Party Pardee 2005

Thanks for the reminder, Veronica. I'm still trying to decide on spring rides. How fast does the reg fill up? Last year we participated in 3 organized rides (besides the Cinderella) - the Rice Valley Tandem Rally and it poured on us, the Wildflower and we baked, and the Napa Valley during which we baked again. I even spent an hour with a man who fell off his bike with cramps and couldn't get up. Took forever before he would let me call SAG and then I had to tell them 3 times he couldn't even sit up before they would come. Grrrrr.

Anyway, how quickly do we need to make a decision? Since I picked out all 3 wet/hot rides, hubby is not trusting me to choose the rides this year.

Last year was the first year we did it and it seems like we didn't sign up until Feb. or so. But a woman in our club didn't make the sign ups and she crashed it. She rode with us, but didn't eat any of their food or use the SAG. :D

V.

I have a friend who has encouraged us to poach honestly for this reason -- just as your friend did. I think there are enough places to buy food and drink as neccessary. I just like to support the clubs. It takes an incredible amount of volunteer effort. But hubby may not let me pre-reg for anything this year! My track record ain't so great.

How hilly is it? You said tandem friendly but the ride is in the foothills. I've never actually ridden a road bike in the area and grades are so deceiving in a car.

Have you ridden Cardiac Hill on a tandem? The hill by the Dam is probably similar or maybe even a little easier. And there is a pretty steep but short hill in the middle. We broke our chain on it, so maybe it's not as steep as I remember. The chain broke from wear, not the hill. :p

V.

Veronica, I've almost got hubby talked into this. Got any ammo to push him over the edge? I'm afraid we're going to miss the 1,200 max registrants.

Anyone else? I've done almost no road riding east of Folsom (all mtbiking) and hubby thinks he may have done this BS (before Sarah) in the early 80s which means he can't remember what the route was like.

I'm still on the fence about Pardee, since it is the same day as Cinderella this year.

The Lodi Century (which I otherwise hate but usually do) goes up around Lake Comanche and crosses Pardee dam -- it's a beautiful area. And my all-time favorite event, the Sierra Century, is up in the foothills near there too. Party Pardee sounds like it could be just as fun.

You've heard of the "ski bus"? We need a "bike bus" to take us to all the cool biking areas and eliminate the long drives.

I too am on the fence. I'd love to come over and do the Cinderella but am also temped by staying local and doing Pardee. So many rides, so little time...

My hunch is that I'll end up on Pardee since my hubby will probably want to ride rather than shuttle me around.

So who is doing what???

If I can get hubby to commit, it will definitely be Pardee. We're so spoiled in Yolo and Solano counties with the low traffic that I have turned into a wuss and can only do 1 roadride a year in the East Bay. You girls who live there have nerves of steel. Mine aren't even aluminum foil.

I've done the Cinderalla 4 times over the last 18 years and hubby has served as team wrench boy and driver every time. I think I owe him one (actually a lot!).

Well, I sent in our entries for Pardee so Pardee it is.

Sadiekate: I promise I'll review the ride list for Top Hat soon!

I'm off the fence too! I registered for Pardee yesterday, so it will be the first time in many years in which Cinderella isn't my first event of the year.

Us, too! We're coming to the Party! Just signed us up also. We must all just have great minds! :D

Well, we've just planned a romantic getaway for that weekend. Any of you been to Daffodill Hill in Volcano? It's just a few towns over from where Party Pardee starts in Ione. BTW we're not going to sign up for the ride, but we are bringing our bikes and staying in Sutter Creek.

http://motherlodefuntimes.com/

This site talks about various things to do in the area.

V.

So, you're snubbing us for your sweetie, huh? Haven't been there during daffodil time, but the whole area is beautiful and I've been wanting to do some riding there.

Are you meeting us at Briones Saturday? The Davis, Sacto, Folsom contingent seems to be gearing up. It's right in your backyard!

Volcano and Daffodill Hill are very pretty. It's just really pristine up there. I haven't ridden up there, but you'll get a workout if you do...... ;)

"Volcano and Daffodill Hill are very pretty. It's just really pristine up there. I haven't ridden up there, but you'll get a workout if you do...... "

Welcome to my world!

Actually the ride to Sutter Creek from Volcano (and back) is a nice one with a pretty gradual climb from Sutter to Volcano. There is a great coffee shop in Sutter Creek (Sutter Creek Coffee Company) with a great lunch menu (including a killer tamale pie). I think it's only about 20 mi RT. We usually start in Sutter Creek and ride up to Volcano. There is also a great Indian Restaurant in Volcano (I know, it's a bit out of place). They are really small and require reservations. The food is killer. It's called Bay Leaf Eatery. You must go; the couple that runs it are super folks.

y