CYCLE Connect 417 is all about bringing women in the Southwest Missouri region together to ride bikes and connect with each other and our community. We create an inclusive and judgment-free central hub for women to explore cycling, network within their community, and empower themselves through education and support.

We are women who have a common interest in biking and the outdoors - and we want to share that with the women in our community! We are not experts or professional athletes but we believe that every woman can find their place in the sport of cycling, no matter which bike you choose to ride or which surface you desire to ride on. We are here to help build our cycling community and include every woman who wants to be involved!

In September 2022, a group of community leaders and organizers from Springfield traveled to Northwest Arkansas to learn more about their strategies for local business and community growth - and more importantly, how to incorporate these techniques back home. As part of this visit, the attendees learned how local women cyclists had built a positive force of networking and empowerment which not only built them up individually, but also supported countless businesses, contributing to the success of the local economy. The women in attendance were deeply inspired to bring all this home. Their inspiration turned into conversation, which turned into action, and now we are building together!

On the first Saturday of each month there will be a no-drop community ride incorporating local Greenways/paved cycle friendly roads. "No-drop" means that no one is left behind! While the group may spread out during points of the ride, we will stop frequently to re-group and make sure everyone is having fun. Periodically through the month you can expect more road rides to be organized, as well as rides to take place on gravel and at our local mountain bike trails. These rides are a great opportunity to get acquainted with the different types of cycling our area has to offer and meet other women who are wanting to do the same thing! Nervous about riding in a group? We strive to make our rides judgment-free, inclusive, friendly, and full of smiles! Need a bike or other equipment? We can get you in touch with some of our local bike shop partners!

Have you ever traveled somewhere and experienced a cycling or outdoor culture that makes you want to drop everything and move there? We guarantee you their culture, businesses and infrastructure were not grown overnight. We can have that right here in the 417 area if we work hard too. While an organized group of women who cycle might not change everything that needs to be fixed in our community, we believe it will go a long way towards empowerment and visibility, which is a great start. More women on bikes means more business at the local bike shops and other establishments frequented at our events. More women on bikes means more connections to other women and their lives. More women on bikes can help break down the barriers for others in our community to enjoy what is out there for all of us.