Bike Forums - Getting back out. Short Sonoma county rides?

Ok, first of all I admit I deserve a big fail on my winter riding. Nothing significant, just a couple of small rides here and there. I'm not going to make any excuses, but it did start out when I got sick for a week straight constantly throwing up, that was no fun. I just had no motivation in the cold.

Anyhow, I'm still the n00b I was when I bought my bike and want to find better/different routes in the area. I have a pretty basic 21ish mile loop from my house I can do on a whim (though not that quick, I was doing only about 13mph avg), but the road isn't in such great condition. It's out Western in Petaluma, past the USCG, and back Bodega Ave. I want to find more places to go that are regarded as good routes.

I know the basic answer is to ask any of the many bike shops, but are there any clubs or people around here that would like to go on the shorter version of rides? My goal is to get out and ride consistently enough to ride into work some days (~23 miles) in a reasonable time, and by that work up to longer rides. Like for example, I wouldn't be riding to Bodega and back, or whatever comparable distance tomorrow.

I'm just looking for some people, experienced or not, to socialize with to talk bikes or whatever while also getting out and turning the crank again. :innocent: