BY AARDE WRITES for WEEKLY VOLCANO 5/23/25 |
Last year, I spent a few days on the flat boardwalks of Santa Monica (pre-fire), a place full of fitness, activities, and community. While tooling around on a rented bike in the night air, I crossed paths with a midnight bicycle group adorned with flashing LED lights, neon costumes, awe-inspiring showmanship, and bumping disco music. I admit, the Venice Beach Electric Bike Ride piqued my interest in local groups back home. The “aliveness” of it all reminded me of Tacoma’s beloved vintage bicycle club, the eccentric Skid Kings, who have been entertaining Tacoma for years. It’s always a hoot to see the classic rides, tons of smiles, and abashing haberdashery. I’ve seen other colorful, LED-costumed riders on summer evenings past, always smiling, laughing, and generally enjoying themselves as they ride from bar to bar. Within days of my return from Santa Monica, I was impressed to see a group of two-wheelers jamming through downtown, managing our challenging topography (from sea level to 500 feet elevation) wholeheartedly—Tacoma does have a bicycle community!
It may be a surprise that Tacoma offers quite a queue of bicycling groups, each filling some rider niche. Whether you are a beginner or an expert, a family with kids, or a seventy-year-old solo traveler, there is a group for you! With some light online research, one can find many upcoming bicycling groups accepting new riders. A great example is the 50-year staple, the Tacoma Washington Bicycle Club, whose mission is to support safe cycling, advocate for better biking infrastructure, and foster a welcoming cycling community for riders of all skill levels, offering a community-driven 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to promoting cycling for fun, fitness, and transportation. It’s known as a social club, with the average rider being 50+, who ride Mondays through Thursdays and on Saturdays. Be sure to check out their website for signature rides and more information at www.twbc.org.
Perhaps “Tacoma women, having fun, riding bikes” interests you—then you should check out Velofemmes, a warmly social, women-focused group that began in the spring of 2013 when a group came together to share a love of bicycles and inspire other women to ride bikes. You might have seen them touring Point Defiance on Monday mornings, during their weekly summer rides, or at their annual event, the Little Black Dress Ride, held in midsummer. Maybe you saw them blaze by during their holiday night ride, with outfits and bikes decked out in LED lights (very Venice Beach of them).
You may seek a discussion group on bike maintenance, route safety, and equipment upgrades. Many of these groups offer that, as well as scheduled rides, and all are welcoming to beginners and experts alike. With TWBC and Velofemmes, all bikes are accepted, as long as the rider follows city law and protects their noggin with a helmet. If you’re not finding a group or ride route that fits your needs, Velofemmes suggests organizing and leading a ride to help fill the gap. Check out their Facebook page to stay in the know: https://www.facebook.com/VeloFemmes/.
When you start digging into Tacoma bike clubs, you might be surprised by how robust the culture is on our hills. Take the time to check in with other bicycle-related groups such as the Rapidas, who ride every first Saturday starting at Wily Cycleworks (new to Sixth Avenue); Second Cycle (a family favorite); Downtown On the Go; ForeverGreen Trails; Foothills Rails-to-Trails Coalition; Bikes4Kids; Trek; Joyride; Cascade Bicycle Club; and Tuesday Night Riders in Olympia. Either way, it is inspiring—and with a clear website—you’ll surely find a ride that fits your cycling goals.
