I'll definitelty try the port ride sometime soon, especially now that I know I can take BART over from SF.

Of course that will only be on the nights when I can't sneak out of work early enough to get over to Infineon for the Tuesday night twilight races.
http://www.infineonraceway.com/cycling/

The Port of Oakland ride is THE weekday intensity ride in the northern (non-Peninsula) area if you ask me. Average speeds are around 28-30mph. Very smooth, fast, tons of attacking and breaks forming, and usually 70+ riders. There are close calls from time to time but very few crashes every year... mostly because the ride is completely strung out and inexperienced riders have a tough time sitting in at all. There are a couple of RR track crossings but they're not bad when taken at speed. (The only downside to this ride is the trains can block the course occasionally and everyone has to turn around and ride the other way until the train pulls through).

The official meeting point is in front of the pillars at the north end of Lake Merritt in Oakland. But plenty just go straight to the course to warm up. There are a couple of warm up laps ~7:25pm to collect everyone on the course, then the group turns around to ride the clockwise loop from 7:30-8:30.

I take BART from the city ~6:45 and get off at West Oakland. Just ride west on 7th, go under the 880 overpass and you'll be at the course in 5 mins.

The course itself is well lit and you don't need lights for visibility, but you will definitely want them for getting home. There are occasional trucks out at the port so it's good to keep them on the whole night.

ZipZip wrote:ESP wrote:ZteaM ride

TUESDAY 5:30 PM (Paradise Loop)- Leaving Menke Park in Corte Madera @ 5:30 PM for a fun-filled ride around Tiburon and it's hills. Starting March 11th, you don't need to bring your lights anymore. We will continue to do the FIVE hills including Belvedere Island, Gilmartin, Stewart, Reed Ranch, and Camino Alto.

Pardon my stupidity, but where in Corte Madera is Menke Park?

Thanks for all of the info.

If you're coming over Camino Alto from Mill Valley, Menke Park is that little parking lot just to the right when you come off the descent into Corte Madera (right before you get to the stoplight)

ESP wrote:ZteaM ride

TUESDAY 5:30 PM (Paradise Loop)- Leaving Menke Park in Corte Madera @ 5:30 PM for a fun-filled ride around Tiburon and it's hills. Starting March 11th, you don't need to bring your lights anymore. We will continue to do the FIVE hills including Belvedere Island, Gilmartin, Stewart, Reed Ranch, and Camino Alto.

Pardon my stupidity, but where in Corte Madera is Menke Park?

Thanks for all of the info.

Yeah, the smooth pavement is at the beginning of the park- nowhere near
the Loop. The cars aren't a problem, you just ignore them. And as you charge up the hill for the Sprint and fall into a 6ft deep pothole and stare up at the SUV about to tattoo "Goodyear" on your forehead you can smile knowing it was all for a.... Pickle(?)

sfvelodude wrote: The best intensity training is Tuesday night at the Port of Oakland (close to West Oakland BART) that starts at 7:30pm. The circuit is flat, windy, well lit, it's a huge group and pretty safe.

I have considered heading out for this ride. Is the road lit well enough to ride w/o a lamp? Maybe a light stashed for the ride home....

How long is the ride....1, 2...3hrs?

Thanks
Em

sfvelodude wrote:Nobody showed up at G.G. park the last Tuesday I went. (about 3 weeks ago) It was a good hilly circuit, but there were some long stretches of really bad roads and the traffic can be a bit dangerous. The best intensity training is Tuesday night at the Port of Oakland (close to West Oakland BART) that starts at 7:30pm. The circuit is flat, windy, well lit, it's a huge group and pretty safe. To find it, just head down Adeline street, up and over the overpass, keep heading straight and you'll find it.

There's been a pretty good sized group for the last 2 weeks, I'd say about 25-30 riders. The group ride usually doesn't start until the first Tuesday after Daylight Savings time begins. We ride around at close to 25mph, which is the speed limit in the park, so cars are not much of a problem. Also, after riding that loop so many times you learn where the smooth pavement is.

I've got to get over to the Port of Oakland one of these nights and check it out.

Nobody showed up at G.G. park the last Tuesday I went. (about 3 weeks ago) It was a good hilly circuit, but there were some long stretches of really bad roads and the traffic can be a bit dangerous. The best intensity training is Tuesday night at the Port of Oakland (close to West Oakland BART) that starts at 7:30pm. The circuit is flat, windy, well lit, it's a huge group and pretty safe. To find it, just head down Adeline street, up and over the overpass, keep heading straight and you'll find it.

ZteaM ride

TUESDAY 5:30 PM (Paradise Loop)- Leaving Menke Park in Corte Madera @ 5:30 PM for a fun-filled ride around Tiburon and it's hills. Starting March 11th, you don't need to bring your lights anymore. We will continue to do the FIVE hills including Belvedere Island, Gilmartin, Stewart, Reed Ranch, and Camino Alto.

ZipZip wrote:Are there any regular, good (i.e. fast, fun or both) weeknight rides in SF or Marin?

I'm kinda new to the area I seem to be coming up empty handed, other than the Wednesday night Let's Ride Really Crappy Pavement in Golden Gate Park and Run Some Stopsigns Ride. Any info?

Thanks.

Yes, Tuesday nights.
What's wrong with training on crappy pavement? How else can we prepare for Copperopolis?
You can also train on the Polo field track. Good pavement, no stop signs, but can get boring.
There should be groups out there most Tuesdays & Thursdays around 6PM. :D :D :D

All the pavement around san francisco is pretty crappy , the ride in the park is on tuesday nights at 6:00pm.

Yes, look here:
http://fremontfreewheelers.org/RaceTeam/Useful/TrainingRides/index.html