Northern California - Night Bike Ride Thread (New)

The first rule of Night Bike Club is... :lol:

http://kezerdrix.files.wordpress.com/2008/08/fcrules.jpg?w=385&h=269

Anyway I thought I'd start a new thread since the other one got pretty long.

Now that we have an established mid-week thing, there will be less route planning, etc.. and more REPORTS and coordinating attendees and meeting day/times.

Here is a link to the old thread -> http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=479785


Here are all the route versions (some might be off slightly, but are basically right... there is just one error I can think of to fix, but it's not too important)

Long Version - with Canada/Crestview loop - (33 miles, 4100 feet)
http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/San-Mateo-Hills-Refined-Long-Version

Short Version - no Crestview/Canada loop - (23 miles, 3200 feet)
http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/San-Mateo-Neighborhood-Hills-Refined

*NEW* Medium Version - replaces Crestview Loop with Club Drive - (26 miles, 3500 feet)
http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/Another-Version-of-SM-Hills-26mi



** Note: elevation and distance stats are from Bikely. Motion Based says 4400' for the long route, but for comparison sake I put all bikely figures.

This is the nor cal version of the "we're going to yell at you" thread.

I have added the "Medium Version"

Compared to the long version:

This one gets rid of the right turn on Capriani after the stair step Alameda climb and continues down a slightly sketchy (narrow) descent on Alameda which widens to a nicer road pretty quickly. Then we make a right turn on Club Drive. Club Drive is close in difficulty to Crestview, and actually summits at it's intersection with Crestview at the top (near location of the "Psycho Patrol" car). Then the route continues like the long route.

The result is climbing the same hill as crestview from a different side, and eliminates all of the Canada stuff. Cutting off 7 miles but not any "real climbing."

Hey Ramon, What do you think of the Medium Version.

I think Club Drive might be even steeper then Crestview in some parts, but is the grade less consistent (slightly more pitchy).

Route looks good. Continuing on Alameda to top of Club is 751' up, 335' down. Guess we'll find out soon enough.

Alright, looks like medium (or long) for this week. We'll see what happens, and who shows up, etc...

Route looks good. Continuing on Alameda to top of Club is 751' up, 335' down. Guess we'll find out soon enough.

Sounds pretty close.

The climb starting from Alamdea/Club to the top is 600' up and 13' down in just under 1.3 miles with an avg grade of 8.9% or so.

Wednesday or Thursday? Won't be able to make it on Thursday (driving down to LA).

I think it's thursday due to Ramon's band practice and then Ruth will be around for tandem.

I might be willing to do both... Or perhaps I'll do tues and thurs if you want to do tomorrow ron

Right now, main ride is on Thurs unless there is a change.

I think it's thursday due to Ramon's band practice and then Ruth will be around for tandem.

I might be willing to do both... Or perhaps I'll do tues and thurs if you want to do tomorrow ron

Right now, main ride is on Thurs unless there is a change.
I have a car for Thursday, so I'm in !.....Bring It ON!!!:D

I think it's thursday due to Ramon's band practice and then Ruth will be around for tandem.

I might be willing to do both... Or perhaps I'll do tues and thurs if you want to do tomorrow ron

Right now, main ride is on Thurs unless there is a change.

I'll probably have to pass on it this week. Can't do it tomorrow.

Marco...Let's do the full Monty! I don't want to slack off...I'm trying to get up to you guys level. I think in a couple of more weeks I'll be pretty close...at least you won't have to wait for me!
Waiting can get old for sure!

ok

I had a taste of riding with you guys and it was pretty sweet so I would like to join you if that is okay and if I am able to work out my schedule. Do I need to pass any tests (or fail a sanity test)?

I work in Menlo Park and can probably just take the train to the San Mateo start, right - is that a problem or is it after rush hour? What time do you start?

