Century ride discussion (cont'd)

Since we hijacked poor Pink Kona's blown tire discussion with northern California rides, I thought I'd wheel it on over to the proper place.

Ok, Grizzy Peak -- what's it about?

Anyone done any of the MS rides? I feel I need to ride one being newly diagnosed but I do hate heavy traffic and poor organization ( I won't tell you what my brother says I think the Big O means).

What's the scoop on the Cinderella? Is just too big now? I rode it when it was 700-800 riders (my pre-Loreal days). I was just talking to my LBS last night about its problems due to Bay Area growth and the number of riders. I'm trying to get them motivated to do something similar. They actually sounded interested (they carry tons of women's clothes). Yolo and Solano counties have lots of wide open spaces and lower traffic.

My mid-winter training goals are to 1) ride from Davis to Napa and 2) ride up Diablo. So, I need to figure out what I'm training for!

I've only done one Cinderella, this past one, and since this next one might be the last, I thought I'd do that too. But like I said (in poor PK's hijacked thread), I'm going to try to be among the first ones out, and then hang out at the display area afterwards, to say hi to Susan and the TE gang and whoever else shows up.

Cinderella was my very first organized ride so I have a soft spot for it, whatcanIsay?

My second organized ride, the following week, was the Tierra Bella, which is in Gilroy south of San Jose, put on by the ACTC. I really enjoyed that ride and I thought it was very well organized (based on my oh-so-limited experience). I won't be riding it this coming year since I joined the club and I'll be helping out this year.

Another ride I went on this past year that I really enjoyed was the Bike Around the Buttes. It starts in Yuba City (or was it Marysville?), it wasn't too large, and it would make an excellent first full century since the route is quite flat (although it can get windy). I only did the 40 mile route this year with a friend, but my husband and a couple of other friends did the 100 mile and my husband survived Come to find out the route is shaped like a large figure-8, with one lobe being the 1st 60 miles of the full century and the other lobe being the 2nd 40 miles as well as the full 40-mile route (they offered a 100-mile, a 40-mile, and a 10-ish mile route), so the plan for next year is to do the 100 mile knowing that I can easily stop at 60 miles if I need to.

As for Mt. Diablo, if you're in OK shape and/or have low gears and are not in a hurry, you can do it. Extra credit for making the final short-but-steep climb to the top.

- Jo

I gotta know more about this last climb at Diablo. I haven't seen it mentioned in the guide books. What's the scoop? I saw 17 pct mentioned in your Thxgvg Day ride, but how long is it?

If you want to see the Sierra Buttes at a greener time of year, the Rice Valley Tandem Rally is in February (they take day-of registration). They start in Gridley (65 miles) or you can start at the Grey Lodge Wildlife area for only 40. We saw a field of Sandhill cranes last year.

Grizzly Peak Century -- Sponsored by the Grizzly Peak Cyclists . Starts in Moraga, climbs up the Oakland hills, then down past Inspiration Pt to San Pablo reservoir, around the reservoir, up the very brutal McEwen Road, over the Bears along Briones reservoir, then back to lunch. That's 69 miles and 5500 feet of climbing. After lunch if you continue on the century (which I'm always too tired to do), you head south up the Oakland hills and then back. It's a beautiful, challenging ride with wonderful food. Only problem can be the weather -- it rained last year.

Back to the Top Hat... it is a well-organized ride, I'm just not sure that the organizers really understand cyclists and their needs. It's only the last 20 miles of the course where traffic and rider congestion can be a problem. I don't think the course is well-marked either -- they use very small paper or laminated signs that are often not well placed and which pranksters like to change or remove. My big peeve about the ride, though, is that last year they decided to eliminate most of the "Three Bears", a very scenic ride around Briones that I always considered the best part of the course.

On the plus side, the ride is for a good cause; there's a band and good food at the end; and KFOG DJ Peter Finch is there in the am.

jobob sez: "I'm going to try to be among the first ones out, and then hang out at the display area afterwards, to say hi to Susan and the TE gang and whoever else shows up."

I'm on the waiting list too for registration, hope to see you there then and now...we all know who to look for!

I also liked the Chico velo club rides, did the Wildflower once (oh heck, let's be honest, it was the Flatflower, not even the Mildflower version). Like many rides that early it often rains but the food and rider support is great.

The only ride I'd give a thumbs down too so far was the crowded, over~advertised, you-gotta-start-somewhere but why-oh-why are ALL the beginners in the bay area-here, Tour de Peninsula.

Friends don't let friends ride it. Never again.

I also like the Primavera and of course...the AIDS Lifecycle for support, route sheets, crew. (foods just ok on the latter but the crew and support on the Lifecyle will spoil you for any other ride)


> As for Mt. Diablo, if you're in OK shape and/or have low gears and are not in a hurry, you can do it. Extra credit for making the final short-but-steep climb to the top.

I see a couple of clubs including Different Spokes, and Grizzley Peak both have organised rides up Diablo on New Years day. Like the "this year I vow to get in shape" ride.

