GPC Thursday Mixed Terrain Ride — El Cerrito
No-drop Thursday evening mixed terrain ride through East Bay trails from El Cerrito Plaza BART. T-pace on roads and dirt, 32mm+ tires recommended. Regular regroups.
The vibe
Friendly dirt with good vibes
Grizzly Peak Cyclists runs a second Thursday option — this one departing El Cerrito Plaza BART at 6:10 PM (meet at 6:00) and heading into Wildcat Canyon and the mixed terrain network beyond. The format is T-pace, no-drop, with regular regroups that keep the group together across roads and trails. 32mm tires or wider are the recommendation, which in practical terms means your gravel bike or any setup with a bit of room is the right tool.
The ride draws a friendly crowd of East Bay cyclists who want a weeknight adventure that doesn’t demand race fitness or technical skills beyond a basic level of comfort on unpaved surfaces. Wildcat Canyon delivers on scenery, the pace delivers on accessibility, and the no-drop format means you’re not going to get dropped and left to figure out the trail system alone.
Starting from El Cerrito Plaza BART makes this a transit-friendly option — a detail worth noting for anyone who doesn’t want to deal with parking in Berkeley or Oakland before a Thursday evening ride.