D.C. is an increasingly excellent city to pedal around, and the extension of trails, new bike lanes, and bolstered legal protections are helping foment a burgeoning cycling culture in the city. Whether you’re a hardcore cyclist or a novice just trying to get in shape or meet new people, we’re here to help you take advantage of all the organized rides Washington has to offer. Some happen weekly, monthly, or annually, and all of them have their own unique vibe. We’ve arranged our favorites below, roughly from least to most challenging, to help you find the perfect fit.

(Photo by Ali Jones)

D.C. Tweed Ride
Organized by: Dandies & Quaintrelles
Length: Varies
Time: Varies
Difficulty: Easy peasy
Frequency: Annual
Cost: Ride is free, but an after party requires tickets
Meetup: Sometime in November at a secret location given to ticket holders upon reservation
Good for: Those who prefer elbow patches to jerseys

If you’re more into the biking aesthetic than the biking exertion, this is the ride for you. Put on by the same hosts as the Seersucker Social, this annual vintage-inspired fall ride is all about fashion and camaraderie with plenty of stops for snacks and Instagram snaps. Best of all? It ends with food and booze. Details for this year’s ride are not available yet, so be sure to check back closer to November.

Nice-N-Easy
Organized by: BicycleSPACE DC
Length: About 5 miles
Time: One hour
Difficulty: Easy peasy
Frequency: Twice weekly
Cost: Free
Meetup: The groups depart from 440 K St NW on Saturdays at 10 a.m. and 2424 18th St NW on Sundays at 10 a.m.
Good for: Biking novices, or those just looking for a chill weekend ride

Whether you’re a novice seeking advice and experience or a die-hard cyclist looking for a relaxing start to the weekend, the Nice-N-Easy ride is an ideal foray into group bike riding. It’s also an opportunity to try out a new bike from BicycleSPACE and see how it handles in the city. (If you’re considering buying a bike and would like to try it out on this ride, let staff know at least a day beforehand.)

(Photos by Mark Hoelscher)

DC Bike Ride
Organized by: Capital Sports Ventures
Length: 20 miles
Time: Varies, if you have kids there’s a designated drop-off point for you
Difficulty: Easy
Frequency: Annually, in the spring.
Cost: $$
Meetup: Check back for the updated 2018 ride information
Good for: A day of seeing the city from a fresh, traffic-free perspective

The city celebrated its inaugural DC Bike Ride in 2016 with a car-free course that meanders past some of the District’s most iconic sights, ending on Pennsylvania Avenue near the U.S. Capitol. The event is family-friendly and bike nerd-friendly alike, and it culminates with a party. It’s run by a for-profit company, but part of the profits go to the Washington Area Bicyclist Association.

Critical Mass
Organized by: Critical Mass DC
Length: Varies
Time: Varies
Difficulty: Easy peasy
Frequency: Monthly
Cost: Free
Meetup: Dupont Circle around 8 p.m. on the last Friday of every month
Good for: Rowdy riders who don’t like big crowds

The Critical Mass ride is still going strong since its rebellious anarchist, anti-war inception in 2001. Although the group has evolved since then, the core concepts of camaraderie, acceptance, and the joy of taking to the streets together remains. There’s a different route each time, and you’re welcome to take a turn at leading the group if you so desire. The swarm of bikers is open to all and often attracts a few dozen people, providing the delight of taking over city streets in a group without the anxiety that can come with biking in a massive crowd.

Mt. Pleasant Cruiser Ride
Organized by: Community
Length: Varies
Time: Varies
Difficulty: Easy
Frequency: Weekly+
Cost: Free
Meetup: Various
Good for: People who want to meet their neighbors and explore the city

This is an active and friendly group of people who enjoy biking around the city together. They often host community-focused events, such as a Comet Ping Pong solidarity ride and a ride to the Women’s March. Check out their Facebook page for updates and more details.

