Yeah, that is funny about not being on the only green bike with fenders. Peter showed up on that nicely done Atlantis, his rainy day bike too I guess. It was a good ride, and nice to meet you guys in person. I could have done without the flat however.

I didn't notice you get a flat, was that after the group split or did we leave you behind? :(

After we split. I picked up a chunk of glass about a mile before we stopped at the Jamba Juice in Westlake so it was easy to catch up to the group at the rest stop.

I'm torn -- I'm looking for a long ride this weekend, but that one (even the "short" 78-mile version) looks like a killer. Maybe if I can get a new cassette delivered by Friday...

If I'm there I'm usually in the back, being an over 50 Clyde. Valleygirl told me she thought you were ready for the tough rides.

This makes me feel so out of shape. Mark (not a forum member) and I were in the back most of the way on the 48 miler and were pooped at the end, only to find it turned out to be 43 miles even. I'll get there eventually.

Hey urbanknight. I found the Forum on Thursday and have been lurking (w/occasional posts) since. I took Sunday off, and went riding tonight with a Santa Clarita group (Newhall Bicycle Company) for 26 miles. They hammer and then wait for the slower riders to catch up. Amazingly enough, I felt good from Saturday's ride and did okay tonight...at least on the downhill/rolling sections.;)

Won't be there this weekend--family and I are going up to the Aquarium in Monterey, then stopping to see the Redwoods. See you weekend after that.

You could do it, after about 50 miles everyone else gets tired too and won't be so keen on hammering lol.

I don't know who you're talking about, but the group I chase will be hammering for the entire ride, regardless of distance.

Cool, nice to see you're on here. Well if you're getting in shape I'd better kick it up a notch, I don't want to be the only straggler. Too bad BTSA might take one of my riding days away for a while. Can't wait until this is over.

I'm official now
 

So, I'm now a card carrying SFVBC member. I got my membership packet in the mail yesterday.
It's nice to see ride descriptions for all the rides in the handbook, makes planning easier. Think I'll go to the meeting tomorrow night just to see what goes on.

Oh come on Vance , after riding to the beach with the Weds. group , you can so do the 78 mile version.

Yes, always some very big dogs on those long/fast rides. They hammer through everything, and for all eternity. Fortunately, so far, they have always been nice enough to let the stragglers regroup.

Today's ride was a kick (and kicked my butt). I highly encourage everyone to come out on the Wed rides if you get a chance. Anyway, I asked Keith B. about the Angeles ride on Saturday, and he said the climbing on the 78-mile version was considerable, but more of a slow and steady type. Here is elevation profile of first half:

http://www.routeslip.com/elevationgraph.php?

So I'm gonna give it a go. Big John, still planning to participate? Anyone else? Don't let that 78 number scare you, it's all downhill all the way home! So it's more like a challenging 40-miler. :)

Anybody doing the 53? I'll be slow and taking up the rear, but need to prove to myself I can do it so I don't feel intimidated doing the Solvang metric. To think I did that ride when I was 12... in 4.5 hours... and rode 4 miles to the start/finish and back.

I'll be there and I'll do whatever my friends are doing, either the 78 or the longer one. None of our rides are all downhill back to CSUN, there's always something to climb over coming back to the valley.

Will be good to meet you.

That was just my attempt at creative marketing. ;)

are you talking about OUR big john? cuz OUR big john ain't afraid of ANY climbs! he's a climbing fool!!!!! and him afraid of a 78 miler? PULEEZE! he's done some of the toughest climbing CENTURIES in socal!

Ha. No, no... it was very clear from previous posts that Big John isn't afraid of ANY number. I was just trying to round up more folks. And... uh... talk myself into it!

ahhhhhhhhhhhhh ok, then! :)

You're too kind.

I've actually downloaded most of the SFVBC route slips and have ridden a few on my own time. Been thinking of joining and getting some good rides in with you other So. Cal'ers !

I started looking at and saving some of the routes I liked as well, so I have some choices on where to go on my weekday solo rides.

I've started to catalog some of the rides on routeslip.com. Only about a dozen, so far, but would be a nice group project to get them all entered. I know it won't happen, but being new to the area, I really need the visual... and especially the elevation profiles! :)

I'll jump in on the routeslip.com thing. I was just entering them into word, but if I can share just as easily, that's fine with me. I'm new to the valley so I've been using them too, but even when I memorize the routes I will continue to leave a copy of my chosen route on the counter every day so my wife knows where to look if I'm not home by dark.