Looking for places to practice.

[AdriV]

Since becoming a MTC riding instructor, I have some friends that have been asking me to help them work on certain riding skills. I also want to work on my own skills. Where can I find some good parking lots, ideally with lighting, that will be empty and won't have security just waiting to kick us out? We will probably be practicing in the evening on week days.

We tried practicing up in the Presidio last night, but we had to use two running bikes to light the lot once it got dark. I live in Richmond, but work in SF and am looking for places in East Bay and the City. Thanks!

:ride

 

[gt3x24x7]

Also in for finding good spots to practice my basic skills. :teeth

 

[zixaq]

Treasure Island has tons of space
The "reservoir" next to CCSF is often open (on Phelan just off Ocean)
There's a small lot that I have used at the South end of Sunset blvd

That's all I know of in the city. No clue for east bay, but I would think it would be easier to find space there.

 

[EastBayDave]

Just about any industrial park has large parking lots; many unused/vacant. :teeth

 

[AdriV]

The "reservoir" next to CCSF is often open (on Phelan just off Ocean)
There's a small lot that I have used at the South end of Sunset blvd

Do you know if it has lighting so we can ride after the sun goes down?

 

[HeatXfer]

The upper lot at Del Norte Bart. I don't know how big of a lot you need or if you'd get hassled by the BART police, but it's lit and empty at night.

The Costco at the end of Central in Richmond, 99 Ranch on Pierce in Albany and the South-East lot of the El Cerrito Plaza at the end of Evelyn along the Bart tracks.

There's also the Safeway lot on San Pablo. Not very stealth though, but the North end is empty at night.

 

[AdriV]

The upper lot at Del Norte Bart. I don't know how big of a lot you need or if you'd get hassled by the BART police, but it's lit and empty at night.

The Costco at the end of Central in Richmond, 99 Ranch on Pierce in Albany and the South-East lot of the El Cerrito Plaza at the end of Evelyn along the Bart tracks.

There's also the Safeway lot on San Pablo. Not very stealth though, but the North end is empty at night.

Awesome, thanks HeatXfer!:thumbup

 

[motomania2007]

Try high schools and community colleges at night and weekends

 

[K3GSXRRIDER]

ranch mall 99 probably get harassed by security guards, I said your best bet is the safeway parking lot on the corner of San Pablo and Moser lane, only thing in that lot is cvs,pizza joint and a kargen auto part, It's also lite at night

 

[alemeno214]

There are a bunch of big parking lots to go practice in around the old naval base in Alameda.

 

[AdriV]

There are a bunch of big parking lots to go practice in around the old naval base in Alameda.

The naval base will kick you out for sure, I've tried.


We are going to attempt AT&T Park parking lot tonight, I'll let you know how it goes! :ride

 

[SlimBones]

The Walnut Creek DMV parking lot is usually empty on the weekends and has the added bonus of the DMV test course painted in the corner.

 

[EastBayDave]

The naval base will kick you out for sure, I've tried.

the most thoughtless underused empty space in the Bay Area.

Runways would be great f/top speed &/or drags; beware of fencing. :wow

Space to build a awesome roadrace facility. No! The Terns! (birds)
:thumbdown:thumbdown:thumbdown

 

[HeatXfer]

The naval base will kick you out for sure, I've tried.


We are going to attempt AT&T Park parking lot tonight, I'll let you know how it goes! :ride

So how did it go? Was it a good place to practice?

 

[AdriV]

So how did it go? Was it a good place to practice?

Yes! We were there for a little over an hour in Lot A with no problems. There are parking lot lights and more than half the lot was empty. The pavement is dodgy in some areas, but we found one good spot toward the back that was nice. We set up some cones and rode tight circles and low speed sharp turns forever.

The only thing about this lot is there are patches of sand(?) in a lot of spots. I hear that when the baseball season is on that they routinely sweep the lot, so I anticipate it getting better soon.

 

[HeatXfer]

:thumbup