Okay, here it is.

Sunday, August 24th, 8:45am

Route will start at the school parking lot in Clarksburg.

From Clarksburg south on the small roads paralleling Hwy 84 to Courtland
From Grand Island, cross the ferry on Hwy 220 to Tyler Island
Take Ryer Island road past Walker Landing to the ferry crossing at Hwy 84,
Then into Rio Vista for a mid-morning break.
Return using the two ferries, but different roads back to Clarksburg.

I'm only inviting my Norcal buddies for this ride. My friends Mike and Malinda will be guiding it.

The route can range from 40 miles to 70 miles, depending on the roads, and all flat. Easy to keep a group together on the flats. The wind is light during the morning hours and the river keeps the air reasonably cool for the valley summer days.

This ride will emphasize tandems, on a route similar to the Davis laid-back rides. Calling all tandems on bikeforums.net, let's make a strong showing so we can give some premium wheelsucking opportunities! :thumb:

Everyone else is, of course, invited. ;) Especially those 'bents we can't suck wheel on.

List of wheelsuckers:

David + Lisa (Team Madame Butterfat)
cgallagh + Red Rider (Team Blue Jay)
JoelS
rumbutter
Rushfan
taxi777
redspoke
Britpower
cccorlew + tricia
x136

Maybe:
nasv

I don't believe we have anything planned for that day so unless the keeper of the schedule says different we are in. Why don't you give us a pm. We have a really fun ride we can do that we locally call the Gordon Valley Loop. The basic loop is about 44 miles from our house in Vacaville but we could throw in a Winters loop and extend the ride. There are a couple of meeting places near our house and we can even have an apres ride get together.

Nice! I think I'm gonna need all the help I can get picking the route because I don't know the area well. do you have a bikely of the route?

I might very well be able to make that ride! And I get to play at being Cadel again....

Not without shoes, you don't. ;)

Just fork over the $$ for Sidis. You won't regret it. :D

I know they don't match the bike but they're ruby Sidis...tap the heels together 3 times and say "There's no place like road...there's no place like road...there's no place like road..." :lol:

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w76/cgallagh/DSCF0416.jpg

Ill be there on the trike

Bumpage.

Sorry, we'd like to meet up with other tandem teams but that is just too far to drive.

I'm glad to see someone has the motivation I don't. :thumb: This is almost the same ride I was "planning" to do one of these days. This is my backyard. Can I make a suggestion or two?

For the start I recommend the Clarksburg High School parking lot on Netherlands Ave. Lots of parking there.

For the stop in Rio Vista I definitely recommend the Bakery on Main Street. I think it's called Rio Vista Bakery. It's very biker-friendly.

And maybe, just maybe some people want to go 90+ miles...:innocent: Montezuma Hills out of Rio Vista to Birds Landing is one of the best stretches of road in the world. Lots of fast rollers. Often a hefty head wind which will make it a lot of fun on the ride back if so. :rolleyes:

I wouldn't miss this ride for anything.

(edit) I think mapquest calls it Tyler Island. It's Ryer Island, and is also incredible to ride on. The whole road around the island is amazing. Almost 0 traffic all around except the occasional recreational Harley. No matter what route this ride will ROCK!!! I ask that you Bay Area folks make the pilgrimage to the Heart of California.

Oh, here's the ride I have on my calendar. Whew -- thought I was imagining things for a minute.

Tandems+rollers=fun!

? Anyone with an extra space on their bike rack in the East Bay that I might be able to hitch a ride with...
Will donate Gas $$$...
I miss too many of those fun rides up in those foriegn lands!
I can ride from the Bart if you're close to a station, like with in 30 miles.
Pete Taxi777

Sounds fun but Sundays are tough for me, especially when the family is back in town.

Sounds fun but Sundays are tough for me, especially when the family is back in town.

Can't you get a stand in? Dress mike up in your nor cal outfit...wifey will never know your gone...:)

? Anyone with an extra space on their bike rack in the East Bay that I might be able to hitch a ride with...
Will donate Gas $$$...
I miss too many of those fun rides up in those foriegn lands!
I can ride from the Bart if you're close to a station, like with in 30 miles.
Pete Taxi777

I think you're within 30 miles, it'll be close. You can take BART to the furthest station on the Antioch line, take the Antioch bridge across the Sacramento River, follow 160 north. You'll need to figure out the roads from there. 160 is busy, 55 mph, but has a wide shoulder until you get to 12, but then the traffic drops off. Another option would be to join the ride on their way down...

Revision: I'm in. Need to learn how to read dates.

Sorry, David. I'll be in London that weekend.

I'm meeting some Bike Forums Folder sub-forums people for a ride in Hyde Park that day :D.

Count me in. It's about time I attended one of these rides. My other half (rumbutter) tells me that I should try these rides as they are a lot of fun and very friendly. Look forward to meeting everyone.

