Foo - help plan my holiday travels

aprilm is on the way to the airport now. I think she had a fun trip. And I even believe she fell in love out here. (With what, I'll let her disclose later. No, I'm not talking about Vivian.) And I'm jealous that she got away for a few days. So I'm wondering... where should I go for a few days, say, in the last week of December?

Preferably somewhere where I can meet a few Foosters and go on a road bike ride. Rain or otherwise wet conditions is fine. That's what my beater wheelset is for. But let's try to avoid daytime highs that are below freezing. It's kind of hard to justify freezing weather gear that I might never use again (coldest I've rode in is 24 F), and it would be kind of hard trying to stay hydrated if my bottles become frozen.

I've never been to Florida. What's it like in late December there? There's a bunch of Foosters in NC. How about there? Any Foosters live near Haleakala on Maui and want to climb that? But getting a hotel room near there might be kind of expensive around then. Are Colorado road climbs rideable in late December? They're probably too cold, right? I don't know where I want to go, but I want to do something other than be cooped up at my parents' place for the entire break. Riding Baldy so many times, one reaches the point of diminishing returns. So... where to go for a few days?

Florida weather will be great in December for riding. If (and only if) it's pushing cold temps, it MIGHT be in the 50s. More likely it might still be in 60s or even 70s (sometimes its still somewhat warm in December).

I've never been to Florida. What's it like in late December there? There's a bunch of Foosters in NC. How about there? Any Foosters live near Haleakala on Maui and want to climb that? But getting a hotel room near there might be kind of expensive around then. Are Colorado road climbs rideable in late December? They're probably too cold, right? I don't know where I want to go, but I want to do something other than be cooped up at my parents' place for the entire break.

I was trying to figure something out as well and turns out that Arizona might be a good place to be - Golf,Bike etc etc. Colorado climbs will be pretty much un-rideable besides the cold.

In the last week of December? Willingly travel during the holiday season? Are you nuts?

Willingly travel during one of the few extended breaks I get while in grad school, yes. When even sneaking a long weekend away takes quite a bit of planning, I'll take what I can get.

In the last week of December? Willingly travel during the holiday season? Are you nuts?

I mostly fly out on Christmas Day/Thanksgiving day and that way I find good rates and no rushes.

Georgia...Mountains...even if it is cold, you wont be.
I could use some company for a trip into the mountains.

Mountains, huh? That got my attention. I should warn you I'm not very fast... about 2400 vertical feet per hour on a good day for sustained climbs, a bit under 3 watts/kg.

Mountains, huh? That got my attention. I should warn you I'm not very fast... about 2400 vertical feet per hour on a good day for sustained climbs, a bit under 3 watts/kg.

Got me beat. I'm doing good to get my big butt up any hills. But I'll try to hang with you if you want to ride up some hills.
According to my trainer, I'm putting out (sustained) about 2.6 W/kg on long (3km +) climbs.

nc mountains. :)

Well, Jason I would recommend the NC area if you are willing to take the chance it might be cold. The past four years the temps in Asheville around New Years Day have been in the 60s. The average is about 47. So it could be colder than what we have seen recently. I live West of Asheville and we tend to be several degrees warmer. Last year it was near 70 on Jan. 1. But, since it is a mountainous area, the temps really vary by elevation. Even on the warmest days it will still be cool up high. I ride up there most all year though weather permitting. We also have many lower rides that are great.

Should the weather fall out here in the mountains, Charlotte is less than 3 hours away, more Foosters, warmer still. So there are options. Heading further South into Ga. is also easy to do.

If you are thinking of coming this way I would try to arrange a BF gathering though that time of year could be tough with the Holidays. Even if it was just the two of us or my local group, I can show you some nice rides.

I can deal with 40's. Great climbing weather, and descents don't last that long.

Hmm... GA and NC are close enough to conceivably make a quick whirlwind tour of the two locations. Sounds tempting. Cool people, cool mountains.

i will be off the week of xmas and part of the next...come on to the east coast! i'm pretty sure i could make it up to the mtns sometime during your visit, depending on when exactly it is.

How many days do you think the trip will be outside of travel?

I haven't thought about details yet. But if an east coast trip, probably 3-4 non-travel days.

Bozeman, Monta- oh, wait.

call crtreedude and go to Costa Rica. Weather should be ideal about that time of year.

Bozeman, Monta- oh, wait.

We don't want to freeze our butts off. But maybe in 50 years with global warming we can work something out.

call crtreedude and go to Costa Rica. Weather should be ideal about that time of year.

But it's all MTB'ing out there, no? I'm non-rationally afraid of MTB'ing. Road biking in the rain on a mountain road is okay, though. :o

call crtreedude and go to Costa Rica. Weather should be ideal about that time of year.

Rainy season down there (coming to an end) that time of year.

<whispers in Jschens ear> Come to Chicago...

<whispers in Jschens ear> Come to Chicago...

<Whispers back to Ms. Gio>, come to NC.

Solvang

<whispers to everybody> come to NC in December, we'll all have a giant foo-road ride...I'll bring the maimed gingerpeople...

<whispers to everybody> come to NC in December, we'll all have a giant foo-road ride...I'll bring the maimed gingerpeople...

