There are no dues and only 3 rules, Ride Safe, wear a Helmet and have fun! Coffee or Tea is always involved at some stage of the ride.

As time goes by and more Members are welcomed we plan on arranging more events for all levels of Cyclists from those thinking of buying their first Bike to the seasoned Rider.

Irvine is one of the best Cities to ride a Bicycle in Southern California, why? Because we have well paved and mostly Flat Roads with Bike Lanes and Cyclist Buttons on most Traffic lights, there are also a growing number of Cyclists on our roads which make Drivers more aware, plus, we have miles of Traffic free MUP’s (Multi use Paths).

If you’re thinking of Commuting by Bike you should join us first, we will show you how to ride defensively, avoid opening Car Doors and the correct way to make lane transitions, we can help make your commute safer and give you the confidence to ride to and from work.

There are so many different Bikes on the Market, we can help you choose the best one for your purpose and prevent costly mistakes, whether you want to cruise the Backbay with your Family, Commute, Ride offroad Trails or ride a 100 miles (a Century) we can help you make an informed decision in your Bike purchase.

Some of the upcoming events we are going to plan are:

1. Bolsa Chica evening Beach Path cruise and BBQ on Bolsa Chica (Huntington beach) ride from 1 to 10 miles.

2. Newport Beach to Sunset Beach Boarwalk cruise.

3. Backbay after work pm rides.

4. 15, 30, 50 and 100 mile rides

Please watch this thread for announcements and read our Post-ride reports.

the acpmette and i just recently decided to get into biking.  we’ve borrowed bikes from friends in the meantime to see if this hobby sticks.  shes got a mountain bike and me a comfort bike.  would we be able to keep up with the 7 circles regulars?  i assume most of you are on road bikes.

Good for you acpme, sure you and acpmette will beable to ride with the 7C’s, we are going to plan all sorts of events throughout the summer…the Beach cruise for instance would be a great ride for you guys.
Yes, we ride road bikes but I have a MTB too so no problem….

I would suggest in the meantime you take your bikes to the Backbay and just ride in the meantime….you will probably have a few aches and pains in the beginning but youll be amazed at how quickly you can progress on a bike!

1. Bolsa Chica evening Beach Path cruise and BBQ on Bolsa Chica (Huntington beach) ride from 1 to 10 miles.

Will this ride pass by Hearthside Homes Brightwater project in Huntington Beach?

Hey Graph:
I don’t know if the Bolsa Chica beach ride will intersect with the Hearthside Homes Brightwater project, but I do know that we’d go past it on the Sunset ride. We tried to flag down Peter during the last ride, but since he was riding faster than the speed of sound, he basically ignored us.

ACPME,
Definitely come out with us some time. My SO and I go riding at Backbay pretty regularly. We both have road bikes, but would be happy to go at whatever pace.

Hi, I live close to the Tustin Marketplace and ride almost every sunday afternoon from there to PCH and back (the last part using Back Bay Dr). You cannot miss me, I am riding the yellow recumbent bike
I am not the most frequent driver - guess due to work - but this summer I would definitly like to join one (or a couple) of the IHB rides. I promise to train a little bit more first and maybe even get a “normal” touring or racing bike, even though we are probably all saving for buying a house once the prices hit the bottom….

Yesterday was the Rosarito to Ensenada bike ride (www.rosaritoensenada.com). Anyhow, here is the summary for the day. Hope you enjoy it.

