I thought I would write about how to find riding buddies, as I think whether you’re new to riding or have been doing it for a while it can be tricky finding people to ride with as a lot of us have crazy time schedules that sometimes means we cant always ride with the same people.
In my own experience I’ve normally found people to ride with by being out riding! Im a bit of a chatter box and talk to anyone so unless they are umm, well a little weird and they make me feel like I don’t want to be in a forest alone with them – ill ask them if they want to go riding sometime (in a non dating kinda way may I add..).
But here are some great ways of meeting new riding buddies!
1. Facebook groups!
Facebook is so good for finding people to ride with as there are so many different riding groups to join locally or in general!
MTB Chix & Trails – This group is awesome for women mountain bikers! It has girl riders from all over the country that are more than happy to help answer any mountain bike realted questions or to direct you to people that can help! Even better if you put a post out asking if there are any riders in your local area that want to ride there are normally plenty of girls that are keen to go riding with you!
MTB Divas – South Wales based female riders! But doesnt mean that if you live further afield and want to try out some trails in South Wales that you cant contact them and see if anyones free for a ride 🙂 They also do regular weekly rides that you can go along to! Great way of meeting new riders.
Ladies do DH – Bristol/ Forest of dean/ Cheltenham area womens riding group – but people come from all over to ride together ❤ Same as the other groups! Just request to join and throw out a message asking if anyone wants to ride or if there are any planned rides.
Dame Cycling Forest of Dean – This group has regular group rides arranged! All in the Forest of Dean area. Same principles as the other groups, you just need to join and say hello.
2. Local Bike Shops!
Pop into your local bike shop! A lot of them have organised shop rides or can point you in a good direction on where to look! My local bike shop has one every 
Wednesday evening (I’m not going to lie, i haven’t been yet..) but at least i know if i need people to ride with during the week i can tag along! Giant Stores across Britain are pretty on the ball with regular ride outs too! Ive even started one happening once a month for girl mountain bikers – you can check out the next one here > Liv December Ride
3. On The Trails!
I briefly mentioned before, meeting people to ride with on the trails is so easy! I met a good riding buddy that i now regularly ride with weekly when I was out on my lonesome one evening riding. We started chatting on the pedal up and then arranged a ride for the following week! Obviously I would advice scoping them out properly before planning a ride in the middle of nowhere with a stranger.. #strangerdanger
Ive even been out riding with people and met other riders that are more than happy to show you new trails or plan other riders. Chatty-ness pays off!
4. Instagram
Another brilliant tool for meeting other riders near and far! Its so easy to comment on peoples posts or message them and see where’s good to ride or when they are riding next and if they dont mind you tagging along! Ive met so many people to ride with via instagram 🙂 But again, just make sure you do some good stalking before to make sure they are.. How can i put this? Not a serial killer.
5. Mountain bike races!
Downhill, enduro, cross country – you name it! If you’re competitive or just fancy giving it a go – its a great way of meeting new people that are into the same riding as you! I’ve done a few races now and have always met really kind, friendly, supportive people that I have arranged rides with after. Also you get to see incredible talent, which is pretty damn awesome to see first hand! Check out >> British Cycling MTB Events to see what races are going on around the country.
I have met some of the best people ever from riding! And i hope this blog offers some good advice on how to meet new riders for you too. Thank you for reading 🙂
Alyssa Podesta 