“It wouldn’t be the same if we went out on our own” – The benefits of cycling together

There’s loads of benefits to joining a cycle club or riding with mates. It’s not just great for motivation, It’s also pretty magic for mental wellbeing. And guess what? You don’t have to wear a pointy helmet, or own a fancy bike to join one. We spoke with a couple of clubs to hear what riding with a bunch of like-minded bikers can do for your head.

Community cycling clubs are on the rise, no longer just a space for MAMILS (Middle-Aged Men In Lycra), the cycling scene is slowly becoming more inclusive. Over the last couple of years, more and more people are saddling up without expensive kit or lots of experience, making the idea of joining a club a bit less scary.

We spoke with New Forest Off Road Club and GS MOSSA, two bike collectives which are less focussed on how impressive your Strava profile is, or what you pedal and more focused on getting outside and connecting on two wheels.

New Forest Off Road Club

Connecting and empowering people in the great outdoors.

New Forest Off Road Club (NFORC) is all about empowering people on two wheels and increasing representation in the outdoors. They’re derailing the idea that riding in a club means showing up in the right gear or knowing what a spoke nipple is (no, we’re not sure either).

Instead, NFORC is building a community of people who have a great time while riding. These guys are the ultimate biker crew, teaching bicycle maintenance, heading off on bikepacking adventures and hosting weekly rides through the New Forest, no matter what level you ride at. And a fun fact? Our very own ambassador and pro-cyclist Juliet Elliott has ridden with this lot too.

Vedangi, a ride leader and club steward from the group, knows first hand that you don’t need flashy kit to love cycling, riding solo around the world at just 19 years old on a budget bicycle:

“I rode a cheap £100 bike across the Himalayas. It was across high altitude and really tough gravel, but the bike and I survived. I didn’t know anything about bikes or about padded shorts and jerseys, I just knew riding was fun. As long as you’re comfortable, then nothing can hold you back. Great bikes don’t make for great riders, it’s just a mindset.”

Too often cycling clubs get a bad rep for being unwelcoming and only accepting riders already at a certain skill level, but New Forest Off Road Club welcomes all abilities and genders. Instead, they’re hoping to build up people’s confidence on two wheels. Vedangi says:

“We think it’s a bit of a dick thing to say that a cycle is a ‘no drop ride’, because it makes it sound like you’re so elite and too fast for people. All rides should be inclusive and there for all abilities. NFORC is about realising there’s no one way to be a cyclist, you can wear whatever you like, go at whatever pace you feel comfortable and everyone will wait for you.”

NFORC’s approach to riding also helps people to feel a bit more confident off their bike. Meeting new people and connecting can often feel overwhelming, so doing it over something you all enjoy can really take the awkwardness out of making new mates:

“The feeling of belonging I felt on the first ride was incredible. Group riding gives you a sense of satisfaction, belonging and community. There’s been so many times where I’ve been on rides with people and feel more comfortable being open about emotions.

“We did a 100 mile ride in biblical rain. We were struggling and ended up talking about some really deep stuff while riding. There’s something about collective strength that brings out vulnerability and leads to better conversations, because once one person is vulnerable, more people feel they can talk.”

GS MOSSA

Cycling as a vehicle to talk more about our mental wellbeing.

GS MOSSA are a spirited bunch and while they’re a pretty competitive cycling group, they’re all about team spirit. The club is open to all, regardless of gender or age, and is a safe space for anyone into cycling. On top of that, this lot are super passionate about mental wellbeing and have been supporters of CALM for a while.

Ollie and Dave from the group shared how getting out for a ride gives them time to look after their minds, and why nobody gets left behind on a GS MOSSA ride.

These guys are big fans of hopping on their bikes after a hard day and sweating it out. They know the benefits those post-exercise endorphins can have on our heads. Ollie says:

“The club is a welcoming space and the beauty of it is that everyone is in the same space. People are able to take up cycling as a brand new sport and be welcomed into it in a non-judgmental way. The bike is a vehicle in many senses for you to just come and chat.”

Cycling can be a really useful tool in looking after your mental wellbeing, whether it’s getting out for a long meditative ride, or de-stressing with a bunch of mates on muddy trails. Dave uses his time with GS MOSSA to get things back on track:

“There’s something invisible that happens while we’re cycling. It’s like pressing a reset button on life, my mindset, or stress. It’s a window of time we look forward to in the day and a crucial part of our routines. It wouldn’t be the same if we went out on our own. You get the adrenaline, the endorphins and the buzz from exercising with others even if you don’t mention what’s on your mind.”

Channelling their enthusiasm for cycling into charity, GS MOSSA have been supporting CALM for a long time, hosting a MOSSA Mind Week to raise money for our services. Dave says:

“My brother in-law died by suicide seven years ago and I wanted to do something to recognise Matt, the journey he went through and the tragic loss of life at such a young age. We wanted to raise awareness within his group of peers and make it part of a celebration for Matt. That’s why we chose CALM.

“We partnered with CALM to be a vehicle to signpost to people. We might not be the biggest club, but we’re quite widespread across the south of the country. People see CALM’s logo on our kit and ask what it is and we can have a conversation and amplify things. That’s powerful.”

It doesn’t matter if you join a ride for the chat or a bit of competition, this lot are just glad you’ve turned up. They’re serious about their sport, but cycling is also a vehicle for taking care of their emotional health. Dave says:

“Cycling is like physio for your brain. A lot of us get caught up in the moment of suffering, but when you’re out for a ride and you have to pedal, be wary of the road and the signals you’re giving, it forces you to pause the chaos you’re in at that point in time. It gives you a natural break and some emotional freedom.”

There’s no doubt that Ollie and Dave train hard, but the group is far from intimidating. The pair realise that everyone has to start somewhere, helping people on their cycling journey, no matter how experienced they are. Ollie says:

“If you’re riding a bike, you’re doing it right. We get more satisfaction welcoming someone who’s new to a bike, rather than someone coming in who’s a shit-hot cyclist who keeps doing what they’ve always done. I know for a fact that cycling clubs can look intimidating, but we understand and sympathise with the feeling that you’re not good enough or fast enough. If you join the right club, you’ll soon realise that jumping on a bike is all that matters.”

Join us and cycle against living miserably. Hop on two wheels and put in some miles for your mind, fundraise in memory of a loved one, or join a club and use it as a way to meet some new mates. Find out more about CALM Clubs here.

Need support? Worried about someone? The CALM Guides are full of useful stuff on looking after your head.

Be part of something bigger

At CALM we’re all about standing together against suicide – and we all have a part to play. Hit this link and we’ll send you a newsletter every month so you can campaign, game, fundraise, bake, race, volunteer, cheer or chat over a couple of beers… against living miserably.

Photography: New Forest Off Road Club & GS MOSSA