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Bicycling Committee

We are experienced cyclists who enjoy social, recreational rides in the range of 15-50 miles at speeds averaging between 10-14 mph, with rest stops and optional post-ride socials. We keep the group moving, but we're not racers.
Three different classes of e-bikes
Classes of e-bikes.
Three different classes of e-bikes
Classes of e-bikes (click to enlarge).
All of our trip leaders are volunteers, trained by the AMC in group management, and by the Bicycling Committee leaders to have the skills necessary to plan and run safe, enjoyable group bicycling trips.

Group Ride Policies

  • All AMC rides require advance registration. We pre-screen all riders to ensure comfort and safety.
  • You must have a bicycle in good working order. Road, touring, or hybrid bikes are acceptable. Effective 03/2024, we now permit Class 1 & Class 3 pedal-assist bicycles (see diagram). Class 2 bikes that use throttles are not permitted. Mountain bikes are not permitted.
  • You must wear a properly-fitting bicycle helmet at all times while riding. You must carry an adequate supply of water with you (one or two water bottles is typical).
  • If you use tires with tubes, you must have a spare tube that fits your tires. It is recommended that you carry a full fix-flat kit regardless of tire type that may include items such as tire levers, tire plugs, a patch kit, and a portable air pump or CO2 inflator.
  • For rides of an hour or longer, we encourage you to bring a light snack with you. There may or may not be opportunities along the route to purchase drinks and snacks.
  • You do not have to be a member of the AMC to participate in our trips. (Though we do encourage membership! Join here!)

Introduction to Recreational Riding Series

In April through June of each riding season, we lead a series of bicycling activities specifically for people who are new to recreational outdoor group cycling. Each activity begins with a short training session. The session covers basic on-road rider safety, proper helmet fit, efficient pedaling and gear shifting techniques, and simple bike maintenance skills. After the training, we lead the group on a relatively short ride. Rides are under 15 miles in length and follow scenic rural roads which are mostly flat. The riding pace is relaxed (9-11 mph average), there are regular rest breaks, and the AMC-trained bike trip leaders always keep the group together.
All of our group ride policies (see above) apply on intro rides. This ride series is suitable for adults who are comfortable with being continuously active in the outdoors for 90 minutes. After the ride, participants have an opportunity to ask the leaders any questions they might have. The goal for the training is to build rider confidence, ensure riders can maintain their bicycles in good working order, and prepare them for more challenging rides later in the season.

Upcoming Activities

Click or tap on the Register links to learn more and/or register for activities.

Turners Falls - Northfield

Location: Turners Falls, MA
Date: 14‑Jun‑2025
Register »
This is a moderately challenging ride starting in downtown Turners Falls. The ride is 24 miles in length over rolling terrain. Total elevation gain on the ride will be about 1300 feet. All roads are paved. When we reach Northfield (the northernmost point on our route), we'll stop at Mim's Market and the Northfield Creamie for lunch. We'll return via beautiful rural roads before we descend back into Turners Falls.
The pace will be relaxed at 12-14 mph average, and we will keep the group together, regrouping at various points along the way.
If we don't know you, you will be contacted once you register and asked to answer a few screening questions.
You will need a road bike, hybrid bike, or pedal-assist e-bike (no throttle) in good working order, a helmet, snack, water, and tube or tubeless tire kit to fix a flat.
Once confirmed, you will be sent a detailed information sheet with the starting point along with all necessary guidance. The information sheet is sent either two or three days prior to the ride.

Easy & Fun Thursday Bike Ride

Location: Sunderland, MA
Date: 26‑Jun‑2025
Register »
Enjoy a pleasant 18-mile bike ride on flat roads in Sunderland amongst the farms. The most important aspect of this ride is that you enjoy yourself as you ride along with others. If we don't know you, you will be contacted once you register and asked to answer a few screening questions.
You will need a road bike, hybrid bike, or pedal-assist e-bike (no throttle) in good working order, a helmet, snack, water, and tube or tubeless tire kit to fix a flat. Once confirmed, you will be sent a detailed information sheet with the starting point along with all necessary guidance. The information sheet is sent either two or three days prior to the ride.

Tour of the Pioneer Valley

Location: Hamptons, MA
Date: 26‑Jul‑2025
Register »
Enjoy a 29-mile ride at a moderate pace (12-13 mph average) across all four of the Pioneer Valley Hamptons. Soon after we get started, you'll experience some enjoyable long and steady climbs with complementary descents. However, most of this ride is on rolling terrain on quiet roads surrounded by farms and thick woods.
We will stop for a break at Outlook Farm at about mile 20. Our group will be kept together. If we don't know you, you will be contacted once you register and asked to answer a few screening questions.
You will need a road bike, hybrid bike, or pedal-assist e-bike in good working order, a helmet, snack, water, and tube or tubeless tire kit to fix a flat. Once confirmed, you will be sent an information sheet with the starting point along with all necessary additional guidance.

Cycling the Berkshires: Tyringham Valley

Location: Lee, MA
Date: 02‑Aug‑2025
Register »
Join us for a challenging 31-mile cycling tour on quiet country roads in the southwest corner of the Berkshires. The scenery is spectacular and well worth the sweat. From our starting point in Lee, MA, we'll ride through the breathtakingly beautiful Tyringham valley. When we reach the end of the valley, we'll be glad we're warmed up as we tackle a demanding one-mile climb up to the plateau. We'll head west through Monterey and cross into Great Barrington, turning north to cycle through the scenic Monument Valley to Stockbridge. A few short but stiff climbs still await us as we finish the last few miles of our route and return to our start point in Lee. In total we will climb approximately 2,000 feet over the course of the ride.
This ride is suitable for experienced riders who are comfortable on long rides with many climbs. We will sustain an average riding pace of 12-14mph.

Cycling the Berkshires: Stockbridge - Alford Ramble

Location: Stockbridge, MA
Date: 30‑Aug‑2025
Register »
If you've never experienced the Berkshires on a bicycle, it's about time you did! This challenging 32-mile ride begins in Stockbridge, MA. We will cycle on quiet but hilly roads through Stockbridge, Housatonic, Great Barrington, Alford, West Stockbridge, and Lenox. These are among the most picturesque towns in the Berkshires. The planned route will involve approximately 2000 feet of total elevation gain (about 62 feet per mile), and there are several sections with grades over 5%.
This ride is intended for strong and experienced riders who are comfortable on long rides involving many climbs. We will sustain an average riding pace of 12-14 mph. We usually plan to be out on route for about four hours (including breaks).
According to AMC's Activity Difficulty Ratings, it is a moderate bicycle ride. That being said, while beautiful, this is also one of the most physically demanding rides that we lead in the Berkshires.

Activity Schedule

All activities are subject to cancellation due to poor weather conditions. Check activities on outdoors.org for up-to-the-minute additions not yet shown here. Not all activities may be posted yet.
Executive 20s/30s A.T. Management Bicycling Communications Community Engagement Conservation Family Programs Hiking Membership Mountaineering Net Management Paddling Training and Education
Cyclists pose for a group photograph in Sunderland
Western MA cyclists at the top of Cooper Hill Road
Cyclists pose for a photograph
COMMITTEE HIGHLIGHT

Massachusetts Ranks #1 in Bicycle Friendly State Report Card

Did you know that Massachusetts ranked #1 in the country in the 2022 Bicycle Friendly State Report Card? The League of American Bicyclists gave MA a grade of "A" for infrastructure and funding, education and encouragement, and policies and programs.
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