Welcome! The VeloRaptors are a social group of cyclists based out of Montclair, Oakland. Our regular rides are: Sunday - 8:45 Meet at Paddington Cafe in Montclair, Wednesday - 9:00 Meet at Starbucks in Montclair, and Saturday - 8:45 Meet at Warehouse 416, 416 26th in Uptown Oakland. Most rides are 30 miles (or less).
We usually stop for coffee/snacks at a cafe along the way.
One of the attributes of VeloRaptors is their ability to ride moderate to long distances, In fact, during one phase of VeloRaptor history, Howard Neal somehow persuaded several of members to join him in participating in the World UltraCycling Association Year-Rounder challenge, basically riding a Century a Month during a year. Lots of fun and great memories are associated with those rides.
Well, that was ten (plus) ago and several participants from that era miss the rides, but not the suffering of a century. So, now being older and maybe wiser, the club has decided to organize a VeloRaptor Metric-a-Month ride series to help us all stay in shape and as well as enjoy the VeloRaptor group dynamic.
These Metrics will generally be on Wednesdays as many of us are riding anyway. So starting in January, one Wednesday a month, riders have the option of a Metric Century, in addition to the regular Wednesday ride.
Our first Monthly Metric was January 8 and we had a fabulous turnout that included 19 riders!
We started with a large group shown below at the top of Little Pinehurst. Some riders peeled off, bu 19 stayed the course. Our next Monthly Metric will be on February 19!
The VeloRaptors are long time supporters of Bike East Bay and this year we mounted a campaign to raise money for Bike East Bay to use as a ‘Matching Gift’. The results of the campaign were quite successful as noted in the letter below from Rebecca Saltzman the Bike East Bay Development Director.
Jan 6, 2025
VeloRaptors: Thanks so much to members of the VeloRaptors Cycling Club of Oakland. The contributions of your members formed a matching gift $20,118.60!
I’m happy to report that in just 4 days, from December 27-31, Bike East Bay raised $24,532 online from 152 donors, exceeding our matching gift goal by more than $4,000! With the match amount, we raised a total of $44,650.60 for Bike East Bay through the VeloRaptors campaign.
The generosity of VeloRaptors members inspired so many people to give additional gifts and/or give more generously. This was the second year that members of the VeloRaptors joined together to provide a year end match for Bike East Bay, and the joint effort again was so impactful.
Your gifts and all of the funds we raised helps us mobilize by bike to build communities that are joyful, safe, and inclusive.Thanks and happy new year!
Great turnout as VeloRaptors celebrated the end of summer with a picnic at Lafayette Reservoir on September 8. Thanks to Pauline for organizing and David K for cooking up a fabulous main course, and everyone else for their usual tasty contributions. VeloRaptors definitely know how to put out a good spread.
On Labor Day twenty VeloRaptors and guests took a break from biking and embarked on a 7 mile hike in Redwood Park. Thanks to Fiona D. for mapping out a fun route and leading the hike. Stay tuned for announcement of the monthly cross-training hike in October.
On June 9, VeloRaptors held their annual meeting at Sibley Volcanic Park. New members were welcomed and three new board members were elected to replace three who were stepping down. Other discussion topics included VeloRaptor participation in; the BORP Revolution ride (see previous post), Bike East Bay and the Waves to Wine ride. Our commitment to safety, fun and support of members was reaffirmed.
On Sunday, May 12 the VeloRaptors again participated in the BORP Revolution ride in Santa Rosa, making this the 18th straight year of participation and fund raising.
BORP provides recreation and competition opportunities for disabled children and adults, including adaptive bicycling, wheelchair basketball, and soccer, etc. VeloRaptor participation started in 2006 when the board of the VeloRaptors learned that thieves had stolen specially adapted bikes and trikes from the BORP facility.
Since then, VeloRaptors have participated in every Revolution ride and this year the club’s fundraising total was the third highest amongst the participating teams. We raised nearly $21,000 through 83 contributions. This included funds raised by our Annual Bike Wash event on May 4 hosted by Pauline Fox, as well as registrations from 5 riders, and pledges made to individual riders. Moreover, Steve Goldenberg was the second highest individual fund raiser for the Revolution. Overall, our contribution to the Revolution ride formed a significant portion of the total amount ($240,000) raised by the event.
Riders this year were L-R, Steve Goldenberg, Steve Blair, Pauline Fox, Paul Lettieri, Fred Morse.
The letter below illustrates the appreciation the BORP organization has for the VeloRaptors.
May 29, 2024
Dear (VeloRaptor):
Thank you so much for being part of this year’s Revolution Ride Roll and Stroll. We raised $80,000 more than last year! A huge factor was some stellar fundraising from teams, with two teams, Special Need for Speed and the VeloRaptors leading the way.
Although Special Need for Speed currently holds the lead at $26,459.19, that was with 28 members. In terms of per team member fundraising, the VeloRaptors soared! You all are true champions raising $20,718.72 through 83 donations, which combined with the team’s registration fees, brought in $20,918.72 in support of BORP.
The REV is our most important fundraiser of the year, supporting 20+ weekly programs across 10 adaptive sports and rec activities. Your fundraising keeps BORP going strong.
Once the pledges and sponsorships are fulfilled, we will have raised more than $240,000 — more the 20% over our goal. That makes a huge difference as we plan for our next fiscal year.
We hope you had a great time and are looking forward to next year. Stay tuned for an announcement about the date and location.
On behalf of the entire BORP community, thank you for all you have done to make the 22nd Annual Revolution Ride, Roll & Stroll a huge success!
In community,
Emily Seelenfreud
Executive Director
BORP Adaptive Sports and Recreation
3075 Adeline st., Suite 200
Berkeley, CA 94703
BORP (BAY AREA OUTREACH & RECREATION PROGRAM) • 3075 ADELINE STREET, SUITE 200 • BERKELEY, CA 94703
The Wednesday group is growing! 22 riders today. Big turnout, even though it was a little cool. Here we are at the top of Little Pinehurst, 21 plus the photographer.
We recently took a Wednesday outlier ride on Palomares Road and sixteen riders showed up to to enjoy springtime in the East Bay Hills. We actually saw water in the creek and several areas of damage to the road, giving evidence of the recent storms.
We have great news. Bike East Bay had a “hugely successful” end-of-the-year fundraising campaign, in the words of Rebecca Saltzman, Development Director. She said, “The match from VeloRaptors inspired folks to give additional gifts and/or give more generously.” During the 4 days from December 27-31, Bike East Bay received donations of $24,451, far exceeding the match of $17,250 contributed by individual VeloRaptor members.
We should all be proud that we were able to give such a boost to Bike East Bay. Our efforts help enable them to advocate for better and safer cycling infrastructure throughout Alameda and Contra Costa counties and to offer educational programs and rides to the cycling community.
