Good beginner road biking clubs in the South Bay

[roguedog]

What are some good beginner road biking clubs in the South Bay?

I know there's ACTC and Velo Girls.. but I don't know how they are for beginners and what their culture is like. Velo Girls seems more "intense" than for beginners..

Any others? I know there's an Oakland Yellowjackets club that sounds really cool but it's too far prob ..

Looking for suggestions.

tks

[jobob]

I know there's ACTC and Velo Girls.. but I don't know how they are for beginners and what their culture is like.

ACTC is great for beginners. Check out the ride schedule, there are a lot of beginner level rides. www.actc.org Take a look at the newsletter which is online, it's linked somewhere on the website.

ACTC has an excellent road skills academy. The summer/fall session has already started but you could get into the spring session which starts in February. I wholeheartedly recommend it. Hubby and I took the road skills academy (and snapdragen was one of our instructors !) and then Lee and I were assistant instructors for the following two sessions.

[melissam]

roguedog,

Are you interested in a club, or would you just like someone to ride with?

If you would like to get together for a weekend ride (anytime Saturday or Sunday afternoons), let me know.

As far as clubs go, it looks like ACTC has some beginner-oriented rides. You might also check out Fremont Freewheelers or the Western Wheelers. Each club posts its ride schedules online, so you can get an idea of what they offer.

-- Melissa

[Trek420]

Velogirls has a ride for beginners, called the Mello Velo. 15 miles, most on (blissfully car free) La Canada Road, happens every Saturday. Check it out.

I've often heard "oh I could never ride with them, too intense", remember that's the race team. Our club rides are very nice, particularly the Saturday club ride. Nobody gets left behind!

We should do a TE takeover of this ride some time soon.

Those up for the challenge do the regular club ride, choice of 30/50 miles, those with less time or want an easier ride do the Mello Velo. The real cool thing is if the timing is right we meet the Mello gals in the middle of the ride, 30/50 mile group starts before and goes further on.

Ride like a girl, a velo girl!

[velogirl]

I'm leading the beginner ride for Velo Girls this Saturday. Definitely come out and meet the girls.

Calendar here -- http://www.velogirls.com/calendar.php

[roguedog]

So.. here's my story...

I'm a total newb. I mean I have only ridden bikes for purely utilitarian purposes (going to school).

I've gotten a job close to home where I can actually ride to work (ya!). So.. that got me thinking.. I can get exercise and save gas. Then I thought it might be fun to dip my toe into the whole road biking thing and see what it's all about.

I've always been a strength person (weight training) but not very good on endurance sports (basically I SUCK). I hate running but I thought biking might be something I might like.

Anyway, so I'm looking for a way to learn and play to see if I take to this sport. Looking for a friendly environment that will teach me what this sport's about.

ACTC road academy sounds great and maybe Velo Girl's Basic curriculum..

Until then I just kinda need motivation and guidance to just go out. I could also just go out and ride (right or wrong or whatever) since I live so close to Shoreline but I also tend to get a bit bored with routine which is another reason for a club or something so I can mix it up a bit.

Right now I'm just checking things out in this new world and going carefully and slowly. It might be I just like to go out by myself. I dunno yet. I'm probably not going to be racer type but that's all I know.

[DrBadger]

Hey roguedog-
Welcome to the forum! The women here in the Bay Area are great and incredibly patient with newbies (I was one too not that long ago). I am out of town for the summer, but when I get back at the beginning of October it sounds like we probably live really close to each other. I will be living on the southern boarder of Palo Alto right on San Antonio near Middlefield. We should get together and ride sometime, there are so many great rides right in the neighborhood without having to fight all the people on the paths at Shoreline.

I haven't ridden with any of the clubs that you mentioned, but have ridden with most of the women who have already replied to your message, and they are all great. I would highly recommend tagging along next time there is a TE ride in the area.

Good luck, and I will let you know when I get back into town.

[roguedog]

Melissa and PAB, thanks for the offers!

VeloGirl - read your story in one of these threads. An awesome story. Would like to come out sometime but uh.. well right now I'm equipment handicapped but I'm trying to remedy that (I do have my mtn bike w/ slicks on it. Just not a real roadie).

[jobob]

I will be living on the southern boarder of Palo Alto right on San Antonio near Middlefield. We should get together and ride sometime, there are so many great rides right in the neighborhood without having to fight all the people on the paths at Shoreline.

Lee and I ride out that way a lot ! Our route usually involves a stop at the ice cream shop at Foothill & Springer in Los Altos. We have our priorities.

Looking forward to seeing you again, PAB. I think a Palo Alto area TE ride is in order when you return with stop for ice cream.

roguedog, hope you'll join in.

[velogirl]

Would like to come out sometime but uh.. well right now I'm equipment handicapped but I'm trying to remedy that (I do have my mtn bike w/ slicks on it. Just not a real roadie).

A mtn bike with slicks is just fine, especially for the beginner ride. Don't wait! Everyday you don't ride your bike is a day you don't ride your bike (kinda Yogi-ish, eh?).

[Trek420]

velogirl "Everyday you don't ride your bike is a day you don't ride your bike (kinda Yogi-ish, eh?)."

ooooooh, very Zen Whatdya say girrls, I can't join you this Saturday but maybe the 9th?

[melissam]

roguedog,

I'd be happy to ride with ya, even if you have a mtn bike with slicks. If you want to put non-slicks on your mtn bike, there's a couple of very nice, non-technical trails I can show you. I'm just not sure how well the slicks would do on an unpaved surface.

velogirl,

I've admired the VeloGirls from afar for quite a while, but also had the impression that they were too fast/strong for me to ride with. One of these Saturdays I'm going to have to make it up to one of your group's rides. Unfortunately, I have plans for the next couple of weekends.

-- Melissa

[Trek420]

melissam "I've admired the VeloGirls from afar for quite a while, but also had the impression that they were too fast/strong for me to ride with."

uh, to answer this impression I'm a member of the Velo Girls. I'm sure you're faster/stronger than me. Let's do a ride in a couple o' weeks.

[melissam]

melissam "I've admired the VeloGirls from afar for quite a while, but also had the impression that they were too fast/strong for me to ride with."

uh, to answer this impression I'm a member of the Velo Girls. I'm sure you're faster/stronger than me. Let's do a ride in a couple o' weeks.

Trek,

You're on! But I still think you're probably faster/stronger than I am....

-- Melissa

[Trek420]

well, when d'ya wanna find out? the 9th or the 23rd? ;-)