Update: We have an updated bike events section with current events for 2013 and beyond. View 2013 Bike Events
Have you been waiting for the warmer weather to bring out your bike? Or do you want to start riding, but not sure how, or where?
We’ve listed both regular and one-time upcoming bicycling events around the Bay Area for 2012 for all biker types. Bike at the San Francisco Zoo, play Bicycle Bingo, bike to the Danville Farmer’s Market, bike through Wine Country and more. Check out our extensive list below, and if we forgot something please leave a comment with the event name, link, and dates(s) and we’ll check it out.
Happy cycling!
Photo credit: Steve Rhodes
REOCCURRING EVENTS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR
Delta Pedalers Bicycle Club | Every Sunday morning and Monday evening
- Every SUNDAY MORNING (9am) – Starbucks at Balfour Rd. and Fairview Ave. in Brentwood.
- Every MONDAY EVENING (7pm) – Starbucks at Sand Creek Rd. and Hwy 4 Bypass in Brentwood.
Bicycle Bingo | Every Thursday
Actual Cafe in Oakland (6334 San Pablo Ave.) hosts a weekly game of Bicycle Bingo with proceeds going to various local charities. What is Bicycle Bingo? Think bingo but with someone riding a stationary bicycle, rather than operating a hand crank, spinning the cage with the bingo balls.
Diablo Hills Group Road Ride | Every Saturday
Meet at 9:30 at Mike’s Bikes Walnut Creek location (1615 North California Blvd) for a two hour social ride. Route varies depending on group but include Mt Diablo, Canyon/Pinhurst or flat and rolling roads into Dublin and back and speeds are between 14mph and 17mph.
Sunday Berkeley Road Ride | Every Sunday (rain cancels)
Starting at 10am at the Mike’s Bikes in Berkeley (2161 University Ave), this ride is intended to be enjoyed, so it’s an easy-going pace and no rider is left behind. An excellent ride to consider for beginning road cyclists. The route takes cyclists into the Berkeley hills, bringing water bottle is recommended.
East Bay Bike Party | Second Friday of every month
Welcoming all ages and abilities, this is as much a monthly ride as it is a celebration, meandering throughout the East Bay on bike. The rides change in route and theme each month, but it is easy to stay updated with this information.
Critical Mass | Every month, varies by city
Hosted each month in cities throughout the world, there are a handful of Critical Mass rides in the Bay. Bay Area Critical Mass rides include San Francisco, Berkeley, and San Jose.
Bike at the San Francisco Zoo | February to October in 2012
The San Francisco Zoo has BikeAbouts scheduled on a monthly basis February through October and on special occasions like Mother’s Day and Father’s Day, where riders finish the bike ride with a continental breakfast. Fee: Per peddler – $18 for SFZS Members; $23 Non-Members. For more information, call (415) 753-8135 or email education@sfzoo.org.
Sunday Streets | At least once a month from March to October in 2012
Not bicycle specific, but this event closes down miles of streets throughout neighborhoods in San Francisco to cars and temporarily turns over the streets to non motorized traffic. Fun for the whole family and those looking to get back on two wheels.
Photo credit: Carlos Smith
2012 Bay Area Biking and Cycling Events
Fremont Freewheelers | April 2012
The Freemont Freewheelers Bicycle Club has a variety of cycling events throughout April 2012. Check this PDF schedule for details.
Delta Pedalers Danville Farmer’s Market Ride | April 7, 2012
Join Randy for a ride from Heather Farms down the Canal and Iron Horse Trails for a stop at the Danville Farmer’s Market and back for lunch near Heather Farms.
Sea Otter Classic | April 19-22, 2012
A four day event with an expo, races for professional and amateur cyclists, festivities for all ages and more! The Sea Otter Classic is held at the Laguna Seca Recreation Area (1025 Monterey Salinas Hwy 68, Salinas).
Cycle for Sight | April 21, 2012
Choose from three scenic courses between 15 and 50 miles that meander through the hills and vineyards of Napa. The ride starts and finishes at Justin Siena High School, 4026 Maher Street – Napa, CA 94558, where you can enjoy wine tasting, beer tasting and local cuisine at the Cycle for Sight Wine and Music Festival will take place. Proceeds will go to two local organizations, Enchanted Hills Camp For The Blind & Visually Impaired and The California Veterans “Pathway Home Project.”
40th Annual Primavera Century | April 22, 2012
100 mile, 100k, 70k and 25 mile routes through beautiful scenery including the Calaveras Reservoir, Palomares Canyon, Coyote Hills Regional Park, and the Altamont Pass Wind Farm. Enjoy homemade goodies at every stop and a hot meal and massage at the end.
