September 2023

Transforming Club Cycling with Cyql: Maynooth Cycling Club’s Success Story

Organizing club rides can be a formidable task – one that Maynooth Cycling Club, founded in 2015, knows all too well. With 90 members and counting, the club faced the challenging ordeal of managing club spins amidst a deluge of WhatsApp messages and admin hours. The quest for a seamless solution led them to Cyql, and they’ve never looked back!

Fred Quinn, a passionate cyclist from Maynooth Cycling Club, enthusiastically shared, “After four months with Cyql, it’s transformed our club! Our members are more engaged, club spins are simpler to organize, and the administrative overhead? Drastically reduced!”

Cyql’s appeal isn’t limited to just reducing administrative tasks. Fred lauds the platform’s versatility: “The fact that you can create repetitive spins for the year ahead and add a route later to the individual spin has kind of automated the process. The app has many useful features, like a calendar for other club events and access to emergency contact details for all riders on a particular spin.”

Such tools make a real difference. Beyond aiding administrators in managing club activities, Cyql also fosters a sense of community. Fred mentions, “All our club members find it an incredibly useful way to stay connected to the club. It has motivated many more to participate in club spins.”

For those on the fence about Cyql, Fred has some advice: “I’d highly recommend other clubs to try it out. It’ll definitely cut down on your time if you’re organizing club spins, making them more transparent to members and encouraging them to get out on the bike. You have to invest some time at the start in setting it up, but once you’re there, it’s fantastic.”

In today’s fast-paced digital age, keeping members engaged and rides organized is paramount. As Fred’s experience with Maynooth Cycling Club demonstrates, Cyql could be the game-changer your cycling club needs.

How the gravel bike is becoming increasingly popular

You may already be seeing it popping up more and more on Strava: “Morning ride on gravel bike. In the United States it has been hugely popular for some time. In the Netherlands it is now really starting to become a hype. In the Netherlands there are, without you maybe knowing it, a lot of beautiful gravel routes. In this blog we will tell you why the gravel bike is so popular.

It is the combination of the traditional road bike and a mountain bike.
With the road bike you are limited to paved roads and bike paths, with the mountain bike you seek out blubber and challenging trails. The gravel bike is right in between and a new world may open up for you. You can ride at high speeds on trails you won’t pass on a road bike and can ride through muddy trails and through forests. It gives the feeling of freedom: grass, sand, gravel or forest soil. It’s no problem for the gravel bike.
Comfortable
The seating position of a gravel bike is a lot more comfortable than your aero bike. You sit a lot more upright and gravel bikes are suitable for long rides or even a biking trip.
Adventure
Maybe you’ve seen every asphalt road in the neighborhood once. With the gravel bike, a world will open up for you. Discover new routes and the scenery is of course harshly beautiful. You might find out what kind of environment you live in. There are also regular gravel tours, so you get to see new places. In addition, a gravel bike offers variety and prevents you from getting bored while cycling.
Winter
The wider tires allow you to blast through the mud. Because you can seek out the woods, it is a lot more pleasant to take the gravel bike instead of the road bike. This is a fun way to get fit through the winter.
Riding gravel rides together through the Cyql app
In the Cyql, the type of ride Gravel/CX/cross can be created. Add the ride in the app and invite others to join you on the ride! This way you can enjoy the scenery together and share routes with each other.

TeideBike and Cyql Bring Unique Cycling Adventures to Tenerife

TeideBike is an innovative cycling concept based in southern Tenerife, offering bespoke cycling holidays and bike rentals. Unlike destinations such as Calp and Mallorca, Tenerife lacks comprehensive cycling holiday packages. Jean-Paul Maes, the founder of TeideBike, highlights the distinct cycling experience in Tenerife, partly due to its nearly constant springtime weather. “Tenerife offers a cycling paradise with an eternal spring that you won’t find anywhere else,” says Maes.

A pivotal aspect of the TeideBike experience is its collaboration with Cyql. This digital platform centralizes all the crucial information about the rides, such as start times, distance, speed, downloadable GPX routes, cyclist levels, identity of the road captain, and emergency contact details. This centralization assists TeideBike in making rides safer and more organized. Before each journey begins, TeideBike also provides a briefing about the route and key points to note.

