What we’re about
WELCOME to the St. Vrain Chain Gang Bicycling Club (SVCG) based in Longmont, Colorado. Our aim is to promote and encourage cycling through a friendly club experience, where camaraderie is developed through group riding.
Our rides generally cater to the Advanced Beginner and Intermediate Road Cyclist, who are looking to improve their skill level. In the spring-summer season (March through September) we offer 2 rides per week (Tuesday and Saturday). For the rest of the year we do a Saturday ride, weather permitting. Our riding groups usually split into 2 or 3 groups based on pace. Most our routes typically follow the quietest and most scenic routes in Boulder County and the surrounding areas.
Our goal for all rides is to keep the experience of group riding FUN and SAFE! We are a recreational cycling club, NOT a race club; by joining our group you are expected to be part of the group, and not treat the rides as a race, or as a solo ride. Please take the time to read over our SVCG Group Riding Safety guide.
Before joining/signing up for an SVCG ride, be sure you can ride at the average pace we advertise for each group. If you do not meet this minimum fitness level, unfortunately, we are unable to accommodate you, as it is unfair to all other riders. (A Group Pace = 18+mph Avg, B Group Pace = 15 - 18mph Avg).
If you are a new member and intend to ride with SVCG, please sign our RIDE WAIVER as a way of acknowledging you have read our club rules,
We look forward to seeing you on one of our rides soon! ~Ride Safe and Often~
Nick, Peter & the SVCG Crew
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- 8AM ride to Ward via Super Jamestown from Bearded Brewer/ZiggysBearded Brewer Artisan Ales, Longmont, CO
Ride with GPS Super Jamestown and Ward Route
This ride goes up to "super" Jamestown. If you haven't ridden this, it is a 3.5 mile stretch past Jamestown that is paved with 10%-12% grades up to about 8500'. Then there is 3 miles of dirt road with rolling terrain to Peak to Peak highway. I don't know the exact current state of the gravel, but I have done this many times on a road bike. On Peak to Peak we do the final climb to Ward elevation (about 700' of climbing). If your legs are feeling good, there is an option to do Brainard Lake (10 mile round-trip and another 1000' of climbing. The Brainard spur is not on the Ride with GPS route, so each group can decide.WHAT: The Club rides are "NO DROP" (except for the A group), we will re-group at the top of hills, and at any turns where necessary. If you are at the front of a B1 or B2 group, it is your responsibility to call for a stop to facilitate regrouping. No one is going to complain about stopping. Use these rides as an opportunity to practice LEADERSHIP skills.
GROUP A goes first. This group will average 18+mph by the end of a ride.
DROP/NO-STOPGROUP B1 goes second. This group will average 16 to 18 mph by the end of a ride.
STOP and REGROUP / NO-DROPGROUP B2 goes last. This group will average 14 to 16 mph by the end of a ride.
STOP and REGROUP / NO-DROPWHO: This is a road bike ride for people who have experience riding on the road with traffic. Please only sign up if you are confident you can complete the described ride/route (distance, pace, etc.).
RIDE NOTES: Rides roll out no more than 5 minutes after advertised start time, please arrive early & be ready to roll on time.
- We are vehicles on the road so it is imperative we follow the traffic laws. Failing to do so can lead to serious injury, possibly death.
- Come prepared for mechanical breakdowns (bring spare tube, patch kit, tire levers, multi-tool).
- Be sure to bring enough water for the length of the ride. As a general rule, one bottle of water is good for 1 hour of riding (8 oz per 20 mins of ride time).
RIDE DISCLAIMER: By participating in St. Vrain Chain Gang Cycling Club "SVCG" activities you ACKNOWLEDGE, AGREE and FULLY UNDERSTAND that (a) you are in good health, and proper physical condition to participate in Cycling Activities; (b) that the nature of Cycling Activities involves Risks and Dangers, and these may be caused by your own actions or the actions of others (fellow riders, other traffic, and road conditions); (c) "SVCG", ride leaders, volunteers, and Sponsors associated with the club, can not be held accountable for the negligence or actions/inactions of participants, and they are released from ALL LIABILITY.
- *Moved to Wednesday* SISS A/B1/B2 at 5:30; B3 at 5:00Bearded Brewer Artisan Ales, Longmont, CO
ROUTE: Gunbarrel
B3 will start 30-minutes early at 5:00 pm and average around 14 MPH. I (John Meiners) will start then. If interested in joining, please comment below so I'll know to look for you.
WHAT: Season #13 of our Weekly Tuesday night 18-31 mile ride. Distance varies based on the sunset time; longest ride is in June/July, the shorter rides are in March and September.
Route varies week-to-week and will be published in the Comments section a few days before the ride.
Be sure to verify the starting location each week as it will be at either Bearded Brewer on Airport Road or the Dickens Farm Nature Area.
We typically self-organize into three groups at the start of the ride:GROUP A: This group will be at a faster pace (19+mph average)
GROUP B1: This group will be at a medium/fast pace (17 to 19 mph average)
GROUP B2: Rides in the 15-17 mph range. This a NO-DROP group and we will strive to wait for everyone at particular re-gathering points on the route.
NOTE ABOUT SAFETY: The time of day this ride takes place is typically during heavier traffic times; our #1 goal is always to keep everyone safe, and to keep the car/bike relationship harmonious. With the large group sizes we often have, please ride single file and within the bike lanes, and do not obstruct traffic.
Weather make-up rides: If a regular Tuesday ride is cancelled because of unfavorable weather, we will make a best-effort to reschedule the ride (same starting location and time) for the following day (Wednesday).
