Southern California - Pasadena // RoseBowl circuit // Tuesdays & Thursdays

Do a lot of Cat 1 racers ride this? I'm Cat 5, I'll be in the back...I'd like to see how long I can keep everyone in sight.
That's the name of the game. A good score for the first time out is 2-3 laps.

i took a pic of the sign- sorry it's so crappy but I did notice they put all new ones down w/ none missing

i took a pic of the sign- sorry it's so crappy but I did notice they put all new ones down w/ none missing

I noticed that yesterday. However, the stupid Peds are ignoring the arrows and running/walking with traffic in lieu of against it as they should. Unfotunately, without someone there to police the activity, the Peds (and their little dogs too) are always going to be the uncontrolled variable at that Bowl.

I noticed that yesterday. However, the stupid Peds are ignoring the arrows and running/walking with traffic in lieu of against it as they should. Unfotunately, without someone there to police the activity, the Peds (and their little dogs too) are always going to be the uncontrolled variable at that Bowl.

Don't worry about that, now that there are clearly posted signs, my friends and I will proceed to be the biggest a** holes you've ever seen. We used to try talking with or reasoning with people, but they would just write us off and say "I don't see it posted anywhere, it's not a law."

Well, lucky for us, it is posted now. I would encourage anyone out there, runners or cyclists, to speak your mind to anyone who is ignoring it.

We used to try talking with or reasoning with people...

That right there is your problem, my friend.

Carry on, though!

Before the Montrose ride started Saturday there ws an anouncement made that when the rides resume next week that it will not be your grandma's Rose Bowl crit. Ther are going to be "rules" and some sort of self-policing within the Peloton. I guess ther have been meetings with the city and this is part of a compromise that was struck. So should be interesting next Tuesday.

Yes...the Rose Bowl Ride is now going to be run under some rules that will allow us to keep a valuble training resourse. First off, what everyone has to remember is that this is a TRAINING RIDE. While the pace and ride dymanics mimic a race much of the time, it is still a TRAINING RIDE. What I am going to talk about is about certain rider behaviors that have caused many of the problems we currently have with the City of Pasadena and the Rose Bowl Operating Co. So, when you do the ride..please be aware of the changes that are going to be expected of you.

People have to remember this is a TRAINING RIDE and as such everyone needs keep this in mind whether you are sitting in, pulling at the front or just barely hanging in there. Many times people act like there's money or something they're going for on this ride. Though I haven't seen a payout yet:) the people who create the bad PR for us, most of the time has to do with them forgetting it is a TRAINING RIDE. They will go all primitive when their head is down in the drops and just charge in where they should be heads up using their judgement instead. Here are some classic areas that people need to remember when doing this ride.

First, crossing over the double yellow line (DYL). This is where we get a lot of bad PR, whether its justified or not. The city and Police use this as a reason to accuse of us of not being in control and obeying the rules of the road. There are guys I know that have been doing this ride for over 10 years and they still get nervous in the wheels and drift over the DYL in order to see clear pavement in front of them. Starting today..this will get you spoken to by ride marshalls...(yep folks, thats right) and I'm one of them. So when you hear someone say something to you regarding being over the DYL, don't take it personally, just tuck back in and enjoy the draft. If you can't do that..go to the back and sit in there, where there's more room to feel comfy.

Secondly: Re/joining the ride while it's in progress. Never rejoin the group by crossing over on-coming lanes of traffic. Do it like Enzo and a few others have noted. On the right side...by timing it so that you're up to pack speed by the time it gets to you. This means no dropping in on Turkey Hill (Turn 1). No waiting at the top of the hump at Salvia Cyn. We have had riders who have swooped in from Turkey Hill and crossed the path of on coming police cars..blowing thru the stop sign, yep, that was a one. My favorite place to rejoin the group is in-between turns 1 and 2. I'll wait about 200 meters downhill from the turn and when I see the group coming I'll start winding it up so that I"m in-between 1 and 2 when they get to me. This section is also where the group probably goes the slowest..due to it being at the top of the unhill section. But whever you choose to do it, do it from the right.

Third: Swarming vehicles. If you're pulling at the front try to metre the pace of the group when you see you're approaching a slow moving vehicle. Don't feel that cyclist's desire to get in it's draft...let it clear the area if you can so we don't swarm it. This is a big reason for many of the complaints against us. If the car won't clear..don't automatically go around it..ride up by the drivers window and montion for them to go faster..if not..hold it down and wait for it to clear...This is mainly around the clubhouse and in-between turns 3 and 4. One good thing the city is doing is closing off access to Lot K during the ride, but only that section right before turn 4. So, you might be feeling strong and frisky, but try and think of the group behind you and its impact when you swarm a car. Lots of riders have been taken out by other riders trying to aviod or go around cars like that. Just be heads up I guess.

