Hi Gang!
Here's a link to the May 5th ride. We're going to Roy, then Verboort. Russ - sausages are optional this year, though I'm sure the wildlife enjoyed the extra protein. This ride comes in at just under 40 miles, and there is one reasonably hilly portion (Clapshaw Hill). There is an option for those who don't want to do the hilly portion just yet, or want fewer miles. I'll show you on Saturday, but the jist of it is that instead of turning onto Clapshaw you'll just keep going south on Highway 47 until you reach Kemper/Osterman Road.
We're meeting just outside the Starbucks in Orenco Station. Orenco Station is MAX accessible, so if you don't want to drive to Orenco you've got options! Please-oh-please be there in time to order the coffee you need (you know who you are, and you know you'll be tempted into the Starbucks for a cappucino and/or a scone...)
I will also be doing a demo on how to do a quick (2-5 minute) safety check on your bike. Expect this demo to start PROMPTLY at 8:01. You should do a safety check before each ride! Things change on your bike, sometimes suddenly and sometimes gradually. Parts can wear out or work their way loose, cables and chains can need lube and tires can need air. You are putting yourself at unnecessary risk of having to finish your ride the SAG vehicle - or far worse, in an ambulance - if you start your ride without checking, just to be sure.
And here's a quick reminder on what you need - the basics - for our group rides. A short list, really:
1) Yourself and your best attitude, ready to ride after a good night's sleep.
2) An approved helmet.
3) A bike that has passed the safety check mentioned above.
4) A water bottle (two would be even better once the weather starts to heat up and we're doing longer rides). You may want to experiment with carbohydrate/electrolyte replacement beverages (like Gatorade, Cytomax, etc) which help keep you well-hydrated. But many people do great on rides like this with plain water plus the food that's available at our SAG stops.
5) A spare tube that fits your tires, along with everything you need to fix a flat: spare tube, patch kit (what if you get a SECOND flat??? it CAN happen), tire levers (for mounting and dismounting tires), and a way to inflate the tire (either a CO2 cartridge or a pump). Don't know what size tube you need? Don't know how to fix a flat! ASK - don't wait to be out in the middle of nowhere and having to figure it out on your own.
6) A means of communication should you get separated from the group - either a cell phone or enough change to make a phone call. We don't expect anyone to get lost, we really try hard to prevent that from happening, but we did lose a couple people temporarily last year....
7) Clothing for the expected weather. Dress in layers so that you can stay comfortable. Unless you KNOW that the weather is going to be grand, do bring a light jacket along. If you need it, you're smart. If you don't need it, you're prepared. If you forget it, you're.....sorry.
On the topic of bike clothing - LOTS of people asked me about bike shorts last year. Trust me on this - you want padded bike shorts. Even if you are tough as nails, other types of clothing that you might wear for cycling always seem to have seams or creases RIGHT THERE. There are a lot of decent shorts out on the market. Prices range from $30 to (I am not making this up!) $300. You can do very well at the low end of this range. Fit is important. Key points: the body of a lycra short should be snugged up to your skin - not baggy. If there are any seams in the chamois (that's what the padding is called - say it like "shammy" 'cause it's French) they should not dig into your anatomy or hit you in the same places that the saddle will. And the elastic at the waist and thighs should stretch but not dig into you. If you hate the feel of something binding around your waist, try "bib shorts" - basically overalls for bikewear. Another rule of thumb: once you find a pair of shorts that works for you, get a second pair just like 'em. That way you should always have a clean pair at the ready.
I'll see many friends, new and old, at the Monster Cookie tomorrow. Looking forward to that!
The weather looks to be about perfect for biking - not too warm or too cool, not so sunny that we have to keep SPF on the forefront of our thoughts the whole way, and probably not going to rain! Should be an enjoyable day! Try to keep drinking between rest stops. You should empty a water bottle between one rest stop and the next, then fill it up when you get there, drink some, and top it off before you leave. Oh - and leave some room for the cookies.
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Hi gang,
I'm really excited about our first "long" ride of the season. I learned the hard way to follow all of Sandy's suggestions. After Tahoe, Russell and I went on all the rides we could and little by little we did all the stuff that Sandy suggests to the point that now I am self sufficient on rides. The only other thing that I would suggest is to spend as little time as possible on rest stops. The reason for this as I found out is that first of all, your muscles "cool" down and after all that work warming them up you have to start all over again after a 15-20 min rest stop. Another reason is the crowd: it is much easier to ride with fewer people on the road and if you make your stop as short as possible you might share the road with fewer riders. If you need to use the facilities, sometimes it is much easier to stop at a gas station, restaurant or state park along the road than try to stand in line at a rest stop. I am looking forward to see you all tomorrow.
And yes, Sandy, I didn't do a safety check of my equipment before starting the ride last week and I almost end up in an ambulance! Always check your equipment before ANY ride, even if it's only 10 miles.
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