THANK GOD IT'S FRIDAY 2026
Our rolling start to the weekend has developed into a classic group ride over the last few years, bringing together a more than pleasant community of friends from early April to late September for a relaxed spin on the farm tracks and district roads around Düsseldorf. Depending on weather conditions and daylight, we invite you to a tour of 50 to 75 kilometers, in most cases a flat loop of the left-Rhine region, and occasionally, with prior notice, a short visit with some elevation gain towards Ratingen and Essen.
Our average speed is about 25 km/h, which means we can reach around 30 km/h on flats. Don't worry, it's perfectly doable in a group. THANK GOD IT’S FRIDAY is definitely suitable as an introduction to the world of group rides for riders who have successfully completed their first solo experiences and are familiar with their bikes.
To ensure everyone feels safe and well looked after, there are some basic rules:
No matter if you're riding a road bike or a gravel bike, drop handlebars are mandatory. No flat handlebars, not even with bar ends or similar. We ride in a group, side-by-side in double file, where flat handlebars can cause problems.
Please ensure your bike is roadworthy, has two proper brakes, and has been serviced. A helmet is mandatory, and we also require cycling shoes and clipless pedals, as well as appropriate clothing. We are told that we have an excellent range of shoes, cycling apparel, helmets, and all necessary accessories at Mütze, so we would be delighted if you made use of them.
Bring lights in spring and autumn, always carry a spare tube, tire levers, and a multi-tool so you can take care of yourself in case of a puncture. Technical assistance is always available from our great fellow riders in case of a breakdown, so don't worry if you can't change a tube in four minutes yet.
We ride in public spaces, at our own risk, and therefore strictly adhere to traffic rules. Please pay attention at all times to the announcements and commands from our guides, who are happy to help you. Please inform us if a ride with us is your first group experience; we will assign an experienced neighbor to assist you with all the necessary information during the ride.
We organize the Mützen rides for our community, for our shop, and because we believe that cycling is the best sport in the world. Our entire team does this with enthusiasm because we enjoy it and want to pass that on to our fellow riders. In fifteen years of tour organizing, we have gained some experience and want to minimize the risk of problems and falls with our announcements, commands, and recommendations. Your safety is important to us; we want all participants to have a good time on the bike. Our tours are meant to help you discover new routes and sections, meet new cyclists, feel comfortable in groups, and know how best to behave at all times.
Important: No one metaphorically steps onto a bus during a guided tour. Here, it’s not the two at the front who dictate the tour, but everyone involved has a responsibility. Please always be aware of this. While chatting, pay attention to the riders in front of you and their hand signals, and ride so smoothly and consistently that everyone enjoys riding behind you. Don't leave large gaps between rows, as you never know if the riders behind you can close them again.
For everything to run smoothly, please also adhere to our guides' instructions during the ride.
A tip for beginners: if you are confident and familiar with your bike, ride in the 2nd or 3rd row. It's always relatively relaxed at the front, but at the back of a larger peloton, you always have to close gaps created by the accordion effect.
We thank our partners Hunt Bike Wheels, Ciclovation, Café du Cycliste, and Abus for their support; beyond all marketing stories, it's great that you're on board and enable our activities through your support.
The ticket proceeds from our rides fully benefit CYCLE4WATER; with the donations, we finance the production costs of the CYCLE4WATER caps, which are then sold for donations.
From April 10th to September 25th, 2026, we start our round every Friday evening at 6:00 PM. If it's raining cats and dogs, a storm or thunderstorm is on the horizon, or there are other serious circumstances, our ride may be canceled. We will communicate this via our social media channels. There is also a WhatsApp group for our rides; please contact us if you would like to join.
The number of tickets is limited to ensure a smooth process. There is always a waiting list where you can sign up; if we have enough guides on the day of the ride or participants cancel, we will allow you to join.
We look forward to your company on our rides. Here's to a great 2026 season.
See you soon.
Your #thankgoditsfriday-Crew
Generally:
The participation conditions listed below apply to all participants in the [event] by the
Schicke Mütze GmbH (hereinafter referred to as “SCHICKE MÜTZE” or “organizer”) organized bike rides (hereinafter also referred to as “event”).
Behavior/Order:
1. The outings of SCHICKE MÜTZE never had the character of a
This is a bicycle race. No times will be recorded, nor will any ranking of participants be determined. Participants who violate this rule may be immediately excluded from the ride by the organizers or their agents.
2. Unless explicitly stated otherwise, SCHICKE MÜTZE rides are road bike rides, in which only bicycles with so-called road bike racks are permitted.
Participation is permitted.
3. The SCHICKE MÜTZE values respectful and friendly interaction within
the group of participants, but also towards all pedestrians, cyclists and
Drivers encountered during the drive. Should a participant
exhibit behavior that, in the opinion of the organizer or their
If an agent of this rule contradicts it, they reserve the right to exclude that participant from
to exclude the exit.
4. The participant is responsible for the flawless technical condition and safety of his/her vehicle.
You are responsible for your own bicycle. Private bicycles will not be inspected by the [organization/person].
The event is cancelled. Should the organizer nevertheless list a bicycle as not suitable for the
If she deems the trip suitable, she can remove the participant from the trip at any time.
exclude – both before the start and during the exit.
5. The participant familiarized herself with the general group rules before the start of the trip.
Familiarized with and follows the rules of road bike rides. The organizer's briefing before a
Exit can only ever contain parts of these group rules.
6. During the excursions, the instructions of the organizer and their team must be followed.
The instructions of the agents must be strictly followed.
Driven:
1. The participant takes part in the SCHICKE MÜTZE outing at her own risk.
2. The participant is aware that the outings are events that take place on public roads on routes that are not closed or secured and therefore involve an increased risk potential, where, despite observing the necessary precautions,
Care cannot completely rule out the possibility of damage.
3. The road traffic regulations (StVO) must be observed.
4. Wearing a suitable bicycle helmet is mandatory.
Liability:
1. Each participant is required to have valid liability insurance.
The organizer provides no insurance coverage for the participants.
2. Upon request, the participant is obliged to provide the organizer with proof of
Proof of insurance coverage must be provided. Without sufficient insurance coverage, the
Participation in the excursion is not permitted.
3. The organizer is liable only for damages resulting from injury to life, health, or health.
Body, health, or property resulting from an intentional or grossly negligent act
The organizer's breach of duty is the basis for this.
Insurance / Requirements
Each participant rides at their own risk. The organizer does not provide accident insurance. Each participant should obtain their own insurance coverage. Helmets are mandatory. Everyone is responsible for ensuring their bicycle is in good working order.
Participants who violate the terms and conditions of participation may be excluded from the trip.
will be excluded without any entitlement to a refund of any participation fee.