The other issue is that my headlight is adequate so people can see me, but is relatively small and does not fully illuminate my path by any means - is that alright? (I've been riding some Atherton streets at night and they don't have streetlights on many blocks so that is pretty thrilling, if slightly concerning.)

Hoping to see y'all Thursday evening.

Hey Chris,

Nice to see you here again.


I had a taste of riding with you guys and it was pretty sweet so I would like to join you if that is okay and if I am able to work out my schedule. Do I need to pass any tests (or fail a sanity test)? No tests :lol: Just come ride.



I work in Menlo Park and can probably just take the train to the San Mateo start, right - is that a problem or is it after rush hour? What time do you start?

Yep, you can take caltrain. The ride starts by 7:30, depending on arrival times. It's the tail end of the commute, so I think you should be ok getting on the train. There is a train that leaves Menlo Park at 6:54 and gets to Hillsdale at 7:08. I live less than 1 mile from Hillsdale station http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/Caltrain-to-Home



The other issue is that my headlight is adequate so people can see me, but is relatively small and does not fully illuminate my path by any means - is that alright? (I've been riding some Atherton streets at night and they don't have streetlights on many blocks so that is pretty thrilling, if slightly concerning.)


This might be an issue. Usually I try to lead out since I know the route/turns/etc and have a good light. But there is safety in numbers, so I think you'll be fine. Plus I can lend you my fiancee's light for the ride. It's so-so, but combined with your other light should be ok.

To do these rides every week, or any significant amount of night riding, you really need at least rechargeable batteries (unless you have stock in Energizer) ;)

Do you have a tail light (blinky) of some sort?

Let me know if you can make it?

Yes I have the tail light and a nice stock of rechargeable AA batteries. I am very excited about the night ride, especially since it seems kind of intense. I used to do night rides in NYC - the Urban Adventure Ride series. We used mountain bikes, though and sought out off road areas, not that there are many of them. The MtB is better for the city anyway with the rough roads and potholes.

I do commute at night and so it is time to investigate a new light system. That will take a little of the thrill away but I do care for my limbs, etc.

The ride is basically a combination of loops all including steep climbs, though most are somewhat short, but still long enough to make you dig. It's cool because you get to focus on intensity rather than long distances.

Are we still riding tonight? I was surprised how mild it felt this morning, not that it will necessarily be the same tonight, though.

Yeah. I have a bit of a cold, but should be ok to ride.

Ramon, Pete still in?

Ruth is out for tonight.

I'd love to ride but we should have some kind of critical mass, right? Safety in numbers. It sounds kind of quiet out there now so if no one else plans on coming and you want to "postpone" it until next week, that is OK with me, especially if you are fighting a little cold. Let me know - thanks.

I'd love to ride but we should have some kind of critical mass, right? Safety in numbers. It sounds kind of quiet out there now so if no one else plans on coming and you want to "postpone" it until next week, that is OK with me, especially if you are fighting a little cold. Let me know - thanks.

I'm still in as long as we're still doing it.

Great - let's do it.

This ride happens generally every week (at least since it started.... around a month ago) ;)

This ride happens generally every week (at least since it started.... around a month ago) ;)
Open a new ING Orange Savings Account with an initial deposit of at least $250 and get a $25 instant bonus. Click Here to get the links from my Blog page (http://marco-cycling-etc.blogspot.com/2008/11/ing-orange-savings-and-checking.html)

hmm? so not even an orange bike to look at on there?

I thought we waz gonna see some "bike Porn?":notamused:

Haha. I get $10 for anyone that signs up... I figured any money to go into the wedding fund is worth it. ;)

http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa292/taxi777/2930004776_e7007a7a3d.jpg

and I'll scrape up 10 bucks!

Looks like i will be able to make the ride tonight. See you there.

Looks like i will be able to make the ride tonight. See you there.

Train or car.

Just got on the train at menlo park

... with an iPhone

Good ride guys!