The event is a blast. Rosarito to Ensenada is a tour, not a race, and there were more people taking it easy, riding at a casual pace, and drinking (yes, margaritas & beer while riding) than serious riders. Here are some photos for the event.
Event/Day Summary:
1. Wake up at the buttcrack of dawn. My buddy and I got up at 5:20AM, and drove down to Balboa Park in San Diego to take a shuttle bus service to Rosarito start line. They do a really good job taking care of our bikes and driving us around. $85 for the roundtrip, food, and not having to worry about logistics yourself. We met some pretty cool people on the bus, and heard some funny stories from previous rides.
2. We arrived at Rosarito at around 9:15AM. Grabbed our bike and went to the start line. There were a lot of riders (7000+), we were probably in the first 1/3 leaving the line. Loud music, people having a good time, and amazingly, some already started drinking.
3. First 10 miles were filled with kids on both side of the street. Its a tradition for riders to throw candies at the kids, and my 5lb of candies were gone in the first 5 miles.
4. First 20 miles were mostly flat (a couple of hills, but nothing difficult). The view was amazing, and the best part, clean air and perfect weather (low 70s). Aid station #1 is at around mile 16-17, and there were definitely a lot of drinking and partying there. Its cool that the event organizers also have a bike station, to fix any bike issues for the riders.
6. Starting around mile 23-24, you start the first climb, otherwise known as “El Tigre”. Its a 7.5 degree climb that lasts about 2 miles. The incline is not too bad, but the length was somewhat disturbing. Felt like you are climbing a mountain at a slow pace (sort of). I didn’t use the granny gear up the first mile, and was doing ok. 2nd part of the climb (which you can’t really see until mile 1 is over) is a bit challenging (probably because were were riding the hills around 12ish). I was able to get to the top pretty quickly, but saw a lot of people walking up their bikes. There were a lot of mountain bikers on this ride, and I think all of them struggled up that hill.
7. As you get to aid station #2, at the top of “El Tigre”, you are handed sports drinks, oranges, bananas, and other food. Most everyone spends a few minutes up there and look back at where you started. Anyways, this is by no means French Alps, but still pretty impressively for many.
8. You have 2 other small climbs 35-37, but they are not too long. However, best part of the ride starts at around 37 miles, as you descent 900 ft over the next 10 miles. The cross wind was pretty crazy at certain parts, but the speed that you can gain on the descent is ‘badass’. I got up to about 36 mph, and avged about 32 all the way down. Having a better understanding of the terrain/map now, I would climb that 2 miles up “el tigre” anytime, knowing that the 10 mile descent was so fun!

9. You see aid station #3 around mile 42, and the remainder of the ride is all flat and very easy. The scenic view for Ensenada is pretty nice, and the ocean breeze (and clean air) were certainly appreciated by tired riders. I sped up towards the the last 5 miles, then found myself in a mad dash towards the finishline with 10 other riders. My total time was about 3:30 min, and total event time was about 3:50 (bathroom breaks, and throwing candies to the kids). I think Peter can finish this ride under 3 hours, and I could’ve shaved another 15-20 minutes off the time as well. But its a fun ride, and not a competition, so its all good.
10. Finally, you get to the finish line, people take your pictures, congratulate you, and time to get food. We had unlimited fish tacos and beer from our tour company, and walked around Ensenada to checked out the scene. Our bus left at 4:30pm (first one out), and we were able to get back home around 9:30 (with an hour wait at the border, and hour drive back from SD). All in all, it was a great day, and great experience.
Final thought…
Our ride to Sunset Beach was peachy compare to this ride. Some guy that we met at the ride, Hector (who also lives in OC), rode the Solvang 50, and mentioned that this ride was definitely tougher. I would definitely do this ride every year (at least once), and hopefully do other similar distance events in the coming months. I was able to meet many nice and interesting people, and found the event to be truly wonderful. I’d like to say ‘thank you’ to Peter for encouraging my ass to get a new bike, because it made a huge difference.

Course Map is available here:
http://rosaritoensenada.com/pdf/COURSE.PDF

Great post-ride report Vic, Thanks!

Sounds like you had a lot of fun!  I was impressed with the sprint finish…“7 Circles strikes again” 

John.Doe - 19 April 2008 03:37 PM

Hi, I live close to the Tustin Marketplace and ride almost every sunday afternoon from there to PCH and back (the last part using Back Bay Dr). You cannot miss me, I am riding the yellow recumbent bike
I am not the most frequent driver - guess due to work - but this summer I would definitly like to join one (or a couple) of the IHB rides. I promise to train a little bit more first and maybe even get a “normal” touring or racing bike, even though we are probably all saving for buying a house once the prices hit the bottom….

Hi John, we’re going to organize all kinds of events this year for all levels of Cyclist, keep an eye on this thread and we’ll be announcing them.