Delta Pedalers Fuddruckers Ride | April 28, 2012
Join Randy for a scenic loop of the Iron Horse, Contra Costa Canal, and Ygnacio Trails, with lunch at Fuddruckers following the ride.
Bike To Work Day | May 10, 2012
This is perhaps the bicycling event of the year, and best of all? It’s free. Bike to work, and stop by an energizer station along the way for goodies and moral support. This is an especially great day to try biking to work if you’ve never done so before.
Levee Bike Tour | May 12, 2012
Want to “learn about the Salt Pond Restoration Project and see Silicon Valley from a new angle”? This free ride allows one to ride a relatively flat, though unpaved, route surrounded by nature. The ride is recommended for ages 14 and up.
Ride For A Reason | May 12, 2012
A century ride from Oakland to Sacramento, with a cause– to bring more funding to Public Schools. The event ends with participating in the Rally For Education at the steps of the State Capitol (1416 10th St., Sacramento). Shorter distances of 65 and 45 miles can be picked up in Suisun train station and Vacaville, respectively.
Amgen Tour of California | May 13-20, 2012
Stages one through three will travel through the Bay Area: stage one starts in Santa Rosa; stage two from San Francisco to Santa Cruz County; stage three from San Jose to Livermore.
America By Bicycle Cross Country Challenge | June 1-July 24, 2012
Ever wanted to explore the United States, cost to coast, by bicycle? This is your chance to fulfill that goal. In this event cyclists will cover an average of 75 miles a day and enjoy 5 days of non-cycling along the way. While the event will take 52 days, for those unable to commit to so many days, the ride is also offered in six sections.
Night & Day Challenge | June 2-3, 2012
A foot, bike, or duathlon race allowing participants to explore San Francisco like never before, visiting sixty point-valued checkpoints placed throughout the city consisting of landmarks, parks, and even some obscure places in any order for 3, 7, or 16 hours. Participants receive maps upon registration where they choose their own route.
Sequoia Century Bicycle Ride | June 3, 2012
The Western Wheels Bicycle Club presents the Sequoia Century, the club’s big annual event, with rides ranging from 20 miles to 200km in Palo Alto.
Alt. | June 16, 2012
Alt. is more than a bike ride. It’s not just bikers tackling Mt. Hamilton, Mt. Tamalpais and Mt. Diablo in one day, using public transportation between the peaks. It’s a unique opportunity to get out, get moving, and get involved.
Best Of The Bay | June 16, 2012
Best of the Bay is said to offer “the finest cycling roads through the East Bay hills strung together into one epic ride” with ride distances ranging from 83 to 125 miles, depending on how great of a challenge one is looking to take on. Starting lines vary by route.
Delta Pedalers Camping Trip | June 21-24, 2012
The annual Delta Pedalers camping trip is scheduled for June 21, 22, 23, leaving on the 24th. The camp site is at Sandy Beach County Park along the Sacramento River, just outside Rio Vista.
Giro Bello Classic | July 7, 2012
This event allows cyclists to choose from three routes – a century, metric century, or fun route – as they cycle through Sonoma County, offering beautiful sights and proceeds going towards the Rotary’s Polio Plus eradication program and local charitable projects.
Healdsburg Harvest Century Ride | July 21, 2012
Try out what is considered among the “greatest rides on Earth”, a pleasant–though moderately–challenging tour through the Sonoma Wine Country. Distances start at 23 miles and go upward to 60 miles. Ticket price includes scenic rest stops, gorgeous scenery and an after-party lunch.
California Coast Classic | September 9-16, 2012
A frequently contemplated bicycle trip is one from “The Bay to LA”, if you are one of many who think about taking on this challenge the California Coast Classic lets you pedal from San Francisco to Los Angeles on this eight day, 525-mile ride (two day, 150 mile ride from Buellton to Los Angeles also an option). The event is held to raise money for the Arthritis Foundation.
Multiple Sclerosis Waves to Run Ride | September 22-23, 2012
The National MS Society holds this two day ride in which cyclists travel from UCSF Mission Bay Campus in San Francisco to Sonoma Mountain Village in Rohnert Park. There are various routes offered, and a post-ride celebration takes place at the finish line.
Napa Trek | September 29, 2012
A charity ride to raise money to develop treatments and a cure for ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease).
Levi’s GranFondo | September 29, 2012
A Santa Rosa charity ride to benefit various charities throughout Sonoma County, including at-risk youth organization and LIVESTRONG. This is the fourth year of the event and there are three routes for rides can choose from.
Golden Wheel Awards | TBA
Giving credit to community supporters and city officials who make streets safer for cycling in San Francisco, this event is presented by the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition.
For even more Bay Area biking events, check out http://www.bikecal.com/.
Sat Jan 22, 10am to 6pm:
Are you a novice or recreational cyclist?
