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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. |
Dear Riding Friends,
Welcome to the January 2007 Shop Ride. We have a nice, rather short shop ride planned. As always, we will leave from the shop at 9:00, the shop will be open by 8:30. Mike Meissner, our General Manager, will lead this ride. Our destination is Duarte’s Tavern on the coast.
This ride is suitable for beginners as well as for more experienced riders, on slow, two-lane, paved roads only. This is an easy and short ride loop and we'll be done by noon or so, but it is a beautiful ride and a great way to get your bike out for a nice Sunday ride and breakfast in these winter months. Looks like we will have favorable weather and that means you can extend your ride by heading north from Duarte’s to Half Moon Bay or south to Santa Cruz if you feel like adding some miles!
This ride takes us to our destination via Page Mill, Skyline, Route 84 and Old Stage roads out toward the coast. As we come into San Gregorio, just before reaching the coast, we will make a left turn onto Old Stage Road which will take us to Duarte’s at the intersection of Stage and Pescadero roads. Most of the route is made up of two-lane roads, tight and twisty, great for riding practice. Our destination is Duarte's Cafe (Duarte's telephone is 650-879-0464) where we will have an early lunch. I will try and reserve the back room at Duarte's for our group. This will be the official conclusion of our ride.
After lunch you can choose from several ways home: Head over Pescardero/La Honda/84 to Alice's and back home, or north to Half Moon Bay on Hwy 1 and then 92 back over the hill. Another option is south toward Santa Cruz and the over the hill via Bonny Doon/Empire Grade/Big Basin (Hwy 9).
Start out with your tank full, your tires checked, with proper attire for the weather and a bike which is safe to ride. Be prepared to help your fellow riders with any problems on the road. The weather can be unpredictable, so be equipped to ride in the rain, cold & fog. It is no fun to ride when you are cold and wet. Ride within your safe limits; 75% of your comfortable maximum rate of speed at most. I also suggest that you practice the basic smooth-riding exercise of riding with minimal use of brakes, lots of engine-braking and maximum attention to smooth riding technique and proper line through the corners. Riding this way is a great skill-building exercise; it holds your attention and keeps your speed at a reasonable level. The skill set you learn at modest speeds is the same skill set that allow you to ride much more quickly on the track.
As always, this is a leisurely social ride, nothing difficult, and please, no racing!
I hope you can join us. Have fun and be safe! E-mail or call me (650.966.1183) if you have any questions.
Best Regards,
Kari Prager
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