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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 Friends,
Our November shop ride will leave from the shop parking lot at 9:00 am, the first Sunday of November. This is going to be a rather short ride, with the point of the ride being a nice lunch over in Livermore at Emil Villa's Hick'ry Pit. On the way we will have a chance to ride the very entertaining and challenging Mount Hamilton Road (Rte 130) and Mines Road into Livermore. When we get to the summit of Mount Hamilton we will stop for a nice break (there are bathrooms there) and then head down the backside of the mountain to the Junction of Mines and Del Puerto roads. There is a coffee shop there and we will stop to regroup.
These roads are challenging, and sometimes have gravel scattered on them, so you must exercise caution. Also, the Mines Road section has several decreasing radius corners which will come out and bite you if you are not careful. This is a ride, not a race, and I expect everyone to ride within their ability and not crash or go off the road.
We'll leave the shop and go down 101 to Alum Rock and take it to Rte 130/Mt. Hamilton Road, which we follow to the top of Mt. Hamilton for our first break. The driveway up the observatory doubles back sharply to the right just as soon as you get to the summit. There is an old school on the right hand side of the road right there, so watch closely and don't miss it. Our next break will be at the junction of Mines and del Puerto Roads. Watch closely, someone always goes blowing by this intersection.
We follow Mines Road all the way back to Livermore, and turn left on Tesla Road. Very soon you will pass the municipal buildings on the right, and immediately afterwards is the right turn into the shopping center. Emil Villa's is at the very end of the shopping center parking lot, and we will probably be eating on the patio.
After lunch you can return via Calaveras Road (very twisty) or straight back on 84 to 680 and the Bay Area.
This is a pretty ride, and has some of the most challenging and technical riding of any of the Bay Area roads, plus it is usually lightly traveled this time of year. Conditions should be good, but I will be going rain or shine!
Please call or E-mail me if you have any questions, I'll be glad to answer them.
Ride safely,
Kari Prager
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