I'm in the "low gears, lots of patience bike club" but I wanna do it again! That was a hoot. And jobob, I got gloves! So now I have at least 4 pair lying around to try to find before the next ride. :D

Another great century to break yourself in on is the Wine Country Century, put on by the Santa Rosa Cycling Club. Very well supported--almost too well as one year I think I actually weighed more at the end of the ride then I did at the start. It's relatively flat (mostly rollers with a couple good climbs). It's an excellent route for tandems. The number of riders reached a peak last year and the popularity of the ride was threatening to ruin it so this year they aren't doing ANY advertising. If you're interested, you'll have to keep your eye on their website (www.srcc.com).

anyone done the Tour de Cure (diabetes ride), a co-worker wants to get me to go...:rolleyes:

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Another great century to break yourself in on is the Wine Country Century, put on by the Santa Rosa Cycling Club. . . .It's an excellent route for tandems.

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Maybe now. Hubby and I bought our first tandem when we got married in 1988 - we were frequently the only tandem on group rides. Anywho, back then the Wine Country followed some nasty route that was full of potholes. We had so many single cyclists crowding us that Bubba couldn't miss the holes and, of course, I can't see them. I think my bottom is still hurting. Even when he could I would get sick from all the sudden swerves.

That ride is where I learned that the stoker actually has a lot of control by applying pressure to the captain's kidneys. :p

I do want to go back and ride the new route. Was thinking of doing that instead of the Wildflower this year.

I was actually referring to the lack of really steep climbs on the ride--those can be a bear on a tandem. A couple of roads are still fairly bumpy, but most have been repaved--a nice trickle down effect of the wine tourism industry.

I know you were. But way back then there were so many potholes that I think a couple of climbs would have been preferable. It is a beautiful ride but then what isn't in Sonoma, Napa and Marin?

And the Wine Country Century usually has a beautiful jersey - not a reason in & of itself to go on a ride, but it helps :cool:

Hubby & I were considering it last year but something else came up. Might do it this year - looks like it will be on May 7.

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Originally posted by Trek420
anyone done the Tour de Cure (diabetes ride), a co-worker wants to get me to go...:rolleyes:

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I did two in May (both metric centuries). They were fun and convenient. Nice to support a good cause. Got to admit I'm a bit biased--I enjoy such rides, because I can ride at my own pace, yet have the support I need as a relatively new rider.

Got to agree with Trek on Tour de Peninsula. I did it a couple of years ago, and was not impressed. One of the only rides I've done that charged you for your meal after the ride. Hey! I ride to eat!!

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Originally posted by Trek420
The only ride I'd give a thumbs down too so far was the crowded, over~advertised, you-gotta-start-somewhere but why-oh-why are ALL the beginners in the bay area-here, Tour de Peninsula.

Friends don't let friends ride it. Never again.
[/B]

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snapdragen sez "....Tour de Peninsula. .....One of the only rides I've done that charged you for your meal after the ride. Hey! I ride to eat!!"

* charge for the meal
* charge extra for ice cream
* cones on the road, what's with that? Just tell me to stay to the right. Many of them were down so often you had a choice of swerving left into traffic to go around them or right which got you into rookie riders.
* once of the few rides where instead of the traditional "on your left" you should say "stay" as one does with kids because most will swerve to their left into you.
*waaaay to crowded, you start the ride in traffic-controled groups of 5-10, just let me go ride.:rolleyes: :(

You gals are great inspiration. Since we don't have any hills around here the only way you really build power is to drive to the hills. So taking that tact, I just talked hubby and a friend into Mt. Diablo on New Year's Day. Have to talk to the rest of our little ride group because there was mention of a party but they'll probably be willing to move it onto bikes. Of course, only if it is fair weather.

Maybe we'll see some of you?

hmmmm :cool:

Maybe - we were supposed to ride it today, but it never got very warm here. I don't fancy going down it when it's in the 30s. Too cold!

V.

So, what would you say is a minimum daytime temp for the ride? We all have tights, gloves, wind jackets, headbands, shoe covers, but I draw the line at windproof tights -- hey, this is California not the arctic! After a summer of having our biggest rides on the hottest days, I'd like to do a little climbing now when spontaneous combustion is unlikely but neither do I like icicles for knees.

I"ll ride up in any weather and have had Thom pick me up at the top if it's too cold. It's coming down that gets me. I like it to be at least in the 40s and sunny for the descent.

V.

Ha, I like to go up also! I like to earn my downhills. Some of the guys I ride with just shake their heads. I'm not fast, but I get into a zone and just plod along.

40s is probably do-able if we don't have another one of these freak weather spells.

Listen to us whine about above freezing temperatures!

Ahhh... but 40s at the bottom means lows 30s high 20s at the top. And my average speed on the descent is in the mid twenties if we go down the North side. That can be cold! And if it's foggy.... brrr. I wrote last year about coming down in early April and having to stop to warm up in some sun. But you can take it easier , stop for pictures or just to explore. I don't think I do enough of that.

V.

It's the wind chill! I don't usually ride Diablo if it's much under 50, mostly because I can't figure out what to wear or bring. I'm always sweating on the ascent, no matter how chilly the temperature, then need to bundle up for the downhill. If I were smart I'd bring a fanny pack or bag to hold all the warmies I can't wear while climbing but will need later... hmm, I'll try that next time.