Hey all. I'm thinking I'm in. Tricia is a maybe. Where's the actual accurate even-i-can-find-it meeting spot?

EDIT: Whoops. Had the date wrong. Now i have to check the universe and see.

I'm a definite tentative ;) -- Sundays are a little tougher for me and depending on my wife's schedule (she's a busy medicine intern) I'll make the drive down to Clarksburg. The furthest I've ever gone on a single ride is about 55 miles and that was killer (I've only been riding a couple of months), so if this goes the 70 or 90+ mile route, I don't want to hold you guys back.

Cheers,
-Nico

(edit) I think mapquest calls it Tyler Island. It's Ryer Island, and is also incredible to ride on. The whole road around the island is amazing. Almost 0 traffic all around except the occasional recreational Harley. No matter what route this ride will ROCK!!! I ask that you Bay Area folks make the pilgrimage to the Heart of California.

Just for the hell of it I rode to Tyler Island this morning to check it out. It's SE of Ryer Island. It is the polar opposite of Ryer Island. Road is ok until you get to the south end of it and then ROUGH ROAD. I'm thinking a couple hundred yards maybe..? Try 5-6 miles of hold-on-to-your-fillings rutville. Poor would be a kind description. Oh! And WIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIICCCCCKKKKKEDDDDDD headwind this morning.

Route will start in Clarksburg.Alright, I know Clarksburg isn't exactly a sprawling metropolis, but you're going to have to be a bit more specific than that. ;)

Just for the hell of it I rode to Tyler Island this morning to check it out. It's SE of Ryer Island. It is the polar opposite of Ryer Island. Road is ok until you get to the south end of it and then ROUGH ROAD. I'm thinking a couple hundred yards maybe..? Try 5-6 miles of hold-on-to-your-fillings rutville.Heh, I haven't bicycled down there, but I've done a fair amount of motorcycle-based wandering out in that area, and yeah, some of the roads are a bit unpleasant.

But hey, it's not like some of the more popular Bay area roads are baby-ass-smooth either.

Updated OP. Thanks guys! :thumb:

Sorry, this is a bit far for us on that weekend :(

Schedule is still clear for Sunday! What time and where? And directions from I-5 too please...

Schedule is still clear for Sunday! What time and where? And directions from I-5 too please...

Delta High School, 8:45am.

Head south on I-5 from Sacramento to the Pocket Road/Meadowview Road exit. Head left on Pocket/Meadowview.

Go two blocks to Freeport Blvd. Turn right (south) onto Freeport Blvd.

Head approximately 2 miles south on Freeport Blvd to the Freeport Bridge. Turn right on the Freeport Bridge, crossing the Sacramento River.

On the other side of the river, turn left on South River Road. Follow the South River Road along the river for approximately 3 miles to Clarksburg.

Turn right on Clarksburg Road, go one block, then left on School Road to Delta High School.

Head approximately 2 miles south on Freeport Blvd to the Freeport Bridge.

Please don't kill me if you pass me on this part. There's 0 room for cyclists on the SB side. :p


Turn right on Clarksburg Road, go one block, then left on School Road to Delta High School.

You can also turn right on Netherlands off of the River Rd. in case you miss Clarksburg Rd. It takes you straight to the school parking lot. :thumb:

Excellent, thanks for the directions!

Sorry, this is a bit far for us on that weekend :(
Aw man ... I was really hoping you could make it!! You'd give us that much more of an edge against the bents. ;)

I have decided I will be on my road bike not the bent. I remember those roads from the Delta Century etc and they are a bit rough for 16" wheels. Also getting on and off the ferries would be a pain with my 1" ground clearance.

I have decided I will be on my road bike not the bent. I remember those roads from the Delta Century etc and they are a bit rough for 16" wheels. Also getting on and off the ferries would be a pain with my 1" ground clearance.

Do we need to bring money for the ferries? Haven't crossed them before, but I do know areas of the delta from work...

Do we need to bring money for the ferries? Haven't crossed them before, but I do know areas of the delta from work...

Good question!

Incidentally, I spent most of my ride home from Oregon yesterday listening to Rush...

Unlike Washington our delta ferries are FREE :thumb: The journey across takes approx. 90 seconds. The only thing we need to keep in mind is they take lunch around noon for 1/2 hour or so...

As for the bents. The roads we're taking are pretty quality compared to some parts of the delta. The ferry landings on both sides are pretty steep going up and down but the ramps onto the ferry are pretty smooth (wet and slick too, so us 700x23-types need to take caution btw) It's a short walk up/down if need be. I wouldn't let it deter you from bringing em'. ;)

The only thing this ride is missing is TEAM NACHO SLUDGE :innocent:

As for the route Monica, has anyone made a map yet? If not, I could do one... :thumb:

Route is done, maps are done. Just show up!

Ha ha ha ha I'm crashin the paarrty! Curtis and Tricia are letting me sleep in the street in front of their house...Then they'll let me ride along side their car so I don't get lost! Yipppiiee!!

