At Hamilton College, the Cycling Club is more than just a group of students riding bikes. It’s a community that brings together students of different skill levels to explore, stay active and build lasting friendships. Whether you’re new to cycling or an experienced rider, the club offers opportunities to challenge yourself while connecting with fellow students.
This semester, the club hosts a variety of activities to suit everyone. Once the bikes are ready, regular rides will be held three times a week. Practices are currently taking place in the form of participating in Hamilton’s spin classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays. These sessions are open to all students, but team members are especially encouraged to participate. During group rides, the College delegates a limited number of bikes to team members who are cleared for cycling.
Beyond regular rides, the Cycling Club actively participates in regional competitions across New England. During previous seasons, the cycling team visited Rutgers University, West Point Academy, Dartmouth College and MIT, where students not only experienced diverse campus landscapes but also competed alongside peers from schools mentioned above and more. The races include two main types: closed course “criterium” races and longer endurance “road” races. To accommodate riders of different levels, beginners are signed up for a clinic before each race to get familiarized with road racing. Typically, beginners ride a 30-mile course, while more advanced riders–such as the team’s former captain, a collegiate champion and professional cyclist—have completed courses up to 70 miles. Each participant receives numbered tags and competes in their assigned group, while others cheer on teammates from the sidelines, creating a supportive and exciting atmosphere.
Preparation for these competitions happens during our group rides, where members practice endurance, pacing and essential skills such as switching gears efficiently. Through these rides, members not only improve their cycling abilities but also strengthen friendships—everyone learns each other’s names and forms lasting connections. In addition, the club hosts bike maintenance workshops, which cover fundamental skills like chain care, brake adjustments, and tire maintenance. While these workshops are designed for all skill levels, members interested in more advanced or professional techniques are welcome to explore further.
Last spring, the Hamilton College Cycling Club officially competed in the Army Spring Classic at West Point.
For our Cycling Club, the roads surrounding campus and the village of Clinton offer two distinct rides: one is a classic endurance loop, and the other is more suited for warm-ups and skill practice.
The “C-Road Loop” (4.35 miles) is our go-to route for a solid endurance ride. This well-paved circuit wraps around the outer edge of the campus, featuring minimal light traffic and open sightlines.The “C-Road Loop” is ideal for paceline training or maintaining a steady rhythm. The route has rolling hills, particularly along College Hill Road, providing a good test for your climbing legs. Completing a full lap offers a satisfying sense of accomplishment with challenging uphill rides and exciting downhill rides, making it perfect for a weekend training session or an after-class ride to stay sharp.
The tighter “Campus Loop,” centered around Valley View Road and Griffin Road (behind the Wellin Museum), is characterized by flatter terrain but more frequent turns and intersections. This area serves as an excellent warm-up zone and skills practice loop. You can do repeated laps to work on cornering, shifting and intersection awareness. It’s also the natural gathering spot for the club to meet up, perform pre-ride bike checks, and is also great for individual rides as well!
Leadership and community are at the heart of the club. Participants can meet like-minded peers while improving their cycling skills. We also welcome more experienced peers who can help organize rides, drive Jitneys to the competitions and lead group rides—an excellent way to contribute to the club and gain potential leadership experience.
Joining the Cycling Club offers more than just exercise. Students can improve their fitness, learn bike maintenance and riding techniques, explore scenic routes and make meaningful connections with other biking enthusiasts along the way.
Whether you’re an advanced rider or a beginner, the Cycling Club provides the perfect avenue to pedal your way to adventure, health and friendship. Get on your bike, join the ride and experience everything the club has to offer!