I’ve seen a few ‘bents around the Backbay, those things are fast! especially those that have the Pods, one Guy looks like George Jetson everytime I see Him…

In the meanwhile, if you’re looking for People to ride with on a certain day and time feel free to ask here.

Here is the official account of the adventures of profette and her sister at the Sea Otter Classic (Century Ride) in Monterey.

PRE-SEA OTTER
There was plenty of carbo loading the night before.

At the festival booths, prof met Ryan and Tim, founders of Twin Six cycling gear.  Ryan, who designed prof’s jersey said he was happy she was wearing their jersey and she “made it look really good.” Ryan appreciatively showered her with Twin Six gifts.

At the festival, profsis chatted with French photojournalists who knew where the big post-ride parties would be. The information proved quite useful.

RIDE STATS:
-100-mile tour (Because you’re not hardcore, unless you live hardcore!)

-Total elevation gain: 6650 feet (mostly rollers, including a 10 mile steep climb to Cahoon summit)

-Number of flats: 0 (yeah!)

-Official theme song: AC/DC “You Shook me all Night Long” (+ chorus from Ozzy’s “Crazy Train,” singing subsequently banned at mile 24 rest stop)

-Rides: Felt FW35 (prof #625),  Specialized Allez Elite (profsis #626) “she was a fast machine, she kept her motor clean…”

-Number of Cannondale riders dropped: 12

-Number of times prof told profsis to shut up and ride: 8

-Number of times profsis complained about chafing, was told to call 1-800-waa-aaah :2

-Windspeeds: up to 40 m.p.h.

-Wineries visited during race: 1

-Wineries visited after race: 3

- Cell phone #s given to prof by hawt lycra clad dudes at feed zones: 17
“knockin’ me out with those American thighs…”

-Number of times profsis flirted with SAG vehicle guys who were staying at the hotel: 3

-Mechanical problems: 1

-Layers of clothing stripped off on the ride: 4

-Road hazards: cattle guards, potholes on descent, the potato salad

THE RIDE
It was a beautiful, but freezing sunrise at Laguna Seca Raceway. Clearly going for a late attack, we got a slow start. At about 1.2 miles, we lost sight of the pro peloton (but what a glorious view, while it lasted). Note to self: do not draft behind the Kashi team.

Profsis was hoping that her training at high altitude would give her an advantage; however, the natural blood doping and oxygenation was negated by the tonic mixer imbibed the prior day.

At Fort Ord, profsis whipped out her multi-tool and aided a hawt male cyclist with a mechanical.

Rolling on into the unknown… yet another granny gear grind before us… Are there no flats in this ride?!

Mile 42: full-out sprint to lunch stop at winery by the food-motivated profsis.

Somewhere on Carmel Valley Road…Profsis throws up Cytomax and Cliffbar in her mouth.    Prof is popping Advil like candy.

At the summit climb, prof begins shouting “Bring it!” Profsis replies “I did but don’t remember where I put it.” There was max out-of-the saddle effort, and we made the 10-mile steep grunt up Cahoon summit. Lactic acid build-up! Running out of power. Deep in the pain cave. Deep. A notorious bonker, profsis bonked on mile 69, losing the will to live. Luckily, she was revived by some passing hawt guy’s GU.

Prof finds some strength reserves and convinces disheartened profsis that what goes up must come down. More Advil. Teeth-chattering Paris-Roubaix-style road vibrations and holes on downhill run, riding the brakes all the way (prof thinking, “thank God I wasn’t riding a Cannondale!”). “The road was shakin,’ my knees were quakin’ …”  Looking forward to the hotel jacuzzi!

Both riders are out of the comfort zone for the rest of the ride…Laureles Grade is a 3.5 mile climb with steep pitches…are we there yet?

Overall, this was a well-organized event with adequately stocked rest-stops; however the postride BBQ caused prof to exclaim, “I road 100 miles for this?!” Unable to stand the smell of charred meat and too tired to take a victory lap on Laguna Seca, prof proceeded to lie on the ground and freebase citrus recovery drinks.

Good Times!

Here are some more .jpgs from the Sea Otter. Notice that profsis was very motivated by the feed zone.

