Night Bike Ride Thread (New)
 

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

http://kezerdrix.files.wordpress.com...pg?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...d-Long-Version

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

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

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 have a car for Thursday, so I'm in !.....Bring It ON!!!:D

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

New night rider
 

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.

No tests :lol: Just come ride.

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

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?

Count me in
 

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'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) ;)

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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. ;)