Join us Wednesday, June 7, 2023 at 5:30 PM for our second Gravel group ride, starting from our shop at 35 Elm St.

This ride will consist of 15-20 miles of rail trail, fire roads, biking trails, and dirt roads. Any hybrid or mountain bike will work for this ride and we will adjust the route depending on the riders who show up. There will be an option to grab some food and drinks near the end of the ride. All abilities are welcome to come and try out some gravel and trail riding.

For further event details, and to check for any day of changes or cancellations, follow the link below!

Ugh, we’re sorry too! :/

Stay posted for a replacement ride! Check the Events page for more information, updates, and  (sadly, other) ride cancellations.

General Info:

All rides start at the shop at 35 Elm Street. They end either at the shop, or at a pub/cafe/restaurant close by, if the group decides to add on some social time. Bring lights and a helmet if you have them. 

MANCHESTER, NH – Thanks to the Earn-A-Bike Program, over 140 elementary school students in Manchester, NH will be provided with a new refurbished bicycle or their choice of an alternative “be active” package in the last weeks of May! The program, created by the Manchester Community Schools Project in collaboration with QC Bike Collective, Gossler Park Elementary School, and Beech Street Elementary School, has been rewarding academic achievement and leadership skills of elementary school children with bikes since 2015.

“The Earn-A-Bike program has been a cornerstone of the Manchester Community Schools Project,” according to Amy Bligh, Community Programs Coordinator at the Manchester Health Department. “It’s a great way to celebrate student leadership together with community partners, families and neighbors, while also highlighting health and safety!”

Fourth graders at Gossler Park Elementary will receive their bikes on May 18th during the Gossler Park Block Party from 4:30 – 6:00 PM and Mayor Joyce Craig is expected to make an appearance. Fifth graders at Beech Street Elementary will receive their bikes at their school on May 25th .

The bikes include a helmet, lights, lock, and will meet transportation needs while also offering an outlet for exercise and recreation. Students who already had bikes at home were offered an alternative prize. The alternative “be active” packages included a ball, pump & accessories, or a set of tennis lessons with a racket through Tennis in the Parks with Manchester Parks and Recreation.

Each school had a bike safety assembly provided by certified instructors through Bike Walk Alliance of NH. “We are happy to support the Earn-a-Bike program by sending our BWANH certified bike safety instructors to participating schools! This helps us achieve the goals of our Safe Routes to School program. Win win!” said Paula Bedard, Bike-Walk Alliance of New Hampshire, Safe Routes to School Program Coordinator.

The Manchester Police Department offered support by providing bike registration free of charge. “We are happy to be a part of this great event, “ says Manchester Public Information Officer Heather Hamel, “It’s always wonderful to see the kid’s eyes light up when they get their new set of wheels and our officers look forward to helping them with their bike locks and helmets. We hope this gift makes for a summer full of safe and fun riding.”

The Earn-A-Bike Program was only able to make this impact through the generous funding by Elliot Hospital. “Elliot Health System, a founding member of SolutionHealth, is proud to support community health and wellness initiatives that impact local children,” says Anne-Marie Hafeman, Director, Community Engagement & Volunteer Resources for Elliot Health System. “In this case, we are thrilled knowing that students at two elementary schools completed the leadership programs set by the Manchester Health Department to earn bikes.”

Robert Tourigny, Executive Director for NeighborWorks Southern NH says, “We are delighted to see the great success of QC Bike and all they have accomplished since their early days working in our small community room, and their growth that now includes a store and an inventory of bikes that will meet the needs of our entire community.”

The Earn-A-Bike Program continues to grow since its inception and is looking to expand to more schools, offering these rewards to more students in the city. More support is needed as the program expands. Businesses and Organizations looking to contribute funding or resources for the program can contact Abby Easterly at abby@qcbike.org.

The Queen City Bicycle Collective continues its mission to get, and keep, the Manchester community riding bicycles, safely and affordably with services, events, and community outreach. You can help in that mission by donating funds, bikes or parts, or volunteering your time. You can learn more by visiting https://qcbike.org/donate/ or contacting Abby Easterly at abby@qcbike.org or calling (603)493-1720.

Acknowledgement for the generous contributions from NeighborWorks of Southern New Hampshire, the bike donors, including Trek Hooksett, the volunteers who dedicated their time to refurbishing bikes all winter and the
many volunteers who work to make the Earn-a-Bike events a smooth and joyful experience.

Beginning May 20, 2023 Queen City Bicycle Collective will once again be hosting regular group rides. Here’s the tentative schedule.

For more information, updates, and  ride cancellations, check the Events page.

General Info:

All rides start at the shop at 35 Elm Street. They end either at the shop, or at a pub/cafe/restaurant close by, if the group decides to add on some social time. Bring lights and a helmet if you have them. 

Manch Social:

This is the perfect opportunity to learn how to get around our city on two wheels. We will connect our cycle lanes, trails, and back-alley passages to show you how to get to the best places this city has to offer. This ride is open to everyone, from seasoned veterans to riders who just dusted off their old bike after a long time. Feel free to join for coffee or drinks afterwards! Contact Flo at florian.tsch@gmail.com for questions.

Long Road:

Let’s get out of the city and take over the backroads of our surrounding towns! We will be riding about 30 to 60 miles to different locations, stopping for coffee, snacks or ice cream along the way. The average pace will be around 13-15 mph but we will adjust depending on the ability of riders who show up. No-drop: No one gets left behind. The route will be posted on our calendar on the website ahead of time. Contact Flo at florian.tsch@gmail.com for questions.

Gravel:

Get off the roads and onto the trails after work! Meet at QC Bike every Wednesday for a ride on the gravel and unpaved trails connected to Manchester. This ride will consist of 15-20 miles of rail trail, fire roads, biking trails, and dirt roads. Any hybrid or mountain bike will work for this ride and we will adjust the route depending on the riders who show up. There will be an option to grab some food and drinks near the end of the ride. All abilities are welcome to come and try out some gravel and trail riding! Contact Elyza at elyzaagosta@gmail.com for questions.

Family/All Welcome:

This ride is for families, those who might not feel comfortable on surface roads, and anyone looking to take it easy. While these rides will officially start at the QC Bike Collective at 10am, they will stop at a trailhead to meet riders who prefer to stay on-trail. From the trailhead, rides will be out-and-back with a total distance of 3-5mi at <10mph. Spontaneous stops to look at wildlife, have snacks, and adjust trailer occupants may be included. Trailhead locations for these rides along with trailhead meetup times will be posted on QC Bike social media and available via email at kyle@qcbike.org.

Join us for our 7th Anniversary Open House, on Thursday, December 1st, from 4 to 8 PM at 37 Elm St., Manchester, NH.

We’d love to see you — to show you what we’ve been up to, how you can get
involved, and a whole shop full of wonderful bikes!

See you there!

Join us as we attend CNHBC’s Biketoberfest event at Red River Theater, in Concord, Thursday, October 20th from 6 – 8 PM.

About this Event

CNHBC invites you to join us for a night of short-films, guest speakers, and community. We will have a variety of local, regional, and international stories to share. We hope that you join us and bring your stories and love for bicycles!

We appreciate any donations to help cover the costs of this event (suggested donation of $5 at the door)!

Also check out other Nonprofit Events in Concord, Sports Events in Concord, Trips & Adventurous Activities in Concord.Tickets

Tickets for Central New Hampshire Bike Coalition Biketoberfest can be booked here.