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C-STS 2026 is a series of 16 rides on Saturdays in March, April, and May.

The goal of C-STS is to help club members improve their conditioning after a winter of relative inactivity.

C-STS is not an educational series. Participants should either be SIG graduates or have comparable group riding skills. We expect you to ride single file unless otherwise instructed, stay between the leader and co-leader, call out stopping and hazards, and be familiar with the operation of your bicycle including gears and brakes. If you are not an experienced group rider, you should choose SIG instead.

C-STS participants are encouraged to ride with us each week but there is no commitment to do a specified number of rides.

Rides start at 25-30 miles and progressively increase to over 60 miles by the end. Cruising speed (on smooth level roads with no wind) is 13 or 14 mph as noted in the ride listings. Average speed is approximately 3 mph slower.

Withdraw from rides if you will not be participating. Also, if you are a regular A or B rider, please do not sign up until 3 days before the ride so as to give regular C riders a chance.

Be punctual. It is not fair to keep a group waiting, especially in the cold weather we often have early in the season. If you are using mass transit be sure to check the subway and train advisories and timetables before you leave your home. If you are using MTA Trip Planner you should plan to take a train that is one or two trains earlier than the one that gets you to the start at exactly the start time.

Throttle ebikes, bikes with aero bars, and non-bicycles (mopeds, scooters, etc) are not permitted on NYCC rides. However, on C-STS, pedal-assist ebikes, single-speed bikes, and recumbents are permitted. Participants with those bikes are expected to stay with the group.

Bicycles must be in good working order. In particular, check brakes, shifting, and tire pressures before the ride. If you have a pedal-assist ebike and/or electronic shifting, make sure these are fully charged.

Bring two spare tubes, a pump or CO2 charger, water bottles filled with water or sports drink, and pocket food. Helmets are mandatory for all riders.

You are expected to know how to change a flat tire (although your leaders will try to help).

C-STS leaders reserve the right to disqualify any rider who fails to demonstrate acceptable group riding skills. These include riding single file, respecting pedestrians, and obeying vehicle and traffic laws. Safety is our #1 priority.

Nobody will be dropped without a plan for getting home. However, we will assess rider capability early on. If we see that a rider is struggling before we leave the city or has other difficulties, they may be asked to bail at a subway stop or train station. On many rides there will be no bail options other than an expensive taxi ride back to the city.

You will be notified by email at least 2 hours before the start time of any last minute changes or weather cancellations.

Each Saturday starting March 21st we will have C13 and C14 STS rides. The C14 rides are likely to be longer and hillier as well as faster. If you are not sure you can maintain a 14 mph cruising pace, choose the C13. If you find that too easy, choose the C14 the following week.

THE FOLLOWING IS A DRAFT C-STS 2026 RIDE SCHEDULE. The actual schedule will be listed on the upcoming rides page. Sign-ups open 10 days in advance of each ride.