Of course you mean specifically the NC mountains cause as we all know Jason likes to climb. :)

Solvang

I might be there in March for the Spring Double. Maybe.

NC is where its at. I'm in on a Foo ride if I'm not traveling myself.

Perhaps Jason and I should lead a women's trip with Wolfpack, Vega, Eboo, CycleMagic, Ms. Gio, BDG (you know you want to) here in the hills.

Actually, what I would propose is to get some good winter base riding in over the 4 days. 40 to 80 miles each day with 4-8K' of climbing each ride, easy to moderate pace. That way he would get to see the most varied terrain and some of the best riding in the area. Even if it was too cold up high on the BRP there is much climbing to be had lower down where it will be warmer. I have many routes in mind. All fantastic riding. So many options, so little time.

If I can convince polara to let me ride his Torpado, or another in his fleet, I might be interested in one/several of those rides.

If I can convince polara to let me ride his Torpado, or another in his fleet, I might be interested in one/several of those rides.

How tall are you E?

7'4"

I'm just keeeeeeding! I'm 5'7" on a good day.

7'4"

That's what I thought. :rolleyes:

40 to 80 miles each day with 4-8K' of climbing each ride

Dude, you sure know how to get my attention. As tempting as it would be to visit Chicago and have ice cream with the Avatar Princess, I don't see how I could possibly say no to a ride schedule like that!

Actually, what I would propose is to get some good winter base riding in over the 4 days. 40 to 80 miles each day with 4-8K' of climbing each ride, easy to moderate pace. That way he would get to see the most varied terrain and some of the best riding in the area. Even if it was too cold up high on the BRP there is much climbing to be had lower down where it will be warmer. I have many routes in mind. All fantastic riding. So many options, so little time.

Plan it!!! I'm so in!




:eek: Wait a minute!! :eek: did you say 4-8'K of climbing? Good grief, you better bring your tow rope for that one so I can attach it to your bike and Jschen's bike!! :D

Jschen, hurry up & decide so I can make my hotel reservations!! :)

4-8' of climbing would kill me on my fixed gear. Does anyone have an extra small bike that they can lend me if I come. ;)

Plan it!!! I'm so in!




:eek: Wait a minute!! :eek: did you say 4-8'K of climbing? Good grief, you better bring your tow rope for that one so I can attach it to your bike and Jschen's bike!! :D

Jschen, hurry up & decide so I can make my hotel reservations!! :)

That's climbing for each day, WP. Just good old base miles with some good climbs thrown in to keep it interesting. I'm thinking the Wayah loop, an extended Ring of Fire, Brasstown and Otto loop combined with Skeena and Standing Indian and Winding Stairs Gap added. Sylva to Waterrock Knob on the BRP or the whole loop. Just the best of the best. Long days at a leisurely pace.

4-8' of climbing would kill me on my fixed gear. Does anyone have an extra small bike that they can lend me if I come. ;)

what size? I know you said small, but is a 53cm too big?

Here are a few ride profiles.

Extended Ring of Fire (http://www.motionmakersbikes.com/html/ring_of_scott.html)

Waterrock loop (http://www.motionmakersbikes.com/html/waterrock-cherokee_loop.html).

4-8' of climbing would kill me on my fixed gear. Does anyone have an extra small bike that they can lend me if I come. ;)

My wife has a 49cm Litespeed with a triple if that would work for you.

That's climbing for each day, WP. Just good old base miles with some good climbs thrown in to keep it interesting. I'm thinking the Wayah loop, an extended Ring of Fire, Brasstown and Otto loop combined with Skeena and Standing Indian and Winding Stairs Gap added. Sylva to Waterrock Knob on the BRP or the whole loop. Just the best of the best. Long days at a leisurely pace.

I know;), j/k. Even if Jschen doesn't get to come out, you should still plan this...maybe we could get a few of the closer BF members to come up and ride.

I was under the impression that Avatar Princess rides something along the lines of a 44 cm.

BWNC and WP, I'll look at a calendar later today and PM you two about possible dates.

I was under the impression that Avatar Princess rides something along the lines of a 44 cm.

BWNC and WP, I'll look at a calendar later today and PM you two about possible dates.

could I get in on that?

I was under the impression that Avatar Princess rides something along the lines of a 44 cm.

BWNC and WP, I'll look at a calendar later today and PM you two about possible dates.

Ok.

Wow, 44cm? That is small. Is that compact geometry? The 49 has a 51cm tt. Unless she is under 5'1" I bet it would work.

edit. Track bikes are usually a bit smaller than road bikes. I'll need her fit numbers to know for sure whether the 49cm would work.

could I get in on that?

Sure, it all hinges on Jason and when he can make it.

I am totally interkested too. Road trip! :)

I am totally interkested too. Road trip! :)

Then it is your job to get Vega to climb aboard for the ride. ;)

could I get in on that?

Sure... when I send the PM to BWNC and WP, I'll send it to you and Eboo, too. And ms.gio. And I guess with Eboo interested, I should send it to polara, too.

Big Island of Hawaii, Stay in Punahoa at the hot springs spa. Ride, massage, ocean play, diving, hiking, volcano NP. One flight from LA.