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Best Buddies Challenge
  • Event Details
    • Event Overview
    • Routes
    • Fundraising Levels
    • Schedule
    • Community Cycling Club
  • About Best Buddies
    • What We Do
      • Mission
      • Impact
      • Vision and Goals
    • Programs
      • Friendship
      • Jobs
      • Leadership Development
      • Living
    • Mission in Action
      • Featured Profiles
      • Videos
  • Participant Tools
    • Meet our Staff
    • Training Tools
    • Fundraising Tools
    • Logistical Tools
  • Sponsors
  • REGISTER
  • DONATE
  • REQUEST INFO
  • LOGIN

BEST BUDDIES COMMUNITY CYCLING CLUB

Join our year-round community of cyclists and support Best Buddies with no minimum fundraising commitment! Earn amazing benefits, including access to our weekly and monthly curated rides, by fundraising to support Best Buddies mission to create friendships, employment opportunities, leadership development and inclusive living for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

$25.00 Registration fee
No fundraising commitment

Here’s what you can earn:

  • Raise $250 to earn a custom Best Buddies cycling jersey.
  • Raise $500 and earn access to our weekly group rides and exclusive curated five-star group rides in the Bay Area.
  • Raise $1,650 and earn one entry to the Best Buddies Challenge: Hyannis Port presented by Core Hydration*
  • Raise $5,000 and earn one entry to the Best Buddies Challenge: California presented by Core Hydration*
  • Raise $6,500 and earn one entry to a Best Buddies Breakaway Camp presented by Core Hydration* of your choosing.
  • Raise $10,000 and earn one entry to the Best Buddies Challenge: Miami*

*Fundraising benefits for the Best Buddies Community Cycling Club are not stackable. Once you select a Best Buddies Challenge benefit level you “cash out” and begin fundraising again.

Join the Club

Wednesday Weekly Ride

Wednesdays at 7:00 AM sharp
Equator Coffee | Fort Mason
Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco, CA 94129
Coffee Pace | All levels
Distance 15.4 miles 1,688 ft. elevation
Click here to preview the route

Join the Club

 Pizza Hacker Club Ride

Sunday, August 7th
Ride Leader: Alex Jonas, Domestique
Meetup: 8:00 AM at Equator Coffee | 244 CA-1, Mill Valley, CA 94941
Please park at Pizza Hacker and ride to Equator Coffee
Pedals up: 8:30 AM sharp
Finish: Pizza Hacker | 226 Shoreline Hwy, Mill Valley, CA 94941
Pace: Intermediate
Route: 57.6 miles 4,075 ft; alternate routes are also available

Join the Club

Canyon Club Brewery Club Ride 

Saturday, August 27th
Ride Leader: Teddy Shriver
Meetup:
 8:00 AM at Canyon Club Brewery | 1558 Canyon Rd, Moraga, CA 94556
Pedals up: 8:30 AM sharp
Finish: Canyon Club Brewery | 1558 Canyon Rd, Moraga, CA 94556
Pace: Intermediate
Route: 47.6 miles 4,297 ft; alternate routes are also available

Join the Club

Cottage Grove Inn Ride

Saturday, August 28, 2021
Meet: 7:30 AM
Pedals up: 8:30 AM
1711 Lincoln Ave, Calistoga, CA 94515
Parking is available on the surrounding streets. Click here for a street map. 

Route: 55.5 miles 3,462 ft
https://www.strava.com/routes/2854845337737570734

Lunch and brews at the Cottage Grove Inn!

We’re back at the Cottage Grove Inn! Join us and our longtime friends in Calistoga at the Cottage Grove Inn for an incredible ride and lunch! If you feel like getting some post-ride rest, the Cottage Grove Inn has availability for people to stay after the ride. For this ride, we ask that you register for our DIY Challenge to participate, if you are not registered for our in-person event. All funds raised support Best Buddies mission of inclusion for all! This ride always sells out, so RSVP below to secure your spot!

