Good places to bike train in SLO County

There are countless places to bike, all of which people would pay big bucks to do on vacation if only we didn't keep them all secret I'm most familiar with the roads above the Cuesta Grade, in Wildflower land. The only real way to become familiar is to link up with the bike or tri groups. In North County, there are at least four or five groups. Major groups below the Grade include SLO Velo, the SLO Bike Club, and others who you can find with calls to the major stores like Art's and Foothill.

Above the Grade, there are rides and groups from K-Man, Go For It!, the SLO club local rides, and others, like my buddies on Team Tuesday Thursday. There's a friendly bike culture in the county, and a lot of good riders.

This time of year, there are spin groups that the stores and clubs sponsor.

Have fun for me! There's a reason the Wildflower Century sells out in a few hours and the Great Western rally is so popular.

Pacific John,

It looks like the link you have to the Central Coast Tri Club is dead, do they have a new site or other web presence?

Thanks for the tips! I should check out the local clubs. Of course, it never occurred to me to just ride as much of the actual route as possible. Also, does the Olympic course registration sell out quick? I have been putting off paying for it and I don't want to regret it.

Thanks!

Yeah, I just noticed that. It looks like the CC tri club runs via email and facebook:.

I've never done the Wildflower tri, but I'd call K-Man or Go For it! They'll know. I'm under the impression there's a lot of capacity, and it doesn't sell out quickly, if at all.

I'll have to try K-man. They are local, and it's always good to support the LBS. 

I registered last night for the Olympic course! I got nervous that it would fill up, so I figured that I would nip it in the bud, rather than regret it later. 

Clicking around tonight, I tripped across this list of Wheelmen rides: http://www.cpslowheelmen.org/road.php

The first loop on 1 and LOVR is classic. Ride early to avoid the wind. The out and back to Lopez is gorgeous. I like the loop to AG.

Also, check out the SLOBC rides here: http://www.slobc.org/local-rides/favorite.html

The Pozo loop is the best. Do it a few times, and you'll win bike splits, for sure. There are some Peachy Canyon loops that are must-dos, but stay off NLD, there's too much fast traffic.

Thanks for the links and info about the local shops.  I'll have to check out Go For It as the local bike shops in SLO have limited Tri specific gear.

The ride from SLO to Avila is a fun ~25 mile round trip.  If you don't mind going slow the Bob Jones Trail MUP is a nice way to stay away from traffic, although Avila Beach Drive doesn't have all that much traffic.