Southern California - Van Nuys to San Diego - Jan. 27th

Bump...I'll be working on the routeslip and get it posted very soon. This is going to be a great ride! Hopefully, some more of you BFers on the fence (or in the woodwork) will come out to play. :D

Possible change to the route to come. Amtrak doesn't run the train from Union Station to Van Nuys after 8pm, they put you on a bus (but it's still on the train schedule, which is confusing). Evidently to keep the train at Union Station overnight.

Another good option coming to address... stay tuned.

What time do you think you'll hit San Onofre area? I'm gonna do a century starting from my house up to Dana Point (or something like that) and back, maybe I can ride with guys on the return trip back to SD. I'll have to depart from the group in Carlsbad otherwise I'll but stuck climbing up from Del Mar over Del Dios which has alot more hills then if I bail in C'bad.

What time do you think you'll hit San Onofre area? I'm gonna do a century starting from my house up to Dana Point (or something like that) and back, maybe I can ride with guys on the return trip back to SD. I'll have to depart from the group in Carlsbad otherwise I'll but stuck climbing up from Del Mar over Del Dios which has alot more hills then if I bail in C'bad.
You know, we were talking about this "let's meet up" plan thing, yesterday. It's really hard to determine. The best I can say is everyone on here (and every men's bathroom wall at this point) is my cell number. If people want to meet up in lieu of starting at the start line, please call me and I'll give you ETAs along the route. Otherwise, like yesterday, something is bound to go wrong (of course, that wasn't Adam's fault. Had I programed his home number in my phone, it would have been a breeze, but I forgot! :o)

PM sent:D I'll be VERY easy to spot if we see me going the other way. My new bike is TALL:eek:

Okay, so we're changing the start location to Universal City MetroRail station.

Amtrak gets us to Union Station, then Redline to Universal. Actually a nicer ride through Studio City than through Van Nuys. And yes, it's 1.08 miles longer!! Sheesh. Okay, maybe 1.2.

First post updated to reflect two changes: 6:00am departure and Universal City starting point.

Based on our last couple of long rides, we wanted to give a little extra riding time to ensure we don't get caught in a) dark or b) miss the last train.

With 12 hours of total time, it'll be a good clip and breaks will be relatively brief but we won't be hammering.

I'm in as long as the weather is good.

Joel......From Universal City, will you be passing through Cahuenga Pass into the city?

Joel......From Universal City, will you be passing through Cahuenga Pass into the city?Nope, through Studio City & Sherman Oaks and over Sepulveda. Other than that, same route it was before. We'll likely just take Ventura Blvd. since there won't be any traffic at 6am.

so am i to believe there will be punch and pie????

Yes, there'll be PUNCH AND PIE!!!

http://clubsauce.wordpress.com/files/2006/05/cartman.jpg

nice....as of this moment i am in....cleared it on the family calendar!!!

Yippee!!! So far, we've got:

Magicant
Scvroadie
Scootcore
The Fixer
Merider1
Awiner (maybe)

Any others???? Come on, you know you want the miles and subsequent beers on the train ride back after 150 miles! :D

btw, ME we saw you going through toluca lake today on our way home from a late breakfast!!! looked like you were sticking it to some of those guys!!!

btw, ME we saw you going through toluca lake today on our way home from a late breakfast!!! looked like you were sticking it to some of those guys!!!

You mean the two riders who were sweet enough to pull me for a few blocks and when it was my turn, I left them behind at a yellow light? :o I yelled, "sorry..." but I doubt they heard me over the wind. They were very nice.

You mean the two riders who were sweet enough to pull me for a few blocks and when it was my turn, I left them behind at a yellow light? :o I yelled, "sorry..." but I doubt they heard me over the wind. They were very nice.


suckers

I'm watching the weather forcasts.... Keeping fingers crossed for clear sailing !

its been looking quite good.....cool, but good

I'm keeping my fingers crossed!

Yippee!!! So far, we've got:

Magicant
Scvroadie
Scootcore
The Fixer
Merider1
Awiner (maybe)

Any others???? Come on, you know you want the miles and subsequent beers on the train ride back after 150 miles! :D
Any estimate as to when you'd be going through San Clemente/Camp Pen/Oceanside?

Any estimate as to when you'd be going through San Clemente/Camp Pen/Oceanside?

I would be interested in riding up to San Clemente and joining the group on the way back to SD. Were you planning a rest stop in San Clemente?

Any estimate as to when you'd be going through San Clemente/Camp Pen/Oceanside?

I plan on doing a FLAT century that day on my SS, Here's my planned route
http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/Esco-to-Dana-Point-Century-O-B

Back down to 10% chance of rain.

http://ccinsider.comedycentral.com/photos/uncategorized/tds_m5_10102a_cobert.jpg

lets hope for a tip of the hat instead the wag of a finger....

