Note: This page is now static and is not updated weekly anymore. Please see our most recent e-newsletter for the list of rides for the week and the start times. This page now includes descriptions and general information only.

Basics: Passion has weekly rides on Wednesday evenings during the summer. Basically, people gather at the shop, break up into groups of (usually) 10 or less like minded folks, and head out in waves for a 2 mile ride on the road to Waterdog, and then some unspecified amount of dirt fun. At the end, the group returns to the shop to relax, chat, eat, and drink. Start times vary based on daylight, but are close to 5 at the beginning and end of daylight’s saving, and are usually around 6:30 around Summer Solstice.

Important Reminder: P. L. E. A. S. E. . . . P. U. T. . . . L. I. G. H. T. S. . . . O. N ! ! ! !

Please remember to put a light on your handlebar and have a blinky ready for the ride back to the shop! CA vehicle code requires it. Also, a reminder that we need to be super conscientious about stopping at stop signs and lights, yielding to pedestrians, and operating our bikes predictably and responsibly while on the roads and trails. While we are not the only cyclists out there we are certainly the easiest place to lodge complaints. Let’s be good neighbors out there.

If you have questions about the rides this week that aren’t answered there, we recommend calling the shop and talking to Patty at 650-620-9798, or sending email to info@passiontrailbikes.com.

All rides start pedaling from the shop: Passion Trail Bikes, 415 Old County Road, Belmont, CA 94002 650-620-9798

Riders queuing up for the launch of the Wednesday Wride

The Rides:
The EARLY ride (sometimes called the FAST or FRISKY ride) usually goes out 15 minutes before the REGULAR ride, and is recommended for fit and frisky riders who want extra mileage.
The REGULAR ride is split into groups of 10 or less and is the ride time we announce each week.
The WHITE SOCKS ride is slower than the REGULAR ride and goes out about 5 minutes later
The FBG or Fat Bottomed Girl ride is the slowest of all and goes out at the same time as the WHITE SOCKS ride.
The STRAGGLERS ride goes out at 15 to 20 minutes after the REGULAR ride
Other rides, not necessarily organized or offered every week, include the following
The SINGLE SPEED ride
The BIG BIKES ride
The RIDICULOUS ride
The HILL CLIMB ride

For future planning, we have the upcoming start times each week for the REGULAR ride posted on our Community Calendar

Note we may not have leaders for each ride but usually someone knows their way around. All groups will meet back here at Passion Trail Bikes right around dark for the usual story telling & beverage enjoyment. We will have stuff for the BBQ along with some carbo laden side dish, chips and fatty snacks and EANABS to pair up with the Devil’s Canyon Brewery’s Full Boar Scotch Ale, Silicon Blonde Ale, and Little Devil Root Beer. We will hang out until about 10pm, so come on down, even if you can’t make the ride! Passion Parties are better with YOU in the mix!

Please consider putting something in the donation jars to cover what you took out of the food bowls.

Riders enjoying one of Waterdog’s great trails

Also a quick reminder that along with Wednesday Wrides, we are open late on Wednesday nights so you can shop, drop off a bike for service or pick it up. Usually we are here until about 10:00pm.

Rides in Details:

The EARLY ride generally consists of people who have been doing a lot of riding and have some juice in their legs. It starts earliest to get the most mileage in. Note this is not a “fast” ride, but our leader is usually feeling frisky, rides a light bike, and it shows on the quick climbs. Regroups will occur, but maybe only at critical intersections. Occasionally riders may be dropped or handed off to other ride groups in passing. Expect to cover most of the trails in Waterdog, some maybe even twice.

The REGULAR ride is often split up to reduce the repetition of saying “Howdy, howdy, howdy” when we pass other trail users. It is an intermediate level social ride for enjoyable, not painful, riding. Sometimes stronger riders join this ride when their legs are feeling heavy or they just want to be mellow. Sometimes the leader will enforce a social pace through trickery or other devious methods. The regular ride is a good group for people with a solid base level of fitness and skills who enjoy talking while climbing and perhaps enjoying a moment at the top to take in the views before getting grins on the descents. Expect several loops of the sweet singletrack that defines Waterdog Park. Frequent regroups and maybe even a sweep rider will help keep the pace manageable for all. Not really appropriate for beginners; try the FBG or White Socks ride if you are unsure about your fitness or singletrack skills.

The WHITE SOCKS ride is a novice/intermediate level ride named in memory of our late good friend Rodney Johnson, who wore white socks. Rodney loved to help beginners progress and have fun on their way to becoming intermediate level riders. This ride is between the FBG ride and the Regular ride, and is where riders can begin to sample some of the more difficult trails in the park, in small quantities and in a supportive group. “Do overs” are encouraged so that riders can work on their skills. Also good for intermediate riders who just want to go slower, or riders who are on hybrid bikes, hand-me-down hardtails, or other older and heavy, or high-geared bikes that might make you work too hard to keep up with the Regular Ride. This is a no-drop ride that waits at each intersection.

