Southern California - any road bikers in Irvine

I just started road biking. i'm 17 yrs old and my school's in summer break so i'm thinkning of training myself for next yr track and field season.

i wanna ride up the mountains but i dont know any good routes near Irvine. And i don't thinking it's good for me to ride by myself in mountain.

So i'm looking for a person or 2, who would like to ride with a newbie,myself.

you should look into BCI or OCW... the have club rides on the weekends and weekdays. BCI actually might be a better fit because the pace is a little slower on their weekday rides and on the weekends there is always a group that will be going at your pace. that should get you started and you'll be able to learn some new local routes and meet a few more people to ride with.

you should look into BCI or OCW... the have club rides on the weekends and weekdays. BCI actually might be a better fit because the pace is a little slower on their weekday rides and on the weekends there is always a group that will be going at your pace. that should get you started and you'll be able to learn some new local routes and meet a few more people to ride with.

But i'm a member at sonance,shoair. Som i'm not sure if i can ride with different club members...lol

I just joined this club and the schedule in here is kinda complecating ,,,so...yeah..lol

Kris, you can also try the OC Rebels (http://www.ocrebels.com). We are not a club strictly speaking ... there are no membership fees or anything like this. Just show up and ride. By the way, there are a few guys from Sho-Air that ride with us from time to time. And some of us fairly often do mountain rides up Glendora Mountain Road (GMR), Angeles Crest, Palomar etc.

I just started road biking. i'm 17 yrs old and my school's in summer break so i'm thinkning of training myself for next yr track and field season.

i wanna ride up the mountains but i dont know any good routes near Irvine. And i don't thinking it's good for me to ride by myself in mountain.

So i'm looking for a person or 2, who would like to ride with a newbie,myself.

Not certain what you mean "the mountains". If you want some hill work there are perfectly safe routes even when riding alone providing you don't do them at night. For instance the Santiago Canyon Loop or riding through Turtle Rock and Newport Coast (using the Quail Hill/Shady Canyon bike way) which is right in your neck of the woods. Also head on out to Aliso Viego and do the Wood Canyon loop and then back to Irvine.

If you go ot the BCI website (bikeirvine.org) and check routes - there distance and elevation are posted. If you ride with BCI, all rides start from Deerfield Park off Irvine Center Drive, in Irvine. OCRebels (ocrebels.com) start at Woodrow Park in Irvine. I know for a fact you don't have to be a "member" to ride with either clubs. Just show up and ride.

Edited to add: You are talking about road riding correct?

Not certain what you mean "the mountains". If you want some hill work there are perfectly safe routes even when riding alone providing you don't do them at night. For instance the Santiago Canyon Loop or riding through Turtle Rock and Newport Coast (using the Quail Hill/Shady Canyon bike way) which is right in your neck of the woods. Also head on out to Aliso Viego and do the Wood Canyon loop and then back to Irvine.

If you go ot the BCI website (bikeirvine.org) and check routes - there distance and elevation are posted. If you ride with BCI, all rides start from Deerfield Park off Irvine Center Drive, in Irvine. OCRebels (ocrebels.com) start at Woodrow Park in Irvine. I know for a fact you don't have to be a "member" to ride with either clubs. Just show up and ride.

Edited to add: You are talking about road riding correct?

Yes, i am talking about road cycling. What i meant by the mountains was that wherever I look, there are trees, almost no cars, and etc.:)

If you are comfortable on your bike but relatively new to the sport I would suggest getting into some group rides. Because:
1. Someone will always be around to give you advise on rules of the road and riding etiquette.
2. You learn to pace yourself.
3. They have planned routes; typically on nice streets. It's amazing how much more you can improve when you can focus on the riding and not dodging potholes or navigating skinny lanes.

Riding with a club is a good way to make some riding buddies who can take you out to the 'mountains'. I rode with the OC Rebels a few weekends in March and April and it was awesome (Unfortunately I got too damn busy and haven't been able to ride with them in a while). They were more than welcoming and they have rides paced at all levels.

Did you talk with your track coach about cross training?

There's nothing wrong with being a member of one club/team and riding with another. Heck, I'm not even in Orange County and there are two Sho-air riders who do our club ride almost every week. Sometimes there are fewer riders from our team on our own ride than riders from other teams.

Did you talk with your track coach about cross training?

what you mean by cross training? cross country?

i run 100m, 200m, and 4x100m relay events.

If you are comfortable on your bike but relatively new to the sport I would suggest getting into some group rides. Because:
1. Someone will always be around to give you advise on rules of the road and riding etiquette.
2. You learn to pace yourself.
3. They have planned routes; typically on nice streets. It's amazing how much more you can improve when you can focus on the riding and not dodging potholes or navigating skinny lanes.

Riding with a club is a good way to make some riding buddies who can take you out to the 'mountains'. I rode with the OC Rebels a few weekends in March and April and it was awesome (Unfortunately I got too damn busy and haven't been able to ride with them in a while). They were more than welcoming and they have rides paced at all levels.

So is it like.. i just show up there? and once i get there, do i introduce myself to everyone or just stay there and ride with people?

Here is the list of requirements to joining almost every group ride...

Show up, be friendly, join the ride, talk to the people riding next to you, enjoy the sunshine, relish the breeze hitting your face, and have fun...

So is it like.. i just show up there? and once i get there, do i introduce myself to everyone or just stay there and ride with people?

Here's my recommendation - try out with BCI first - they are really newbie friendly, maybe more so that other clubs. Pick a Saturday ride... you can check their website (bikeirvine.org) for location of start, time etc. The rides are also listed. Make sure you ID yourself as a new rider. Don't be afraid to speak with the members milling around. Ask them what to do and many are more than willing to explain the process and give information. I know this is probably way below your ability but the first Saturday of each month is a "newbie ride". It's gear for newer riders but also people just wanting to join the club show up. There is a presentation before hand that talks bout club riding, road safety etc. But you don't have to join that - considering instead joining the yellow/middle ride and trying to hang on. Make sure you pick up a route slip. It sometimes takes a few tries to get confortable but it is a great way to meet other riders. After BCI then try OCRebels and OCW... Remember you don't need to be a member to ride with BCI and OCRebels. Not certain about OCW but suspect it's the same there.