Another newbie from the Bay Area

[sunsfan]

Hi everyone! I'm a 29 yo San Bruno resident, and a complete newbie.
After many summers of trying, I finally got my husband to say yes. We each got a road bike two weeks ago, and I've been happily learning to ride it! My husband is the more experienced rider, having completed a few tours. All that experience, however, was gained 10+ years ago before we immigrated to the US. So maybe we are both newbies, really.

I'm getting the hang of using my gears, though I'm still very intimidated by speed. I learned to ride in a fixed gear as a child and I'm quickly realizing that road bikes behave so differently. This bike seems to want to go with just the slightest push! I like it, but I have to build my confidence slowly.

I'm going to a class by SF Bicycle Coalition about Riding Safety before I ride the streets. For now, I just go round and round the quiet business parks and parking lots of our suburban neighborhood. I'm also considering paying for a bike handling class.

Are there other Bay Area residents around? I would like to hear your recommendations for a newbie training route. A low traffic area would be ideal. And if you have general tips for a newbie, I would really appreciate hearing them. I searched stickies for newbies, but I didn't really find anything. Thank you all and I'm glad this forum exists.

[Koronin]

Welcome. I've been riding a road bike now for about a year. I bought a used bike. I grew up riding a 10 speed, but hadn't been on a bike in probably 15 years or so. Can't help with any places to ride though, since I'm on the opposite coast. (I live on the NC coast).

[maillotpois]

Welcome! There are quite a lot of Bay Area folks on the forum. I am in Marin. I don't have any recommendations for beginner routes in your area, except perhaps around/along that reservoir off the 280 there. That is lovely. I am sure someone else will chime in with better suggestions.

Have fun riding!

[Nick]

Welcome! I'm newly back into biking -- mountain biking -- and have also been doing a lot of skills practicing and taking bike clinics. It really makes a difference. I have a wonderful state park to bike here, which is safe for all level biking. It seems to work well for both roadies and mountain bikers. Are there any parks in your areas with great biking routes?

[mayo]

Hi, I'm also new to riding...just got my first bike last month and I'm from the (south) bay area. I would recommend looking at baytrail.org, which shows the bay trail paths including whether the road is paved or unpaved. That's where I've been learning to ride.

[macski]

Hi all you Bay area newbies - you might want to investigate the velo girls website http://www.velogirls.com/ They are in the Bay area and offer all levels of courses and workshops, including bike handling

Yeah, I know, I'm in Australia but I came across their website once and remember wishing they were in my area.

[NadiaMac]

try bicycle sunday on canada road near woodside-- the road is closed to traffic for most of the day on sundays, between the canada rd exit and 92 exits from 280. It's only a 4 mile stretch, but the road is nicely rolling and it would be a car-free opportunity to build some confidence on the road. You can easily extend your ride in either direction-- see maps on velogirls site.

sawyer camp trail is nearby-- paved trail by the crystal springs reservoir, relatively flat. It can be kind of crowded on weekends especially within one mile or so of the parking at either end. Try in the late afternoon for less congestion

Living in San Bruno , you are near san bruno mountain-- the radio tower road part of the climb has almost no traffic, though it is a bit steep at 8-9%. The guadalupe canyon part of the climb (less steep) has a nice shoulder, but there is some traffic on the road as a heads up. It's a nice little climb, good views at the top. You can go up and down guadalupe on either side for extra climbing.

Also, there is a nice loop in the office park area just south of guadalupe -- go clockwise on: North hill rd (start at intersection with Valley) to south hill road to west hill road to valley, repeat. There is almost no traffic on this after about 6pm on weekdays and on weekends. It's a nice little loop with some gentle climbing on the up, gentle descending on the down. see map here http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&rls=com.microsoft:*&um=1&ie=UTF-8&q=san+bruno+mountain&fb=1&gl=us&hq=san+bruno+mountain&ei=VissTr6VCZGksQPlssTaCg&sa=X&oi=local_group&ct=image&ved=0CAQQtgM


good luck with the riding! The bike coalition class is a great introduction to safe street cycling.

[Savra]

Welcome!! I loved biking in the Bay Area when I lived there. Just remember to have fun!!!

[sunsfan]

AAAH!! Thank you so much for the Bicycle Sunday tip! I went today and really enjoyed it :D
We went a little too late that the road reopened while we were still riding. It's not bad, even with cars. I'll definitely be back, and I'll try those other routes, too.