General Cycling Discussion - So how many for A Western Annual BF Ride?

I received two personal emails in regards to the idea about a annual/ semi annual Bicycle Forum.. The BF Western Contingent could be So. Cal, Nevada, and Arizona.. So if we are going to do this, guess someone need suggest a starting event.. Originally seems easiest to hook up with someone else's event.. Think the event should be large enough to accomdate however many Western BF'ers might be interested.
I suggest we show up for Planet Ultra's Death Valley Century/Double Century at Death Valley National Park on March 1, 2003. Any rider need not finish the ride and can turn around when ready.. I hope to complete the 100 miler.. How many feel they can show up..? The Park accomdations are approximately 45 cabins. One more expensive hotel is about 1 mile away from event starting point.. That accomodates about 100 rooms. Camping is available also..
So how many of you southwesterns want to connect for a awesome ride? Below is profile of ride.. For further questions and registration connect with Planet Ultra on the web? Hope to see you there? Many of us show up, we will arrange to meet wherever, before the ride ? Please, RSVP on the BF board to let us all know how much interest there is ok?
Below description of course..


The Death Valley Century is an out and back ride from Furnace Creek to Jubilee Pass and back. Century riders who don't feel like riding the entire distance can turn around at any point. On any other out and back ride, one can pretty much guess what the return trip will be like. Not Death Valley! Here the MAGIC of the Valley becomes apparent. While the physical aspect of the return route may be known (climbs, descents, and winds) the spiritual aspect isn't. The steep mountain walls, huge alluvial fans, and the lakebed all take on a different appearance on your way back to Furnace Creek.

Just a thought but if you hodl it along with an event lke the Sea Otter then those of us that ride mtb's could participate as well. Also, I think it would be a fun event for those who have never been.

Slainte:beer:

Drtbkndude.. That is a good point.. Don't think Death Valley has much in way of off road trails.. Did not think of that.. It is rare to have one event compatabile for both.. Could there be Mtn. bike trails near Death Valley?
Sea Otter Classic is one of a kind.. Don't know why thought- thought No. Cal and So. Cal so long- had sort of mentally categorized No Cal and So Cal into No. West and So. West regions.. That could be wrong.. Speaking of distance wise of course..? See how interest turn out?

I never heard of the sea otter before, but found it on the net. It seems like a great way for BF members to get together since is for MTB and Road..

We are a diverse group with zillions of schedules.. Maybe we could post rides at given locations and like have a sign in sheet stating where some of us will be riding and encourage others to ride that ride and meet as many of our members as possible..?
For me, reason I posted Death Valley, the far southern part of California is the south west. The drive to Death Valley for us southlanders is like 4 hours as opposed to Monterey which is like 9 hours. Don't know of a Sea Otter- like event in Southern California?

Lets do a California to Quebec tour. That'd be a long tour but most of the NA members can be involved.

World IRC.. I would not be content to just get to the Quebec border. The best part of Quebec is from Quebec City to the mouth of the St. Lawrence, near Newfoundland. But, then I think just the St. Lawrence ride is like almost 1000 miles? Quite a ride.. Should cover everybody, except those in the South East..

Yeah. Problem is for us younguns. Damn education.

Here is my latest reply with regards to the Death Valley 100 for those interested.. Sounds like plans need be made soon..

Hi Terry -

At this time we have no rider limit for Death Valley (though the Park Service could change this at any time).

Yes, it would be wise to make your hotel reservation. In November the hotel sold out and riders were forced to spend more at the Inn, or camp, or stay in Stovepipe.

If you received our Planet Ultra Newsletter today, you'll know that registration will be available by early next week at the latest. We will send another email when it's up.

-Minister of Information

I would love to go, but may not beable to get the time off. I'll find out in a few weeks.

I was lucky. Today, I called and made my hotel reservations at Stovepipe.. The reservations office said we got one room with about 4 others left vacant.. So there are less than a handful of rooms left out of about 150. Only other nearby option will be camping and getting a hotel about 50 miles outside of the park..
Planet Ultra will open ride registration sometime this coming week...

I got a email from the sponsors of Death Valley 100. The message is their web site is now open for registrations.. They expcect no caps. No registrations are allowed on site. All registratons must be completed my email in advance..
Hope to see some Bike Forum jerseys out there.. The ride is March 1...