The FBG ride is oriented towards beginners. Usually Patty, our resident Fat Bottomed Girl, leads the ride. Sometimes the ride leader is Charles, or another Flabby Bellied Guy. No matter who takes responsibility for this most relaxed outing, you can be assured that we enjoy taking out unfit, unsure, unskilled, or uncompetitive mountain bikers to experience a taste of trail riding. Our mantra is Equal Fun for Everyone! The FBG ride goes about 1/3 to 1/2 as far as the regular ride, usually only doing a single short loop. Sometimes it includes singletrack, sometimes just the fireroad. Often a good portion of the ride involves coaching, tips and tricks for new mountain bikers that are practiced in an empty lot before we get to the trails. More than just a pleasant pedal in the woods, the FGB ride is intended to provide the support and laughter new riders need to feel comfortable. It may include practicing “Hike a Bike” techniques when the trails get challenging. It may also feature a chance to practice skills playing around the area next to the dirt jumps. The FBG ride will get back at about the same time as the other rides, so we all get to socialize together once we are off the bikes.

The STRAGGLERS ride group is available for those that can’t sneak out of work on time, or are habitually late. We don’t usually provide a leader for the stragglers so typically they are on their own. We have maps of the park at the register if you need one. Usually the stragglers meet up with other groups at some point on the trail, so don’t feel bad if you start out alone. Come on down and join the party in the park, even if you are running late you don’t have to miss out! Sometimes stragglers launch their ride from the trailhead at the end of Carlmont Drive, or at the corner of Lake and Lyall.

The SINGLE SPEEDS ride is for people without shifters on their bikes. Singlespeed mountain bikes usually are light and fast and brutal on the knees and lungs when things get steep. You can bring your geared bike with a “chastity belt” wrapped around your shifters to prevent you from shifting and experience the strange world of pleasure/pain as you stand to force those pedals around. Note that these are real mountain bikes, not fat-tired townie cruisers, just in case you were wondering. Also note you do not have to be completely nuts or uber fit to join this good natured but hard charging group. Just a little nuts and a little fit will do.

The BIG BIKES ride typically features long-travel bikes and usually hits up the dirt jumps at Carlmont, although sometimes it travels to Shells. Body armor and full face helmets are a good idea if you ride with this group. Expect to catch some air and drop a steep or two. Usually the group sessions various sets of features out on the landscape and works on skills. Not a fast or high-mileage cross country ride. Dirt jumping or BMX style bikes can also fit in with this group. Bandaids are available at the shop for skin not covered by protective gear.

The RIDICULOUS ride is for people who want to have fun and try to increase their trail riding skills. The ride leader is unpredictable and may take you on little-used tracks, that are little-used for a good reason: too steep, don’t connect with other trails, or are ridiculously difficult to ride cleanly. Sometimes riders supplement the mood with jokes, or wear strange clothes, or ??? you name it. Singlespeeds are often seen on this ride, sometimes being pushed uphill. Occasionally the ride gets so ridiculous riders can be seen sitting under trees drinking beverages hanging out instead of riding. Riding, pushing, or sitting…. FUN is the name of the game.

The HILL CLIMB ride is offered occasionally for riders to work on power, aerobic capacity, and technical climbing skills. Usually it features one or more timed runs from the bottom to the top of the park, either on the Upper Creek Trail and Finch Trail, or the Berry Trail and John Brooks Trail. These are not trivial routes and include switchbacks and steep rock gardens that are very difficult to pedal up. Other routes may be developed and offered at some point but we have records posted here and there for these routes. Note that we do not offer and do not condone timed downhill runs, since this is a public park and speeding downhill is likely to cause conflicts with others on the trails.

Misc Thoughts

About the blinky light warning above: You need one for the back of your bike, and a white handlebar light for the front. We will be returning on paved roads at dusk and you want to be seen by drivers and Belmont’s fine Police officers who look out for our health and welfare. Speaking of which, all Passion Trail Bike rides will obey all traffic laws, stopping at stop signs and red lights; and all park rules, yielding to other trial users and riding as courteously, safely and predictably as possible.

All groups will meet back here at Passion Trail Bikes shortly before dark (up to 30 minutes after the sunset time listed above) for the usual story telling & beverage enjoyment. We will have stuff for the BBQ along with some carbo laden side dish, chips and fatty snacks and EANABS to pair up with the Devil’s Canyon Brewery’s Full Boar Scotch Ale, Silicon Blonde Ale, and Backpack Babe Root Beer. Sometimes we also have tequila, limes, agave nectar, and salt. Poke around and help yourself, the customer lounge is for your post-ride pleasure! We will hang out until about 10pm, so come on down, even if you can’t make the ride! Passion Parties are better with YOU in the mix!

Visit our website for directions to the shop, etc. www.PassionTrailBikes.com. Parking can be tight in the driveway – consider paring on the road up front (there usually are spots open there). Don’t park in the way back, unless you know the details (there are a few spots reserved for another building, and there are 2 gates that can’t be blocked – one of which houses a towing company, which WILL move you if you block it).

Reminder: Even if you don’t join the ride, the shop is basically open until really late. Like, 10:00pm! So if you want to shop, or drop off or pick up a repair, we will be here LATE on Wednesday nights, although there’s a strong possibility there will be a frothy cold pint o’ beverage on the counter. Yes, you can have one too. Please bear with us if you have to go into the lounge to find the help. Yes, you can have some chips too.