So, you're comfortable on bike rides of up to 25 miles, and you've always wanted to ride a century, but weren't sure you could? Or maybe you've ridden longer distances in the past but you've been dormant for the winter and now you'd like to get back in shape? If yes, this ride series is for you!
Grizzly Peak Cyclists is a recreational road-riding bicycle club based in the East Bay. We have members of all ages and levels, from family riders to fanatics. We are dedicated to the principle that cycling is fun, social, and friendly. Our unofficial motto is `ride to eat, eat to ride.' We do plenty of both--most rides include hanging out and eating, either at a lunch stop or after the ride proper.
Our club's annual highlight is the Grizzly Peak Century, held the first Sunday in May each year with routes of 69 and 108 miles. Our century is every bit as well known for its superb food and support as for its spectacular route. Additionally, there are one or more club rides nearly every weekend day throughout the year. Rides vary from very easy family-oriented (child-friendly pace and distance), to advanced unsupported 100+ milers, to everything in between. The current schedule, and other information, are on the club's web site www.GrizzlyPeakCyclists.org. Other impromptu rides and a wide variety of bike related topics are discussed on the club's e-mail list, which is open to club members. Club members receive discounts at a number of local bicycle stores.
This spring, GPC is giving a series of six rides for intermediate bicyclists who want to build stamina and increase range. The rides will be on six consecutive Sundays, March 23 through April 27, and will gradually progress in distance from about 25 to about 55 miles. All are over moderately hilly terrain, similar to that of our Century, and they cover many of the classic loops of the East Bay. Those who complete the series should be well-prepared to ride at least the 69-mile (metric century) north loop of our Century on Sunday May 4, as well as many other great club rides.
All rides in the series start at 10am, and all start at Bart stations to encourage auto-free transit. It's easy to take a bike on Bart; we recommend you learn how. Using Bart can greatly expand your riding area and give you the flexibility of beginning and ending a ride at different places.
Everyone is welcome at the ride series. There is no fee and no need to sign up in advance. All participants will be offered a copy of the excellent booklet Street Smarts: Bicycling's Traffic Survival Guide by John S. Allen. Later this year we will give a gentler series of `Novice Rides' aimed at encouraging less experienced cyclists to stretch themselves a bit.
Each ride will have several club members designated as leaders. They will have planned the route, printed cue sheets or maps, and will have everyone sign in. The ride leaders will guide people through the route, make sure no one is left behind due to mechanical or physical problems, and/or suggest a `bail-out' route to those unable to complete the ride. We encourage calling the leaders in advance with any questions about the ride. In addition, other GPC members will be on the rides to offer assistance, helpful hints, or just moral support.
Bicycles are vehicles operating on public roads and must obey all traffic regulations, including traffic signals, pedestrian and other right-of-way rules, lane indications, and plain common sense. Riders should remain single file unless conditions clearly permit otherwise. Ride series and Century participants must wear approved bicycle helmets. The first two rides are preceded by optional safety sessions.
Riders should carry at least one water bottle and drink regularly, and also carry an energy bar or similar small snack. Longer rides usually have a food stop, so bring money or lunch. Clothing is a matter of personal preference. Lycra is not required; however, riders should choose clothing that won't chafe and should dress in layers to be prepared for all reasonable temperature extremes. Rain cancels the ride. If weather is questionable, call a ride leader.
Sun Mar 23 3.5/T/27
Ride #1 -- The Bears and a Bit.
Meet 10:00am at Orinda Bart near the station entrance,
with an optional pre-ride advice clinic at 9:30.
We will ride north on El Camino Pablo/San Pablo Dam Rd,
then clockwise around the hills known as The Three Bears,
then counterclockwise on the little-traveled El Toyonal loop.
Finish with optional lunch in Orinda --
bring your own or $ to buy.
No drop. Helmets required.
Rain cancels; if weather is dubious contact ride leader.
Mark Abrahams and Steve Gibbard
[contact info removed].
Sun Mar 30 3.5/T/35
Ride #2 -- East Bay Hills.
