What we’re about
Bike the Bay Cycling hosts bike rides all around the Bay Area. Our vision is to create rides that encourage friendship, exploring the natural wonders of our beautiful Bay Area and providing a venue where fitness and good health are in focus. In 2024 we will also be providing a background on any local history or interesting facts during the ride.
Our road rides range from flat, social, brunch or happy hour rides to moderately difficult, mid- to long distance, 20-60 miles with flat-4000 feet climb. The details will be posted in each ride so you can judge whether it will suit your level of fitness. We strive to be a cohesive group!
My general no-drop policy is that we will wait at predetermined stop points (or you will wait!) for 10 minutes typically at the top of hills or major intersections. Our aim is to encourage fitness cycling but a moderate pace would be 14-18 MPH on the flats. We are planning different rides with optional mileage and elevation as well as pace rides.
Many of our rides involve hills so you'll want to make sure you and your bike is in good shape (clean and lubricated chain, plenty of life in your front and rear brake pads). Make sure that you are familiar with changing flat tires on your bike, we will assist but if it takes longer than 20-30 minutes, we will need to keep moving to our destination. Check out our past events to see the type of rides we do. If you have a suggestion, shoot me an email and I'd be happy to add it to our calendar.
Looking forward to exploring with you all out there,
Joan B
Click here to read our Attendance Policy
Click here to read our Legal Disclaimer and Liability Information:
- Bike the Bay Cycling is a private group. Attending events is voluntary by you as a member. Participation in any activity with us is at your own risk.
By joining Bike the Bay Cycling as a member you agree to indemnify and hold harmless Bike the Bay Cycling, its organizers, co-organizers, assistant organizers, event hosts, and other members from all claims or liability of every type (including court costs and legal fees) for injury or death to any person or for damage to property, loss of personal property or any other wrongful act arising out of or relating to your participation as a member. This agreement applies to you and to other persons (as your guests) who may accompany you in these endeavors.
You also agree to hold the organizers as well as other group members harmless. By participating voluntarily in the group, you expressly waive any and all such claims against each and every other member in the group, including without limitation any and all claims against the group organizer, coorganizers, assistant organizers, and event hosts
Any social events that Bike the Bay Cycling sponsors and holds such as, but not limited to cycling, picnics, group trips, outings, dining, concerts and so on will fall also under the same Disclaimer and Liability guidelines listed above.
Upcoming events (3)
See all- Martinez to Sacramento Bike + AmtrakAmtrak, Martinez, CA
Join us for a spring pilgrimage to Sacramento! (as long as the Yolo Causeway still stands.) We'll explore the regions beyond the bay, navigating our way to Old Town Sacramento. Our ride will pass through / along Benicia, Fairfield / Mankas Corner, Vacaville, Winters (short lunch stop), Davis before finally winding up in Sacramento where we will return via Amtrak.
UPDATE 4/10/24: We are going with the Rain date - Sat, April 27.
Because this is a long ride, with few services along the way, please no beginners. Intermediate riders with good fitness ok. This is not a difficult ride, just a long one.
Distance is 77 mi. from Martinez. Elevation gain is slightly less than 2,000 ft. The route is scenic and nice. Map: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/31823254
MEET IN MARTINEZ AT 8:00 for an 8:15 (ish) a.m. rollout. See train instructions below.
Prior meetup event and pictures from 2023:
https://www.meetup.com/bikethebaycycists/events/284438263/Road conditions vary. In 2023, most of the asphalt was good. Some stretches, esp. around Benicia area, were a bit rugged with some potholes. There was a washout we had to "hike and bike" around mile 20. Bring spare tubes and patch kits.
I expect everyone to maintain a ride pace of 14-15 mph on flat sections, slower on uphill, with short rest stops every 45-60 minutes. Because of the longer distance of this ride and the fact we are dependent on the train to get us back home, we will not have time wait for riders who have mechanical failure. A flat tire is ok, and someone will hopefully be able to help you, but anything else, and you'll be on your own. Please be prepared to call a loved one for assistance if you get stuck or lost.
Our initial group will gather in the parking lot at MARTINEZ AMTRAK STATION AT 8:00 A.M. with planned roll-out by 8:15 a.m. For the morning journey to Martinez, you can drive and park for free at the station. There is also a San Joaquin Corridor train that departs Oakland Jack London Square at 7:12 a.m. It is a bike-friendly train, meaning you can roll your bike on board. The ride start time is dictated by this train, since I will be using it. Sorry that this means such an early start.
I expect we will complete the ride in 7.5 hours, including rest stops, which would be 3:30 - 4 p.m. There are 3 return trains to consider from Sacramento: 4:55 p.m., 6:55 p.m. and 7:55 p.m. Note that your return to Jack London Square is approx. 2 hours later. If the weather is good, I might take the 6:55 train, to allow me time to explore Sacramento a bit (with or without company.) While the end time for the event is 8 p.m., that is only an estimate. You *might* be back home by 7:30 p.m., if all goes according to plan and you make the 4:55 train. If your family needs to know a firm time, tell them 9:30 p.m. to allow for the 6:55 p.m. train.
Here is the Amtrak / capital corridor train schedule : https://images.capitolcorridor.org/trainschedule/Train_Schedules.pdf
I would like to try to ride as a group, more or less, until we get to the left turn onto Lyon Rd. at 35 mi. This is a good bail-out point for anyone needing to get back to Amtrak in Fairfield/Vacaville, 4 mi. away. There is also an Amtrak station in Davis, so if you are lagging or a problem occurs after Fairfield, you can return home using that.
