Update on the 2020-2021 Winter Season
Please VIEW OUR BLOG or watch the video below for an update on the Asheville Winter Bike League and Asheville Swim League.
THE BEST GROUP RIDES WITH THE BEST GROUP RIDERS ON THE PLANET!
Want to know what to wear when winter cycling?
Reid Beloni has been a professional cycling coach for six years and is one of Asheville Winter Bike League’s most experienced ride leaders, with over 15 years of riding experience under his belt. He is a USA Cycling Level 2 coach, and one thing he always stresses before a winter group ride is being prepared for wetter, colder temperatures.
CLICK HERE FOR OUR WHAT TO WEAR BLOG
T he Asheville Winter Bike League is excited to host the best structured, long, winter-road training rides on the planet. But we are more than just a ride, we are a cycling community, a network, and even a family; we look out for each other on the road.
WHAT IS THE AVL WBL?We offer the longest, and most structured winter-road training rides in the Asheville area.
We look out for each other on the road.
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- We provide group cycling training and safety tips for our community.
- We have group ride leaders from our community leading each ride group (A, B+, B, C) and level of rider.
- We partner with local bike shops at each ride for SAG support.
WHY DO WE DO THAT?
We’re more than just a ride! We strive to be…
…a cycling community,
…a network,
…a family!
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- We provide motivation to keep our bodies active and moving through the cold, winter months.
- We conquer the winter blues by providing a fun, structured ride to look forward to each week!
- We want to provide for inclusivity in the biking community and support all levels of riders.
HOW DO WE DO THAT?
The AVL WBL is NOT designed to drop our fellow riders, but… neither do we coddle them!
- We provide group rides at a smooth and steady tempo.
- We don’t ride too fast or too slow.
- We avoid rapid accelerations and decelerations…
- …FOR THE ENTIRETY OF THE RIDE
- and for all ability levels.
We also offer more than just a steady pace. Throughout the entirety of the program, we include…
- …training videos + blogs,
- In person training tidbits before each ride,
- Motivational testimonies,
- One-on-one technique and safety feedback.
WHAT DOES IT COST? HOW DO WE PAY FOR IT?
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- There is NO ENTRY FEE for the AVL WBL, but we do ask riders to show their appreciation by giving $5 each ride.
- …cover program expenses
- Your donations help…
- and support local athlete scholarships through our nonprofit (iDream Athletes Foundation
Asheville Winter Bike League - Club Coaching
Looking to make the most of your winter riding season?
Asheville Winter Bike League Club Coaching through our sponsor Carmichael Training Systems is LIVE! Updated slightly from last year to give you much more individual feedback and coaching, available to all ride levels. Message Reid Beloni with questions and check the page for details! LEARN MORE
Just a short note to say congrat’s and thanks for the time and effort that you and your team put into the WBL. I participated in this past week’s event and will try to participate in more…but I wanted you to know that I thought the organization of the event and the routes was very good and I want to give kudo’s to the ride leads for not only keeping the groups together but also for their time and effort.
I cannot speak for everyone on the ride(s) but from within the A group people were positive, appreciative and supportive. Again, thanks goes to you and the entire Idaph team for putting this together and hope that we just continue to see more participation….though I have to say 60+ for the first event is not too shabby.
Saturday Ride Event Dates
ALL rides begin at 10am at specified location unless otherwise stated.
2019 + 2020 Ride Schedule
Nov. 16 - Jan. 25
First AVL WBL of the season!
