How many No Cal Riders use this forum?

[LL_Super_D]

SadieKate,

I'm just north of Berkeley, in Albany actually. Funny that my profile doesn't say my location. I could've sworn I typed Bay Area, CA when I set it up. Oh well, I'll get around to updating it one of these days...

[wabisabi]

Northern, northern California...

[aka_kim]

Contra Costa County here.

[Susie]

I'll represent the Santa Cruz area!

[Velodog]

I'm on. Let's ride.

[maillotpois]

I'm on. Let's ride.

Wow, Kelly, three whole posts!

[melissam]

Just call me Ms. NoCal!

[bikergal]

I'm in San Jose

[kjay]

Foster City here . . .

Although I'm not an experienced group rider, I figured I'd at least check in.

[liksani]

In San Jose. And umm, ride out? I didn't know people were riding out together on day 2 hehe. Tho I should probably start super duper early on day 2, i am slooooow and doing 105ish miles slowly will umm, take me a while.

[Trek420]

It just means that you agree to meet up in bike parking on a particular day and start out together. The Velo Girls have done this both years I rode. On day 2 we took a group picture like this

http://www.velogirls.com/gallery/mai...g2_itemId=4621

... then started out and from then everyone is at their own pace, my pace is slow too.

Day one is your only mass start. Be very super careful TE gals, there are lots of riders who: just went clipless because someone told them they should, trained hard....in spin class, first group ride...leave plenty of distance ;-)

From then on out while there will always be a lot of people on the road you'll tend to fall in with, ride with and get to know pretty well the people who ride your pace, or ride faster but start later, or ride slower but get going earlier, or ride faster but spend more time at the stops or.....

[liksani]

Haha... actually I went clipless mabbe two weeks back? For some odd reason, I only fall on training rides Go figure. But still loving my new pedals. And I figure i'll get all my falling done so uhh no more falling? And I was looking into getting a duffel bag now to fit all my stuff, how big a bag do I really probably need?

[Trek420]

hmmm, I'm at work so can't measure my ol' bag. You're limited to 70 lbs. I think so something that will hold that. That's to be kind to the luggage crew, if you think riding to LA is hard, lifting all that....so think "holds all my stuff, fits in a two-person tent with another person and another bag that size..."

[cindysue]

You're limited to 70 lbs.

70lbs? Gee wiz. Does anyone really need that much stuff on a one week supported ride? I plan to bring between 30-40lbs (less if I can get away with it) on a three-week self-supported tour.

I think it would be fun to hear some of the stuff that people brought on the ALC last year. Do tell!!!!!!!

[snapdragen]

Let's see, it wasn't last year, but 2000 when I did CAR 7.

Toiletry kit
7 pr shorts
6 jerseys - bought 1 on the ride for 7
7 pr sox
7 sport bras
1 pr tights
1 pr armwarmers
bike jacket
baseball cap
hoody sweatshirt
sweat pants
t-shirt (may have brought 2 or 3, I forget)
1 pr jeans (worn on orientation day)
flip flops
tennies
2-3 prs regular sox
drugs - the legal kind
hydration pack
extra hydration pack tank -- not needed
tubes - not needed, thank you Pasela TG tires
sleeping bag
sleeping pad
camping pillow
towel
8 pr panties (didn't need them, after day 2 I went commando with my sweats)
pants and shirt for train ride home
book
camera
film (lost one roll somewhere.....)
water bottles (for gatorade)
sunscreen
zinc oxide
luna bars (because God knows, they don't feed you enough on these rides )
bike shoes
tent decorations

whew.

First year - brought too much, had to lash my sleeping bag and pad on the outside of my duffle.

Second year I managed to pack everything inside the duffle. I was so proud, then I got sick and didn't get to ride.