Interested in spending your weekends on two wheels, but don't exactly know how to get started? No problem. There are a handful of cycling groups based around the Bay Area that will happily help you get started. Here are three local clubs perfect for beginners:
Oakland Yellowjackets
Photo: Oakland Yellowjackets
While this all ages and all levels cycling club for women and men is based in Oakland, their weekend rides will take you all over the Bay Area. They pride themselves on their "no-drop" policy, meaning you don't need a fancy racing bike to get started and you'll never be left in the dust. A 12-month membership is just $30, and upcoming rides include a 40-mile jaunt around Lake Temescal and Lake Merritt, and a 20 to 55-mile ride from the Embarcadero to Tiburon. If you live in Oakland or are eager to explore all it has to offer with a laid-back group of urban cyclists, this is the club for you.
Velo Girls
Photo: Velo Girls at the Cinderella Classic in April
This South Bay cycling club has received numerous awards from USA Cycling, Competitor Magazine, City Sports Magazine and the Bay List. Founded in 2002, the club offers planned rides, clinics, and events for women (and men) throughout the year. Members of all ages include recreational and competitive road cyclists, mountain bikers and cyclocrossers. Memberships are just $45 and they hold a beginners road ride in Woodside and beginner mountain biking rides in Palo Alto's scenic Arastradero Preserve every Sunday morning. To see all of their upcoming rides, check out the Velo Girls Meetup group.
San Francisco Cycling Club
Photo: Jim Whimpey
This group calls itself "the fastest and friendliest cycling club in San Francisco." The San Francisco Bike Coalition recommends their early morning coffee rides, so we're inclined to believe it. New memberships are $130/year and are renewable for $90/year, and offer a host of perks, like a cool crew to ride with and a pair of socks, plus access to shared equipment, the forum, coached training sessions and more.