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 Pinewood Lake via Pole Hill from Bearded Brewer/ZiggysBearded Brewer Artisan Ales, Longmont, CO
53 mile route to Pinewood Lake
This ride goes up the steep 3 mile Pole Hill Road climb to Pinewood Lake, then we descend, then we climb up the back side of Carter Lake. If you want an easier ride you can bypass the Pole Hill climb and hang out at the Carter Marina for a while.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.
- SVCG Thursday Night Ride - Ride n' RockNiwot Parking Lot, Niwot, CO
WEEKLY RIDE ON THURSDAY NIGHTS FOR THE SVCG FAITHFUL!
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THIS RIDE IS A GRAVEL/Singletrack RIDE. NorthSky is soft, and Overland at Heil is slightly technical. A skillful rider could do this on a gravel bike, but a MTB is recommended.SPECIAL NOTE - We are starting at a new location in Niwot due to the construction of the Diagonal bike path and the closure of the Niwot Park n' Ride. The new location for meet up (parking) is the Niwot parking lot at 3rd and Murray St. (see map)
SVCG Thursday night tradition of Ride N' Rock (RNR) from Niwot is on again! After a Road or Gravel ride, we will attend the Rock n' Rails concert series. Bring some casual clothes to wear after the ride. The plan is to ride every Thursday when weather and conditions allow. Gravel, E-Bikes and Mountain Bikes are welcome.
July 17, 2025 5:30 PM - THURSDAY NIGHT RIDES (Gravel Ride)
Start Location - Parking Lot, 3rd and Murray Street, NiwotRide with GPS Course (Gravel/Singletrack/Road):
Niwot-Lobo-Eagle-NorthSky-Joder-Heil 30.5 mi and 1882 feet
Niwot-Lobo-Eagle-NorthSky-Joder 27.2 mi and 1589 feetThe ride includes an "A" Group and a "B" Group, if necessary. Please let us know in the comments which route you've chosen and what bike you'll be bringing.
NOTE: If possible, please download the route(s) below and upload it to your Cycle Computer.
SVCG Ride Information
NOTE: If there is a small group we will leave the start as a group, and meet up along the route, riding together the entire route. Large groups will follow the rules below.
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
GROUP A: This group will be at a faster pace (16.5 mph average) DROP/NO-STOP
GROUP B: This group's pace will depend of on who's riding, but is generally around a 13.5 mph average. NO-DROP
WHO: This is a mostly gravel/road ride for people who have experience with group rides, singletrack, and road 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.