Cyclists gather at Dupont Circle on the 5th anniversary of the DC Bike Party on July 14, 2017. (Photo by Julie Strupp)

DC Bike Party
Organized by: DC Bike Party
Length: About 10 miles
Time: About two hours of biking, and at least that of (optional) drinking afterwards
Difficulty: Easy
Frequency: Twice monthly
Cost: Free
Meetup: Dupont Circle fountain at 7:30 p.m. every second Wednesday of the month, but it sometimes varies. Check their website or Facebook page to be sure.
Good for: Thirsty bikers with a renegade streak

DC Bike Party is exactly what it sounds like: a rolling celebration that winds around the city to thudding base beats, ending at a bar where cyclists can socialize, rehydrate, and perhaps get a little drunk. Bike Party is well organized by volunteers but has minimal rules, all of which essentially boil down to “don’t be an jerk.” They host occasional themed rides that are a load of fun, but every bike party is a great opportunity to make new friends.

Introductory Ride
Organized by: Bike Rack D.C.
Length: 25 to 30 miles
Time: Varies
Difficulty: Easy to moderate
Frequency: Weekly
Cost: Free
Meetup: Bike Rack’s Logan Circle location (1412 Q Street NW)
Good for: Newbies to road cycling

Bikers who want to dip their pedals into the world of road cycling without the intimidating speed have a fine weekly opportunity on Saturdays, led by experienced cyclists with the Bike Rack D.C. The ride is specifically designed for beginners and is slower paced than most group road rides, but that doesn’t mean you should show up on a Capital Bikeshare. A road bike (and helmet) in good working order is required.

Will ride for cookies. (Photo by Mr.TinDC)

Cupcake Ramble
Organized by: BicycleSPACE DC
Length: 15-20 miles
Time: About three hours
Difficulty: Moderate
Frequency: Weekly
Cost: Free
Meetup: Every Saturday at 11:30 a.m. at BicycleSPACE at 440 K St NW
Good for: Those motivated by food *raises hand*

If you’re trying to get into biking but just need a little motivation, this might be the ride for you. Bikers pedal around the city at a moderate pace, stopping by a bakery or café to have a treat midway through. (Sometimes treats are provided.) It’s a great way to explore new parts of the city with fellow sweets-lovers.

Color of Cycling
Organized by: Community
Length: Varies
Time: Varies
Difficulty: Moderate
Frequency: Weekly
Cost: Free
Meetup: First Fridays of the month
Good for: Bikers with a social justice ethos

This collective of Urban Cyclists place an emphasis on inclusion, noting their mission is to improve physical health, the environment, and the local economy by creating a sustainable bicycling culture in D.C. This is a great group to consider if you want to meet new friends and socialize over a cold brew after a sweaty ride.

50 States and 13 Colonies Ride
Organized by: Washington Area Bicyclist Association
Length: 15 or 62 miles
Time: Varies
Difficulty: Moderately challenging
Frequency: Annual
Cost: $40 for WABA members, or $75 for the ride + a one-year WABA membership
Meetup: September 9 at Walter Pierce Park
Good for: Systematically exploring parts of the city you’ve never seen

This beloved annual celebration takes around 700 riders through every ward of the District and on every avenue named for a state — or the original 13 colonies, if you prefer a shorter ride. This event is aimed at bringing together D.C. denizens to explore corners of the city we don’t see or ride on every day. It’s a hilly ride, but not to worry: a hearty lunch is provided halfway through. There’s also an after party at Mellow Mushroom in Adam’s Morgan, and all proceeds go to WABA.

The Cider Ride
Organized by: Washington Area Bicyclist Association
Length: Varies, there’s a 9-mile, 23-mile, and 47-mile option
Time: Varies
Difficulty: Easy to moderately challenging
Frequency: Annual
Cost: $$
Meetup: Dance Place at 3225 8th St NE on November 4, 2017
Good for: Families and friends looking to explore outside the city limits

What better way to fete fall than with a ride outside of the city to take in the vibrant foliage, with stops for food and drink along the way? The cider ride offers three options: a 9-mile kid-friendly “Candy Apple” route, 23-mile “McIntosh” route, and a 47-mile “Honeycrisp” route. The first part takes riders from Northeast D.C. out to Maryland’s Anacostia Tributary Trails through Hyattsville and College Park, with a stop for cider and donuts at Proteus Bicycles. Those who choose to stay for the longer Honeycrisp route will meander through Beltsville’s agricultural farmlands and to the Patuxent Research Refuge before stopping again in Greenbelt at Buddy Attick Lake Park. Both routes end at the Dew Drop Inn, where riders can find food and drink specials.

