Bella Fiore Rides, Events & News

Standing Road Rides

 

Friday Bike Path Rides at 8:00 am

This ride is ideal for the beginner just getting used to your bike OR the cyclist not interested in riding on the road with cars.  Your challenge is to meet your fellow bella girls and ride 1 hour out, and 1 hour back while trying to clock as many miles possible. On the return, make it a goal not let your speed drop below 10mph on the hill back into Beals Point. At the end, take note of your total mileage, time, and final hill speed...next week your goal is to beat them. Enjoy!

Beginner/Intermediate Road Ride / Recovery Ride  ALL RIDERS WELCOME (intro, beginner, intermediate, advanced)

Meeting Location: Beal’s Point, Granite Bay
Ride 25 + miles on the bike path. All levels welcome. Casual pace, designated rest/re-group spots. Flat to moderate terrain.   RSVP NECESSARY TO CONFIRM RIDE LEADER.  Contact: Leslie Amsberry at 916.261.1297 or LAmsberry@aol.com

Saturday Beginner Rides

Beginner road rides, or our Bella Lite Rides, take place on various Saturdays.  Check back for more details or contact Leslie Amsberry at 916.261.1297 or lamsberry@aol.com for more information.  Bella members should check Yahoo groups for details and updates.

Sunday Road Rides at  9:00 am

Intermediate/Beginner/Advanced Road Ride

Meeting Location: Flower Farm, Loomis (EXCEPT SECOND SUNDAY, SEE BELOW)
Corner of Auburn Folsom and Horseshoe Bar Road (park in the gravel lot between the nursery and the B&B)

• A 30+ mile ride with a shorter and/or longer option available. Flexible pace with-sweep and/or designated stops to regroup. Terrain will be flat to hilly and will go through some areas with small or no bike lanes. All riders must have some experience riding with cars. Riders under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
• Ride rolls at 9:00am, call if you are running late. Rain cancels.
• Ride Contacts: Kristie Shaw (kristieshaw@att.net) AND Michelle Marengo (michelle@bicycleemporium.com)

Second Sunday Shop Rides

On the Second Sunday of each month, this standing Intermediate ride will start from Bicycle Emporium. Everything else is the same, just a new start/finish location.

Before joining us on any ride, please read the descriptions, ettiquette and guidelines below. It is also a good idea to check the YahooGroups page (members only) or the Bicycle Emporium Calendar to check for changes.

Bella Annual Meeting
Thursday January 12, 2012, 6:00pm
Bicycle Emporium

Club Meetings in 2012
The 1st Thursday of each month, 6:00pm
Locations will vary.

News

Bella Fiore is an official member of USA Cycling. Be sure to race under the Clubs name.

Members, be sure to sign up for YahooGroups (it is free and easy) and is our main source of communication.  Signing up will keep you in the loop on the the latest rides, events, and random chatter.

General Information

 

Rider Levels

Use this as a guide and know that you may fall in-between some of these categories…

• INTRODUCTORY:
  Just got the bike… still learning the difference between the brakes and the shifters. Need some time on the bike before sharing the road with the cars and definitely prefer to ride with a buddy.
• BEGINNER:
  You are fit, you ride. Still getting comfortable and more fit on your bike. Your average speed is probably below 14 mph. but you are not confortable in technical terrain and are still nervous with the cars.
• INTERMEDIATE/BEGINNER:
  You are beyond beginner but are not as fast as our "Intermediate". You can handle the same terrain/routes as our "Intermediate" riders but you take it a bit slower. After a ride your average speed is around 14-15 mph.
• INTERMEDIATE: You are likely very fit in some or all areas (endurance, speed, flats and hills.) You ride frequently, are comfortable on your bike, and often ride alone. You probably could race if you trained but either aren’t interested or are not there yet. Your average speed ranges from 15 to 18mph plus.
• ADVANCED: The most fit and the fastest. Oh yes, you’re a racer (or certainly could be).

Ride Types

• CASUAL:
  Mello pace with sweep (ride leader will ensure no one is left behind). Suitable for beginner riders. Depending upon ride terrain, suitable for Introductory riders as well.
• FLEXIBLE:
  Riders are encouraged to ride at own pace. Generally No-Sweep but will have designated stops to rest/regroup. Suitable for Intermediate and most Intermediate/Beginner riders.
• TRAINING:
  Brisk rides with few or no stops for resting or regrouping. Ride leaders do not sweep and participants must be self sufficient.
• MTB:
  Off-Road riding not suitable for road bikes.

Terrain

• FLAT:
  As flat as you can find in the foothills. Some gentle grades.
• ROLLING:
  Fun rollers, gentle
• MODERATE:
  Some grades, challenging to introductory and some beginner riders
• HILLY:
  Short steep and/or long moderate grades. Challenging for Intermediate riders.
• MOUNTAINOUS:
  Very steep and long climbs. Strong riders only.
• MISCELLANEOUS

Ride Leaders

• Promise not to no-show
• Designate the time the ride rolls
• Should know how to change a flat
• Should be aware of and practice proper /safe riding etiquette
• Reminds group to be self sufficient (phone, food, directions, money, etc.

Sweep vs. No Sweep:

On SWEEP rides the ride leader will make sure no-one is left behind. Depending on the group/route, there will either be a rider in the rear or there will be designated stops for regrouping.

On NO SWEEP Rides…

• You must be self sufficient incase you are slower than the majority
• Familiarize yourself with the route prior to the ride
• If you are not comfortable riding alone and are not sure of your ability (compared to the group), bring a buddy.

General Ettiquitte:

• Not sure if your in the right group – bring a buddy
• RSVP to ride contact by 5:00 day before
• If there are no member RSVP’s ride may be cancelled
• All riders must wear a helmet
• For your safelty and those with you, do not ride outside of your comfort zone. Know your limits and listen to them - ride safely!
• HAVE FUN!