Register Now

Best Buddies Challenge DIY Routes

We’ve put together some amazing routes for your DIY Challenge ride! Please follow all local and state guidelines, practice social distancing, wear a helmet, observe the rules of the road, and have fun! There’s a lot of great information below, so read on and get ready to celebrate Best Buddies and your commitment to inclusion!

Five Star DIY Route Scale

★ (Novice) – For riders new to cycling – welcome! We think you’ll like it here.

★★ (Beginner) – For riders that have been on a bike in the last few years and are comfortable pedaling for around an hour.

★★★ (Intermediate) – For riders that cycle regularly and are looking for something a bit more challenging than your everyday cruise.

★★★★ (Advanced) – For riders that cycle regularly and understand how to approach different terrains, changing grades, and other cycling challenges.

★★★★★ (Expert) – For the most seasoned of cyclists. Epic climbs and leg-shredding distances await. Don’t forget to smile!

SAN FRANCISCO

Route: San Francisco Loop
Distance: 21 miles
Elevation Gain: 1,876 ft
Difficulty: *-** (Novice – Beginner)
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/31834184

This route is the classic San Francisco loop that everyone should do when they come to visit.  It starts and finishes at the Rapha Café in the Marina and features all the pivotal views of the city.  Crossing the Golden Gate Bridge should never get old!

Route: Alpine Dam -> Tam
Distance: 65.4 miles
Elevation Gain: 7,112 ft
Difficulty: *** (Advanced)
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/34224158

Another classic route, but slightly more advanced, the Alpine Dam to Tam ride is one you can’t miss.  Roll through the quaint streets of Marin County on your way to Alpine then hit the Seven Sisters as you climb up to Tam.  With some staggering views of the ocean and one of the most fun descents in the Bay Area, this ride is sure to be a crowd pleaser.

Route: Paradise to Hawk
Distance: 45.7 miles
Elevation Gain: 2,894 ft
Difficulty: **-*** (Beginner – Advanced)
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/34214711

This relatively “flat” loop is an essential training tool.  While going around Paradise Drive you’ll have to keep the pressure on the pedals, but you’ll feel great doing it as you can usually keep good speed going through.  Take a few friends and trade off in the wind to ensure a PR on your way.  Finish off with a backside Hawk Hill climb and a view of the city.

Route: Marin Loop
Distance: 87.5 miles
Elevation Gain: 5,758ft
Difficulty: **** (Advanced)
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/34214759

This is a big kid ride.  Be sure to pack lots of snacks and prepare for some long stretches along the coast.  The beginning of the ride gives a little bit of respite as your cruise through the small Marin towns, but the climbs are tough and the wind is brutal.  Worth every pedal stroke.

Route: Diablo Summit Loop
Distance: 43.2 miles
Elevation Gain: 4,556 ft
Difficulty: **-*** (Beginner – Advanced)
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/34224110

The Mt. Diablo hillside has some of the most sought-after views in the Bay.  Get to the top and you’ll know why.  Take your time on the way up as some parts can be steep, then enjoy the descent with big sweeping faces that are easy to navigate.

Route: East Bay Loop
Distance: 30.5 miles
Elevation Gain: 2,851 ft
Difficulty: ** (Beginner)
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/31834171

This loop starts and finishes at CaliCraft brewery, which is a must visit brewery in the East Bay.  Bring a few friends and the ride along the ridge road will be a speedy one.  Be sure to make a pitstop at Grizzly Peak for a group photo!

Route: The Popsicle Ride
Distance: 72.7 miles
Elevation Gain: 4,427 ft
Difficulty: ***-****(Advanced – Expert)
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/34214790

Aptly named, this ride features a rest stop suggestion at the Sunol Corner Little Market Popsicle Stand.  Be sure to get a delicious treat on the way out and back.  If you’re out there riding, you deserve it!  Take in the beautiful views of Sunol Regional Wilderness and the Calaveras Watershed.

