Dolce Vita Cycling Club
We like spending part of our week in lactic agony, an essential part of the good life along with indulging in local organic food and a good bottle of wine or two. Sometimes our friends cannot understand how pushing one's limits up and down Mt. Tam qualifies as fun. Likewise, our more serious training pals roll their eyes at our consumption of gooey triple brie cheeses and Pinots. We admit, we may walk a nontraditional path. The only question is: does this sound like you? If so, rather than ride around promoting the Belgian lottery or in some sedate "stealth" jersey, why not rock a styling kit that promotes what you believe in - the good life, la dolce vita.
Our club members participate in a variety of activites, not just road biking!
Road Riding
Mountain Biking
Cyclocross
How to Join
We are open to new members from August 1 through October 31. During this time we have meet and greet rides, social events and other opportunities to get to know each other.
Membership Policy
Dolce Spirit. Our goal has always been to build a club of positive, good people who help put cycling's best foot forward (both among the cycling community and the rest of the world). While representing Dolce Vita and our sponsors on a club ride or at any cycling event, we ask you to act the way your mom would want you to act. In particular, we want to set a high standard for sportspersonship when we're out there racing. Negative comments about events, event promoters, officials, race competitors, other teams, fellow teammates, coaches, and/or sponsor are not in line with the Dolce spirit. We appreciate you keeping it positive. We all know there is a lot of road rage out there and some motorists don't seem to have our best interests in mind. We realize that when you feel your safety threatened, it can make you upset. That said, Dolce's policy is to avoid behavior that can escalate situations. No obscene gestures, bad language etc. Remember, these people are driving two tons of metal and are already dubious human beings because they threatened you in the first place. A single finger can make a situation a lot worse. Let it go. Let them get back to their miserable lives that have them so worked up and get on your with your ride. It's recommended you always carry a cell phone. If you really feel threatened or observe some truly dangerous behavior, call the police. Since most phones have cameras these days, you can also take pictures of cars/plates etc
Giving Back A charter mission of the club is to help promote cycling and related events in our community. Members are expected to volunteer to assist at a minimum of one sponsored event annually and help give some Dolce back to the people.
Safety first. Members should always ride with the safety of themselves and others in mind.
- Ride 2x2 at most or single file. Don't overlap wheels.
- Obey all traffic laws as if you are driving a vehicle (i.e. stop at all stop signs, obey traffic lights, observe school zones, etc.).
- Members must wear an ANSI approved helmet while representing the Dolce Vita on a bicycle. If you must risk your our skull by not wearing a helmet out of some warped sense of fashion or fear of ruining your hair, we hope you live. But don't make your fellow club members take you to the hospital or leave a corpse in Dolce kit.
- If you like listening to music while you ride on your own, please be careful when doing so... but leave your headphones at home if you are going on a group ride; no one wants to end up in a ditch because you were rockin out and didnt' hear something.
Be Open to Sharing & Learning One of the benefits of being part of this club and going on group rides is to learn how to become a better rider, whether becoming smoother in a paceline, safer in a race or training smarter. We ask that you share your knowledge with others and that you are open to receiving feedback as well, especially when it comes to safely riding with the group. Ask questions if you have them.
Be considerate of your teammates. Make sure your group gets home safely, keep an eye out for members that fall behind and at least one person should stay back to help a teammate with a flat (or an ambulance). Don't hammer and shell weaker riders on "easy days." Likewise, if you are riding with stronger riders on an announced "hard day", find out in advance where regroup areas are and/or be prepared to find your own way home.
The group e-mail system in intended to be used to make announcements relevant to the team (team meetings, upcoming events, ride schedules, etc.). To help keep from "spamming" the whole club, personal e-mails must be directed to the party(ies) of interest (arranging meeting places, exchange of equipment, non-cycling activities such as running and swimming, etc.). The club email list is for members only--please don't share it.
Membership is approved by Board of Directors and finalized upon signing a liability waiver and paying dues. Membership may be terminated by the Board for repeated infractions of club policies.
Questions or concerns regarding the club or its policies should be directed to the Board.