Assuming we are maintaining a reasonable pace, there will be a lunch stop for the lead group in Winters for 30 minutes (bring your own food or there may be a burrito shop.) This would be an opportunity for slower riders to catch up some.
• What to bring
Tire width recommendation 25mm and above.
FACE MASK for trains, Clipper card, Credit Card or wallet, Water bottle, sunscreen, SPARE TUBE and patch kit, TIRE PUMP. FOOD (esp. protein / salty snacks / electroytes.) , roadside snacks. LIGHTS for potentially returning after dark. Potentially a HI-VIZ jacket. Your cycling computer, if you have one.> 1 day before the event: Please DM me on meetup with questions or respond to comments below.
Day before/of the event: Please text me at 510-759-6646. - FINAL RESCHEDULE! 🚴♀️Wild Ride to Wildlife🦊 ( EBIKETREKS/Bike the Bay event)Laguna Joint Elementary School District, CA, CA
Join us for this rare opportunity to be led on a private tour at $17.50 per person, of Sonoma County Wildlife Rescue (R). This will be a combined EBIKETREKS/Bike the Bay event. Before you read any further, know that this is a 42 mile roundtrip ADVANCED level ride with almost constant rolling hills**.** If you're not sure you have the STAMINA to keep up with this event please don't RSVP in fairness to other riders. SCWR only permits a maximum of 10 people per tour. We are following a precise time frame and we won't need any suggestions about different routes or food stops.
Google Maps:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/eYm29FUzQPoDLg8h6
Ride With GPS:
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/new
Times and locations for departure and return are subject to last-minute changes. So be sure to check this specific event description on Meetup before you leave that day.
Because of the layout and distance of this ride we may not have time to wait for riders who have issues physical endurance, navigation, or mechanical failure. If needed we can wait or look for you but not more than once or twice. In most cases we can pitch in and fix a flat tire or loose chain for you. But for anything else you might need to get non-EBIKETREKS/Bike the Bay assistance. So make sure your bike is in tiptop shape. Please be prepared in advance for a friend or family to drive up and provide assistance to you if you get stuck or lost. Sorry, but the trip leaders are NOT responsible for getting you home safely.
**9:00 Meet and “saddle up” - Laguna Joint School District (JSD) There are NO bathrooms there and none until we reach Tomales.
9:30 or EARLIER LEAVE Laguna JSD
10:30 ARRIVE Tomales ( after 14.6 miles non-stop ride at an average of 13 to 15 mph)
Get TAKE OUT at Tomales Deli or Route 1 Bakery (bathroom there)
11:00 or EARLIER LEAVE Tomales
12:00 ARRIVE: Sonoma County Wildlife Rescue ( after 11.6 miles at an average of 12 TO 14 mph).
Picnic there.
1:00 TOUR BEGINS!
The tour costs $175.00, which comes to $17.50 per person. It will be led by Teresa Colyer, a longtime friend of my family. Our tour group will be limited to a max of 10 people, so in fairness to other riders please do not RSVP if you are not certain that you can come.
The SCWR "Education Ambassadors" are all non-releasable native wildlife. Species of the current education ambassadors include: Swainson's Hawk, Turkey Vulture, Coyote, Northern Raccoon, Mountain Lion, Bobcat and more. Please observe quietly as not to disturb these lovely and magnificent creatures.
https://scwildliferescue.org/tours
3:00 LEAVE SCWR and ride back to our cars. - Grizzly Peak Century with a variety of mile and elevation options!St Marys College, Moraga, CA
Time for the classic yearly Grizzly Peak Century event! You can choose from any of the routes they offer, see below.
Where:
The main start/finish and post-ride meal location is St Mary's College, 1928 St Mary's Rd, Moraga, CA. As a meetup group we'll coordinate in the parking lot prior to the event. I have a charcoal Subaru with a bright orange cone on top of my car. I will also send out my cell phone in advance in case you can't find us.#### Bike the Bay Start Times
Bike the Bay Meetup group will meet at 7:30am at St. Mary's College parking lot with a start time of 8:00am. This allows for registration time, bike and clothing adjustments as well as coordinating our group of riders. Barb and I are going on the 72 mile option with leaving it open to change our minds to 50 miles depending on all the 'things'.
#### ATTENTION!
You must purchase your Grizzly Peak Event pass and will not be let into the event without an official registration in advance.
https://www.grizz.org/century/home/#### Grizzly Start Times
- Check-in is 6:30 am to 7:30 am at St Mary's for the 100 mi route.
- Check-in is 7:30 am to 8:30 am at St Mary's for all other routes, or 8:30 am to 11:30 am at Island Picnic Area in Tilden Park if you use the alternative car-free start.
All routes are subject to change as rest stop venues are finalized and winter weather takes its toll on the roads. Check back for updates.
#### Road Route Options
There are four paved routes to choose from, all of them very hilly: 30 miles, 50 miles, 75 miles, and 100 miles. The 100 mile route starts earlier and does a full south loop first. For more information see https://www.grizz.org/century/home/routes
To note:
We may or may not stay together during this event, depending on how fast/slow you ride/climb or how many miles you end up wanting to do. We can always arrange to meet up at the post ride event for lunch together if we get split up!p.s. MEETUP FEE: WAVED!!
