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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 to the CalMoto first Sunday ride for February!
Our February shop ride will leave from the shop parking lot at 9:00 am Sunday, February 4th. As always, the shop will be open by 8:30, for coffee and we will leave at 9:00. It is Super Bowl Sunday so we will make this a short enough excursion for you to get in this ride and still be home in time for kickoff! This month’s ride will be lead by Reinhold Schmitz and we will make another ride out to the coast. The coast is always beautiful this time of year and it looks like the weather will cooperate for another stunning day! This time, we will make our way over the mountains via Hwy 9, Big Basin, Empire Grade and Bonny Doon Roads to the little town of Davenport.
The ride will end in Davenport at the Davenport Roadhouse and Cash Store (831-426-8801, www.davenportroadhouse.com) where you can grab something to eat or drink and afterwards extend your ride by heading north on Hwy. 1 to Half Moon Bay or south to Santa Cruz if you feel like adding some miles! This ride is suitable for beginners as well as for more experienced riders, on slow two-lane paved roads only. This ride loop is slightly more challenging than last month's and will be a great way to get your bike out for a ride and breakfast before settling into that couch for the Super Bowl.
From the shop, we will head up San Antonio Road to Foothill Expressway South and under Highway 280. Foothill Expressway will change names to Foothill Blvd and then to Stevens Canyon Road. After passing the Stevens Creek reservoir we will continue on Stevens Canyon road. In 1.5 to 2 miles you will turn right to stay on Stevens Canyon. (If you miss this turn you will be on Mt. Eden Rd., that’s ok, just continue and make a right on Pierce Rd. to Hwy. 9 to pick up the loop from there). Continue another 1.6 miles and turn left onto Redwood Gulch Rd. This will take you to Hwy. 9, Turn right onto Hwy 9 (Big Basin Way) and head up the mountain to SR 35 (Skyline). Cross over Skyline Blvd. and continue on Big Basin Way down past Big Basin State Park. A few miles after the park you will pass the Boulder Creek Golf and Country Club; shortly after the Country Club you will see Jamison Creek Rd. Turn right on Jamison Creek and stay on Jamison Creek until you reach a 3-way intersection. This is Empire Grade. Make a left onto Empire Grade Rd. In 4 miles you will need to make a right to stay on Empire Grade (at Henry Cowells State Park). Continue on Empire Grade for about 2 miles and then turn right onto Pine Flat Rd. Continue on Pine Flat until it turns into Bonny Doon Rd. (bear left at the intersection) and Bonny Doon takes you out to the coast. At Hwy. 1, turn right (north) and head up to the town of Davenport (about a mile). The Davenport Roadhouse and Cash Store will be on your right side at Davenport Ave.
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.
Ride Safely!
Mike Meissner
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