Yeah that was fun :) I ended up getting in just over 49 miles tonight due to having to ride home after missing caltrain. I stopped at Taqueria El Grullense at Jefferson & El Camino and got a burrito to go. I carried it all the way home (~5 miles) with the plastic bag dangling from my handlebars. Best cold burrito I ever ate.

http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa292/taxi777/SDC10062-1.jpg
http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa292/taxi777/SDC10065.jpg
http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa292/taxi777/SDC10060.jpg
http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa292/taxi777/SDC10063.jpg

Yeah that was fun :) I ended up getting in just over 49 miles tonight due to having to ride home after missing caltrain. I stopped at Taqueria El Grullense at Jefferson & El Camino and got a burrito to go. I carried it all the way home (~5 miles) with the plastic bag dangling from my handlebars. Best cold burrito I ever ate.

They have awesome burritos. Only that location though (the original). :thumb:

Great ride. My legs don't normally hurt after a ride, but for some reason I was feeling it last night. I wonder why?

I have to check that burrito place. I am near there all the time. I had a burrito the other night at a little dive just before Whipple on El Camino (in a little mall with 7-11). It was really good - although I was really hungry.

I got sick of all the cars passing behind so I rode up the left side of the street. Probably wasn't thinking the inside curve of Crestview and Bunker is steeper than the outside.

Marco, how did the new light work? Much brighter than the Dinotte?

Is there going to be a Thanksgiving Night Ride?

Not for me. Day time for sure!

Does anyone have a motion based report for last night's ride, or the virtually same ride from another time.? I would really like to see the elevation profile and statistics. Thanks.

You can post here or send me the link - chrisoco AT yahoo DOT com

Basically this one.... this is Ron's from last week.

http://trail.motionbased.com/trail/activity/7140839

Bikely is in the first post under long route.

FWIW:

My stats from last night:

Distance: 34.xx miles
Avg Speed: 14.6 mph
Max Speed: 40.3 mph
Avg HR: 161 bpm
Max HR: 191 bpm

Marco, how did the new light work? Much brighter than the Dinotte?

Still waiting :(

FWIW:

My stats from last night:

Distance: 34.xx miles
Avg Speed: 14.6 mph
Max Speed: 40.3 mph
Avg HR: 161 bpm
Max HR: 191 bpm

I appreciate the data: mine was essentially the same plus 7 miles home at the end. And now I see at least one reason I could not keep up with you: if my HR went to 191, that'd be the end of me.

I appreciate the data: mine was essentially the same plus 7 miles home at the end. And now I see at least one reason I could not keep up with you: if my HR went to 191, that'd be the end of me.

I'm guessing that was on our first big climb (Parrot) after the left turn from Alameda de las Pulgas. My HR always shoots up pretty high on the earlier climbs and doesn't peak so much once I'm settled in.

I'm thinking that there won't be a night ride this week.

Unless I take my commuter (or the tandem, if Ruth's in). I have my bike apart waiting for stuff at the moment.

I'm thinking that there won't be a night ride this week.

Unless I take my commuter (or the tandem, if Ruth's in). I have my bike apart waiting for stuff at the moment.

Do tell.

Do tell.

New bearings for the BB.

I killed mine (I think a poorly placed spray of the hose might have led to their early demise).

I ordered a set of OEM Campy Ceramic bearings and a new wave washer.

They are the set labeled "USB" and come OEM for the new 2009 Record 11.

Much rather go with OEM then an aftermarket stuff.

I'm thinking that there won't be a night ride this week.

Unless I take my commuter (or the tandem, if Ruth's in). I have my bike apart waiting for stuff at the moment.

We'll get 'em next week. I will be doing a lot of climbing this weekend so a little rest can't hurt. However, if Ruth or your commuter really want to get out there, I can ride Thursday night.

Thanks...I was about to ask...Henry come up to the Polofeilds 6pm for intervals with PizzaMan/ConstantRider/BottleRocket/Taxi it's a great workout!

Pete