Fourth: Moving up in the pack. When you want to move up..first off ask yourself why?? Are you planning on going to the front and doing some work? Cool..just do it in a place that is best suited to moving up a big, fast moving pack safely. For me, the best places to move up are from Salvia Cyn to turn 1 and once we pass the clubhouse hump and are by the soccer fields, and then in-between turns 3 and 4,due to it being double laned and the group usually slows down into the headwind. Don't do over the DYL, please. But if you're moving up just to move up some places, do you really need to? There's really no need to move up if you're in a safe bunch of wheels. This is one of the main reasons move up. Not to go to the front to work..but for some reason..must to move up five ten or whatever riders.

Fifth: No swearing...at others. Riders...Pedestrians...drivers...it doesn't matter...keep it to yourself. Now swearing because you're suffering so badly..that's another story. But be respectful of other users is the bottom line. One of the reasons we are having to go thru with this is because of a particularly influencial citizen who get totally cursed out by a rider. Not good people. So put a lid on it..count ten to zen and just keep pedaling.

Also please note..these aren't the "Rules" as will be talked about tonight at the beginning of the ride, but they're pretty close. If you are going to be there tonight, please try to be at the main meeting point for the rollout so you can hear the 411.

btw it rolls out at 5pm today..still offically unofficial.

see ya there

Sounds nice (and safer for riders as well). I'll be adding a lap or two around the bowl on my way home so I might see you guys warming up.

Yes...the Rose Bowl Ride is now going to be run under some rules that will allow us to keep a valuble training resourse. First off, what everyone has to remember is that this is a TRAINING RIDE. While the pace and ride dymanics mimic a race much of the time, it is still a TRAINING RIDE. What I am going to talk about is about certain rider behaviors that have caused many of the problems we currently have with the City of Pasadena and the Rose Bowl Operating Co. So, when you do the ride..please be aware of the changes that are going to be expected of you.

People have to remember this is a TRAINING RIDE and as such everyone needs keep this in mind whether you are sitting in, pulling at the front or just barely hanging in there. Many times people act like there's money or something they're going for on this ride. Though I haven't seen a payout yet:) the people who create the bad PR for us, most of the time has to do with them forgetting it is a TRAINING RIDE. They will go all primitive when their head is down in the drops and just charge in where they should be heads up using their judgement instead. Here are some classic areas that people need to remember when doing this ride.

First, crossing over the double yellow line (DYL). This is where we get a lot of bad PR, whether its justified or not. The city and Police use this as a reason to accuse of us of not being in control and obeying the rules of the road. There are guys I know that have been doing this ride for over 10 years and they still get nervous in the wheels and drift over the DYL in order to see clear pavement in front of them. Starting today..this will get you spoken to by ride marshalls...(yep folks, thats right) and I'm one of them. So when you hear someone say something to you regarding being over the DYL, don't take it personally, just tuck back in and enjoy the draft. If you can't do that..go to the back and sit in there, where there's more room to feel comfy.

Secondly: Re/joining the ride while it's in progress. Never rejoin the group by crossing over on-coming lanes of traffic. Do it like Enzo and a few others have noted. On the right side...by timing it so that you're up to pack speed by the time it gets to you. This means no dropping in on Turkey Hill (Turn 1). No waiting at the top of the hump at Salvia Cyn. We have had riders who have swooped in from Turkey Hill and crossed the path of on coming police cars..blowing thru the stop sign, yep, that was a one. My favorite place to rejoin the group is in-between turns 1 and 2. I'll wait about 200 meters downhill from the turn and when I see the group coming I'll start winding it up so that I"m in-between 1 and 2 when they get to me. This section is also where the group probably goes the slowest..due to it being at the top of the unhill section. But whever you choose to do it, do it from the right.

Third: Swarming vehicles. If you're pulling at the front try to metre the pace of the group when you see you're approaching a slow moving vehicle. Don't feel that cyclist's desire to get in it's draft...let it clear the area if you can so we don't swarm it. This is a big reason for many of the complaints against us. If the car won't clear..don't automatically go around it..ride up by the drivers window and montion for them to go faster..if not..hold it down and wait for it to clear...This is mainly around the clubhouse and in-between turns 3 and 4. One good thing the city is doing is closing off access to Lot K during the ride, but only that section right before turn 4. So, you might be feeling strong and frisky, but try and think of the group behind you and its impact when you swarm a car. Lots of riders have been taken out by other riders trying to aviod or go around cars like that. Just be heads up I guess.

Fourth: Moving up in the pack. When you want to move up..first off ask yourself why?? Are you planning on going to the front and doing some work? Cool..just do it in a place that is best suited to moving up a big, fast moving pack safely. For me, the best places to move up are from Salvia Cyn to turn 1 and once we pass the clubhouse hump and are by the soccer fields, and then in-between turns 3 and 4,due to it being double laned and the group usually slows down into the headwind. Don't do over the DYL, please. But if you're moving up just to move up some places, do you really need to? There's really no need to move up if you're in a safe bunch of wheels. This is one of the main reasons move up. Not to go to the front to work..but for some reason..must to move up five ten or whatever riders.

Fifth: No swearing...at others. Riders...Pedestrians...drivers...it doesn't matter...keep it to yourself. Now swearing because you're suffering so badly..that's another story. But be respectful of other users is the bottom line. One of the reasons we are having to go thru with this is because of a particularly influencial citizen who get totally cursed out by a rider. Not good people. So put a lid on it..count ten to zen and just keep pedaling.

