Some of the VSRT members join the Wheels of Thunder racing team in a joint training ride on Saturday mornings. The ride starts in downtown Pleasanton at 9:00 am from the parking lot on Neal Street between Main and First Streets (see map below). Rides are usually 40 to 60 miles of varying pace. This means some easy sections and some hard sections with regrouping at the top of most long climbs. Most routes have turn-around or bail-out points for those wanting shorter or less difficult versions of the ride. If you cut your ride short, please make sure to let someone in the group know so they don't wait for you at a regroup point. All riders are welcome, but be warned that these are not entry-level rides. You should be "reasonably fit" to keep up with the group. Several groups may form during the ride depending on who (or who doesn't) show up. The first Saturday of each month offers several "no-drop" rides. See below for the Women's team training ride. The Pleasanton "no-drop" rides are slower than the rest of the month (closer to 18 mph) and is a good place for new riders to start. For details on the route this Saturday e-mail Darryl Smith at 4smith@home.com.

DIRECTION: Unless you’re coming from Livermore or Pleasanton, the easiest driving route is to take the Bernal Exit from Hwy. 680. Head East towards and past the fairgrounds to First Street. Make a left at First Street and then a Left at Neal Street. The group meets in the parking lot on Neal between First and Main Streets. The ride starts at 9:00 AM (heavy rain cancels).

Third Saturday of the month - Women's Training Ride ALL WOMEN with road bikes are invited to join the Women of the Valley Spokesmen Race Team to work on pace lines on this friendly, no-drop but brisk paced training ride, for Women only the third Saturday of each month. Meet at Shannon Park in Dublin at 9:00 am. Take I-680 to Alcosta Ave. exit and go west; turn left at San Ramon Rd.; turn right on Shannon Ave. and right into parking lot. Contacts: Shawn Mehaffey 925-866-1613 and Bekki Livingston, 925-735-8327 (vinbek@aol.com).

Dublin Parks (pdf file)