Meet 10:00am at Orinda Bart in the west parking lot;
optional pre-ride advice clinic at 9:30.
We will ride north on El Camino Pablo,
climb Wildcat Canyon, Grizzly Peak Blvd, Skyline Blvd,
descend Redwood Road,
then return via Pinehurst, Canyon, Moraga Way.
Optional lunch in Orinda -- bring your own or $ to buy.
No drop. Helmets required.
Rain cancels; if weather is dubious contact ride leader.
Ken Karda and Brian Aldrich
[contact info removed].
Sun Apr 06 3/T/40
Ride #3 -- Three Small Walls.
Meet 10:00am at El Cerrito Del Norte Bart, east side station entrance.
Ride San Pablo Dam Rd to Appian Way, through Pinole and Crockett,
climb McEwen (small wall #1).
Return via Martinez, Alhambra Valley, Pig Farm Hill (s.w. #2),
El Sobrante, and Hillcrest (s.w. #3).
Picnic lunch on the lawn at Swett School in Martinez --
bring or buy something you can carry there.
No drop. Helmets required.
Rain cancels; if weather is dubious contact ride leader.
Mike Briggs and Bill King
[contact info removed].
Note: daylight savings time begins today.
Sun Apr 13 2.5/T/50
Ride #4 -- Embarcadero, Headlands, and Tiburon.
Meet 10:00am at Embarcadero Bart in San Francisco,
on the plaza at California/Drumm just north of the station entrance.
We'll ride through Fisherman's Wharf, the Presidio,
over the Golden Gate Bridge to the Marin Headlands and Sausalito,
lunch in Tiburon, then return.
Possible shortener for those who wish:
return via ferry from Tiburon or Sausalito.
Bring lunch or $ to buy.
No drop. Helmets required.
Rain cancels; if weather is dubious contact ride leader.
Rich Lesnik and Bruce Berg
[contact info removed].
Sun Apr 20 (Easter) 4/T/50
Ride #5 -- Berkeley-Oakland Hills.
Meet 10:00am at
Downtown Berkeley Bart, on the plaza just south of
the main entrance at Shattuck and Center.
Sweeping vistas of SF Bay from the East Bay hills as we climb
Spruce, Grizzly Peak, and Skyline;
then through parklands and the
greenbelt to Willow Park Golf Course where we rest briefly and turn around.
Bring food for the ride, as we pass through no towns.
Optional post-ride late lunch in Berkeley.
No drop. Helmets required.
Rain cancels; if weather is dubious contact ride leader.
Jeff Kurtock and Milt Mozen
[contact info removed].
Sun Apr 27 4/T/55
Ride #6 -- Mr Morgan Meets the Devil.
Meet 10:00am at Walnut Creek Bart, east side station entrance.
We will ride clockwise around Mt. Diablo via Morgan Territory.
Lunch stop at Blackhawk,
then climb Mt. Diablo Southgate Rd to the junction only,
with an option to bypass this climb.
Bring lunch or $ to buy.
No drop. Helmets required.
Rain cancels; if weather is dubious contact ride leader.
Layne Zimmerman and David Madson
[contact info removed].
For general questions not answered above, contact Jeff Kurtock [contact info removed]. For questions about specific rides, contact the ride leader(s) listed.
GPC rides are rated by terrain/pace/distance. Terrain ratings are: 1) nearly flat; 2) somewhat hilly; 3) moderately hilly; 4) hilly; 5) very hilly, considerable climbing. Pace ratings are: XL) extra-leisurely, child-friendly; L) leisurely, easy pace with frequent stops; T) touring, steady pace, fewer stops, for experienced riders; M) moderately fast pace, for strong experienced riders; B) brisk, for very strong riders. Mileage follows the first two factors. Pace letters may be combined to show intermediate ratings. For example, 3/LT/35 is a moderately hilly ride at pace between leisurely and touring of distance 35 miles. Riders are expected to check ratings in advance and choose rides appropriately.
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