Northern California - Moving to Sacramento...

It looks like we'll be moving back to Sacramento later this weekend. While I grew up there, I took up cycling after I left. Can you guys give me the low-down on the competitive road cycling scene? Are there regular group rides that are worth attending? What are some of the classic road rides? What's the scene like in norcal? What races should I be penciling in as I revise my annual training plan?

Thanks for your help - I hate being the new kid on the block!

AthletiCamps (http://athleticamps.com/) might be a good place to start. If you go to the menu and under "Coaching" there are sections for a "Route Library" and "Local Climbs." These are all in the Rocklin and Auburn areas.

As far as the scene goes... don't know since I no longer live in the immediate area and I don't race. Although, I did have a good time as a spectator at the Copperopolis Road Race last April. Huge race.

Fantastic place for competitive cycling. Sac Wheelman has a few weekly rides and the Davis Bike Club has 2-3 race type rides a week plus a TT series.

Lots of competitive cycling in and around the Sacramento area.

Give Bicycle Business a call 916.442.5246 Ask them about the Saturday River Ride too.

BR

What kind of races?
Crits? Cross? TT? Tris? All are available in the Sac area.

Here's a website with great writeups of local rides of all levels:

http://centralcaliforniacycling.com/

As for racing, the Davis Bike Club has a very active team, with past members moving on to pro teams. UCD has a great college team, winning the NCAAs recently. There's a fast ride leaving from the Davis Wheelworks every Saturday-530-753-3118.

For hammering local hills, talk to Joel.

Too many race options to mention. Two local race team are Rio Strada Racing (http://www.riostradaracing.org/) and Davis Bike Club Race Team (http://dbcraceteam.org/).

Definitely check out the Davis Bike Club. They have a race team and are associated with UC Davis' racing team. Tons of practice rides, in fact every week, and lots of riders doing competitions.

It'll be awhile before the 2010 road race calendar is up, but you can count on the Cal Aggie crit in January, Cherry Pie (Napa) in February, Land Park Crit and Bariani RR in March, Copperopolis RR in March or April. Then May and June is the heart of crit season: Modesto, Rancho Cordova, Folsom, and Davis. There will likely be something for local racers in conjunction with ToC in May.

The Saturday River Ride and the Coffee Republic Ride are still going on through the winter. After daylight savings starts, the Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday night hammerfests will start up again.

And of course, it's CX season now. Sunday is Disco Park (see www.sacramentocx.com).

Lots of opportunities for hard riding and racing. Welcome back!

Thanks for your input guys. I'm getting an idea of the scene now. What are we talking for turnout at the river ride or one of the night group rides? While Salt Lake is a wonderful place to ride, we are notoriously bad at getting together large group rides (everyone just rides with their team or club). I should be visiting soon - hopefully I can bring the bike and get a preview.

... What are we talking for turnout at the river ride or one of the night group rides? ...

The turnout is pretty good. It can be fast and furious. Call Bicycle Business (http://www.thebikebiz.com/) (916.442.5246) or City Bike Works (http://citybicycleworks.com/) (916.447.2453) for more info.

I forgot about this link for Northern California Nevada Cycling Association (http://www.ncnca.org/). Lot's of stuff in there for you.

BR

Depending on the race calendar, you'll get 40 - 70 on the Saturday River Ride. Tuesday night tends to be 20-40, but unless you're one of the top 5 or 6 it's going to be over pretty quickly. ;)