I would be interested in riding up to San Clemente and joining the group on the way back to SD. Were you planning a rest stop in San Clemente?That's what I had planned - lunch, probably. But since m.e.'s taken over the route slip chores (seriously m.e., lunch is on me for every ride you do that), we'll have to check once that's done.

But I initially planned stops in:
Redondo
Huntington
San Clemente
Carlsbad
Solana Beach
Finish

With a small group, though, we'll probably play it a bit by ear based on how we're pacing.

Hey, Joel, what station are we starting from again. I'm going to start the slip from that address (clearly). Also, how are we winding through? If you'll just give me the names of the streets, I'll find them on the map and do it. Thanks! :)

Um...Joel. I was just looking at the little handy-dandy map you got going and it appears at times as if we are riding in the ocean. :eek: Now, mind you, I certainly could brush up on my swimming skills, but I really don't think next Saturday is the day to do it. Are you putting us on the bike path??? Please, dear Lord, say you are not. Because I'll warn you that it will take us MUCH longer to get down there if on that path. Even it it's chilly out, there will be beach goers, pedestrians, etc. which will slow our pace. Pretty much, I guess I need to discuss this route with you in order to map it appropriately. Or you're going to get:

L on Sepulveda
L on Ocean Ave.
Stay straight into ocean
Swim like hell

Comprende? :D

Do we need to make any type of reservations with Amtrak ?

Do we need to make any type of reservations with Amtrak ?no, none.....The tickets are open and you just hop on the next train.

Um...Joel. I was just looking at the little handy-dandy map you got going and it appears at times as if we are riding in the ocean. :eek: Now, mind you, I certainly could brush up on my swimming skills, but I really don't think next Saturday is the day to do it. Are you putting us on the bike path??? Please, dear Lord, say you are not. Because I'll warn you that it will take us MUCH longer to get down there if on that path. Even it it's chilly out, there will be beach goers, pedestrians, etc. which will slow our pace. Pretty much, I guess I need to discuss this route with you in order to map it appropriately. Or you're going to get:

L on Sepulveda
L on Ocean Ave.
Stay straight into ocean
Swim like hell

Comprende? :D


Sister Mary, I don't know Joel's route and don't want to step on any toes but I did commute on that bike path for 1 year to get to El Segundo and in the winter at that hour, you will have no problem on the path at all.

Sister Mary, I don't know Joel's route and don't want to step on any toes but I did commute on that bike path for 1 year to get to El Segundo and in the winter at that hour, you will have no problem on the path at all.
I love you Jim, but please never call me Sister Mary. Please...:o There's a reason I go by M.E. :D

Yes, the bike path from Marina Del Rey to Manhattan Beach is very quick (especially at 7am, remember?)

Even Santa Monica and Venice are fast at that hour, but I had expected we'd stay on the main roads until we hit Washington.

I'll call you when I get home...

Yes, the bike path from Marina Del Rey to Manhattan Beach is very quick (especially at 7am, remember?)

Even Santa Monica and Venice are fast at that hour, but I had expected we'd stay on the main roads until we hit Washington.

I'll call you when I get home...

Fair enough. I'm headed home here in two minutes and can start on it when I get there. :D

So, m.e. has kindly finished up the route slip, which looks great. Rest stops aren't on there, but we're riding together so we'll stop when it makes sense (rather than pick a particular grocery store or shop), but the plan is to stop in:

Redondo - Pier
Huntington
San Clemente
Carlsbad
Solana Beach

I'll send you the link to the slip if you PM me that you're coming along. If anyone's really uncomfortable with not having the stops designated, PM me and we can figure out what makes the most sense.

Anyone in besides those I know about?

Magicant
Scvroadie
Scootcore
The Fixer
Merider1
Awiner (maybe)

Rain is at 10% chance at this point.


Anyone who is planning to go, make sure you look at the first page - some details have changed!!!

I am planning to ride up to San Clemente and meet you guys there. Could someone pls send me the route slip? Since there are no planned stops I will call M.E. on the way to check your progress.

We're out for this one, unfortunately (Saturdays are tricky for us, usually)....

have a great ride!

Well, now that I reviewed the first post, I've decided that I won't be as bummed if it does rain. I love breakfast burritos...;)

I'll be down in Long Beach, Huntington Beach area on Saturday riding with the team, I'll keep an eye out for y'all.

I am planning to ride up to San Clemente and meet you guys there. Could someone pls send me the route slip? Since there are no planned stops I will call M.E. on the way to check your progress.


I vote we meet at Dan Point Harbor, since that will be my turn around point:D But time is never on our side when it comes to riding. I just hope I meet up with the group on my return trip to SD:p

I vote we meet at Dan Point Harbor, since that will be my turn around point:D But time is never on our side when it comes to riding. I just hope I meet up with the group on my return trip to SD:p
Hope everyone who wants to is able to meet up - just a caveat, though.

