Whilst most of us enjoy some alone time on our bike, riding with others comes with a handful of benefits. With winter around the corner it provides much needed motivation on a cold morning, knowing your friends are waiting shivering at the start of a trail.
Perhaps you committed to the ride yesterday when you had plenty of energy to burn. When the weather was perfect, and the twinge in your back had gone away. But as much as you don't want to get on your bike, none of us relish the thought of letting our friends down.
We all have our favourite tracks and cycling routes, and our friends have theirs too. Together you can adventure on each others. You’ll explore new sections, and appreciate things previously unnoticed thanks to the curiosity of your company.
Biking with friends joins your own commitment and determination with a little extra support and encouragement to meet new goals. If you’re having an off day, or struggling to stay on task, friends will provide some sound advice, and if you’re lucky suggest the pub.
Biking with friends provides greater opportunity to venture further. Places that you might not have tackled alone become achievable possibilities for your group. We are braver and safer in numbers, and trips are simply a whole heap more fun.
The opportunity to raise money for a great cause coupled with biking provides a feel good factor every time. Not only will you hopefully raise more money by bringing along your friends and family, you can also share and enjoy the race with the people you love.
Biking with friends is ultimately fun. Of course a little solitude can go a long way for our mental and physical health. But biking with friends you’ll laugh together and recount stories, making your shared journeys even more memorable and fulfilling.
All you need to do next is Choose Your Ride and you’re ready for your first adventure together. If you need a little inspiration to get the ball rolling, you’ll find some helpful ideas for Multi-Day Rides and Short Easy Bike Rides on the website.
Join a Group
A fun social group who like to bike and enjoy a coffee stop en route. Just turn up suited and booted and ready to ride. You can find the calendar of rides on their website.
Thames 50+ Cycling Group are an open group that meet regularly and encourage all cycling enthusiasts to join in for a ride. The rides differ every week, ranging in length and landscape, with plenty of time for a catch up over coffee.
Rides leave on a Tuesday and Saturday at 8.45am at the start of the Hauraki Rail Trail in Thames (near Shortland Wharf).
Te Aroha & District Tramping Club
The Te Aroha Tramping Club invites everyone to join the group, meeting every second Sunday at the Te Aroha Domain with a carpool to each destination. There is another group which meets at the same place every Wednesday at 9.00am. Both groups run throughout the year. Further details and contact information can be found on their website.
Pokeno Tramping Group
The Pokeno Tramping Group organise walks in the Hunuas, Coromandel, Northern Kaimais, Waikato and Franklin regions, including parts of the Hauraki Rail Trail.
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