That was fantastic Prof, I’m so proud of you and Profsis

Great write-up too, that was a tough Century plus 40 mph winds? Whoa!

You both did really great!

San Marco Park-Seal Beach. Sunday April 27th at 8:30 am

This is a ~ 50 mile ride starting at San Marco Park which is on Harvard between Main and Alton.

We will ride via the Backbay, PCH through Newport and Huntington Beach and make a U-Turn at Starbucks on PCH in Sunset Beach, Peters’ Landing.

The ride is an easy pace with flat terrain for 90% of the ride, nobody will be dropped although some will be squirted with water Bottles, we have re-groupings along the route at intersections and before technical lane transitions.

Feel free to contact me via PM and I will edit this post with a list of Riders so let me know if you’re Ridin’ or Hidin’ 

Thanks for the stories Vic and Prof !  Great job both !

So are there any planned upcoming rides? PM me if there are, I’d be down for meeting up on my new ‘78 trek after I get a freewheel on it and my cranks fixed (bought it as a fixie—bad idea).

Who made up the name “7 Circles Cycling Club”? I would think our cycling name could at least have something cool relating to the housing market like “the seventh circle of cycling hell”...

this might sound stupid to you experienced outdoor riders, but how does that ride compare to a spin class?  i can push myself balls to the wall 3x a wk in spin with no problems.  how does 50 miles on actual roads and hills with wind resistance compare?  i don’t really have any experience with a ride of that length for comparison. 

vic, when do you usually ride at backbay?

Hey Acpme,
I think if you can go ‘balls to the walls’ on the cycling machines at the gym, you should be fine on all the outdoor rides.

The biggest difference between outdoor & indoor riding is the ‘balancing’. You are pretty much stationary when you are riding in the gym, where is outdoors, you do get to work your core a bit more by having to not only work with pushing the pedals with your legs, but making sure that you are balanced (both up hill and downhill). The 50 mile ride itself is really not that challenging. Anyone in good shape can finish the ride. The challenge is trying to finish the event by a certain time or avg a certain speed. Try to climb a 7.5% incline hill avging 10 mph (see PeterUK) for 2+ miles on a bike. If you can do that and feel normal afterwards (instead of feeling like your heart is ready to jump out of your chest), then you are definitely a rockstar.

Most of my bike time are spent on weekends. I ride from Irvine Spectrum to Back Bay (and back) on Saturdays, and 50 miles w/ PeterUK and Prof on Sunday morning. Let me know if you want to come out for a casual ride on Saturday afternoon (at least check out the distance, and the view).

Personally, I don’t like being on stationary bike in the gym. Nothing really tops going downhill at 30+ mph and flying around Back Bay or PCH.

Priced_Out_IT_Guy - 23 April 2008 11:59 PM

Who made up the name “7 Circles Cycling Club”? I would think our cycling name could at least have something cool relating to the housing market like “the seventh circle of cycling hell”...

The name was pretty easy to come up with, it started off something similar to what you suggested and evolved into The 7C’s IHB Cycling Club…of course, when we appear in TV interviews and special appearances we always use the full name, in Cycling Circles we’re known as 7Cs’, everyone knows who they’re talking about, same as one never says Lance Armstrong, “Lance” is usually enough…

We’re on the same level as Him now

acpme - 24 April 2008 07:57 AM

this might sound stupid to you experienced outdoor riders, but how does that ride compare to a spin class?  i can push myself balls to the wall 3x a wk in spin with no problems.  how does 50 miles on actual roads and hills with wind resistance compare?  i don’t really have any experience with a ride of that length for comparison. 

vic, when do you usually ride at backbay?

acmpe, this is probably the easiest 50 miles you could possibly do, there’s normally a wind which comes in from the Ocean which makes it nice, last time we did this ride it was in the 90’s and it didn’t feel bad at all….

It can be very Traficky in places but Vic does an amazing job of following and looking out for the back of the pack, we always stick together through the busy lane transitions etc and re-group several times throughout the ride…

See you sunday then

Yes, I do look out after everyone (literally).

we probably wont make it this sunday but hoping to try a backbay ride on saturday.  hopefully we’ll ride with the group next time around!