Northern California - Which Berkeley/Oakland Club Would You Join?

If you're interested in race training...but have not yet raced

http://www.berkeleybike.org/
http://www.teamoakland.org/

http://www.berkeleybike.org/
http://www.teamoakland.org/

BlastRadius, do you ride with either? Just wondering what the vibe is like?

Another one a friend mentioned is http://www.altovelo.org/ ; but they're a bit away.

I've met a few of the BBC guys and they are good guys.
I haven't been on any of their group rides but we've chatted at races.

BayAreaWheeler here is in the BBC.

Alto Velo is a big local club and have a big membership in the south peninsula.
The thing with join a more distant club is you don't get to ride with your
fellow club members much (unless you have lots of time to drive to remote rides).

I've met a few of the BBC guys and they are good guys.
I haven't been on any of their group rides but we've chatted at races.

BayAreaWheeler here is in the BBC.

Alto Velo is a big local club and have a big membership in the south peninsula.
The thing with join a more distant club is you don't get to ride with your
fellow club members much (unless you have lots of time to drive to remote rides).

BlastRadius, thanks for the note. I'll catch some of BBC's rides and see how I feel. If BayAreaWheeler chimes in I'd appreciate it.

Was wondering why my ears were burning. Yes the BBC is a great club\race team. We currently have a large group of active 4's that are doing quite well so it would be a good time to join for team-mates and camaraderie.

There is a distinction between club racers and race team members. If you volunteer for 2/3 of our races you will be eligible for the pro deals from our sponsors (Giant, Ritchey are the main ones) and if you race more than 20 races in a season you will be eligible for partial race re-imbursement (Road only). Those are pretty much the only expectations. A small (but growing) group of guys\gals that banter via email dist list that is good for laughs throughout the day. There are regularly scheduled group rides on the week and weekend although once the season starts I’m usually toeing the line so you won’t see me out there much.

We have a few active 2's, 6ish active 3's and lots of 4/5's and I’m getting close to racking up the needed points for my 2 upgrade...although if I can withstand the peer pressure I hope to race another season as a 3 before I go back to pack fodder status. Our kits are currently Capo Forma and very very nice. Although I couldn’t guarantee there are any available at this time of the season. (ask Jason)

All in all pretty laid back group of guys and gals with jobs and kids that enjoy riding their bikes. We also have juniors that are kicking butt and taking names :D

Let me know if you have any specific questions

Regards,
Keith Jordon aka BayAreaWheeler (keithsta12@yahoo.com)

Was wondering why my ears were burning. Yes the BBC is a great club\race team. We currently have a large group of active 4's that are doing quite well so it would be a good time to join for team-mates and camaraderie.

There is a distinction between club racers and race team members. If you volunteer for 2/3 of our races you will be eligible for the pro deals from our sponsors (Giant, Ritchey are the main ones) and if you race more than 20 races in a season you will be eligible for partial race re-imbursement (Road only). Those are pretty much the only expectations. A small (but growing) group of guys\gals that banter via email dist list that is good for laughs throughout the day. There are regularly scheduled group rides on the week and weekend although once the season starts I’m usually toeing the line so you won’t see me out there much.

We have a few active 2's, 6ish active 3's and lots of 4/5's and I’m getting close to racking up the needed points for my 2 upgrade...although if I can withstand the peer pressure I hope to race another season as a 3 before I go back to pack fodder status. Our kits are currently Capo Forma and very very nice. Although I couldn’t guarantee there are any available at this time of the season. (ask Jason)

All in all pretty laid back group of guys and gals with jobs and kids that enjoy riding their bikes. We also have juniors that are kicking butt and taking names :D

Let me know if you have any specific questions

Regards,
Keith Jordon aka BayAreaWheeler (keithsta12@yahoo.com)

keith, thanks for the note. bbc sounds like a good group. what's the best way to get started....just join? greg