Members

MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS

WHY JOIN THE KALAMAZOO BICYCLE CLUB

Ride With a Community

Enjoy riding with cyclists who share your passion for exploring new roads, improving fitness, and enjoying the ride together.

Weekly Club Rides

Participate in organized group rides throughout the week with routes and pace groups suitable for riders of many experience levels.

Special Club Events

Members can participate in signature events such as KalTour, social rides, and seasonal cycling events throughout the year.

Routes & Resources

Access club routes, ride information, and cycling resources that help members explore the best riding in Southwest Michigan.

Welcome to KBC

Kalamazoo’s Cycling Community Since 1971

The Kalamazoo Bicycle Club brings together cyclists who enjoy exploring new routes, riding with friends, and supporting safe cycling in our community.

Membership provides access to weekly club rides, special events, route resources, and a welcoming cycling community. Riders of all skill levels are welcome, from recreational cyclists to experienced riders.

Joining the club is a great way to meet fellow cyclists and discover some of the best roads and trails in Southwest Michigan.

Membership in KBC has many benefits including:

Contact with and access to experienced riders for bicycling advice and training tips
The opportunity to ride with others who share your fitness level and interests
Safety on the roads that comes with riding in larger groups
Chances to help promote bicycling as a healthy, fun, and safe activity
Bicycling accident insurance coverage
Participation in all social activities planned by the club
Volunteer opportunities

If you have questions regarding your membership, please email membershipdir@kalamazoobicycleclub.org

If you have difficulties with this Membership process, please email webmaster@kalamazoobicycleclub.org

Other benefits are ready and regular access to the following:

Club Rides

KBC sponsors road bike rides nearly every day of the week from mid-March through the end of October, starting from several different sites in the county. The weekday rides range from 12 – 45 miles in length, and bicyclists at any skill level – from recreational to racer – are welcome. There are KBC ride leaders at most of the scheduled rides to help teach group riding skills and to promote safe biking.

Ride Insurance and Sanctioned Ride Leaders

Excess medical insurance (up to $10,000 in medical expenses, arising from an accident while riding a bicycle, that are not covered by some other insurance), through KBC’s insurer, covers members and first-time guests participating in any bike ride or individual time trial that is conducted and supervised by a KBC Ride Leader, who is sanctioned by the KBC, and that has at least one rider accompanying the Ride Leader.

For more information about KBC ride insurance and for a description of Ride Leader responsibilities, please click on the following links:

KBC Ride Insurance

or

KBC Ride Leaders

Please direct all inquiries about KBC insurance to the KBC Insurance Coordinator inscoord@kalamazoobicycleclub.org

Ride with GPS

Members of KBC have access to the KBC Club Account on Ride with GPS (RwGPS). The Club Account is a central repository of routes and events and where all KBC members can use premium features of RwGPS on the listed routes and events that are in the Club’s Route Library. Even if you have a basic “free” account with RwGPS, when using our RwGPS Club Account you will have all the added features of a paid “Premium” account, including turn-by-turn navigation, off-line route access, advanced maps & cue sheets, that are not available with the basic Ride with GPS account. Members of KBC have access to these features, an $80/year value, for FREE as part of their club membership! Please click here Ride with GPS to learn more about the KBC Club Account and to get a general introduction to Ride with GPS.

PedalPress

The monthly KBC Newsletter contains a calendar of events, announcements of special rides, tips on biking techniques and mechanics, reports on past rides, and general information on the state of the sport. The PedalPress also includes monthly KBC Board meeting minutes, keeping members abreast of what is happening in the Club.

KalTour

KBC organizes a major local bicycle tour (and Club fundraiser) in June, the KalTour, with marked 15-100 mile routes available, food stops, and prize giveaways. KBC also sponsors several extended or daylong weekend tours during the summer, including the Ride to South Haven, the “W” Ride, the Anniversary Ride, and the Ride Around Kalamazoo County.

KBC Social Activities

KBC has two annual gatherings of club members. The first is our Recovery Party, which takes place toward the end of January and gets everyone together to reflect on the previous year’s rides, to look forward to the coming riding season, and to enjoy each other’s company. The second is our Anniversary Ride, which occurs in September, toward the end of each riding season, and begins with a rides of various lengths and speeds that start and finish at the Kal-Haven Trail State Park trailhead on 10th Street. Both gatherings are pot lucks, with KBC providing the “main course” (sandwiches or pizza) and beverages.

Posting Bicycling-related Events on KBC website

KBC members may post a recommendation for a bicycling-related event in which they have participated and enjoyed or an event they are sponsoring/organizing. Please contact the KBC webmaster to have your event considered for posting.

Become Part of the Ride

Join the Kalamazoo Bicycle Club and connect with riders who enjoy exploring the beautiful roads and trails of Southwest Michigan. Membership includes access to group rides, club events, route resources, and a supportive cycling community.