Nice write-up Francis/Arden.

Again, thank you to you, the wonderful volunteers, and great riders for a wonderful excursion.

Just reading these reports and responses are impressive indeed! Green mangos.

Yeah, I still can't get over how well the ride was run. Much better than some expensive rides. I was telling my friends about it today. These guys know how to make it fun, and they are all friendly.

TdF4
 

To all, check TdF4 and the ADOBo Velos at http://adobovelocyclist.blogspot.com

An Invitation to Tour de Francis IV: 3 Lakes Century Fun Ride
 

An Invitation to Tour de Francis IV: 3 Lakes Century Fun Ride

Tour De Francis IV: 3 Lakes Century Fun Ride

Castaic to Quail Lake and BACK!


When: Saturday December 6, 2008 at 7:00 AM

Where: Castaic Lake State Recreational Area

32132 Ridge Route Road
Castaic , CA 91310

Website: http://www.parks.ca.gov/default.asp?page_id=628


To our fellow friends'n kababayans,


Here we are again! Another blast of Castaic's winter chill... the much awaited Tour de Francis Stage IV: 3 Lakes is just a few weeks away. All Fil-Am Cycling Clubs are welcome! Luzvimin (USA) Racing Team, Mira Mesa Cycling Club, Fil-Am Cycling Team (F.A.C.T.) from Fresno California , Siklista Kami and MyTropa from San Francisco Bay Area and all other clubs outside California like Siklista Cyling Group of Houston . Please check into lodging if you're traveling from outside LA.

Astig Francis Ignacio as we all know our long distance cyclist is our TdF Director. Volunteers will be helping throughout. That’s also an option if you can’t ride and wanted to be part of the festivities. If you do decide, please bring some needed tools (allen wrenches seems to be requested a lot) and a tire pump just in case its needed, old newspapers, lots of spare jackets with hoods for the riders during their breaks at the SAG stops, some CD music or your MP3s if you can connect them to your car stereo. Have some fun and upbeat music that would make our pedal pushers smile if you know what I mean. Fill up your thermos with coffee or just plain hot water as it will be needed. Bring your cow bells too! Let’s all promptly meet at McDonalds at 5am.... Lastly, volunteering is also a great way to cheer your fellow kababayans!

It will be the same routine as last year, same place at Castaic Park , park opens at 7am, same start time at 7:30am, same places for the SAG stops at 25 and 50 mile mark, few rolling SAG vehicles, pinoy food after the ride. The only difference is no KOMs, trophies, and medals. Yes we know... it takes away the competition but aren’t we here for the fun of it? I bet you, there’s still some competitive spirit and bragging rights that day.

Lastly and very important, we hope that everyone joining is physically fit and already training for this long ride fun ride! Make sure your bicycles are well-maintained! Your safety is always your priority but it’s still everyone’s concern. And that the weather will be more accommodating compared to last year... how we all can forget!

So see you all at Castaic, let’s have some fun and reunite once again!


Register on-line at www.adobovelo.com


Sincerely,

Francis Marlon Ignacio
Tour de Francis Director


Arden Arindaeng
ADOBO Velo Moderator

www.adobovelo.com

Check link for TdF IV details.
 

To all,

Please refer to this link for complete details: http://sites.google.com/site/adobove...routes/castaic

Thanks.

Arden

I'm getting excited about this ride again. This Saturday looks like good weather, and I have been climbing a little better lately. Still, it's hard for me and it even ends with a climb. We should have a good group.

I only just found out about this. I see it had a reg deadline of nov 2, is it possible to register there? What kind of times did people do last year (I need an idea of how long it would take since I have somewhere to be in the evening)

I don't think the registration is a problem, they just want to know how many are coming. Try to sign up if you want, there's no charge. They do accept donations at the ride. I'll e-mail and ask about it and post here later.

I think times under 6 hours are possible for good climbers, took me about 8 last year, but I don't mind.
Might be about a 1 hour 10 or 20 min drive for you? The 126 is 40 miles form the 101 to the 5.

I just spoke to Keith and he said a 6 hour time should be no problem. He also suggested dropping them a note at the contact on their website if the registration is closed. I'm sure you could just show up and give them your information at the start, they are extremely friendly. This is the first time they have had on-line registration for these rides. In the past Keith would just give Francis a head count from our club. They always have too much food anyway, except in May they ran out of those little egg rolls. I had to make up for that by devouring several extra empanadas.

