I coordinate a series of bike rides
called the Semi-Organized Quasi-Geek Bike Rides, consisting mostly of
people I know from in and around Berkeley. As part of that process, I
come up with route plans. Most of the routes are designed so that
cyclists of different strengths can start out together, with the more
advanced cyclists branching off to do challenging rides like Mount
Diablo and Mount Tamalpais, and the beginners staying mostly on the
flats. There are also a few more challenging rides just for the
hammerheads. The routes are all designed to be accessible by BART; no
cars or sag wagons are required.
The ride pace usually is easy, unless everyone wants to hammer (which
isn't very often). It picks up a little as the intermediate and
advanced rides split off from the beginner's ride. The idea is to
create an environment where any cyclist can participate in a social,
self-supported, fun ride.
