1. VALLEY BICYCLE
A group of six leaves the shop Tuesday at 6 p.m. and rides the steep climbs and tight, technical double and singletrack at Tarriffville or Granville. Anyone is welcome on this multi-skill ride. Town: Granby. Contact: (860) 653-6545.
2. STATELINE CYCLES
This ride meets 8 a.m. Sunday at Robinson State Park In Agawan, MA. It's an intermediate ride over fast, smooth singletrack with moderate climbs. Robinson is the closest, quality ride spot. Town: Enfield. Contact: (860) 253-0221; www.slcycles.com.
3. MOUNTAIN CITY CYCLE
A 6 p.m. at the shop Friday ride that hits Silkstone, Mansfield and other top spots each outing. There's also a Sunday morning ride when the race team isn't competing. All skill levels welcome. Town: Tolland. Contact: (860) 871-9559; www.mountaincitycycle.com.
4. BENIDORM BIKES AND SNOWBOARDS
Show 6 p.m, Tuesday at the shop for rides at Nepaug, Pennwood, Nassahegan or Pine Mountain. All locations have technical singletrack. Nepaug has three 1-1/2 mile climbs. This is an intermediate and up ride. Town: Canton. Contact: (860) 693-8891; www.benidormbikes.com.
5. VERNON CYCLES
Ride Case Mnt., Soapstone or Meshomasic. Check website for current weekend and weeknight as well as women-specific outings. One of the shop's team riders will lead the group at the proper pace. Town: Vernon. Contact: (860) 872-7740; www.vernoncycle.com.
6. BIKES PLUS
The shop ride and race team has 40 members who are all qualified to teach beginners. Meet at the shop for rides at Mansfield Hollow, Silkstone, Sunners, Case Mountain or West Hartford. Pack size is 10 to 20. Town: Vernon. Contact: (860) 872-6263; www.bikesplus.tv.
7. WEST HARTFORD RESERVOIR
Show up weekend mornings at the state's largest ride spot and you'll find 40 other riders to train with. There's a paved loop, fire road, fast and technical singletrack and wheelie drop spots. Town: West Hartford. Contact: (860) 677-7010; www.centralwheel.
8. NEMBA RIDE
New England's Mountain Bike Association has 8 a.m. Sunday rides at West Hartford Reservoir. Their website also has a schedule of weekly ride, fun days and trail maintenance dates. Town: West Hartford. Contact: (800) 576-3622; www.nemba.com.
9. CYCLE LOFT
Recreational Tuesday rides and race training Thursday sessions. Gather 5:30 p.m. at the shop. Ride the 22 mile loop behind the store, Nepaug or Mohawk Mountain. Ride locations are planned the week prior. Town: Litchfield. Contact: (860) 567-1713.
10. CENTRAL WHEEL
Advanced rides on the trails behind the shop 6 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday. Two recreational Sunday rides meet 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. at The Res. Group size is between four and ten. Town: Farmington. Contact: (860) 677-7010; www.centralwheel.com.
11. NEWINGTON BICYCLE
Mid-morning weekend rides and special Wednesday outings. Ride locations include Cocaponsett, Gay City, West Hartford, Case Mnt., Penwood and Middlesex. The group of 10 splits into hard and easy paces. Town: Newington. Contact: (860) 667-0857; www.newingtonbike.com.
12. PIG IRON
These fabled, full moon rides meet 7 p.m. at the shop. The best trails are right behind the shop and up in Case Mountain. Lights are required. Ride duration is two to three hours. Town. Glastonbury. Contact: (860) 659-8808; www.pigironsports.com.
13. BIKERS EDGE
Named the biggest ride in the east with 70 to 100 people and easy, moderate and advanced groups. Rides are 6 p.m. Monday and 9 a. m. Saturday. Ride the trails of Burlington, South Mnt., Nepaug and Morris. Town: Bristol. (860) 582-7770; www.thebikersedge.com.