If you enjoy this, consider going to the Vasa Ride, a celebration of Swedish culture, held every March!

The Urban Wilderness Ride passes through Kingman Island. (Photo by Caroline Angelo)

Urban Wilderness Ride
Organized by: The Bike Rack
Length: 17 miles
Time: About two hours
Difficulty: Moderate
Frequency: Monthly
Cost: Free
Meetup: 10 a.m. on Saturday at the Brookland shop at 716 Monroe St NE, check calendar for details
Good for: Tree huggers

This is a social-paced ride that’s perfect for the nature-starved urbanite. Leaders do their best to stay in the trees as they pedal from the Brookland shop, down the Metropolitan Branch Trail, over to the National Arboretum, then through Kingman Island and the Anacostia Riverwalk Trail. The whole group pauses for pretzels and lemonade at Eastern Market before circling back to the shop.

Hills of Anacostia
Organized by: BicycleSPACE DC
Length: About 25 miles
Time: Two hours
Difficulty: Challenging, but there’s a beginner ride every first Saturday of the month
Frequency: Weekly
Cost: Free
Meetup: Every Saturday at 8 a.m. at BicycleSPACE at 440 K St NW
Good for: Cyclists who want to feel the burn

Voted the best shop ride by WABA in 2015, this two-hour jaunt up and down the hills of Anacostia rewards cyclists with gorgeous views of the city. Although it’s challenging, it’s also a supportive ride: BicycleSPACE staff pedal in the back so no one gets left behind, and the group waits at the top of particularly challenging hills for everyone to catch up. Attendees report that area denizens wave and shout an encouraging “good morning” along the way.

(Photo by Nikoo’s Photos)

Rock Creek Hill Ride
Organized by: City Bikes
Length: About 15 miles
Time: One hour
Difficulty: Challenging; over 1000 ft of elevation
Frequency: Weekly
Cost: Free
Meetup: 6:30 p.m. at the shop, roll out at 7 p.m.
Good for: Bikers looking for a short, challenging ride to burn off steam and build muscle

Join the City Bikes crew on a fast, hill-hugging ride through Rock Creek Park after work. The group meets at the City Bikes shop, then heads through Cleveland Park over to Grant Road. They enter the park by Ross Drive and do a loop that ends at Sherrill Drive, then pedal back to the shop via Beach Drive, Park Road, and Mount Pleasant Street.

Sunday Espresso Ride
Organized by: National Capital Velo Club
Length: 48 miles
Time: Two and a half hours
Difficulty: Very challenging
Frequency: Weekly during the “off season,” October through March
Cost: Free
Meetup: Sunday mornings at 9 a.m. at Dean & Deluca in Georgetown, weather permitting
Good for: Competitive riders, or those who are considering it

This challenging off-season ride starts and finishes in Georgetown, roving through Bethesda and Potomac, then slicing through Great Falls Park before hugging the Potomac River the rest of the way back. There are no mid-way stops to refuel on caffeine, but there’s plenty of time before and after to ply yourself with some quality espresso. You’ll need the fuel after powering over this course.

If you enjoy this and are seeking more serious training, be sure to check out the longstanding, self-organized rides called “the 7″ and “the 10.” If you prefer a different kind of intensity, consider checking out D.C.’s Ally Cat races, usually targeted to bike messengers, which are held intermittently throughout the year.

Goon Ride
Organized by: No one really, it’s tradition
Length: 25 miles
Time: Varies, it’s a relatively short but high-intensity ride
Difficulty: Very challenging
Frequency: Twice weekly
Cost: Free
Meetup: Intersection of Garret Park Rd and Beach Dr. near Rock Creek Park on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 5:30 p.m.
Good for: Experienced cyclists who aren’t afraid of pain (and who enjoy inflicting it on others)

Arguably the most strenuous ride in the area, Goon Ride cyclists often zip down Beach Drive towards the city, then head back up towards the Mormon Temple at speeds averaging 25 miles per hour. Sometimes the pack can swell up to 60 bikers, all who are trying to make the ride as painful as possible for everyone else. It’s not so much an organized ride as a regular gathering of serious cyclists looking to ride hard and fast among like-minded folk.