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- 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 RIDE.SPECIAL NOTE - June 5th is our first ride and Rock n' Rails event for 2025. 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. Road, Gravel, E-Bikes and Mountain Bikes are welcome.
June 19, 2025 5:30 PM - THURSDAY NIGHT RIDES (Gravel Ride)
Start Location - Parking Lot, 3rd and Murray Street, NiwotRide with GPS Course (Gravel):
LeftHand Trail to Open Sky LoopThe ride includes an "A" Group and a "B" Group, if necessary.
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.
- Glen Haven & Estes Park 9AM STARTMehaffey Park, Loveland, CO
Glenhaven-Estes Park, 56.8 mi, Loveland, SVCG · Ride with GPS
Start time of 9am selected to allow for travel from Longmont.
Consider bringing extra water and wear sunscreen.
Start on the west side of Loveland at Mehaffey Park (north parking lot). The park has bathrooms. We'll ride up Hwy 34 to Drake, turnoff and continue to Glen Haven. The store in Glen Haven is known for cinnamon rolls and other goodies.
https://glenhavengeneralstore.com/
Over Devils Gulch Road (short 13-15% grade) and down towards the east side of Estes Park. We are going to stay away from the busier core part of EP. We'll get on to Hwy 34 and descend to Loveland.
After the ride we'll meet at Berthoud Brewing Loveland (opens at 11:30am) for food and drink. It's about 1.5 miles by car and next to Hwy 34. Attendance is of course optional.
Berthoud Brewing Co - West Loveland, Loveland, COGoogle Map
https://maps.app.goo.gl/aZ7BEdDHyNi3Neoh8
