Bay area - Hellyer anyone?
 

Anyone want to hit Hellyer with me this weekend?
Leave the city at ~7:30am and get to the track @8:30 on Saturday. The fee is $5 for parking and $5 for track usage. They also have some pretty nice rental bikes for $5. I'll be bringing my car if anyone wants to 'pool with me.
LMK

i'd be down for a ride around the city on saturday or sunday, if anyone else is interested.

i have to let my knee heal before i can push it...still swells really bad when i ride hard...

and in a setting like a track i know myself...

but i mos def want to go down and check it out...soon...

i'm down for hellyer as i have been for a long time but my ex scared me out of it. he said it's really grueling and they make you race 40 laps and now i'm scared to go. can anyone calm me down and convince me? i don't know if i can hack it, i just want to ride that track. By the way, if you're planning on renting a bike you need to take your pedals with you, if anyone needs a pedal wrench i've got one.

Hellyer man, hellyer!! It's calling you....

[hellyer] andy, come down and ride the track.....[/hellyer]

Seriously, it's a lot of fun. You get to ride a bit, and run some races. ~8 mile slow warmup and then racing was what we did last time, fun stuff...

Edit: You need to bring a helmet, and if you're renting, like Terror said, you need your own pedals.

well you wouldn't be able to use that, "every time i go riding with you guys, you all end up leaving me" .....since no one would be able to just ride away from you...like you say always happens....

plus remember, i was trying to catch up to you on telegraph on the way to the bart station....even though i was still winded from the only climb in that area....catching up to you wasn't what i would call an easy chore...but i did...and if i would have been riding on the sidewalk on the otherside of the street...
:D

and last but not least....

you wouldn't be able to use that i can't give 100% while riding my bike....have to save something for the way home...why i'm going to get a set of inside rollers thing...either....you can go all out and not have to worry about the way home.......

need more.....

I would go, but I'm just not up to it this weekend. But we should do a weekend ride soon while the weather is nice.

I agree, we need to do a weekender soon. Maybe if nobody wants to go to the track we can hit some bars on Saturday...

Theres definitely some sprinting/racing but its much more focused on getting you used to riding on the track rather than being an out and out grueling sprint fest. The 40 lap number sounds like the warm up pace line, which slowly winds up the pace and is really there just to get you warm. The instructors are pretty good at matching people up to their ability so you will actually enjoy it.

My girlfriend is going again and shes a smoker. Get all kinds of abilities at the beginner sessions so I wouldn't sweat worrying if you're fit enough. Its really a lot of fun. C'mon... its really the best 5 bones you'll have spent it a long time.

Also, looks like the instructor this week is Terry Shaw. A guy who knows his way around a track...

Sounds good to me, I want to take the new waterford out for a spin, and I'll definately be down to go to hellyer next time.

been waiting for another Hellyer trip. If I'm not on a bus to LA, I'm down for either Hellyer, or a ride through the city. bars? you guys and your damn bars!!

Well, let me know by friday if you're going to LA. If you want to head to Hellyer I'm totally down, I just don't want to drive down alone. I'll fall asleep on the way back if I don't have someone to talk to.

Jordan and I are definitely dowm to go. He's got a truck that holds 4 and at least that many bikes. I'm in Nevada today but I'll be back tomorrow night.

what time do you guys expect to get back into the city if you go? and would anyone have room in a car for me to bring my bike?

I think we should be back to the city around 1:00-1:30-ish. If Jordan brings his truck then I think we'll be able to bring your pista.

Judah, did u want to go with us in the truck or are u taking the honda? If you drive, we can fit two more people and at least 2 more bikes. If anyone wants to ride with us claim your spot. First come first served.

It all depends on who is going. Looks like there's enough people driving, now we need to figure out who's all going...

ok, looks like i'm in too, i can drive if needed, and i have room for 1 bike (in addition to mine, and 3 people.

Ok, I'm going to IM my phone number to the people who don't have it and we can work out transportation...

I'll be there, loose red jersey and short(ish) cutoffs.

Argh. I wish I could go but I've got more baby preparation chores.
Time is getting tight for me now that the baby is two weeks away.

hellyer was a blast.
everyone was super-nice, there were folks of all ages and abilities, and anyone who has been worried about going because you think you're not experienced enough, or fast enough, or whatever enough, should stop worrying and go if you get the chance.

I've been before, but this was definately a good session - some drills and some racing.

However, a note those considering attending in the future:
Mooning your opponents is not an approved tactic and you will be kicked off the track for it.

6 weeks from today, Ostro and I will be done with school and ready for some Hellyer trips!!!! I cant wait.

ALSO - I was thinking we should get an alley cat together this summer. A LARGE well organized one. I will volunteer to be the checkpoint coordinator and not race - but I have no idea what I am doing. Anyone interested?? Tips etc?