6 Types of Cycling Clubs: Road, Gravel, MTB, Track & Indoor Riding

Road cycling remains the backbone of organized club activity. 80% of clubs on Cyql organize regular road rides, with thousands of road rides happening each month across the platform.

The classic drop-bar road bike isn’t going anywhere. Group rides, chain gangs, and Sunday morning coffee runs continue to define club culture. What’s changed is the pace diversity. Clubs now regularly offer 3-4 different speed groups per ride, making road cycling accessible to more riders than ever before, across all seasons.

Here’s where it gets interesting. Gravel cycling has seen 100% YoY growth in organized club activity over the past year. Currently over 100 clubs on Cyql focus primarily on gravel, and that number keeps climbing. Back in 2021 when we started, gravel was quite niche in the cycling world, but has become more and more mainstream.

Why the boom? Gravel combines road cycling’s efficiency with MTB’s adventure spirit. It’s less intimidating than technical mountain biking but more exciting than road cycling. Plus, gravel rides naturally accommodate mixed-ability groups since the terrain itself creates natural spacing. Bikepacking trips and gravel racing are both surging, giving riders options from competitive to exploratory. Even cyclocross riders are joining gravel clubs for year-round off-road riding.

Track cycling represents a smaller but dedicated segment, with multiple clubs organizing regular velodrome sessions. GPX file sharing might not be a key feature, but club communication is 😉

The velodrome creates a unique club environment. Fixed gear, banked turns, and structured sessions make it feel more like traditional sports training. Track clubs often mix social riders with serious racers, all sharing the same smooth concrete. Access to a velodrome is the limiting factor, but where facilities exist, the communities are strong and growing.

Indoor cycling isn’t just winter training anymore. Some clubs now organize regular virtual group rides, with platforms like Zwift and Rouvy making it possible to ride together from anywhere. For a comparison between both, read our Zwift vs Rouvy blog post.

The data shows indoor rides happening year-round, not just in winter. Clubs use them for structured workouts, social rides across time zones, and even as makeup options when outdoor weather turns nasty. Evening indoor sessions have become particularly popular for time-strapped riders who can’t make weekend group rides.

Plot twist: we’re seeing BMX clubs pop up on Cyql. It’s a small but growing category, with multiple clubs recently joining the platform.

These aren’t just kids’ programs (though youth development is a big part). Adult BMX racing and park riding are experiencing a renaissance. The Olympic spotlight helped, but it’s really about riders discovering the pure fun of hitting jumps and pumping berms. Sessions are short, intense, and incredibly social. Who knew?