I probably wouldn't eat anything anyway. Just need a bottle somewhere around halfway...

I'm interested, but not decided for sure. I'll drop them a note. Be good for a change of scenery.

How does this rate in difficulty compared to the Mulholland Century route, or my modified route?

If Mulholland is an 8 out of 10 (arbitrary number, just for comparison), I would put this route at a 6. Moreover, it is more of a social event than competitive one.

Edit: okay, maybe closer to 7.

Vance's rating seems about right. The map of your "modified Mulholland" is a little more modified than your text stated. Most notably, you took Agoura Road on one of the lengths where the Mullholland Century does both directions on Mullholland. Coupled with that fact you didn't do Deer Creek, I am not sure how you got to 12,000 feet. But, more to the point, you have nothing to worry about on TdF, I think you will finish in the same amount of time as your "modified Mullholland", maybe a little sooner. My guess is it is about the same amount of climbing.

I didn't do 12,000 feet, I got 11,000 feet on my Garmin, but WKO always inflates. Deer creek was a descent, no? it didn't look like it added a whole lot extra from the profile. The stretch of mulholland that I cut out isn't very hilly, it's mostly downhill.

I'm not really worried about completing the ride, just about time since I have to be back in SB for a party in the early evening.

This ride isn't as hard as the Mulholland Challenge, at least as far as the climbing. What can be harder is the wind. The wind out there can be tough. It wasn't too bad last year but it was fargin cold.

Hi John, you described the ride perfectly. I hope you and the others will enjoy the whole day of festivities. Yes, umd (what's his real name?) can join in as long as he understands that the registration was for a waiver and for head count. Just have him introduce himself to Francis when we get to the parking area. Francis is aware already. See you all on Saturday bright (I mean still dark) and early! Thanks. Arden.

Arden, thanks, my name is Steve. I'd say there is a better than even chance I'll do the ride, it sounds fun.

Unfortunately I'm having trouble downloading the data off the Garmin :mad: but I finished (first) in 5:45 ride time and just a hair (maybe 5 min) over 6 hours total time, including turning the wrong way after the first rest stop and going about 5 miles out of our way :lol: Total elevation on the displayed on the garmin was 9600.

That was fun, thanks guys.

Epic day, gorgeous weather, and fabulous support crew (as always). Good to see everyone, and get a chance to chat with ^racer boy. ;)

I had a great time. The weather was sooo much better than last year and I felt better too. There was more support on the way back this time with the roving SAG. You couldn't run out of water this time.
Can't wait for the next TDF!

Excellent day. In my 2 years of cycling, nothing compare to this level of food in rest stops and meal after the ride. Soft drinks on a roving SAG, endless amount of shop and other restaurant level meals home-made prepared. Here is bad example; It's bad because you can't see the 1/2 of the items.
http://www.shprung.com/sfvbc/img/TDF-1206-131870.jpg
Like b.John said, the weather was sooo much better than last year. Thanks John for the company (we rode lots of miles together) I think you did much better than last year (do you have some stats/time)

For the photos I took, visit my route page.

Nice photos, Shai. Looks like the weather today made this ride much more enjoyable than last year.

A little off topic, but are you planning on putting up the December 27th SFVBC PV century ride on your site? Would like to see the route, if it is available to you.

Thanks.

Steve, send me the file (the file name will be something like 2008-12-06-14-??-??.tcx) directly from your Garmin/History/
I can try to fix it for you. Sometimes the tcx files get corrupted and you need to find exactly where it is and fix it manually. it is an XML file so it is possible to fix it. my email is 'my handle here at BF' at yahoo

I've managed to fix corrupted tcx files, in this case it isn't even saving the tcx file. It gets about 45% done and then stops.

I got it to work... it had run out of space :eek:

Entire workout (164 watts):
Duration: 5:44:17 (6:03:17)
Work: 3393 kJ
TSS: 288 (intensity factor 0.708)
Norm Power: 198
VI: 1.21
Pw:HR: 0.95%
Pa:HR: -16.35%
Distance: 102.522 mi
Elevation Gain: 12279 ft
Elevation Loss: 12223 ft
Grade: 0.0 % (56 ft)
Min Max Avg
Power: 0 561 164 watts
Heart Rate: 73 xxx 149 bpm
Cadence: 1 122 84 rpm
Speed: 0 xx.x 17.9 mph
Altitude: 1123 4109 2928 ft
Crank Torque: 0 828 169 lb-in