What's the easiest way to join a cycling group as a complete beginner in Pune?

You don't need to get fitter first - that's genuinely backwards, and it's the single biggest reason people delay joining a group for months longer than they need to. Every serious cycling club, in Pune and everywhere else in India, runs multiple pace groups specifically so riders at different fitness levels can ride together, and most designate a sweep rider whose whole job is making sure nobody gets dropped or left behind. The most reliable way in is less formal than people expect: search Pune cycling clubs on Strava and look for ones with genuinely recent activity, not just a large member count, or ask at a local bike shop about active WhatsApp groups - shop owners usually know exactly which groups are welcoming to newcomers. Most groups organise almost entirely through WhatsApp rather than a website. For your first ride, mention upfront that you're new and ask which pace group suits a beginner, then ride near the back so you can watch group riding etiquette without the pressure of setting the pace. Most riders notice a real jump in fitness and confidence within four to six weeks of consistent group riding. The Pune cycling community on Sport I Play is a good place to find out who's riding this weekend rather than guessing.