Berkeley Bicycle Club · Since 1979
Meet the club behind the race.
Berkeley Omnium doesn't happen because of a race company. It happens because cyclists and volunteers come together to keep local racing alive.
Our mission
What the club is for.
Build a diverse community around high-performance recreational cycling.
Foster local amateur bike racing.
Pay it forward: help the next generation of bike racers and cyclists.
1957 → today
From one race to a racing community.
- 1957
The Berkeley Hills Road Race begins
Peter Rich, a former racer who competed in Italy and Belgium, promotes the first Berkeley Hills Road Race. He opens the Velo Sport bike shop in 1962 and coaches many young East Bay riders.
- 1979
Berkeley Bicycle Club forms
In January, the Berkeley Wheelmen and Rich's Velo Club Berkeley stop competing for talent and join forces. The new club becomes one of the leading clubs in the Bay Area.
- 1980s →
Decades of Northern California racing
The club promotes races across the East Bay, from a weekly twilight training series to the Berkeley Hills Road Race. Its riders race nationally and internationally, and Bob Roll rides the 1986 Tour de France for 7-Eleven.
- Today
Supporting new generations
The club still rides nearly every day, and its focus has grown: competitive cycling, plus bringing new riders into the sport through juniors programs, NICA support, mentoring and a loaner bike fleet.
- 2026
Berkeley Omnium
The 70th Berkeley Hills Road Race and the Berkeley Streets Criterium, run by club volunteers, raise $28,610 for six East Bay NICA high school teams.
From the archive
The race in 1964.
Seven years after Peter Rich's first Berkeley Hills Road Race, a home movie caught the race on film.
★ Club racers
From club rides to the Tour de France.
Club riders have raced locally, nationally, internationally and as professionals. Bob Roll rode the 1986 Tour de France for 7-Eleven. Gavin Chilcott went on to start the BMC/CCC pro team and serve as its COO. Bethany Allen turned pro in 2016 with Inpa Bianchi in Italy.
Today the club rides nearly every day, and its members still race at every level.
The people
Race weekend is made by people like these.
- Racers
- Ride leaders
- Parents
- Junior mentors
- Volunteers
- Race officials
- Course marshals
- Organizers
- Community members
Find your way in
Where to go next.
Berkeley Bicycle Club
Rides, membership and club news.
Berkeley Hills Road Race
The race that started it all.
Berkeley Streets
Criterium racing in downtown Berkeley.
Junior racing
NICA teams, BBCjr and the development pathway.
Collegiate racing
University teams at the Omnium.
Volunteer
The race runs on volunteers.
Impact
Where the proceeds go.
KaiVelo Foundation
Our nonprofit partner for youth cycling, developed from the club.
Berkeley Bicycle Club
Be part of the next chapter.
Race, volunteer, sponsor, or ride with the club. Every one of those keeps Berkeley racing alive.