caloso

Yes. Same streets but this configuration has a pretty tight S turn on the backside. You pretty much have to be in the top 5 going into the S turns, rail the last two corners like 1 big one, and then hold on down the finishing straight.

UmneyDurak

I love old course. Racing in late afternoon in million degree weather, not so much.
Deciding when to upgrade to 3. Was planning to help teammates in this race, but looks like I will be the only one.
All other race is I don't care for, and San Rafael is 3/4 combined anyway.

spRICE

I'll be field marshalling the first few races then racing the E4 race. Should be really fun and hot!

aaronmcd

Not going, too late. But what about Leesville? Never done it, and it says new course. Anyone know the length and grade of the main climb?

hack

Here is a strava from last year:

Bike Ride Profile | 7/5 Lee's Ville Lodoga RR 2nd place near Williams | Times and Records | Strava

According to the flyer, the P12, 3, and 35+ will add about 10 miles with a flat out and back before heading to the climb.

edit:

the climb: Strava Segment | Sites Lodoga

aaronmcd

Damn, thats a good sized climb. Not a finish climb, which is good. Just have to try and not get dropped, or get away before the climb.

UmneyDurak

Way to far away.

hack

@caloso you weren't on the South River Ride yesterday, were you? Just saw the news blotter of the stolen car that drove through the heat reduced field. Some pretty bad injuries. Hope everyone heals up.

hack

@mattm ... not NorCal related, but whatever... I've got to be up in Seattle for a few days in late July early August. What's the scoop on the Seward Crit Series? Worth taking a bike up or should I jump over to Marymoor and rent a track bike (and take a class?)?

edit: Rainier Roubaix??? Can't tell if this is a race or a cross/gravel/road have fun event.

caloso

No. Although it's one of my favorite rides, I have a recurring Tuesday night meeting that makes it hard for me to make that ride. I understand that the two of the three victims were juniors, one from Limitless and one from Davis, I think. The whole thing makes me sick because I was wondering when it would make sense to introduce Lucas to the B ride. I was thinking we'd go and hang on to the back, knowing we'd get dropped sooner or later and then just ride our ride. But now... It's going to be awhile before I start thinking about that again.

hack

Yeah ... having your son riding adds an element of "scary" I hadn't considered. It's bad enough knowing is just myself out there at times when we're guttering each other across the center line. Hopefully the recoveries are quick for the injured and appropriate punishment for the driver. I'll assume the added element of drugs, stolen car, and fleeing the scene will help lead to a greater punishment than the ususal "warning/fine" that some seem to get when taking out bikes.

Not sure how the River Ride as an institution is going to evolve with the new development ban lifted in Natomas and the inevitable increased traffic along Garden Highway. I suspect there will be some severe growing pains.

caloso

Yeah, my buddy and I were talking about that this morning. He's been doing the Saturday RR since the 80s. He's been saying for awhile now that eventually we'll have to move to the Yolo side. That was the original Mike's Bikes Wednesday route, but they're repaving it this summer and the switched the Wednesday night ride to the now infamous SRR/Babel Slough route.

hack

The Yolo side is no fun. I did a loop a while back after the Sat RR to Davis then Woodland and back to Sac via the West River Road (whatever it is called). It seemed to get quite a bit of use and of that use a substantial amount of traffic consisted of farmers and farm equipment that weren't well versed in the 3 foot rule.

Edonis13

One of the reasons I stopped going to the Mike's Bikes ride is the route change. I have a few friends that worked in our Woodland office, which covers those roads, and they've been telling me about some of the nasty crashes they've taken on SRR.

mattm

Seward is great, worth taking a bike up there for it. I wish Norcal had something similar on the weekdays... good course, good attendance, etc.

There's a shop in Montlake (Montlake Bicycles) that rents road bikes I believe, might be an easier option than taking yours.

It's got a little hill each lap but you'll be fine I'm sure.

Marymoor is a just another velodrome, and a long one (400m) at that. Not worth it since we have Helleyer here anyway, in my opinion.

Anyway some great riding up there; do Mercer Island and/or the Lake Wa loop for me! The ride out to Snoqualmie Falls is also excellent if you have time for a 4-5 hour ride.
@misterwaterfall can tell you more I'm sure.

hack

Thanks ... keep in mind that YOU have Hellyer, it's still a hike and a half for us Sac folks (I think we're slated to get a track circa 2025). I'll check out that shop and see what they may have and worst case I just take my bike with me.

misterwaterfall

Shoot me a PM if you have any questions. Seward is fun for sure, and is easily ride-able from downtown if you're staying somewhere around the city.

Marymoor is a cool scene, depending on your track cat you might race Monday, Wed, or Fri so check on that before you make plans. If you want to ride my 57cm langster with box section tubulars you can barrow it while you're in town. The rental fleet is pretty decent but the gearing is pretty short IIRC. You can always email them and ask what gearing they run and if you can bring your own to swap. It's a big track so in the 3's or 1/2's you'll probably want 92+.

No clue on the Roubaix, I don't do any of those races. If it says it's part of the Kermesse series then it's likely a race but attendance will probably be pretty low.

hack

Good intel ... thanks! Not totally sure where we're staying yet. My mom lives down in Steilacoom, but the trip is related to my wife's work (she'll be doing some photo work up in West Seattle and in Seattle proper). I assume we'll stay in Seattle and visit my mom as a side trip or meetup somewhere near SeaTac (exciting).

My track cat is NA. I'd be doing the track thing just to check out riding on a track on a track bike, so I'm not sure I'd be too worried about gear ratios just yet (could be wrong). Likely that'd include taking their Saturday class and just trying to enjoy it while killing some time. We have Hellyer down here, but it is borderline impossible for me to get down there on a weekday since I live/work 2.5 hours away.

I THINK the Roubaix thing was related to the Kermese, but not totally sure. The course writeup included gravel, I assume its not USAC.

misterwaterfall

If you're doing the class the rental bike is fine. There's also a Tuesday night series south of the city but it's nowhere near as fun/hard as Seward. Unfortunately it sounds like you're coming up after our USAC season is pretty much wrapped up, but there is a circuit race that second weekend of August if you'll be around. Crits in Portland as well, check OBRA for dates but last weekend of July and first of August are both booked down towards Portland.

hack

I'll be driving up to Cascade then driving back home then flying up to Seattle the following week and think I'd be all drived out and would probably avoid a trek down to Portland. I think the path of least resistance is looking to be a learn how to ride on the track day. I wonder if I can swap out saddles on a rental bike if I bring my own?

Looking at our schedules, getting up to town and at a race Thursday evening is looking harder and harder. I don't think we'll be up there long enough to hit many more things and I'd be wise not to monopolize the trip with bikes. Is the circuit race the one in Boston Harbor? I've been down that way before and it looks like a fun place to race.

misterwaterfall

Yes Boston Harbor. It's a pretty fun race with most being up and down. Portland is about an hour and a half from Steilacoom FYI so it's not too bad, plus Voodoo doughnuts!

The intro to track class is fun, but if you're already stretched I don't think it's a must do by any means. You don't get a ton of actual race time but you do get some good tips and the people that run it are very good.

furiousferret

If any of you Peninsula guys want to meet up pm or set up a time; I'm going out tomorrow morning for about 2 hours....right now probably top of Canada up LaHonda and back...

mattm

@furiousferret I might be up for that, in the afternoon. Gotta watch le tour!
@Ygduf is probably doing some TdF training ride, but maybe we can pull him away from it.

Ygduf

pm sent. team ride, leaving my place 8:30. DVRs are a thing.

mattm

so... San Rafael!!

who's doing it?