DBC Team sponsored and other local rides

Two regular group rides are available to Davis cyclists -- the long standing "race ride" and the newer "race skills ride."

► Tuesday Race Skills Ride

Started in 2008 and returning in Spring 2009, the race skills ride is the place to be if you are someone new to racing, are an experienced racer looking to give back to the community while still getting in a workout, or want to brush up on your pack-riding skills.

Experienced DBC racers lead the ride and focus on pack riding etiquette, rotating pacelines, cross-wind echelons, etc. For more information, contact Kevin McSpadden or Joaquin Feliciano.

Minimum cyclist requirements:  While previous racing experience is not a prerequisite, cyclists participating in the race skills ride should at least be capable of completing a solo, unsupported 40-mile ride over flat-to-rolling terrain at an average speed of over 15mph with no stops.  Riders should be completely comfortable with changing a flat tire, shifting gears, and drinking/eating while riding.  Bicycles should be recently tuned up and in good working order. A basic safety check will be completed at the beginning of each ride (i.e. brakes, tires, wheels, headset, cables, and shifting).  Riders whose machines are not in a safe condition will be given some pointers and invited to come back after the problems have been resolved. Not sure if you’re ready? Email Joaquin for advice.

Every Thursday, starting on 6 May 2010.  Start time will be at 6:00 pm. Watch this site and the DBC "community" email list for further announcements regarding this ride.  Meet at the Starbucks (2038 Lyndell Terrace # 102 -- click link for map) across from Sutter Davis Hospital. Each ride starts with introductions and a brief review of the ride format and course, before rolling out.

Format

Start at the Starbucks parking lot. Ride proceeds in 4 segments with brief regrouping points in between:

1) Starbucks to Yolo Co. Airport - Warm-up at a moderate, no-drop pace working on group riding skills.  Cyclists continuing on the ride past this point must be familiar enough with the area to make their own way home if they get dropped from the pack.

2) Airport to Winters – Still working on pack riding skills but at a faster pace. Ends with a short sprint section. 

3) Putah Creek Rd – Depending on group size and experience, this will either be more structured pack riding with a sprint section at the end or a mini-race between two or more squads. 

4) Drills on Russell Blvd or Sievers-Old Davis Rd. Depending on group size and experience, some riders may ride to the Baptist Church parking lot on Russell Blvd. for drill work or continue on the larger loop to ride as a group back to Davis via Sievers and Old Davis Rd.  Loop ride will consist of more pack riding with a short sprint section at the end.

►Tuesday/Thursday evening rides

Since 1990, local riders have participated in these informal "race ride." These training rides are for perfecting pack riding skills and increasing fitness beyond that obtained by ordinary cycling. In general, the rides are held on Tuesdays and Thursdays during the daylight savings time season, start times being about 2 hours before sunset. For 2009, rides begin on Tuesday, 10 March. Start time is 5:30 PM through April, then 6:00 PM from May until early September when it returns to 5:30 PM. For more information, subscribe to the "community" email list.

Meet at the east side parking lot of The Mondavi Center - UC Davis, (click link for a map)

Format

This ride has traditionally started at the east side parking lot of the Sutter Davis Hospital but owing to the deterioration of Buckeye Road, the start has been moved to the Mondavi Center. Warm-up part of the ride is in groups of eight riders riding two abreast. This is the social part of the ride when we get to know each other. The warm-up pace is 18 mph or less for about 8 miles. Then a series of three sprints over the next 30 miles. After each sprint there is a cool-down section where all riders can regroup. All riders are welcome, but when the sprint sections start, you must be comfortable with high-speed pack riding or content to ride "off-the-back".

Ride Rules

1. NO CROSSING THE CENTER LINE!
2. Rides will neutralize in traffic situations
3. Ride leaders support "Share The Road." Rides will yield to cars and politely wave them by when safe to pass our groups rides.
4. No tri-(aero) handlebars allowed.
5. No aggressive or squirrely bike handling allowed.