KBC Ride Schedule

Ride Times

The nightly rides for the Kalamazoo Bicycle Club start at different times throughout the year. This is not to confuse club members but to rather to give members as much time as possible to get to the ride location after work while still have daylight and safe riding conditions at the end of the ride. While the club tries its best to have rides end before nightfall, club members should be prepared to be visible.

Month Start Time
March 5:30
April 6:00
May - August 6:15
September 6:00
October 5:30


Monday

The Monday Ride at Texas Drive Park will consist of 4 ride groups, which should provide a pace to suit riders of all abilities:

  • 15-20 mile group at 12-15 mph, led informally by a number of riders
  • 25-30 mile (Recovery and paceline) group at 17-18 mph, led by Zolton Cohen and Doug Kirk
  • 25-30 mile group at 20-22 mph
  • 25-30 mile group at 22+ mph, led informally by a number of riders

The 15-20 mile group is generally recommended for new riders.
The 25-30 mile groups will typically ride the same route in the early part of the season. KBC recommends the 17-18 mph Recovery and paceline group for more experienced riders who are new to the club, those wishing for an easy spin on flat roads, or anyone interested in learning how to ride in a rotating paceline. Participation in the paceline in this group is not mandatory. This ride is very steady and consistent, and one of the club's most popular ride groups.
The 20-22 mph group is recommended for more experienced riders who want to ride faster, and on hillier terrain.
All riders who want to push the pace can do so in the 22+ mph group.

Tuesday

The Tuesday Night Time Trial series will be held on the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays, 6:15 P.M. May 19 - August 18 at the Pavilion Township Hall
The Tuesday Night Time Trial series is a great way to learn about riding and your own personal abilities. The Tuesday night Time Trial Series is run by the racing team as a free service to all KBC members.
The best part of the time trial series is that everyone can participate - young and old, fast and slow - you don't compete with anyone but yourself. No pressure, except what you put on yourself. Come and find out just how fun a 10 mile ride can be and meet some old and new friends.

  • Measured and marked 10 mile course.
  • You must be a KBC member to participate.
  • All levels of rider welcome!
  • No drafting -- helmet is required!!
  • Sign up at 6:15 P.M.
  • Riders start in 30 second increments beginning at 6:30 P.M. sharp!!!
  • Exciting and valuable weekly prizes (lol).
  • Park at the Pavilion Township Hall, then ride south to the start line!!!! (See route map)

Announcing the first TNTT of 2009!

This year, the KBC Racing Team, led by Christopher Barnes, will again be running the TNTT. The first TNTT of the 2009 season will take place on Tuesday, May 19 with registration at 6:15 P.M. and the first rider starting at 6:30.
As a friendly reminder, KBC membership is required for this ride.

Wednesday

The Wednesday night rides leave from the Kal-Haven Trail Parking lot on 10th Street . Remember that if you drive to the trailhead and park in the parking lot you must display a Kal Haven Trail parking pass on your dashboard. Parking passes are issued with the purchase of a seasonal or daily trail pass. Those passes are available for purchase at local bike shops, Gazelle Sports, and at the trailhead itself when a staff member is attending the caboose.
KBC plans to offer 5 ride groups:

  • 13 - 15 mph group, led informally by a number of riders
  • 30 mile group at 19-20 mph (the Quarter-Fast Ride)
  • 30 mile group at 22+ mph (The Half-Fast Ride), led by Zolton Cohen
  • 46 mile group at 22+mph (Kirk's Hammerfest ), led by Doug Kirk and others
  • 46 mile group at 24+ mph (the regular Hammerfest ), led by Jeff Hamilton and others

The 13-15 mph group decides the route at the ride start.
The 30 mile groups typically ride the same route. The 19-20 mph Quarter Fast group will try to be steady at the pace indicated. The 22+ Half-Fast group will likely break up into smaller groups.
The regular Wednesday night Hammerfest starts at the Kal-Haven Trailhead Parking lot at 6 PM throughout the summer. The pace of the ride is typically greater than 24+ mph and the route goes to Bloomingdale and back (about 46 miles). Since the route is well known to most of the regular riders, no maps are available for this ride. This group is typically large (more than 15 riders) and consists of racers and other experienced riders. Typically, there is no designated ride leader. The group usually fragments into smaller groups and the riders often times do not finish together. This ride is hard and is not suitable for inexperienced riders. Some riders can expect to be dropped from the main group.

Thursday

The Thursday Night Ride has traditionally met at Texas Corners Park on Thursday evenings at 6pm in the early/late season (April/Sept/Oct) and at 6:15pm during May/June/July/August. Pace has been 16-17mph for 25 or so miles on flat/ rolling/hilly terrain.

For the 2010 season, there is an opportunity open to be the ride leader for this group - this means location, pace and distance will need to be determined. Please contact the Ride Captain if you are interested.

Friday

The Friday Morning Women's Ride will now start at the Texas Drive Park. Rides start at 10:00am in May, Sept & Oct and at 9:30am in June, July and August. We ride 20-25 miles on mixed terrain roads averaging 15-16mph. Please pass the change along to women you know that ride!

The Friday Tour de Gull ride now meets in the parking lot at the new high school, 1/2 mile east of Galesburg , at the corner of 37th Street and M-96. The route of this ride has been well established over the years, and travels northward from Galesburg and around the top of Gull Lake before heading back south again to the high school.

Saturday

Bike Camp through June 5th