Joining a sports club for the first time can feel a bit daunting, especially if you’ve never been part of one before. But don’t worry—OUT MTB is all about riding bikes, having fun, and building a friendly LGBTQ+ cycling community. Whether you’re experienced or just starting out, you’ll find a supportive group ready to welcome you.
Got questions? You’re in the right place—let’s get you rolling! 🚴♂️🌈
1. Do I have to be a pro to join OUT MTB?
Not at all! OUT MTB is an amateur sports club—meaning we all know how to ride, but none of us are paid pro athletes or commercial MTB instructors.
We have a wide range of skill levels, from confident beginners to experienced riders. No one expects you to be an expert, and you don’t have to impress anyone by doing things you’re uncomfortable with. If you’re looking to improve your skills, meet great people, and have fun on the trails, you’re in the right place!
2. I’m interested, but the rides seem far away.
It can feel a bit overwhelming to sign up for a multi-day ride in an unfamiliar place with people you haven’t met yet. We get it! Questions like Where do people stay? Is my bike suitable? What about food? Can I charge my e-bike (or my EV)?—all totally valid.
The best way to get answers is to reach out to the event host (aka the Ride Captain) directly on Spond. You can also post your questions in our Riders’ Lounge WhatsApp group. Any Ride Captain will be happy to help—we’re all mates, and we’ll make sure you have the info you need.
While we can’t quite be your personal travel agents, we’ll do our best to share what we know about accommodation, travel, and anything else that helps make the trip easier for you.
3. Can I bring my hardtail? My e-bike? My gravel bike?
E-bikes? Always welcome!
For other bikes, it depends on the ride level which you’ll find in the Spond event. Gravel bikes are great for Level 0 (gravel rides). Hardtails can work for Levels 1 and 2, but it’s worth checking with the Ride Captain if you’re unsure. If in doubt, just ask—we’d rather help you figure it out than have you turn up with the wrong bike for the terrain.
4. What kind of group is OUT MTB?
OUT MTB is all about riding trails and building community. If you’re looking for adventure, friendship, and good times on two wheels, you’re in the right place. If you’re looking for something else… well, that’s a different kind of club.
5. Why are there only men in all the pictures?
Great question! OUT MTB was founded in 2024 by a group of friends who originally met through OutdoorLads, a charity focused on men’s outdoor activities. Because of that, many of our early members (and photos) are of guys.
But one of the reasons we started OUT MTB was to create a more inclusive space for all LGBTQ+ riders. If you don’t see yourself reflected in the pictures yet, that’s exactly why we need you! Everyone is welcome—just bring your bike, and let’s hit the trails.
6. Where are your focus areas geographically?
Most of our rides are in Scotland and Northern England, but we also run events in Wales, the Peak District, and the Surrey Hills (thanks to our London-based MTB leader, Alex!).
We plan rides based on where our Spond members are, so if you have location ideas—let us know!
We’re especially looking to add more Ride Captains in Manchester and Wales, so if you’re local and keen, we’d love to chat.
7. How does one become a Ride Captain?
If you’re interested in leading rides, we’d love to support you! The main things we look for are:
- Outdoor First Aid certification (which we can help arrange).
- A basic skills sign-off from an existing Ride Captain.
If that sounds like something you’d like to do, talk to Mark—he’ll be happy to guide you through the process.
8. Do I have to be LGBTQ+ to join?
Nope! OUT MTB is an LGBTQ+ club, but we welcome allies who support our inclusive space. If you love mountain biking and share our values of respect and inclusivity, you’re more than welcome.
9. Do I need to become a member?
No, just sign up for our group in Spond, show up, and ride with us. Your first 2 rides are free, and then we charge £20 for an annual membership. We don’t make a profit, as we simply cover our insurance and website costs as well as First Aid certificates for Ride Captains.
10. What does OUT MTB stand for?
OUT MTB stands for Outdoor LGBTQ+ Mountain Biking—a club where LGBTQ+ cyclists (and allies) can ride together in a supportive community.
11. What fitness level do I need?
We have rides for different skill and fitness levels, so you don’t need to be super fit. As a rule of thumb, you should already be capable of riding a red Mountain Bike trail. If you’re unsure, check the ride level in the event description or ask a Ride Captain.
12. What if I’m nervous about joining my first ride?
Totally normal! Many of our members joined as their first-ever sports club. We recommend starting with a lower-level ride to get comfortable, join the WhatsApp group to “break the ice” and reach out to Ride Captains who are always happy to help new riders settle in.
13. What do I need to bring on a ride?
Please check the equipment list.
18. How do I connect with other members?
We use Spond to organize rides and have a WhatsApp group for general chat, ride planning, and sharing biking tips.