The cycling community in Atlanta is a vibrant and diverse network. There are dozens of groups that offer something for every cyclist in the area. Among the various groups is MWR ATL, a cycling and social club.
The cycling group started in 2018 under the name Good Vibe Ride, but like many things at the time, the pandemic impacted how the group operated. In 2021, Logan Forsberg and his wife took over the group, rebranding it as Midweek Roll. The couple moved to Atlanta in 2017 and were eager to find a cycling community, finding their niche in Good Vibe Ride, which was later rebranded. “I was looking for more of a social community thing, and that’s what we more or less turned Midweek Roll into. We wanted it to be exactly what I was looking for,” Forsberg said.
And that’s exactly what the cycling group became. It wasn’t a club that tested how fast you could ride or how far you could go, but a club where people could socialize and meet others. Forsberg describes the club as a social, community-oriented club, something he wished he had when he just moved to Atlanta. “We designed it specifically to be a club that we wish we had if we had just moved to a city or if we had just gotten into the cycling community. And that’s really what it is.”
On their third anniversary party/ride in May 2024, the group underwent another rebranding and now goes by MWR ATL. Forsberg explains, “We celebrated our third anniversary as a cycling club and decided it was time to change things up. Large and regular group rides are a blast, but also require a lot of planning, coordination, and effort to run safely.” He said as a leader of the group he wanted to introduce social events. “ We wanted to create social events that happen both on and off the bike, such as our Coffee Club meetups the last Friday of the month and our group outing to an Atlanta United game in July.”
While the group did do some rebranding, they still will have voluteers on their rides to ensure safety and organization. Forsberg has implemented guidelines and relies on dedicated volunteers to make the rides a sucess. Acknowledging their invaluable contribution, he emphasizes, “Our volunteers are the backbone of MWR ATL; without their dedication, our rides wouldn’t be possible.” Volunteers oversee the group during the ride to ensure everyone stays together and follows the guidelines. Those interested in volunteering can submit a form on the website or reach out through social media.
The guidelines followed during the ride are inspired by an Austin-based cycling group. “We have our ride guidelines, which are more or less like, hey, these are the things that you can expect on a ride. These are the things you should follow. And it’s everything from just basic sense, like wear a helmet and have a front and rear light, to when you’re turning in a group.” Forsberg added, “We recently updated our three sets of guidelines to encompass this change to our club.”
Unless otherwise stated in the event language, rides are open to everyone. To learn more about MWR ATL and their upcoming rides, visit their website at www.mwratl.com. Forsberg notes, “We still post our rides and events to social media. Our social media links and an updated calendar of events can be found on the homepage of our website. We also have a Discord server for chatting, planning, and connecting outside of our rides and events.”
If this club isn’t your speed, Forsberg said the Atlanta cycling community is strong and that there’s something for everyone; you just have to look. “I always tell people, if we’re too slow or if other clubs are too fast, shop around; there’s a ride out there for you. And the beautiful thing is, if you can’t find a ride that’s specifically for you, you can make one; you can go out and do it.”
Photo Credit: Midweek Roll