Southern California is known for amazing weather year-round and Orange County is home to some of the best road cycling the state has to offer. I have been fortunate to frequent most of these rides over the past decade and am happy to share them with you if you are new to the scene or just visiting. If you are interested in jumping on some of the well known group rides, consider the following:

Coffee Crew (Tuesday and Thursday)

• 6:15AM roll time every Tuesday and Thursday, rain or shine! Approximately 25-40 miles depending if you roll extra credit up Ridlegline Drive at the end.
• Starts outside UCI at the corner of University and Campus.
• You'll need decent legs to not get dropped. Don't be deterred if the group starts out small. Many people jump on during the first few miles. The pace picks up once the group goes under the 405 freeway and enters Great Park.
• YouTube Video

Wednesday Worlds (Wednesday)

• 12:00PM roll time every Wednesday. Approximately 30 miles.
• Starts at Bob Henry Park in Newport Beach.
• You'll need very strong legs to keep up on this ride as it's arguably one of the hardest groups rides to exist. It starts out neutral until the group rolls past the first stop sign in Back Bay. From there, it's full gas for fours laps. Major kudos if you hang on for more than one lap as most get dropped early on. The group generally waits for everyone at the end and all are welcome but please know how to ride in a group and don't put others in danger if you lack bike handling skills.
• If there is poor weather, the ride is either adjusted to a 'circuit breaker' loop off PCH near Pelican Hill and or sometimes canceled. If weather is good, expect the ride to roll as normal. This is kind of a 'locals' full gas ride but all are welcome. Eric Bierman, AKA "Bike Nut" on STRAVA is the man in charge.
• YouTube Video

Bus Stop (Friday)

• 6:20AM roll time every Friday, rain or shine! Approximately 35 miles.
• Starts outside Peet's Coffee in Corona Del Mar at the literal bus stop.
• This ride is usually pretty mellow and not too difficult if you've been riding seriously for six months to a year. With a few good efforts at certain sections, staying near the back if you are new is strongly advised. Many people jump off and on during this route as it's a large loop that stretches into several cities throughout Orange County.
• Usually a half-dozen or so stop for coffee at the end at Peet's, where the ride began. Don't park your car at the shopping plaza if you are driving to the start as they have started to tow.
• YouTube Video

Food Park (Saturday)

• 8:45AM roll time every Saturday. Approximately 40 miles.
• Starts in a Ralph's shopping plaza off Harvard and Main in Irvine. The group usually gathers around the Chase Bank prior to rolling out.
• This ride requires above average bike handling skills, legs, and a high level of awareness. Corners are taken at speed and the group strings out at times.
• This ride is popular when it's really hot because it rolls towards the coast. If it's raining, this ride usually doesn't roll.
• YouTube Video

Canyon Velo - AKA "CV" (Saturday)

• *I don't frequent this ride but I jump on off the bike path when the group rolls by every Saturday around 7:55AM here.
• This ride has a couple of stops depending on whether or not you do the entire ride. The first stop is at a park for bathroom and water. The second stop is if you decided to roll the entire route and go up Silverado. When coming down Silverado, riders will usually stop at the local market for drinks before heading back into Santiago Canyon to wrap-up the ride. This is a long day on the bike.

COMO (and or 'OMOC') (Sunday)

• 8:00AM roll time every Sunday, rain or shine! Approximately 40 miles.
• Starts at Tustin Marketplace and rolls off West Drive and Jamboree heading East. Starting in the middle of 2024, Eric Bierman (AKA Bike Nut), somehow convinced the group to do a 'reverse COMO', AKA "OMOC" on ODD numbered Sundays. This means, even numbered Sundays are the original Como route. No changes. However, when the Sunday falls on an ODD numbered date, the group will do a reverse "OMOC" route. The OMOC route starts out neutral until the group hits the backside of Dump Hill. After that, it's full gas until the end. Watch for cracks in the road, stay alert, and call out foreign objects to keep everyone safe.
• YouTube Video - Shoutout Jason Paez and John Janneck. Como Street OG's and still on the scene thriving. 

If you have any questions about any of the rides above, please don't hesitate to send me a message. I am more than happy to help and chances are I will respond within 24 hours. Consider following us on STRAVA to connect with other Orange County cyclists and meet new riders.

Ride safe,

David Cornell