Looking forward to it! See ya'll in the morning.

Ha ha ha ha I'm crashin the paarrty! Curtis and Tricia are letting me sleep in the street in front of their house...Then they'll let me ride along side their car so I don't get lost! Yipppiiee!!

If you're that desperate, you're welcome to drive up tonight and stay here for the night. I have a futon you can sleep on, blankets and pillows too! I think I'm only 30 minutes drive from the ride start.

See you guys tomorrow! G'nite! :thumb:

Sorry I just woke up...forgot to set the alarm. Me and the wife wont be able to make it.

We did the same...oops. :o

Hope everyone has a safe, fun ride!

totally missed it also :( I hope you all are having an awesome time!

Well, that's a new one. I'm home first!

Despite getting about four hours of sleep last night, missing breakfast, and having ridden nothing but my commute in several weeks, I had a good time. Thanks in no small part to my support crew of friendly providers of slipstreams and other patient people. :P Oh, and the excellent recovery stop at the end!

Total distance (for me): 71.75 miles
Average speed: 14.56 MPH (Not bad for me. Those locomotives really have some pull!)
Top speed: 31.21 MPH (What?!)
Climbing: The only elevations changes were levees and ferries, so, uhh, 30 feet or so. ;)

It was a very fun ride! Great to meet some new folks, and always fun to draft for 54 miles.

and always fun to draft for 54 miles. I missed this part. :rolleyes:

I missed this part. :rolleyes:

You've only yourself to blame...

What a blast. I had minor computer issues, so I'm not really sure of the total time or distance.
The Garmin says the first part was 27.9 miles, 153 feet of "climbing" and that's about right. The return leg I'm not so sure. But I don't think we went 71 miles total. Check that calibration!
I am sure, however, that the root beer at the end was a delightful and thing.

Pete and I stopped at Boggle on the way back and bought fine vino for our sweethearts, so we are heroes, no matter what the distance turns out to be.

It was a tough ride for me, but Lisa seemed to be quite comfortable with the speed and terrain. Maybe it was my preconception as a single rider that did me in.

Anyway, thanks go to Team M&M (Mike and Malinda) for their outstanding job as hosts. We are definitely present the next time they want to do a tandem rally.

Something we saw on I5 on the way up to Clarksburg. It's a Bombardier Can-Am Spyder.
http://www.mooworld.org/cycling/bikeforums.net/hatn_2008/hatn_2008_001.JPG

The flatness of it all ...
http://www.mooworld.org/cycling/bikeforums.net/hatn_2008/hatn_2008_003.JPG

http://www.mooworld.org/cycling/bikeforums.net/hatn_2008/hatn_2008_005.JPG

http://www.mooworld.org/cycling/bikeforums.net/hatn_2008/hatn_2008_006.JPG

It's a conspiracy!!!
http://www.mooworld.org/cycling/bikeforums.net/hatn_2008/hatn_2008_007.JPG

http://www.mooworld.org/cycling/bikeforums.net/hatn_2008/hatn_2008_008.JPG

Our hosts:
http://www.mooworld.org/cycling/bikeforums.net/hatn_2008/hatn_2008_013.JPG

http://www.mooworld.org/cycling/bikeforums.net/hatn_2008/hatn_2008_015.JPG

http://www.mooworld.org/cycling/bikeforums.net/hatn_2008/hatn_2008_016.JPG

http://www.mooworld.org/cycling/bikeforums.net/hatn_2008/hatn_2008_017.JPG

Coke bottles
http://www.mooworld.org/cycling/bikeforums.net/hatn_2008/hatn_2008_018.JPG

http://www.mooworld.org/cycling/bikeforums.net/hatn_2008/hatn_2008_019.JPG

http://www.mooworld.org/cycling/bikeforums.net/hatn_2008/hatn_2008_021.JPG

At the coffee shop in Rio Vista ... surprisingly good sandwiches be made here!!
http://www.mooworld.org/cycling/bikeforums.net/hatn_2008/hatn_2008_022.JPG

http://www.mooworld.org/cycling/bikeforums.net/hatn_2008/hatn_2008_023.JPG

http://www.mooworld.org/cycling/bikeforums.net/hatn_2008/hatn_2008_024.JPG

http://www.mooworld.org/cycling/bikeforums.net/hatn_2008/hatn_2008_026.JPG

http://www.mooworld.org/cycling/bikeforums.net/hatn_2008/hatn_2008_027.JPG

Funny Flora ..
http://www.mooworld.org/cycling/bikeforums.net/hatn_2008/hatn_2008_028.JPG

http://img228.imageshack.us/img228/3964/ufbbv2.jpg

http://home.comcast.net/%7Ecccorlew/hosting/truth.jpgSomething, I'm not sure what, affected his speedometer and odometer.....

I did experience lost time. You didn't think I was actually that slow later in the day, did you? I think I have something buried in my nasal cavity, as well...