14. THE CUTTING EDGE
Girls and beginners welcome on these 6 p.m. Wednesday rides on the local trails. The ride has a leader and follower with radio communication. Harpoon Brewery provides unlimited free drinks after the ride. Town: Berlin. Contact: (860) 828-3428; www.thecuttingedgeinc.com.
15. SUBURBAN SPORTS
Two-hour long, 5:30 rides at Ragged Mountain. This is a hard ride through the trees and on difficult singletrack. There are half-mile climbs, great descents and rock sections. Up to 20 riders. Town: Berlin. Contact: (860) 828-5808; www.suburbansport.com.
16. CYCLING CONCEPTS
Call for the weekend and weeknight, beginner or advanced ride schedule. Group size is kept between five and 10. Trail spots include Middletown, Wallingford, Manchester and more. Town: Rocky Hill. Contact: (860) 563-6667; www.cyclingconcepts.com.
17. BIKE EXPRESS
Ride 'till dark Tuesday or those with lights continue on for hours more. Meet at the shop for these great, chillin' rec rides. The pack of two to 15 ride a multitude of the best nearby trails. Town: New Milford. Contact: (860) 354-1466.
18. CHESHIRE CYCLING
From the shop cycle pavement to and on the Rail Trail towards the singletrack at Brooksvale Park. The meeting time is 6 p.m. Wednesday. This is an intermediate ride with three to ten people. Town: Cheshire. Contact: (203) 250-9996.
19. PEDAL POWER
The 6:30 p.m. Tuesday ride is casual and the 8:30 a.m. Sunday outing is a torture session. Call Saturday for the revolving location of the ride. The weeknight group of 20 splits to accommodate all skills. Town: Middletown. Contact: (860) 347-3776; www.pedalpowerct.com.
20. SUNSHINE CYCLE-WORKS
Monday and Wednesday rides at 5 p.m. Ten riders tackle Salmon River's variety, Hartmann's technicality, Mansfield's fast rides or Hebron's smooth woods. Bring lights, these guys love to ride at night. Town: Colchester. Contact: (860) 537-2788.
21. ROAD CITY CYCLE
This and the Groton Road City shop meet at the trailhead 6:45 p.m. Wednesday and 8 a.m. Sunday. Sunday rides can turn into four hour plus epics. Newcomers are welcome on these intermediate rides. Town: Norwich. Contact: (860) 887-7442.
22. DAVE'S CYCLE
This is usually a recreational ride with five or more people at North Mainus Park, or The Waugh if you prefer. Meet Wednesday at the shop at 6:15 p.m. or show 6:30 p.m. at the trailhead. Town: Cos Cob. Contact: (203) 661-7736; www.davecycle.com.
23. CYCLE CENTER
Meet at the shop Sunday at 3 p. m. Locations include Mianus, Turnbull or over the state line to ride Westchester. The group of 12 split into hard or recreational groups. These guys love single speeds. Town: Stamford. Contact: (203) 968-1100.
24. NORTHEAST CYCLES
Ride the rocky, rooty, roller coaster singletrack at Pequonnock, Huntington, West Rock or Westwoods. Show at the trail head or Mianus River Park 9 a.m. Sunday and 6:30 p.m. Tuesday. Town: Stamford. Contact: (203) 655-2300; www.northeastbicycles.com.
25. NEW CANAAN CYCLERY
Tuesday, 6:30 p.m. sessions at Mianus River Park. New Canaan's group of four to ten maintains an intermediate pace for 1-1/2 hours. Be prepared for fast, rolling, rooty and rocky singletrack. Town: New Canaan. Contact: (203) 966-2399; www.nccyclery.com.
26. OUTDOOR SPORTS CENTER
Saturday evening rides at Huntington or Friday morning at Trumbull. If strapped for time they'll ride up the hill from the shop to Cranberry and ride the Jackrabbit Run course. The group is five to 15 strong. Town: Wilton. Contact: (203) 762-8324.
