Finding Your Cycling Community in Paris, France
Paris, France has long been an international city, filled with tourists, immigrants, and expatriates from all around the world. Whether you’re new to the city or new to the hobby of cycling, it can be challenging to find the right community that speaks to you, no matter what your background is or which language you speak.
There are several things that you can do to find the right cycling community in Paris… and we hope it’s ours!
Finding English speaking cycling groups in Paris
Because Paris is such an international city, there are many English-speaking groups and communities throughout the arrondissements.
You’re already searching on the internet, which is really one of the best ways to find a good community these days. After all, so many marriages today even start there.
When you’re looking for the right cycling community, there are a few things that you should look for and do.
The right cycling group should make you feel comfortable
Now, we’re not saying that every ride should feel easy, simple, or without its challenges, but in general, the right cycling community should make you feel comfortable.
What we mean specifically is that the people, conversations, group chats, and vibe itself should feel welcoming and inclusive.
Cycling has been elite enough throughout history (we talk a little bit about that in our About Us page), it’s our generation’s turn to make it more accessible.
Rides are led by experienced group leads who prioritize your safety
Group rides are so much fun, but things can go wrong - and fast, especially in cities with a lot of traffic, winding roads, stop lights, and bike lanes (cough, cough: Paris).
The right group will put your safety above all else, and this means:
Having clear group routes.
Setting clear expectations for riders.
Some rides may be no-drop, for example, while others maybe aren’t.
Either way, riders know what they’re getting into.
Setting clear boundaries for riders.
For example, some rides have chases or sprints, others don’t.
It is clear to everyone in the group.
The ride is led by an experienced group leader.
In cycling, hierarchy is important for safety.
Your cycling group should have a clear group leader who is in charge of keeping everyone safe.
This leader should have ample experience in pelotons.
Everyone is held accountable.
In sketchier sections (on roads with narrow shoulders for example), risky business isn’t tolerated.
All cyclists are held to the same standards and rules in order to make sure everyone gets home safely.
At Paris Pedal Works, we lead groups from a safety-first perspective.
The right cycling group is unbiased
While this can’t always be the case 100% of the time becayse most bike shops have some kind of bias (for instance, they might sell specific brands or have partnerships they must abide by), this should be the general feeling.
You shouldn’t feel nickle and dimed
We’ve all been there, with cycling or something else. We go to a free or community event, only to feel a bit bait-and-switched. We don’t buy something, and then end up feeling guilty about it or awkward. After all, the event was free, non?
We’re pretty tired of quid pro quo.
Cycling groups shouldn’t be there to nickel and dime you, or solely sell you products or services. Strong cycling communities should see the community itself as a reward, whether you become a paying customer or not.
The right cycling group will challenge you
Whether it’s challenging your bike handling skills, fitness level, or bike education, the right cycling group will challenge you in all of the right ways. Ideally, you’re challenged in several different areas, all coming together to help you be a more experienced, veteran cyclist.
Many cycling communities have different rides for different levels, allowing you to choose the one that best challenges you where you’re at now. This also allows you to try out other paces and routes to see where you feel the right balance of difficulty and capability.
The right Paris cycling group should…
Push you, physically.
Whether it’s climbs, longer rides, or routes you normally wouldn’t tackle alone, you should feel like you’re giving it something extra.
Teach you.
From mechanical skills, to new gadgets, routes, or even history, you should always feel like you’re learning something - even if it’s how to safely ride together!
Trust you.
Once you know the cycling group’s guidelines, boundaries, or rules, the right cycling group should trust you to be a safe, responsible, and reliable member of the team!
Be there to help you.
If you have an issue on the road, a question, or are looking for advice, they should be ready to lend a hand.
Prioritize your safety above all.
We feel extremely passionately about this, as cyclists ourselves who have both seen and been in scary accidents.
If a group is not prioritizing your safety above all, you should find a group that does.
Make the community feel inclusive and fun.
The best cycling community in Paris: Paris Pedal Works!
Our leader, Evan Pardi, is a retired professional triathlete (road and XTERRA), was a bike mechanic and race engineer for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, was part of the bike fitting team for the US and Canadian Olympic teams (silver medal), and has led thousands of large group rides in multiple US States and countries, from Eugene, Oregon to Scottsdale, Arizona or San José, Costa Rica to Paris, France.
We:
Are an English speaking cycling community.
Have thoughtful Leadership, with professional experience in both cycling/racing, mechanics, and team dynamics.
Are a free community.
But we also offer (paid) bike maintenance, repairs, fitting, bike packing, bike building, consultations, coaching, and educational workshops.
Have group rides (coming soon!).
Are based in Paris, France.
