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Sunday Ride Protocols |
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Ride notes: This is an informal ride, and as always, remember that this is a social ride; your safety and the safety of your fellow riders is paramount. As a reminder here are some basic group ride protocols which you may also find useful for your own rides. Safe speed: The safe speed for road conditions will differ from rider to rider. You are responsible to pick a pace that is comfortable and within your ability. There will be plenty of opportunities to regroup. Never ride beyond your limits in an attempt to keep up with another rider! Safe distance: Do not follow closely; leave a safe distance between you and the next rider. It is especially important to avoid following closely on secondary roads where you can't see around the next corner and circumstances can change without warning. Passing: If you must ride faster than the rider in front of you, put your blinker on and pass. If you see a rider behind you preparing to pass, move over. There is little point to passing when riding in a group, however. We all get there about the same time... Lane discipline: Never cross the double yellow line! Always stay in your lane, and pick your line accordingly. Passing: If you are prepared to ride faster than the rider in front, put your blinker on and pass. If you see a rider behind you preparing to pass, move over and give plenty of room. Don't speed up! Stopping: If the group stops, pull off the road completely. When the group starts, be sure to look over your shoulder for approaching traffic before you pull out after the person in front of you. Don't assume it is clear just because they pulled out... Breakdowns: The sweeps and riding friends may stop and provide assistance. It is not safe for then entire group to stop for one rider unless there is plenty of room to pull off the road. Taking off early: It is fine to head home early, but it is appreciated if you let the others in the group or the sweeps know so we don't wait around or go looking for you. |
Welcome, Riding Friends, to the July Shop Ride.
This will be a street ride, with no dirt sections (unless there is road construction on Hwy 1). This will also be a very long ride, all the way down the Big Sur Coast Highway to Lucia, then over the Nacimiento-Ferguson Road through Hunter-Liggett Military Reservation, back up G 14 to King City, on 101 to Greenfield (about 10 miles of freeway) and off the freeway and onto G 16, which starts out as Arroyo Seco Road and turns into Carmel Valley Road. We'll take Carmel Valley Road all the way back to Carmel Valley Village, where we will stop for drinks and gas, then take Laureles Grade (G 20) over to Route 68 and home from Salinas on Hwy 101.
We will start out on my secret route up to Hwy 9, and take Hwy 9 all the way to Hwy 1, then follow Hwy 1 all the way down the coast. This is a long street ride, not for beginners because it is just too long and twisty. It is a touring ride, not a race, and I expect people to ride safely and courteously, and above all, ride within your ability! We do not want any crashes because someone attempted to follow a faster rider.
In a ride of this length, we will not stay together as a single group, but there will be assembly points along the way, where we can collect, kick tires and talk. We will stop in Carmel and gas up just before the coast part of Hwy 1 starts. There is a gas station and shopping center on the left where we will fill up.
There is a section of dirt road on Hwy 1 called Coast Road, that starts at Bixby Landing (big concrete arch bridge) and comes out at Andrew Molera State Park. GS riders are welcome to take this detour.
Lunch stops are a little iffy along the Big Sur Coast, so I am recommending that people bring a lunch and we'll eat at the top of Nacimiento Ferguson, depending on the weather. We will stop for gas in Big Sur Village, and regroup, and again in Lucia; there will be an opportunity to buy food in both places, I think. Shortly after Lucia and Kirk Creek Campground is a small uphill road to the left, this is Nacimiento Ferguson, and you have to watch for it!
IMPORTANT: You must have your license, registration and proof of insurance or you will not be allowed to pass through Hunter Liggett Military Reservation, so triple-check that you have these papers! Otherwise you will be turned back at the gate!
It is very hot in Hunter Liggett, and will stay hot until we get into the woods of Carmel Valley Road, so bring plenty of water, a camelback if you have one, and be sure to stay hydrated.
I will make maps of the route, and go over the ride at the rider's meeting at 8:50. We will probably get back around 6:00 pm. or a little later.
Please call (650.966.1183 x3 ) or e-mail me if you have any questions about the ride.
Best Regards,
Kari Prager
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