listings (membership username and password required)

 

I am NOT member of the NYCC, how do I find out about upcoming rides?



We have rolled out a new program in 2017 that allows you to join NYCC for one month for just $1.00. You get all the benefits of the Club but for a deeply discounted price. 

 

What are the SIGs? How may I sign up for next year’s SIG?



The SIGs teach group riding skills in a progressive program that also builds endurance. The SIGs normally begin in March and run for 10-12 weeks. 

 

 

General

Do you know of anyone who is able to teach me how to ride a bicycle?



Try out the bike classes offered by Bike New York.

 

Do you know of anyone or have any recommendations on how to teach a child how to ride a bicycle?



Bike New York offers cycling classes for adults as well as kids ages 5 and up. Register here.

 

How can I get information about bicycle racing in NYC?



Please visit NYCC Racing and Development website to learn more about NYCC's racing team.

 

Other

How can I get a proper bike fit?



There are many bicycle shops and individuals in New York offering bike fit services. A search on the NYCC Message Board, will likely turn up many recommendations by our members.

 

I have a cycling related injury. Can you recommend doctor I can go to?



Please consult your own doctor or a certified sports physician. If you do a search on the NYCC Message Board, you may find specialists recommended by our members for various injuries. The NYCC does not officially endorse or recommend any doctors for the treatment of specific injuries or illnesses.

 

Where can I find maps useful for planning cycling routes in the NYC area?



Please chechout the NYCC Ride Library and the NYCC Resources Center. These are great starting point in planning your own ride.

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How do I travel between Manhattan and New Jersey with a bicycle?



There are three ways you can do it in order of what is generally regarded as the easiest to the most difficult.

1. Ride across the George Washington Bridge via the pedestrian/bike path on the upper level of the bridge. Look for the winding ramp of the South path. If that is closed look for access on the North side.

2. Take the PATH train between Manhattan and either Jersey City or Hoboken.

3. Take the Staten Island Ferry and ride over the Bayonne Bridge into New Jersey.

4. SeaStreak offers ferry services from NYC to Sandy Hook, Hoboken and more.

5. Riding from Newark – Jersey RR from the air-train station.

Can I take my bike on public transportation: subway, city buses, MetroNorth/LIRR and NYC yellow cabs?



You can take your bike on any subway for no extra charge. Bikes are not allowed on city buses. A cab may or may not accommodate you. For the commuter rail services (MetroNorth , LIRR, NJT), you will need a bike pass, which can be picked up at the Ticket Window in GCT. Long-haul commuter buses lines (Academy, Leprechaun) will allow you to store your bike in the luggage compartment, you will however need to remove your pedals. This info is subject to change so please check with the bus line.



For more info on bike safety and the NYC Transit Rules for Bicycles click here.

 

Can I ride from any of the NYC area airports into Manhattan?



Laguardia and JFK are probably the simplest. Not sure about Newark.

 

cycling trips