TeideBike’s focus is not only on offering a unique cycling experience but also on safety. Maes emphasizes the importance of providing accurate information about roads and supplies to guests to minimize risks.

Cyql, positioning itself as the premier digital solution for cycling clubs and cycling events, is equally pleased about its collaboration with TeideBike. “Our partnership with TeideBike perfectly illustrates the power of digital transformation in the cycling world,” says Wouter Slotegraaf of Cyql. The platform aims to enhance communication within cycling communities. Where cycling clubs often communicate via a single central Whatsapp group, Cyql provides an organized alternative. It shifts messages about bike rides from Whatsapp to the Cyql app, reducing the annoyance of excessive messaging.

The Passion for Cycling: A Glimpse into Cycling Club “The Gangmakers”

Roel Fleerakkers, a cycling enthusiast through and through, shared his passion, its rekindling, and how modern technology is changing the dynamics of his cycling club.

When we ask Roel about his personal background and the history of the club, his enthusiasm shines through. “I’m 37 and I hail from Rijkevorsel. In my daily life, I serve as a partner at Acs Accountants & Tax Consultants. As a youngster, cycling was my true passion, but work and family life took precedence. However, the pandemic rekindled my old love for cycling.” Roel’s club, The Gangmakers, emerged from a former soccer team. What began as a small group of cycling friends without structure blossomed into a full-fledged club with around 30 members in just a year.

At The Gangmakers, enjoyment is paramount. Roel speaks proudly of the myriad of activities they organize together, ranging from day trips to parties.

"Say goodbye to hundreds of WhatsApp messages. The real value of the app is timely and organized departures with members."

Roel Fleerakkers

De Gangmakers

The introduction of the Cyql platform into their club came through a customer of Roel’s, whose own cycling team also utilizes the app. Now, 25 of their members actively use the app. But what makes Cyql so special for The Gangmakers? Roel states, “Sharing routes in advance is incredibly convenient. We set off punctually every time, without all the fuss of using WhatsApp.”

He also sees room for improvement and hopes for features such as a back office for member management and finances. “It would be fantastic if we could track certain matters like memberships, payment links, and an overview of the club’s finances.”

And why, according to Roel, should other clubs make the switch to Cyql? “Say goodbye to hundreds of WhatsApp messages. The real value of the app is timely and organized departures with members.”

The blend of Roel’s passion for cycling and modern tech like Cyql illustrates how tradition and innovation can walk hand in hand for an optimal cycling experience.

The cooperation between the Dutch cycling federation NTFU and Cyql

In 2021, the partnership between the NTFU and Cyql began whereby all NTFU clubs will be able to use the Cyql cycling app for free. Through this collaboration, all NTFU clubs will have free access to the Cyql app, making it easier for these clubs to embrace the digitization of their club.

After all, it is not always easy to manage a cycling club. There are many things to consider, such as organizing events, maintaining contact with members and facilitating club rides and training. It is also important that communication between members runs smoothly so that everyone is up to date with the latest developments within the club.

The Cyql app provides a solution for this. The app allows all cycling groups and cycling associations to communicate with their members in a streamlined and targeted way. Think of sending newsletters and planning events. Members can also make arrangements among themselves to go cycling together. This not only improves communication within the club, but also increases cycling and creates a closer bond between members.

“Due to the practical experience of Cyql’s staff and excellent cooperation, the app is now indispensable for many of our clubs. The Cyql app fully meets the needs of our member associations. The app makes it easier to plan a joint ride. In addition, the app contributes to stronger member loyalty. Not for nothing are already over 250 associations using the Cyql app.”
Jos van Schijndel – NTFU (Dutch Cycling Association) 🇳🇱

The experiences of the NTFU associations with the Cyql app are extremely positive. In fact, by using the app, clubs become more efficient and can focus more on facilitating a good cycling experience for their members. As a result, the NTFU’s mission of providing the best possible experience for cycling in the Netherlands is even better fulfilled.

The collaboration between the NTFU and Cyql is a great example of how technology can support and improve cycling. Digitalization makes it easier for clubs to facilitate and connect their members. And that is ultimately what cycling is all about: enjoying this beautiful sport together and inspiring each other to keep getting better.