Spring has sprung and that means it's time to shake the winter hibernation and get active again.
Riding a bicycle is one of the easiest ways to improve your fitness, and the best way to get, and stay, motivated is to join a group
Group riding leads to new friendships and can feel safer as a group is more visible than a solo rider. Commiting to ride with others means making a promise to them, and yourself.
Word of mouth is one of the best ways to get started and to find a group you feel comfortable riding with. Talk to people you know who ride and find out if established groups are underway that suit your needs, or start your own group.
Facebook and Strava are other good places, especially if you are new to an area or are after a specific type of ride or pace. Many of the Strava groups are smaller and local, which are great for developing new friendships.
Some local bikes shops also run regular shop rides or can tell you about the different riding groups in the area.
Racing clubs exist around Tasmania in the major centres for road, cyclocross and mountain bike riders and many of them will have training rides you can join if you plan to race.
Southern groups
Bicycle Network volunteers offer low-key, easy-paced social rides for a range of riding abilities. They cover everything from short introductions to common routes, to half-day adventures exploring areas around Hobart. All social rides will cater to the group on the day: https://ridewithgps.com/organizations/2014-bicycle-network-tasmania/events
Another low-key cycling option is the Hobart Walking Club whose name belies the extent of its activities as it offers twice weekly rides, as well as kayaking and other activities. https://www.hobartwalkingclub.org.au/activities/cycling/
Eudaimonia Cycling Tours runs the monthly Girl Gang ride for women as well as general weekly (faster) and monthly (slower) rides. It also runs the Locals Edition webpage, which collates different rides around town. https://tasmaniancyclingtours.com/thelocalsedition and https://www.strava.com/clubs/eudaimonia
Southern Pedals runs weekly rides around the Huon Valley and has two groups, one riding faster and further and the other slower and shorter, with some riders on ebikes: https://www.strava.com/clubs/3725
Tassie Torque is a fast bunch ride that operates daily in different locations. Weekday rides about of 40km leave at 6am, and longer Saturday rides of 80km-130km leave at 7am. https://www.strava.com/clubs/41177/recent_activity
Hobart Hard Core runs a regular Sunday morning ride at 22–25km/h leaving the Cenotaph car park at 8.30 am. Join their Facebook group to keep up to date: https://www.facebook.com/groups/399429136858316
Pies and Coffee Cycling Club runs several rides during the week but their main ride is on Sundays at 8am, leaving from the Eastlands bus mall and travelling about 60km at a pace of 24km/h. They have an active Strava discussion board: https://www.strava.com/clubs/pppccc
Northern groups
In the north the Tamar Bicycle Users Group runs a regular Wednesday morning ride, which is typically in the 40km range at a pace of 20–25km/h. In summer they put on more rides, including the regular easy-paced Thursday night ride around Launceston’s paths and trails: https://tamarbug.org.au/events/category/rides/
Launceston has regular fast bunch rides most days, which typically head out from bike shops or cafes – check with the bike shops like My Ride or Cycle2 that specialise in road riding.
North-west groups
Bicycle Network volunteers offer a 20-30km ride on routes between Burnie and Devonport on the last Sunday of the month. These rides tend to be organised with a harder option and an easier option and cater for e-bike as well as standard bike riders: : https://ridewithgps.com/organizations/2014-bicycle-network-tasmania/events
Crustys Bakery Cycling Bunch in Ulverstone is a fast group ride leaving at 7am every Saturday, Sunday and public holiday from the Quadrant car park: https://www.strava.com/clubs/crustysbunchulv
Statewide
Audax Tasmania operates all over the state and suits serious distance riders. Most routes are in the hundreds of kilometres. These are not strictly group rides as you ride at your own pace but you start together and receive support along the way. https://audax.org.au/tasmania/