Saturday, November 16th, 10am at Bold Rock Cider
Ride presented by Asheville Bicycle Company
72 School House Rd, Mills River, NC 28759
Saturday, November 23rd, 10am at Bold Rock Cider
Burn the Turkey Ride (special turkey themed ride) Ride presented by Motion Makers
72 School House Rd. Mills River, NC 28759
Saturday, November 30th, 10am at Fletcher Park
Ride presented by Asheville Bicycle Company
85 Howard Gap Rd, Fletcher, NC 28732
Saturday, December 7th, 10am at Jackson Park
Ride presented by Sycamore Cycles
708 Glover St, Hendersonville, NC 28792
Saturday, December 14th, 10am at Bold Rock
Ride presented by Youngblood
72 School House Rd, Mills River, NC 28759
Saturday, December 21st, 10am at Carmichael Training Systems (CTS)
Ride presented by Carmichael Training Systems (CTS)
11 Mamas Place Suite B Pisgah Forest NC 28768
Saturday, December 28th, 10am at Fletcher Park
Ride presented by Youngblood Bicycles
85 Howard Gap Rd, Fletcher, NC 28732
Saturday, January 4th, 10am at Bold Rock
New Year’s Kick Off Ride
Ride presented by Motion Makers
72 School House Rd, Mills River, NC 28759
Saturday, January 11th, 10am at Jackson Park
Ride presented by Sycamore Cycles
708 Glover St., Hendersonville NC 28792
Saturday, January 18th, 10am at Bold Rock
Ride presented by Liberty Bicycles
72 School House Rd, Mills River, NC 28759
Saturday, January 25th, 10am at Bold Rock Hard Cider
FINAL RIDE OF THE SEASON
Presented by Liberty Bicycles
72 School House Rd, Mills River, NC 28759
DETAILS & GUIDELINES
Sign In
You must sign a waiver to participate and ‘sign’ in each ride. Prizes will be given at the conclusion of the WBL if you participate in every ride.
Ride Two Abreast, Especially When First Departing
Obey all rules of the road. (Red lights and stop signs). If the pack splits on the way out of town, don’t worry, we’ll regroup. We may go single file from time to time for safety reasons or other reasons. Keep your eyes and ears open.
Bring Everything You Need
Money, food, drink, spare tubes, adequate clothing, MAPS, and a helmet. HELMETS ARE MANDATORY. We generally have 1 pre-announced pee break (1 hour in) and 1 store stop (2 hours in). It’s a riders responsibility to be able to get back to the starting point.
Please, Show Respect for Motorists
Please show respect for the communities we cycle through by not littering, being careful where you pee, and obeying ALL RED LIGHTS AND STOP SIGNS.
You Ride at Your Own Risk
You assume all risk of injuries. You are expected to ride safely at all times. YELLOW LINE MUST BE OBSERVED or AUTOMATIC DISQUALIFICATION. These roads are open to traffic. Be smart. Never take your hands off the bars. Show respect for the communities we ride through and the motorists we encounter.
No Whining
You may pray or curse, but please do so silently.
You Should Not Rely on the SAG Vehicle to Get You Home
We provide a SAG wagon, but the SAG may be tending to someone else, may have a flat tire, or may be lost. Riders should have the map on his or her Garmin, a map in their pocket, money, spare tubes, cell phone, and proper clothing. The SAG is not for dropped riders. The Pack will keep moving forward at all times, except store stops and pee breaks.
IN CASE OF INCLEMENT WEATHER
Remember to dress for the weather conditions.The morning can be cold, with temps easily dipping into the 40s and sometimes 30s. Layering your clothes is critical and a good warm jacket is advised. It’s winter time so keep those knees covered. That means knee warmers are the minimum but leg warmers are strongly recommended. Something else that needs full coverage is your hands. Full fingered gloves will prevent your hands from going numb during the ride. Most of your body heat is lost through the top of the head so a cap under the helmet will go a long way to keep you warm. Insulated shoe covers are also a good idea when the mercury drops.
In case of rain or other inclement weather, we may shorten or cancel a ride. But, we will always try to do a shortened ride for points and prizes. Announcements made before ride. CHECK our Facebook page for updates.
HAVE FUN!
Mandatory!
Thanks for hosting these rides. I usually don’t ride this time of year, but knowing there would be others out enticed me to gear up. Good weather didn’t hurt either. Looking forward to next year.
AVL-WBL RIDE GROUPS:
• A group = experienced, pro’s/elites, competitive, ‘team’ racers & can maintain 19-22 mph throughout entire ride. This is a DROP ride, if you can’t hang please join one of the B groups
KOM/QOM* strava segments for A rides, and will re-group after these segments.
*(King of Mountain/Queen of Mountain)
There is no entry fee to the WBL, but we ask riders to show our Ride Leaders and the SAG Drivers appreciation for their support by giving a few bucks at each ride. Donations accepted during sign in before each ride.
CONTACT SUPPORT@IDAPH.NET WITH QUESTIONS OR SUGGESTIONS!
MANY THANKS TO OUR AVL WINTER BIKE LEAGUE SUPPORTERS
SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR YEAR ROUND PARTNERS & FRIENDS
