If you want to ride in a group, you may be in luck with local bike shops or bike cafés. Some offer regular rides. The relevant information can often be found on the shops' social media profiles. Grouprides.cc is also a good platform for finding - or offering - a group ride in your neighbourhood. Group day tours can also be found as RTF - the abbreviation stands for Radtourenfahrt, an event format under the umbrella of the Bund Deutscher Radfahrer, usually organised by cycling clubs. These are cycling tours without a racing character or timekeeping, but depending on the route, they are certainly sporty. In the wake of the gravel boom, CTFs (country tour rides), which were once ridiculed as somewhat boring, are enjoying renewed popularity as an off-road version of the RTF. Dates can be found in the BDR's popular sports calendar: https://www.rad-net.de/rad-net-portal/breitensportkalender.htm
Typical procedure of a Gravel Community Ride
You gather for a group ride shortly before departure. There is usually a short speech in which hand signals and details of the route are explained, then off you go. On longer tours, it is often discussed beforehand whether there will be a coffee stop. In the event of a breakdown, everyone involved is usually patient and will help if assistance is needed. At official RTF/CTFs, the organiser usually sets up refreshment points along the way. Nevertheless, you should always have your own catering on board.
Prerequisites
- Gravelbike
- Sufficient catering
Community Gravel Events 2025
- Shimano Gravel Ride at the BIKE Festival Willingen (Germany, Sauerland, 24 May 2025)
- Gravel tour from TUS Griesheim (Germany, July 2025)
Sandra Schuberth
Editor
