For clubs that don’t want to hibernate until spring, winter offers something special. Nevertheless, it can be easier said than done to keep the vibe strong when the temps drop below zero. So whether you’re looking for inspiration to keep an existing club going strong, or are looking for creative ways to build community this winter, read on to discover how clubs across Europe and beyond are finding creative ways to keep their communities connected until the first signs of spring appear.
Keeping the rhythm
Winter can feel like a limbo period for cycling. The weather’s unpredictable, daylight is fleeting, and solo rides on cold mornings lose their charm quickly. That said, we are nothing if not creatures of habit, so if a club simply disappears until April, that sense of connection can start to slip away. But for clubs that plan intentionally, winter becomes a season of togetherness, as it was intended.
Some clubs lean into it with a mix of virtual rides, social spins, and off-bike get-togethers. Others use the quieter months to welcome new members or reconnect with riders who might have drifted away during the busier summer season.
Virtual rides have been a game-changer. Platforms like Zwift, Rouvy, and Wahoo RGT have given cyclists the tools to stay connected even when it’s too grim to ride outside. London Dynamo, for example, runs regular virtual sessions throughout the colder months. Members log on from their living rooms and join e-park chases or social spins, chatting through Discord as if they were out on the road together. The Cheltenham & County Cycling Club has taken a similar approach — their “coffee break rides” on Zwift often end with an actual café meet-up when the weather cooperates.
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It might not replace the feeling of wind in your face, but it recreates something just as important: routine. Tuesday night rides still happen, just in a slightly warmer setting. That shared consistency — knowing your clubmates are riding with you, even virtually — can make all the difference in staying engaged through the dark season.
Slowing down to catch up
When the weather does allow, many clubs simply adjust their expectations. Gone are the hammerfests and competitive training rides of summer. Winter is a time to slow down and lean into the social side of the sport.
In Ireland, the West Cork Cycling Club modifies its “club spins” to be shorter, slower, and centered around a café stop. “During the winter months,” their site explains, “the pace and distance will usually be lower, and the social coffee stop will often be at the end of the ride.” It’s a simple formula, but one that keeps riders showing up week after week.
The women’s section of Bath Cycling Club takes a similar approach, hosting relaxed 35- to 50-kilometer rides designed around connection, not cadence. Their festive “Christmas meal ride” has also become a highlight of the year.
These rides might not rack up big numbers on Strava, but they do something more important: they keep people showing up and in sync with the joy of time spent in the saddle.
Beyond the bike
Winter also offers the perfect chance to explore the social side of cycling beyond the bike itself. Clubs that make an effort to organize off-bike events often find their members forming even stronger bonds.
Film nights, pub quizzes, and bike maintenance workshops are popular choices, but some groups get even more creative. Brussels Big Brackets, a thriving Belgian club, hosts a whole series of cross-training workshops and social events throughout the cooler months. Others organize charity challenges, encouraging members to log “miles for a cause” through December or January. It’s a fun way to stay active while doing something that gives back.
The power of women-led and inclusive clubs
For many cyclists, especially women, newcomers, or those less confident riding in the dark, winter can feel intimidating. That’s why the growing network of women-led and inclusive clubs is playing such a vital role in keeping the cycling spirit alive year-round.
BellaVelo CC, based in southwest London, is one of the best examples. Founded in 2017 by Belinda Scott and Alison Dex, the club has grown to around 300 members and has built its reputation on support and inclusivity. Over winter, BellaVelo runs approachable group rides, skills sessions, and indoor training meetups designed to help women and non-binary riders feel welcome, no matter their experience level.
“BellaVelo is more than just a club — it’s a community of like-minded women,” their founders say. And that sense of belonging doesn’t fade when the temperature drops. Instead, winter becomes a time for learning, laughing, and remembering why community matters.
Building a winter routine
What separates clubs that thrive through winter from those that fade away is consistency. The most successful ones build a rhythm that members can rely on: perhaps a virtual ride midweek, an outdoor spin on the weekend, and a social gathering once a month.
They also celebrate participation over performance. Showing up, whether that’s for a ride, a workshop, or a film night, is what counts. Sharing photos, posting on social media, and highlighting members who keep riding through the cold all help maintain a sense of shared purpose. While motivation is always personal, there’s something uniquely uplifting about knowing others are in it with you.
The bigger picture
Ultimately, winter is when club culture proves its strength. It’s when riders swap PRs for pub nights, and coffee rides become as important as competitions. Because the truth is, cycling has never just been about fitness. It’s about connection, to the road, to nature, and to one another. Clubs that understand this don’t go dormant when the temperature drops; they adapt, evolve, and embrace the slower rhythm of the season.
So if you’re reading this as a club leader, now’s the time to plan your winter. Create a calendar that mixes online rides, outdoor socials, and off-bike events. Keep communication flowing and make sure every member feels welcome, regardless of how much they ride. And if you’re a solo rider looking for motivation, join your local club; chances are, they’ve already got something brewing!
