Cycling Clubs: The Heart of the Community – Cycling with Sarah

Cycling with Sarah is a welcoming and community-minded cycling club for senior women who want to stay active, social, and engaged. More than just a riding group, it’s a fun and supportive space where members encourage one another and build lasting friendships. With regular group rides and special events, the club fosters a sense of family—so much so that members proudly refer to themselves as “cycling sisters.”

Cycling With Sarah Club Profile

• Established: 2023
• Location: Three Chapters in Winnipeg Manitoba. (Northeast, South, & West)
• Primary Disciplines: Multi use trails both paved and gravel (Birds Hill Park & Quiet Streets).
• Club Focus: Cycling with Sarah is a fun, supportive, and community-minded club that brings senior women together to enjoy cycling in a social and welcoming environment.
• New Rider Support: At the start of each season, they host beginner-friendly rides that include training and safety information. Throughout the season, we provide training for ride leaders and sweeps, ensuring new riders are paired with experienced members for mentorship and support.
• Club Activities: Weekly rides, bike maintenance clinics, and special events like sunrise and ice cream rides. We also take part in community parades and family rides, along with training workshops for ride leaders and sweeps.
• Current Members: 85
• Website: Instagram & Facebook

Cycling with Sarah: Building Community, Confidence, and Connections on Two Wheels

In just two seasons, Cycling with Sarah has grown into a thriving cycling club for senior women, built on fun, community, and support. Established in 2023, the club welcomes women of all skill levels and bike types, creating an inclusive space where members encourage each other to grow, set new goals, and rediscover the joy of cycling.

A Club for Everyone

With 85 members and three chapters—Northeast (Winnipeg and East St. Paul), South, and West Winnipeg—Cycling with Sarah offers a welcoming and supportive community for senior women. The club rides on multi-use trails, paved and gravel roads, quiet streets, and at Birds Hill Park, creating a variety of cycling experiences for all skill levels.

More than just a riding group, Cycling with Sarah fosters a fun, encouraging atmosphere where members support one another in building skills and confidence. “We are not competitive with each other but rather supportive and encouraging,” says the club’s leadership.

The club hosts weekly rides, bike maintenance clinics, and special events like sunrise rides, ice cream rides, and community parades. To ensure every member feels supported, they also offer training workshops for ride leaders and sweeps.

New riders are welcomed with beginner-friendly rides at the start of each season, including training and safety instruction. To help build confidence, new members are paired with experienced riders for mentorship, making it easy to settle into the club.

Celebrating Milestones Together

During their second season, the club saw a surge of enthusiasm as members embraced cycling’s impact on their lives. Many set personal milestones—some reaching 30 km, others pushing to 40–50 km, and a dedicated group completing their first 100 km ride. Their achievements were celebrated by the entire club, inspiring others to set new challenges for the upcoming season. This shared passion and encouragement continue to drive the Cycling with Sarah community forward.

Giving Back to the Community

Cycling with Sarah is about more than just riding—it’s about making a difference. Each year, members give back through donation drives supporting initiatives like Main Street Project’s Socktober campaign, the Manitoba Shoebox Project for women at risk of homelessness, Willow Place and Nova House domestic violence programs, and Wrap for the Cure for cystic fibrosis research.

Cycling may be the club’s foundation, but the friendships and adventures continue year-round. Fall & Winter Coordinators Lisa Ehmann, Elizabeth Drew, and Karen Terlinski organize off-season activities like hiking, snowshoeing, fat biking, and cross-country skiing to keep members moving and connected. The club also partners with Birds Hill Park’s Senior Interpreter to offer guided outdoor adventures, ensuring there’s always something to look forward to, no matter the season.

As the club continues to grow, co-founders Sarah Gravelle-MacKenzie and Rose McDonald expressed deep gratitude for the members who have stepped up to support the community. Ride leaders Michelle Kulchycki (who also serves as the club’s Event Planner), Kelly Wilson, Kelly Reilly, Elizabeth Drew, and Jean Cox, along with ride sweeps Cherylene Robson, Linda Bullen, Karen Terlinski, Betsy Troutt, Leslie Alvaro, and Julie Vogelsang, have all played a vital role in ensuring that every ride is welcoming, safe, and enjoyable.

Join the Cycling with Sarah Community

Cycling with Sarah is more than just a club—it’s a movement proving that cycling is for every stage of life. As more senior women take to the trails and roads, they’re discovering newfound confidence, friendships, and a passion for staying active. Whether you’re returning to cycling after years away or looking for a supportive group to ride with, this community is here to welcome and inspire you.

Due to the incredible interest and growth of the club, all three chapters are currently full, with waitlists in place. While we aren’t able to accept new members at this time, the enthusiasm for Cycling with Sarah continues to show how powerful a community of women on bikes can be.

To join the waitlist please contact cyclingwithsarah@gmail.com .