150 mile ride has lots of opportunity for variation in timing. Knock on wood, but flats & other mechanical difficulties, stoplights, etc. can slow us down by 30 minutes or more as can longer break stops.

Meaning: the highest priority is for the folks who need to take the train all the way back get to the finish in time. We're going to need to depend on those folks wanting to hook up along the way to take the lead in finding us, catching us, etc. It's not likely we'll be able to wait long or look for people.

Likely timing is 1:30 - 2:00 for San Clemente and when we stop, we can make some calls but won't be able to wait longer than the time it takes us to eat, so we'll have to be caught on the fly.

Just trying to be realistic, 150 miles is a huge challenge for those doing the whole route, but I do hope everyone who wants to can jump in along the way.

I was hoping I would be at Dana Point by noonish. I plan on leaving at 8:30-9am so it's not too cold and my route is pretty darn flat so I should be able to make really good time. The hardest part of my route will be getting to the coast, then after that I'll be clicking a 20+ pace up North (pending headwind). I gave ME my cel number, hope she got it in her phone now....

Is anyone going to be wearing thier BF jersey? So it's easier to spot if we cross paths. I'll prolly be in my red/white Cambells Full of Beans jersey on a tallass sky blue bike.

I was hoping I would be at Dana Point by noonish. I plan on leaving at 8:30-9am so it's not too cold and my route is pretty darn flat so I should be able to make really good time. The hardest part of my route will be getting to the coast, then after that I'll be clicking a 20+ pace up North (pending headwind). I gave ME my cel number, hope she got it in her phone now....

Is anyone going to be wearing thier BF jersey? So it's easier to spot if we cross paths. I'll prolly be in my red/white Cambells Full of Beans jersey on a tallass sky blue bike.
Hi Jeff. I do have your cell (sorry, I meant to PM you back). But with Joel's point, I can call you because I said I would, but I can't call everyone along the route. Also, I'm following the guys, so when they take off, I'm jumping to it! My wish is that ALL of you would start with us! (I know it's a schlep for you OC riders, but I've driven to Irvine and beyond to start with the group!). :o

Yah I wish I can drive up there but I can't, soo I'll ride up:D It's bonus if I get to ride you & your group, but mentally, I'm ready to bang out this solo ride. If I do ride solo for the trip, my goal is to finish it in under 5 1/2 hours ride time on my SS;)

A friend has offered to drive a chase/sag car for us on Saturday. I am not sure as to how serious he was, but it everyone was interested I would find out from him if he was serious.

He would carry supplies, food, etc.

Interesting offer. With my history as a solo rider, I have no experience with that sort of thing - so I'll roll with whatever everyone else thinks. Seems like he'd just be driving around all day unless we needed something? Very cool offer, I'd just feel guilty having him do that!

But the rest of you, weigh in. Certainly having someone available in case of major technical difficulty would be great.

Magicant, thanks for the route slip.

I have one recommendation for a course change. Its your ride, and any way you want to go is fine with me, but as someone that does a lot of riding in the South Bay and PV area, I thought I'd give you an alternative route around this area that would be more pleasant, safer, and probably a faster route.

At the Redondo Pier, the route slip has you headed inland to pick up PCH, all the way to Anaheim St. As you know, PCH in this area is heavily congested, and has a lot of traffic lights, especially through Lomita and Redondo. I might suggest that you continue the bike trail from Redondo to its terminus, and then take Paseo de la Playa to Palos Verdes Drive North. You can take this suburban road all the way to Anaheim St. By my memory, there are only about 5 lights, and a few stop signs, on the entire segment, versus I don't know how many on the PCH segment. This alternative may be about a mile longer, and a few hundred feet of elevation more, but its far superior, in my view, with much less starting and stopping, and wider shoulders.

Just a friendly suggestion. Hope to be able to meet up with you guys.

Adam, if your friend is serious and does SAG, I'd pay him $20 for gas and buy him lunch (and give him a hug, pre-sweat). Having somene SAG is always a nice thing in case someone doesn't feel well, etc. But I know NO ONE I can ever ask to sag my rides and I don't expect others to do it for me. If anything, he could SAG to Oceanside and then head back if he is bored or needs to get back. I'm assuming that if he does SAG, you won't be joining on the train?

Just a friendly suggestion. Hope to be able to meet up with you guys.

Thank you, AKAK, it is always helpful to receive suggestions, especially on routes! :)

Joel? Would you like me to change the route and incorporate? You can PM me as well, but I wanted to thank AKAK publicly.

I will ask and see if he was serious enough to do it. It is always nice to have a place to carry food and supplies when you don't have a domistique with you :)

Also would be a great place to stow layers when they come off.