Florida cycling clubs in the Vero Beach area offer biking tours and events for rides of all skill levels, including rides at 10, 14, 16 and 22 to 24 miles per hour. Clubs seek to spread awareness of the sport and come in numerous forms, including touring and off-road clubs. Many clubs also participate in charity bike rides.
Types
As the end of 2010, bicycle clubs in the Vero Beach area include Florida Bicycle Association clubs, such as Boca Raton Bicycle Club, Coral Springs Parkland Cycling Club, Team Memorial Bike Club and South Broward Wheelers. Off-road clubs include Club Mud and Buena Vida Bicycle Club. Touring clubs include the South Florida Recumbent Riders.
Function
Most of these clubs seek to spread awareness about cycling through charitable rides and community activism, besides offering regularly scheduled riding events. Coral Springs Parkland Cycling Club, for example, participates in the Tour de Cure, a series of bicycling events in 43 states benefiting American Diabetes Association. Club Mud members participate in trial maintenance activities on the first and fourth Sundays of each month. Rides for most clubs begin at 7:30 a.m. and cover anywhere from 38 to 55 miles of Florida land.
Benefits
Member benefits vary with each club. Benefits of the Boca Raton Bicycle Club include free membership in the League of American Bicyclists and Florida Bicycle Association, access to weekly rides, free subscription sto Bicycling and Mountain Biking Magazine and the club newspaper, and periodic club dinners and an annual party. A basic membership for Club Mud includes access to all bike rides and a bicycle decal while lifetime membership includes ride access, a decal, T-shirt and no more dues to pay.
Considerations
While riding guidelines can vary slightly by club, most insist that members follow the rules of the road, wear helmets and follow all instructions provided by ride leaders. South Broward Wheelers recommends that its riders know how to change flat bicycle tires and carry extra tubes, tire irons and air pumps. Coral Springs Parkland Cycling requests that new riders stay in the back of the riding group as opposed to biking too far ahead.
Effects
Florida cycling clubs promote bike riding in all its forms as a healthy means of transportation both for you and for the environment. Cycling is a cardiovascular activity that will help you burn fat as well as increase your stamina and work your thighs, calves and back. Besides enhancing your overall fitness level, the social aspect of Florida cycling clubs can help you meet new friends and share new experiences.
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