Day 28 of Cycling Every Day: First Group Ride in Calgary with Critical Mass
From Solo Rider to Community Cyclist
Today was a complete change of pace - literally. Not only was it my first night ride of the year, kicking off at 6:30 PM as the sun began to dip behind the skyline, but it was also my first ever group ride in Calgary.
The ride was organized by Critical Mass (check out their Insta page here!), a free, open-to-all cycling group that rolls through the city streets every last Friday of the month. It wasn’t your typical roadie peloton, though. Critical Mass is a mixed bag of cyclists - people on road bikes, commuter bikes, e-bikes, electric unicycles, folding bikes, BMX bikes and bikes with baby-stroller type things attached.
Every age. Every gender. Every background.
Even if some of these cyclists usually chase performance stats, Strava records, or mountain trail thrills, on Critical Mass night the goal seems to be - ride together, occupy the streets, and just have some fun.
What It Felt Like to Ride With a Group Again
After weeks of solo river pathway rides, it was wild to pull up and see the crowd grow at the starting venue - chatting, laughing, reuniting after a month apart. Some folks were obviously group veterans, others (like me) were first-timers, quietly taking it all in.
No rush. No competition. No pressure.
The organizers made it clear: this was a no-drop ride. Everyone rides at the group’s pace, around 10-15 km/h for a ~20 km urban loop. Nobody gets left behind.
Urban Cycling Confidence
Riding through the city streets instead of the familiar river paths was a shift. Cars, intersections, and lights added complexity - but with the group surrounding me, it felt different.
Confidence-building.
That seems to be part of the goal with Critical Mass:
Encourage new cyclists to get comfortable riding in urban settings
Show how cities can be navigated without relying on cars
Build a visible cycling community - one that takes up space and owns it
It worked. I found myself navigating streets I’d never considered riding alone, all while feeling safe and supported.
Post-Ride Bonfire and Conversations
The ride wrapped up in a park in the NW of the downtown area, where the wind and snow hadn’t dampened spirits. A bonfire was already roaring. People pulled out snacks and bevvies to share, and just talked.
I had some fantastic conversations — the kind you only get when you step out of routine:
Adam, the owner of one of Calgary’s best used-bike stores Bathtub Bikes, with opinions about representation and growth opportunities in the cycling industry
Nigel, a Bike Calgary events team member, who’s deeply involved in the city’s cycling scene and advocacy for urban commuting and better cycling infrastructure
Anurag, a PhD student from the University of Calgary who, in a twist of fate, once lived in the same Indian city I grew up in. Small world.
None of this would’ve happened if I’d stuck to my solo riding routine.
Final Thoughts
If I’ve learned anything today, it’s that group rides aren’t just about the cycling.
They’re about building confidence.
They’re about meeting people - people who might know your city better than you do.
And they’re about redefining what it means to move through your city - not just as a commuter, but as part of a community.
Would I do it again?
Absolutely. And maybe next time, I’ll know a few more faces when I roll up to a Critical Mass ride, (6:30pm, every last-Friday of the month!)
Wonderful article, thanks for joining and reflecting on our community of passionate cyclists here in Calgary.
There's a large and dense network of folks working hard to not just imagine, but implement a better Calgary, and we're always happy to greet a new friend!