Interested in racing? Come out for a Meet the Team ride

Are you an avid bicyclist who breezed through the STP or RSVP? Ever thought about racing your bike? Come meet the local racing community and find out what racing is all about. Whether you enjoy riding on the road or in the dirt, there's a team out there for you! Fall is the time of year when competitive cycling clubs throughout the region open their rosters and recruit new riders for the coming season. Starting Saturday, Sept. 7, cycling clubs will lead weekend rides for anyone interested in racing.

These rides are social rides, at a conversational pace, around the south end of Lake Washington. Allow about two hours. The ride may stop for a bathroom and snack break, but otherwise, be prepared for a continuous ride. These rides happen rain, wind or sunshine! Bring a functioning road bike (full fenders are appreciated on damp days), helmet, water, some food, weather-appropriate clothing, a little money and an extra tube in case you flat.

All rides, unless otherwise noted, leave from Pert's Deli (120 Lakeside Ave, Seattle WA 98122) in Seattle’s Leschi neighborhood at 9:30 a.m. There is ample parking nearby. Please be at Pert’s by 9:20. Here’s your chance to meet the Seattle area racing teams and community! (Worried that you're too slow, too old or you're just too intimidated? Read my story, here:  From rec to racer.) Ride Schedule: + Sunday, Aug. 25: Intro to Women’s Cycling and Racing Teams Meet at 8:45 am Contact: Gina at gkavesh@gmail.com

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Ladies! Join us for the seventh annual Intro to Women’s Cycling and Racing Teams! Women from many of the local racing teams will host three Sunday rides for women only. If you are new to the racing community, looking to strengthen your riding skills, thinking about racing in 2014 or looking to speak with other women about local racing teams or riding opportunities, this ride’s for you! We’ll cover some basic skills such as pacelines, riding a straight line and racing tactics/techniques. Depending on the turnout, we'll break into groups no greater than 10 to keep it manageable and go over the basics, making sure to keep things fun and stress-free.   + Saturday, Sept. 7: Hagens Berman hbsccycling.com/ Contact: Loren Pokorny at  lorenpo@microsoft.com + Sunday, Sept. 8: SCCA/Starbucks sccacycling.com Contact: Sarah Carroll at sarahmichellecarroll@gmail.com or Vern Cole at nomad9@gmail.com + Saturday, Sept. 14: Team Group Health soundvelocycing.com Contact: LB Kregenow  lbkregenow@gmail.com + Saturday, Sept. 14: Garage Racing racing.garagebilliards.com/about.php Contact: Kyle Farrell at kaf@nwlink.com + Sunday, Sept. 15: Fischer Plumbing jetcityvelo.com Contact: Dodi Nov at drdodi@bellevuesmiles.com + Saturday, Sept. 21: CycleU/Apex Racing apexracing.org Contact: Chris Ragsdale at ragsdalechris@yahoo.com + Saturday, Sept. 21: Spokeswomen Racing spokeswomenracing.com/about/ Contact: Mirna Nieto  at mirna.nieto@gmail.com + Saturday, Sept. 21: Attachmate/Snoqualmie Valley Velo 10 a.m. at the Log Pavilion at Railroad Community Park in Snoqualmie snovalleyveloclub.com Contacts: Andrew Leon at NBK96F1@gmail.com and Jeff Scott  at promotecycling@gmail.com + Sunday, Sept. 22: Intro to Women’s Cycling and Racing Teams Meet at 8:45 a.m. See entry for Sunday, Aug. 25. + Saturday, Sept. 28: Cucina Fresca supersquadra.com Contact: Mark Portin at maportin@gmail.com Sunday, Sept. 29: Bikecafe Cycling Team bikecafe.net Contact: David Visintainer at david@bikecafe.net  or Ed Ewing at edwardaewing@gmail.com + Saturday, Oct. 5: Union Bay Cycling/Bikesale.com www.unionbaycycling.com Contacts: Joe at joe.baratto@boeing.com or Gina at gkavesh@gmail.com + Sunday, Oct. 6: Intro to Women’s Cycling and Racing Teams Meet at 8:45 am See entry for Sunday, Aug.25. + Saturday, Oct. 12: HSP Cycling hspseattle.com Contact: Todd Herriott at todd@hspseattle.com +Saturday, Oct. 19: Recycled Cycles Racing recycledcyclesracing.wordpress.com/ Contact: Jamie Schoenborn at j.schoenborn@hotmail.com + Sunday, Oct. 20: Blue Rooster/Sports Medicine Clinic Race Team BlueRoosterCycling.com Contact: Josh Gerak at joshgerak@gmail.com