Route: Calistoga Leg Burner
Distance: 51.7 miles
Elevation Gain: 3,087 ft
Difficulty: *** (Advanced)
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/31834202

This route starts and finishes at one of our favorite bed and breakfasts, the Cottage Grove Inn.  With one big climb and some rolling hills, this ride will be a leg burner no doubt.  Make a weekend of it and book a room with some wine tasting after your ride!

CENTRAL

Route: SLOw Out and Back
Distance: 27.5 miles
Elevation Gain: 1,357 ft
Difficulty: *-** (Novice – Beginner)
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/32050656

Just as this ride suggests, it should be taken slow in both directions!  Enjoy the views of San Luis Obispo as you get some quality miles in that should be easy and fun. Swing by the Firestone Brewery when you’re done and get yourself a well-deserved cold one.

Route: Fresno Refresher
Distance: 37.8 miles
Elevation Gain: 1,333 ft
Difficulty: ** (Beginner)

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/3205879
1

A Team Central Valley Favorite, this out and back starts and finished at The Bike Shop in Fresno.  The ride takes you up to Millerton Lake while giving you views of the San Joaquin River.  Get an early start to beat the heat and if you’re feeling a little hot you can always jump in the lake for a refresher!

Route: Pasadena PedalFest
Distance: 41.1 miles
Elevation Gain: 2,481 ft
Difficulty: ** (Beginner)
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/32011323

This ride starts off rolling then turns into a twelve-mile climb.  Pave yourself up so you’ve got the extra matches to burn on the way down.  This loop is all about fun in the last third with a steady downhill all the way to Velo Pasadena.  Be sure to stop in at the infamous Bike Museum and catch a glimpse cycling’s past winners and champions.

June Strava Challenge

Record 20 cycling activities this month for the chance to win BBC swag! Best Buddies Challenge Strava Club members that complete the Challenge will be automatically entered into a drawing at the end of the month. Two winners will be selected at random and will receive a Best Buddies Challenge swag.

Here’s how to enter:

Follow @bestbuddieschallenge on Instagram and join our Strava club here.

Record 20 cycling activities in June

Comment “Done” on our June Strava Challenge Instagram post once you’ve done 20 activities, both indoor and outdoor count!

That’s it! Two winners will be selected at random and announced at the end of the month.

Don’t forget to tag us in any social media posts and stories you create while you’re getting active and use hashtag #bestbuddieschallenge. We’ll repost our favorites!

The Fine Print: Winners must be following the Best Buddies Challenge on Instagram and Strava to be eligible win. Activity totals will be recorded at the end of each week to verify eligibility. You must be a member of the BBC Strava Club in order for activities to count towards the month’s total. Not a member? Join today!

Best Buddies Challenge Bkool Routes

Turn your pedals on some of the best routes that New England has to offer either indoors on your trainer or outdoors! Whether you ride a single stage or all of them, you are supporting Best Buddies mission of inclusion for all!

Stage 1
Gloucester, Mass.
Route

Stage 2
Concord, Mass.
Route

Stage 3
Cohasset, Mass.
Route

Stage 4
Plymouth, Mass.
Route

Stage 5
Sandwich, Mass.
Route

Kick Off Party

Thursday, March 26, 2020
6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Biergarten
424 Octavia Street
San Francisco, CA 94102

Join us for a night out with the Best Buddies Challenge: Hearst Castle family and celebrate the mission of Best Buddies! Hang with the Challenge team and hear from some of our Buddy Ambassadors as we kickoff the 2020 season in style!

Questions? Email us at HCcoach@bestsbuddies.org.

Register Now

ZWIFT RIDES

BBC Tuesday Tune-Up: Open to all!
Tuesdays 7:00AM PST | 10:00AM EST 

Click here for full event details. Our Virtual Training Rides are open to everyone, regardless of cycling ability. Plus, automatically unlock our exclusive Best Buddies Challenge kit when you join our ride. It will be added to your garage after the ride so you can wear it anytime you Zwift. Let’s pedal together!

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