PhotoJoe 

Cool Breeze is right around the corner. Who is riding it and which route?

I'm not sure if I'm going to do it or not. I don't have the miles in my legs. I'm trying to get there, but the schedule just doesn't seem to want to help. Neither does the heat. We've been pushing 100 degrees where I live...and I hate the heat. However, if there is a group doing CB, that may help motivate me to get riding harder.

EDIT: So, to date, we have the following committed to doing some form of this event:

@Beachgrad05 (+ team)
@TrojanHorse
@Ursa Minor
@hunkerdown
@eja_ bottecchia

Beachgrad05

I will be there along with Team Unlikely Cyclist. Some of the team are doing the metric and others are doing century. Not sure if anyone is going to go for the hillier century. I'm doing the century.

jsigone

I shall live vicariously through all your photos as you carry your DSLR on the ride

Ursa Minor

I'll go! ... when is it? lol

Charlie

Beachgrad05

Here you go...link
CIBC Cool Breeze Century

TrojanHorse

Weird! I was just thinking about this tonight as I dodged cars in Placentia.

I'm definitely in and the debate is open as to whether I think i can do the double metric or just the century. Based on my recent slovenliness, probably just the regular century.

PJ - do the metric with Mrs PJ. Win win.

Ursa Minor

looks good but somehow on the site I couldn't find the routes for the century or the double metric
can someone link the routes? thanks

Charlie

PhotoJoe 

Uh....yah! That ain't gonna happen. I think that camera weighs more than my bike.

I really don't think she'll be in shape to do even the metric. Not sure.

PhotoJoe 

They say 2013 routes, but I think they're pretty close to accurate. I'm not sure what they mean by "turn by turn is not accurate". Wouldn't that make the maps wrong, too?

2013 CIBC Cool Breeze Century

TrojanHorse

Well, last year's route was slightly different (and shorter!) perhaps because of construction on 101. Cross your fingers that the new bike path OFF the freeway is complete- that will make an enormous difference to our enjoyment.

I always go through the RWGPS route and tweak it for accuracy. They usually have a few muffed turns or backtracks or something, it comes with the territory.

I forgot about the hilly century option, I wonder if they'll do that again this year? That was another "bad freeway route" modification.

Note: It appears the construction is not yet complete (how long does it really take? Talk about a boondoggle) but the comments indicate the bikes are behind k-rail, whatever that is.

Due to Construction by Caltrans in the La Conchita Area, Bikes are behind k-rail on hillside side of freeway in BOTH North and Southbound directions. Please be patient. This project will add a two-way class 1 bike path on the Ocean side of the highway.
Ride responsibly. K-rail section along freeway is very narrow in places. Make sure you stop at La Conchita Entrance as car are exiting freeway at high speed.

Ursa Minor

Thanks PhotoJoe. Also TH the bike lanes on 101 Rincon are ok. I've ridden them recently but I advise
you to use earplugs because of the traffic noise.

Charlie

PhotoJoe 

It's a whole freeway widening project. I think the bike path, which looks VERY nice, BTW, will be done in time for CB2015. The "K-rail" is the concrete wall that's about 3.5' tall. You see them in all of the freeway construction projects. We went camping at Refugio (North of Santa Barbara) last week and saw exactly what's going on. I like being behind the k-rail better than open traffic on the 101 where we rode last year. It IS tighter, however, it's protected. And yes, there is a helly century this year, too.

TrojanHorse

Ah, thanks to both of you.

PJ - I notice you have nicknamed it the HELLY century. Freudian slip?

PhotoJoe 

Nope. Remember how slow I was on the last GMR ride? Only been on the bike 2 or 3 times since then. OK, one of those included a pretty good climb and I felt pretty good, but I'm no shape for ANYTHING that even comes close to resembling a hilly century. IF I do CB, I will probably do the regular century, but make it my own ride. It's always a blast riding with the crew, however, I do NOT want to be slowing everyone down.....yet again.

TrojanHorse

You should try riding your bike a few times between now and CB. 200 miles this month, 200 in Aug and you'll be fit as a fiddle for that thing. Don't obsess about it, just hop on and get some miles in, even if they're just casual.

PhotoJoe 

I'm definitely going to get miles in, but that won't make me fast.

On a related note (not really), my daughter made her first road trip today...alone. Drove up to the Sequoias. She's never driven mountain roads, so I took her up into the mountains around my house for some edumacation. Found some roads that I've only heard about being cycled, never actually been up there. Well, not since college anyway. So I found a new training ground for GMR. For a while on this ride, you're on Bear Divide - Santa Clarita Valley on one side and San Fernando Valley on the other. On a clear day, it must be an amazing view!

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/5281801

Pamestique 

Joe: The Cool Breeze is just that, generally a pleasant ride temperature wise. All the inland climbing is early and you are along the ocean in the afternoon.

As to the ride itself - if you are worried about having "legs" here is a suggestion... check in at the school, get your number etc and then drive (yes I said DRIVE) out to the rest stop off Bates Rd. Start your ride from there. You avoid all the nastiness of being on the 101 FWY. Yes there is some climbing right off the bat but just go slow. Just before you reach the lunch stop, do not take the detour that drags you out and around another 10 miles... ride straight to the lunch stop. Then ride happily back to Bates. Nice thing about starting there... you can put your bike away, go get your popsicle and sit and enjoy the cool breezes there are the rest stop and not worry about having that last 20 miles to the Finish. Then if up to it, I drive back to finish for lunch but usually I just start back home. The route changes turns the century into a metric... you get all the highlights but none of the boring stuff...

.

PhotoJoe 

Thanks, Pam. I did this ride last year and remember your creative solution. My personality won't let me do that, though. I'm an "all-or-nothing" type of guy...maybe to a fault.

TrojanHorse

Your other fault is sharing routes that you have set to private.



I went camping with the family up in the sequoia NP over the fourth. Those roads are in great condition but they're very windy and reasonably narrow with the usual assortment of pick up trucks that can't stay on their side of the lane. I hope your daughter enjoys her experience.

PhotoJoe 

That's odd. It works fine for others.

I've driven the 45 passenger bus up there 10 or 12 times. Yes, roads are good, and yes, there are always "those" that can't hold their line. And I always have huge respect for the few cyclists I see climbing that road. Daughter called when she got there and she loved the drive. What I think it was is that she loved the freedom and trust to do the trip alone. Hate it that she's growing up.

PhotoJoe 

I just updated the list of committed riders. Who am I missing?

TrojanHorse

It's not too late to lock her in the basement and feed her gruel.

Remember though, she's the one that will be picking your old folks home when you're decrepit.

tunavic

@PhotoJoe I want to do the ride but I have to get creative at work with my schedule to get the weekend off. I'll keep you posted. For now I'm a maybe

PhotoJoe 

Great. Inked you are!

TrojanHorse

Says the guy who's trying to weasel out.

We'll hunt you down like the mangy dog you are! Do the Pamestique metric and we'll try to catch you.