Southern California - Beginner looking for appropriate Group Rides?

Hello All,

I was referred to this forum by several folks over in the Road Bike Forum. I am an adult (38yo) beginner cyclist on good equipment looking to improve. I have a decent fitness level (Div 1 College Swimmer), but am looking to become better, improve my skill level on the bike and eventually take on some hills.

I live in Huntington Beach, close to PCH, so much of my riding is along Highway 1 or the Brookhurst Channel. I typically ride 20 - 40 miles depending on my time available, and sometimes, I'll just ride one direction for a predetermined amount of time and then turn around and ride home. I'm trying not to focus too much on how fast I ride, just staying healthy, having fun, and improving.

Does anyone have any suggestions on groups or clubs that might have "No-Drop" rides for beginners like myself? Or other rides that I might enjoy and be able to handle? My shcedule is pretty flexible and I try to ride two to four times a week, whatever I can fit in around my two small children.

Thanks for your input.

Regards,

Mike

I don't know the answers to your questions but welcome aboard Mike.

I don't know the answers to your questions but welcome aboard Mike.

+1 (I don't live in your area), but welcome. :)

Hey what's up Mike! I live in Orange county not too far from you. I would suggest checking out Orange County Wheelmen or Bicycle Club of Irvine. Both clubs have no drop rides and route slips I believe.

If you're into racing let me know, there's a lot of rides for those too..but they don't wait up for you if you get dropped.

When the days get longer, if you need a riding buddy I usually go up the PCH from Aliso Viejo to Long Beach and back.

Hope to see you on the road!

Hi Mike,

OCW and BCI are both fine clubs and I would agree that you should try them. If you might like something a bit less "club" oriented, i.e. more riding and less of everything else "club-wise" you may also want to try OCRR which is the Orange County Rebel Riders.

We're a non-club, and you can get a good idea by visiting our website at: www.ocrebels.com (http://www.ocrebels.com)

Any questions? If so, PM me and I'll answer ASAP.

Rick / OCRR

Welcome Mike,

There are lots of people on the socal site from around your area, hang out here and some rides will come up. I ride with a group of guys in the evenings and we meet up in Irvine and ride down the bike trail to the Back Bay and back. I haven't been riding much in the last three months and tonight will be my first ride with them in 6 week, I expect to get dropped in the first couple of miles :o, but we do meet up and give each other a hard time at different points. Let me know if you're interested. I have a little girl also, so I know all about riding restrictions.

PS. It's called the SART (Santa Ana River Trail):) not the Brookhurst Channel.

Welcome Mike,

There are lots of people on the socal site from around your area, hang out here and some rides will come up. I ride with a group of guys in the evenings and we meet up in Irvine and ride down the bike trail to the Back Bay and back. I haven't been riding much in the last three months and tonight will be my first ride with them in 6 week, I expect to get dropped in the first couple of miles :o, but we do meet up and give each other a hard time at different points. Let me know if you're interested. I have a little girl also, so I know all about riding restrictions.

PS. It's called the SART (Santa Ana River Trail):) not the Brookhurst Channel.

I apologize for hijacking Mike's post, but where and how far do you guys ride? I am always looking to get together with other riders throughout the weekday. It kinda sucks riding by yourself:(

It kinda sucks riding by yourself:(

On the SART? Just grab your iPod. :) I listened to a few episodes of Firefly one day whilst riding the SART. Made really good time because I wasn't uber-fixated on distance and speed and whatnot. :)

On the SART? Just grab your iPod. :) I listened to a few episodes of Firefly one day whilst riding the SART. Made really good time because I wasn't uber-fixated on distance and speed and whatnot. :)

It's funny that you mentioned iPod. The first time I got pulled over since moving back to Cali in 2005 was for having an earphone in both ears while I was riding my bike.:rolleyes: This was on the southbound side of PCH in Sunset Beach.

Now I prefer not to ride with one after colliding with an SUV in Aliso Viejo. I don't think that I could of avoided this incident if I didn't have one on, but I just prefer to hear them coming :D

I'm sure BF folks can set up something for you but in the meantime, check out bikeirvine.org. The Bicycle Club of Irvine the first Saturday of each month has a "newbie" ride (see website for details) and each Saturday has a slow, short distance ride (generally 15 miles or so) for new riders. What happens is that the short, medium and long ride all stage from the same park and all meet at the same coffee stop so even if you are foin the short ride you still have a chance to socialize with the club.

I will be helping out this saturday with the newbie ride. If you are interested or have any questions, send me a PM.

PS you don't have to be a member to ride with the club. Everyone is welcome! Since you already ride a good distance, may I suggest you try one of the Saturday "yellow" or medium rides. Just let the ride leaders know you are new and someone will generally stay with you. Unfortunately other than the newbie ride, none of the rides are "no drop". Everyone rides at their own pace. Route slips are provided. The newbie rides are very slow paced and really for new riders but it's a great way to get oriented to club riding. Prior to the ride, Bill Sellin does a ride prep, bike check, traffic safety chat.

Another great club to check out is OC Rebels. They also have beginner rides. Their website I think is ocrebels.com.

Edited to add: I see Rick posted the website. He's a good person to PM if you have questions about the rebels.

I apologize for hijacking Mike's post, but where and how far do you guys ride? I am always looking to get together with other riders throughout the weekday. It kinda sucks riding by yourself:(

Well, we're meeting tonight and I also believe tomorrow at 5:00 at Bill Barber Community Park on the corner of Harvard and Barranca. We park in the parking lot just south of Barranca on Harvard.

The first time I got pulled over since moving back to Cali in 2005 was for having an earphone in both ears while I was riding my bike.:rolleyes: This was on the southbound side of PCH in Sunset Beach.

Oh, I wouldn't ride with one on the street. Only on the SART, my friend, only on the SART. :)