junkyardking

I'm having trouble tracking down group rides that are open to people without pack riding experience. Although I'm a well seasoned cyclist, I've never done a group ride. I'm looking to start road racing next season, and I think this would be a good place to start.

Can any of you fine folks point me in the direction of some group rides that'd take a noob like me? I'm looking for ones that are either in the Greater San Jose area, or the East Bay.
Thanks.

ericm979

Race oriented group rides are a good start for racing.

Look up the racing clubs in your area. Most have some open group rides, usually graded by speed. Clubs have open rides so prospective members can check them out. (except the clubs that are invite only). In SJ there's SJBC. Fremont has the Freewheelers. They should have web sites. Also the faster riders in a "touring" club can be pretty fast, and you might get a somewhat mellower group riding experience there. ACTC is in SJ.

I know the peninsula- Alto Velo (my club) has a "B" ride that's not too fast and gets a fair number of new racers. The Pen Velo ride is supposed to be good for that as well. Avoid the Spectrum, Valley, Morning and Noon rides for now.

When you show up for a group ride you should introduce yourself to the ride leader. Know the route so if you get dropped you can find your way home.

Next january you should do the Early Bird clinic and mentored race series- https://ncnca.org/alleventsfulllist
It is specifically geared to teaching new racers to race safely.

mebaxter

The Fremont Freewheelers offer group rides for all abilities. https://www.fremontfreewheelers.org/
Our race team does a training session every Thursday night at the west end of Stevenson Blvd in Newark. We start around 6:15 or so and go for a couple of hours. Program includes: paceline work, skills, and a tough workout. The actual workout depends on the time of year. Currently in the high end/ sprint work mode. It's also a good place to get you feet wet in a racing environment. Feel free to check it out. https://fremontraceteam.org/

save10

or you could just do the spectrum ride and stay at the back. and do earlybirds in January. NCNCA.org

XEngineer

For beginning or prospective racers, the Valley Spokesmen have a pace line ride which starts from Shannon Park on San Ramon Blvd at 6pm sharp every Tuesday & Thursday. See their website, then select ride calendar to see specifics.

Usually 12-to-25 riders show up of varying abilities, for about 1 1/2 hours, averaging 18-19 mph. The group is not fast enough for racers.

If you are too fast for this VS group, then try the House Of Pain Lite ride which starts from Peet's in downtime Danville at 8:45 am on Saturday mornings. They do the same 50 mile loop every Saturday, with 60-to-80 Cat 4's and 3's racers. The ride is temperate out Sycamore/Camino Tassajara, then the tempo picks up dramatically out Highland to Livermore.

frantik

check out sjfixed they do group rides and are open to all