Ride Format:
ABC's Thursday Night Fast Ride (TNFR) returns on April 2, 2026. Our Thursday night ride format focuses on group etiquette, group riding skills and safety, while riding at the advertised pace. The fast ride will be broken into the following 2 advertised paces of “fast” (A) and “moderate” (B). The 2 defined paces are:
With 2 groups, we expect to attract riders with varying skills and abilities. As a cycling club, we want to focus on developing those group riding skills. As our ride includes several riders who also race (or have raced), some will use the ride for conditioning. In the past, we have also had riders join race teams from our fast ride as they continued to advance in their abilities. Our ride is “no drop” so we will identify regrouping points after climbs and no one will be left behind.
The B group will begin shortly after the A group following the same route. We sometimes will have additional subgroups if we have a large attendance or some of our fastest riders attend. Over the past several years we have split the A group between a “fast A” and “A-/B+”. We adjust the groups based on who shows up. We also often have a “C” group that begins at 5:45. Please check the Akron Bicycle Club Groups.io page to monitor the ride and route each week.
If it is clear that either the A ride or the B ride must be further divided, the ride leader will state this at the beginning of the ride or first regrouping point. We will try to maintain subgroups that will promote the group riding skills of those in attendance that day in the "no drop" format. Don’t be afraid to go with the faster subgroup. However, if you are caught in the middle, ease up your pace and fall back to the group behind you. Subgroups should check for other riders around them, particularly at the top of climbs and regroup by soft pedaling. No one will be left behind.
Our routes typically include 2 climbs, averaging a total of around 1800 feet over an average of 30 miles. Our ride lengths vary from 25 - 35 miles depending on the available evening daylight.
Our planned routes for the season can be found here:
Akron Bicycle Club - Ride with GPS - Events.
We generally post a message each week to identify any changes from the plan, which happen occasionally due to construction or to avoid Blossom Music events. Please check the route each week for the latest information here:
Akron Bicycle Club Groups.io
Since routes are published in advance and we're in the digital GPS unit age, we do not provide maps to start the ride. Our routes have all been created using Ride with GPS. We encourage you to download the current link to your GPS unit. If you'd like a printed copy of the cue sheet, please access the information on-line ahead of the ride and find a printer. Alternatively, you can download the Ride with GPS app to your phone in case you need to pull up the route mid ride.
We usually do not post ride cancellations for weather. Since it is Ohio, it is too hard to predict the weather situation of our specific route at our specific time. Use your judgment.
Our club policy is that all new riders get one "free" ride as a non-member. If you you have a good time and want to come back (of course we know you will!) please join the club for our nominal annual fee before returning.
Skills & Safety:
As a cycling club, we want to promote the development of group riding etiquette, skills and safety. If you are new to group riding (or if you want a refresher), please review the following videos to better appreciate our focus. Ride leaders and other experienced riders will provide advice and instruction during rides to assist. Do not take this personally, as this is done for the safety of the group and development of group riding skills. Any observed unsafe riding will be addressed individually after the ride.
Depending on the size of the groups, participants in the Thursday ride should generally expect to ride 2 abreast in a paceline format i.e Double Paceline. Riding a double paceline reduces the length of the group making it easier for cars to pass (although many drivers may not think so). Please keep the 2 lines tight. If you have any questions or want to discuss group riding, please reach out to one of the ride leaders. Periodically, we may choose to focus on a particular skill as part of our ride (such as riding in a paceline). This will be included in the ride description for the week.
Each rider is expected to bring extra tubes, tubeless patch kit, CO2 / pump, multi-tool, etc. for any mechanicals you may encounter. Also, bring front and rear lights / Varia radar. These promote safety and alert drivers to our presence during all hours of the day.
For safety reasons and in accordance with our club's e-Bike policy, e-Bikes are not permitted on this ride.
As with all ABC rides:
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Always arrive at least 10 minutes before start time to allow for adequate check in time. Please find the ride leader to provide your name, mobile number and emergency contact information.
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All cyclists must wear bike helmets, obey all traffic laws, and no use of ear buds or cell phones while riding.
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Use of rear-view mirror, headlight, tail light and reflectors is highly recommended.
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ALL ABC Rides are for members only please join by clicking Join ABC.
Maps and Related GPS Files:
Akron Bicycle Club Ride With GPS Page
Videos:
Following are a handful of short videos (many from the Global Cycling Network - GCN) to provide examples of the etiquette, skills and safety we wish to promote. We encourage everyone to take a look at these videos when you get a chance.
How to Ride in a Group - Group Riding Etiquette
How to Climb in a Group
How to Descend in a Group
How to Draft Like a Pro
How to Communicate With Signals
How to Corner in a Bunch
How to Ride Like the Pros - Riding in a Double Paceline
5 Cycling Skills Every Rider Needs
How to Improve Your Bike Handling
Cycling Skills & Safety - RoadID Rules of the Road
How to Improve Your Balance on a Bike