Also please note..these aren't the "Rules" as will be talked about tonight at the beginning of the ride, but they're pretty close. If you are going to be there tonight, please try to be at the main meeting point for the rollout so you can hear the 411.

btw it rolls out at 5pm today..still offically unofficial.

see ya there


Great post. I think this deserves it's own thread, with this info at the top.

that's good to know, although all of it is how the pack should be riding all along but it's great if they become "official" non official ground rules ;)

Who are you bigdraft?

that's good to know, although all of it is how the pack should be riding all along but it's great if they become "official" non official ground rules ;)

Who are you bigdraft?

You're right in that people should be acting that way in the first place, but I think due to the ride's size, speed and whatnot, it just seems to bring out bad decision making on some folks part.

Who am I? My name is Pat and I'm a 50+ master's racer who has been doing the local rides since aroud 94. You can find me on the Montose ride and the RBR most of the time. I ride for Simple Green and am one of the taller guys out there. If you see me come up and say hi.

cheers
Pat

I can't believe the ride is already starting again! I am super pumped.

How did it go last night? It's 5 pm tomorrow, too, and back to the normal time next week?

thanks Pat, I'll look for you next time around.

I joined for a couple laps on the tail end of my ride but it was nice to see some old faces (I haven't been on the ride for a while). It looks like everyone was following the rules as Pat described. Small pack and pace was not too bad.
I don't know the schedule jpconrad

So, did all go well, then?

It was a smallish group last night, which can be a harder one to sit in, as in more of a single file group and fewer places to hide out of the wind. I wasn't feeling to good and got spit out once and did a couple more laps and bailed to ride with a friend. A few guys were jumping in from Turkey Hill, but overall, things went well. Thursday's start time is again 5pm, but after the time change this weekend the start will return to 6 o'clock

Well, I'm glad nothing negative. A few weeks go by, and the ride will be churning just fine as usual.

I look forward to going out there and watching, once it gets going full.

Nice job BigDraft (and others) on keeping this managed properly

I really love that ride. Yesterday was really fun and the pace was perfect. I can't wait 'till its back to 10 laps.

Here is the form you are suppossed to sign and bring to the ride-
http://socalcycling.com/press/2008/RBrules2.doc

Rose Bowl Peloton
Rules and Etiquette Guidelines 2008

The Rose Bowl ride has had an illustrious and storied 60+ year history. It is one of the longest-standing group rides in the United States. It is an important cycling community group ride that promotes fitness and the sport of cycling, as well as the solidarity and camaraderie of cyclists. It is the goal of the Rose Bowl Peloton Ad Hoc Committee to keep the Tuesday/Thursday Ride operating as part of the recreational usage of the Rose Bowl. Toward this end we are asking all participants to please read and abide by the following rules and etiquette in order to ensure the continued existence of the ride. The intention of these rules is to provide safety guidelines to all riders. All situations that the peloton may encounter are unique and should be handled with common sense. Ride Monitors will participate in every ride. Please remember, each of us is directly responsible for the safety of others and the integrity of the ride. Be safe and be courteous. Keep your eyes up, heads up, and the rubber side down.

Helmets must be worn at all times.
No listening devices (ipods, MP3s, etc.) or cell phones may be used during the ride.
Riders will not overlap wheels or ride overly aggressively.
Riders shall not cross the centerline (yellow line/ oncoming traffic) or the white line (pedestrian/recreation traffic) at any time during the ride.
Riders shall not ride in the buffer zone at any time.
No swarming of vehicles. When the peloton comes upon a slow moving or stopped vehicle, or is being passed by a vehicle from behind, the peloton shall become neutralized. The ride will resume when the vehicle or situation has passed. When the peloton is neutralized riders shall not attack or advance position.
Aggressive or hostile actions by peloton riders against other peloton riders, vehicles or recreational users shall not be tolerated.
Profanity will absolutely not be tolerated.
Riders enter or leave the peloton on the right side only.
Riders shall not use Washington Blvd., Arroyo Blvd., Parkview or Salvia Canyon to enter the peloton.
Any rider asked to exit the ride by the designated monitors shall do so immediately without discussion.
Riders who ride in the peloton during those times of the year when the ride finishes at or after dusk should have lights.

I understand these rules as listed above.


Signed ______________________________ Date ________________


Important Info for All Rose Bowl Ride Riders
From the Rose Bowl Ride Ad Hoc Committee
3/6/08 - We have spent the past six months in negotiations with the City of Pasadena regarding the Tuesday / Thursday Rose Bowl “Peloton” Ride. The meetings have been very positive, and we are working with the city to address the needs of all users. We are pleased with the outcome. The ride will continue! We have developed a set of rules and guidelines for the members of the peloton in order to ensure the safety of the ride and its continued existence. The ride depends on all of us. Please read the rules document, print it out, sign it and bring it to your first ride. The ride will begin on Tuesday, March 11 at 5:55. If you have any questions contact the Ad Hoc Committee: Mark Rich, Chris Ziegler, Chris Keller, Robert Llamas, and Katie Safford.