27. WESTPORT BICYCLES
These are recreational rides at Trumbull, Troutbrook Reservoir and other locations. The singletrack is rocky and rooty. Troutbrook has 20 minute climbs. Group size is up to 12. Town: Westport. Contact: (203) 254-0451; www.greenwichbicyle.com.
28. DONS CYCLE
Radio communication between the leader and lagger guarantee that this is a friendly ride for all skill levels. The pack leaves the shop at 6:15 p.m. Wednesday. They head to the best nearby climbs and dropoffs. Town: Fairfield. Contact: (203) 255-4079; www.dons-cycle.com.
29. CYCLE FITNESS
Saturday morning beginner rides and intermediate Wednesday nights during the fall. Expect to ride for 1-1/2 hours on the rolling single and doubletrack in Trumbull Valley. The meet location varies. Town: Monroe. Contact: (203) 261-8683. (800) 240-2453; www.cyclefitness.com.
30. D'ANIELLO'S AMITY BIKES
This shop from the hometown of Jaws runs a loose, show and go ride schedule. The shop is right next to West Rock's great singletrack. Trail maps and NEMBA's newsletter with ride guides available for free. Town: Woodbridge. Contact: www.amitybike.com.
31. BAYBROOK BICYCLES
Great night rides at Trumbull or the supply ponds in Brandford. Rental lights are available. This shop hooks up with the Yale crowd or the New Haven store and rides West Rock or East Rock. Town: West Haven. Contact: (203) 933-4576; www.baybrookbicycles.com.
32. BAYBROOK BICYCLES
Meeting up with the West Haven shop, Baybrook plans special DH trips to Killington and Mount Snow. They'll also set up daily XC rides at a moments notice. A Wednesday evening ride is the standard meet. Town: New Haven. Contact: (203) 865-2724; www.baybrookbicycles.com.
33. NORTH HAVEN BIKE
Meet at the Veteran Memorial Park Wednesday at 6 p.m. The Tyler Mill Trail Network has steep, technical climbs and tight, twisty singletrack. Expect 15 riders and a recreational to intermediate pace. Town: North Haven. Contact: (203) 239-7789; www.northhavenbike.com.
34. CYCLES OF MADISON
Call for the days and times of weekend morning and weekday evening sessions. This is an advanced ride with 5 to 15 at Westwoods. The terrain is very technical with cliffs, steep climbs and tight singletrack. Town: Madison. Contact: (203) 245-8735.
35. CLARKE CYCLES
Three hour, Sunday morning, recreational rides. A group of three to ten do Cocaponsett, Westwoods or Arcadia. The singletrack terrain includes short, steep climbs. "This end up," is their motto. Town: Essex. Contact: (860) 767-2405; www.clarkecycles.com.
36. SAYBROOK CYCLE WORKS
Call for the current schedule. Then show at the shop for day or night rides at Giulford, Bluff Point, Hartman or at Cocaponsett. Giulford has a wide range of easy to technical singletrack and downhill rides. Town: Old Saybrook. Contact: (860) 388-1534; www.saybrookcycleworks.com.
37. WAYFARER BICYCLE SHOP
Two hours and up, recreational to hard rides with a group of 12. Locations include Arcadia, Bluff Point and other of the best nearby trails in southeastern New England. Trailhead meet Sunday at 9 a.m. Town: New London. Contact: (860) 443-8250; www.wayfarerbike.com.
38. ROAD CITY CYCLE
Meet the Norich shop at Bluff Point. From there they go either to the moderate terrain at Arcadia or the technical terrain at Miller's pond. Millers Pond is the site of the Meadow Muffin race course. Town: Groton. Contact: (860) 445-6745.
39. CYCLE CENTRE
Meet 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at Fisherman's Restaurant in Groton Long Point. An aggressive ride at Haley's Farm/Bluff Point with up to 12 riders. There's a beautiful eyeful of the Atlantic's Long Island area. Town Mystic. Contact: (860) 572-7433; www.mysticcyclecenter.com.
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