The lights are going dark at two RIDE Indoor Cycling studios in Texas, leaving a loyal crew of riders and instructors stunned. On Monday, the company announced it will shut down its Downtown Austin and West University (West U) locations this month. The downtown studio’s final class is scheduled for this Saturday, and West U’s last ride is set for next Sunday. RIDE’s other Austin and Houston studios are set to remain open for now, but instructors say the news landed abruptly and left a tight-knit community scrambling for answers.
According to the Houston Chronicle, the company posted on Instagram that “We’re closing our Downtown and West U studios” and invited riders to “be part of the send-off.” The Chronicle reported that the company did not immediately offer a reason for the closures and that co‑founders Kim and Tim Dowling could not be reached for comment. The post listed the studios that will stay open and thanked patrons for their years of classes.
Where The Closures Are Hitting
RIDE lists the Downtown Austin studio at 117 Lavaca Street and the West University studio at 3827 Bellaire Boulevard in Houston. The chain still advertises classes at Austin Westlake, the Heights and Hughes Landing/The Woodlands. Riders can view schedules and book through the company’s reservation system.
How RIDE Built Its Following
RIDE began in Austin and, according to its LinkedIn, was founded in 2013 by Kim and Tim Dowling. Local reporting noted RIDE’s expansion into the Houston Heights in the mid‑2010s as the brand added Texas locations. The boutique built a reputation for beat‑driven, high‑energy classes and a loyal instructor base.
Instructors Say They Were Blindsided
Many instructors and riders said they first learned about the closures only after outside signage appeared and social posts began circulating. The Houston Chronicle reports that a Dallas-based pilates studio, Shine Hot Pilates, posted signage at the downtown Austin location and that instructor Alana Woolf Wade wrote on her Instagram story that staff and patrons felt “devastated.” The Chronicle also noted shocked reactions from staff online and that the Dowling co‑founders were not available for immediate comment…