Member Benefits
Riding Opportunities
RIDE CALENDAR. The SBC has a large schedule of rides that are organized and led by volunteer ride leaders. During the riding season (mid-April to Labor Day, weather dependent), there are typically rides scheduled for every day of the week, and sometimes there are more than one ride. Each ride description includes links to our club’s RideWithGPS account where additional ride information, cuesheets, GPS routes, and maps can be accessed.
View Ride Calendar
RIDING PROGRAMS & EVENTS. In addition to weekly rides, the SBC offers two riding programs — the Sangamon Cycling Series is primarily a road riding series with flexible distances. The gravel riding program is a regional series. We organize a youth triathlon that is held annually in the summer, a century ride in September (the Capital City Century) and a gravel race in October.
SOCIALS. The SBC is about people. We host social opportunities through the winter months to provide opportunities to connect when riding is limited. These include happy hour socials, a January trivia night, and a spring bike swap. Fun social rides include a Halloween ride and a holiday ride. Some of our ride leaders organize informal get togethers during the off season to stay connected. Some events are open to the general public, while others are “members only”. The best way to stay up-to-date is to follow the club’s Facebook page. Members may opt into the Facebook group page.
RIDE WITH GPS CLUB ACCOUNT. SBC club members are granted access to the SBC RidewithGPS club and can take advantage of premium features without having a paid membership. You will be able to get turn-by-turn navigation and offline maps on the app, advanced turn notifications on Garmin files, PDF map and cuesheets, and estimated time on club routes at no cost. These premium services typically cost an individual a monthly subscription.
A Focus on Safety
SUPPLEMENTAL INSURANCE. SBC maintains a supplemental health insurance policy for our club members. While rarely used, in the unfortunate case of an injury at a club-supported ride, this insurance is designed to help our members with out-of-pocket medical costs.
LIABILITY PROTECTION. We require that everyone on our rides agree to a “Release and Waiver of Liability Assumption of Risk and Indemnity Agreement”. This agreement provides benefits to members and non-members participating in our rides and events, with a general agreement for all to hold each other harmless. Members agree to this when they join/renew. Non-members are required to agree to these terms through a signature at each ride.
Advocacy
LOCAL INVOLVEMENT . We are involved in local Bicycle Advisory Committees, Springfield/Sangamon County Active Transportation Plan development. We work with the local scouting chapter to help Eagle scouts obtain the cycling merit badge. Our Advocacy Director is working with the local mountain bike trail system on improvement projects.
ADVOCACY SUPPORT. SBC supports state and local advocacy organizations. We are a member of League of American Bicyclists, RideIllinois, Rails to Trails and People for Bikes.
