WHAT: Open invitation to a ride for BF members and pretty much anyone who reads this post. Riding your vintage bike is highly encouraged but all bikes and riders are welcome.

WHEN: April 21, 2007. 8:00am, 10:30am depending on your route. Rain date is April 22, 2007.

WHERE: The location of the start of the ride will be the Crystal Lake Main Beach parking lot.

Map of Crystal Lake Main Beach parking lot http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&q=...=1&sa=N&tab=wl

FORMAT: This ride will have a Metric (100 km) route, and a Half-Metric (50 km) route.

The Metric riders will start first at 8:00am. They will ride a 50 km route ending back at the starting point. The Half-Metric riders should be at the starting point, ready to leave with the Metric riders at 10:45 am. This larger group will then ride the second leg (50 km) and end up back at the start point. There is an alternative route to avoid the hills at the end of the second route. The hills are short but very steep, 39/25 gearing is recommended.

Loop 1 http://www.routeslip.com/routes/24756
Loop 2 http://www.routeslip.com/routes/24767
Loop 2, without hills http://www.routeslip.com/routes/25573

No-Drop rule for both legs (could effect start times but probably won’t – just be flexible). Faster riders will be allowed to ride at their own speed, but a sweep rider will be available for slower riders.

Only moral support is provided. You must provide your own fluid/food for the ride. There are optional stops on both legs. The idea is that you bring your own and leave it in your car. Each time we return to the car you will then stock up for the next 50 km ride.

Cue-sheets and maps will be provided. No road markings, but some of us know the route pretty well.

Currently we have no mechanical SAG support. If someone could bring a spouse or friend to help fill that role – it would be great!

WHY: This is meant as a social ride. It is an opportunity for Bike Forums members, friends and acquaintances to get together and meet, and ride together in a group. It is also meant as an opportunity for riders to challenge themselves in a “safe environment”. If you have never ridden a Metric before you will be surrounded by a lot of riders that have that can lend you support.

Feel free to bring non-BF riders as well, but remember this is not an “organized event”. This is simply a large group ride.

Please feel free to post any questions that you might have, and please spread the word to anyone else you think might be interested.