What should I bring on a team bike ride?

You should definitely show up to the team's bike rides prepared.  Here are some things that you should bring:

• Helmet -this is REQUIRED!  You must wear a helmet on all team rides.  No helmet, no ride.
• Water or sports drink - When working out, it is generally recommended that you drink a bottle of fluid per hour.  Please plan accordingly.  On longer rides, we will stop and refill bottles.
• Food - If you plan to ride longer than an hour, then please bring snacks (Clif bars, power bars, PB&J sandwich, banana, etc).  You will want to snack on something every hour or so.
• Spare tube and/or patch kit
• Small pump or CO₂ inflator
• Emergency info - In a plastic bag, put a photo copy of your drivers license and medical insurance card.  Also write down who to call if you get injured.
• Money or Credit Card - Bring $10 to $20 dollars just in case you need to stop by a bike shop to get something fixed, or you need to buy more food or drink along the way.
• Cell phone

What is the route for the team bike ride?

The team ride on Saturday can follow any number of routes, depending on how far people want to go and how adventurous people are feeling.  However, our default Saturday ride is a 40 mile route that starts at Einstein's Bagels on Regents Rd the UCSD Bikeshop in the Old Student Center. and heads North through Del Mar and Rancho Sante Fe before heading out to the coast and back along Coast Highway.  This is typically referred to as the "Rancho Ride".  There are a several variations of the this ride for those wanting less or more mileage.  You can see a map of the Rancho Ride and couple variations here.

During the week, people will do short aerobic rides in the mornings.  Look for email on the team list to find out when these are happening.  Typically these rides are about 25 miles long and often go up and back along Coast Highway

Map of Rancho Ride & Variations

Additionally, here are some of the longer routes that the team does from time to time:

1. Elfin Forest
2. Highland Valley
   

How much does a bike cost?

The team has sponsorship deals in place which allow team members to purchase bikes at significant discounts.  Entry level road bikes that are suitable for training and racing start around $700. In addition to the bike, you should also expect to spend another $100 to $200 dollars for other bike related accessories (helmet, bike shorts, shoes, etc)

What should I look for when buying a bike?

For a good summary of road bike features and components you can look at the UC Cyclery buyers guide.  You will want to find a bike that has at least "enthusiast" level components (the gears and other pieces that make up the bike's drive train).  This will ensure good performance and longeveity for your bike.

Many people on the team are happy to help new members learn about and find bikes.  If you are looking for a bike, please ask one of the captains or senior team members for help.