Thanks for the chart Steve - just saw this.

So the race starts at Lassen and Topanga at 8? And moves to Los Angeles and Kuehner by 8:15? I'm thinking I'll do it tomorrow.

Should I do Norwegian?

The start is at LA and Kuehner at 8:40. I'm not sure where that other info came from... I went to Lassen and Topanga two weeks but found that most people start in Calabasas, at the Valley Circle/Mulholland exit off the 101. There is a shopping center with a Vons in it south of the 101, tons of bikes, can't miss it

People ride out to Chatsworth on Valley Circle then go up the Santa Susana Pass to the start. If you start at Valley Circle then when the ride ends you just have a short downhill run to your car. Otherwise it's like 6-7 miles across the valley back. Anyway, I'll be at Valley Circle, ready to roll about 7:30.

I recommend that you and KiddSisko do the middle route when it splits in 3. That goes over Norwegian but still gives you plenty of time to get to the regroup if you fall behind. And certainly for you there will be plenty of people behind you as well.

I'm not familiar with Valley Circle and Santa Susana Pass - can you send a google map ?

I'm going to be riding to the start so I don't know if I'm going to be able to be at the meeting spot by 7:30. How long does it take to get from that meeting spot to Los Angeles / Kuehner?

Here is the data from last week

https://connect.garmin.com/activity/21544408

Valley Circle is where Mulholland Drive crosses the 101. Santa Susana Pass is at the end of Topanga Canyon Road, right before it gets to the 118, turn left onto Old Santa Susana Pass Road. It parallels the 118 and crosses into Simi Valley.

I'm not sure what the best way to get over to Valley Circle is. Maybe cross over on Topanga Canyon then left on Mulholland Drive. If you are running late just keep going on Topanga Canyon across the valley. If you hit the 118 you went too far. You can call me any time, I can answer it while riding

Why should I take Topanga Canyon across the valley rather than Valley Circle?

If you are late. When we take Valley Circle we end up on Topanga eventually anyway, to get onto the Santa Susana Pass Road. You can see it on the map on the garmin activity link I posted. Taking Valley circle is actually a bit out of the way coming from your direction.

Alternatively, you can stuff your bike in your car and drive.

I wish I could but my bike won't fit! Getting a new car in March that'll be more bike friendly.

Sweet 60 mile version of the ride today. 3 hours, 20 minutes, 17.6 average, 47 top speed, 50F+ at the start, 60+ at the end, with a mix of sun and clouds. Would have been longer than 60 miles, but the chain dropped off the large ring just as the large group split 3 ways. I ended up soloing to the regroup at Triunfo park, via Moorpark.

umd, LT Intolerant and Ben FR were great company for whatever time we shared. How'd I do? As expected, nowhere near the front, but not DFL. Tooling along near 30mph without pedaling much in the group is wild. The start/finish point at Valley Circle and 101 was genius. I'll probably do it again next week.

As always, the best part of the ride:



The official start.



The regroup/waterstop at Triunfo Park.

My power wasn't picking up for the ride out to the official start, so some of the totals are off. Norwegian was the same time as last week, but much less power due to not being stupid and staying tucked in. Potrero I got dropped after 5 minutes but was slightly faster with the same power. Unfortunately I just missed grabbing the back of the group due to cars. No incidents this time on Mulholland and hung onto the group about halfway up seven minute hill. Time was about 7:20 for the climb, or 7:45 stop sign-to-sign.

Let me guess, the meal on the left is umd's

You guessed through process of elimination? One in the middle is obviously mine, and between the pumpernickel with lox and tomato, and the plain with butter...

Nah, she just knows what I like.

After a review of the route I took, I just realized I did go up Norwegian grade. I thought I missed it. I ended up beating both groups to the rest stop, so the B group I started with obviously made a jog out along Lynn after Norwegian instead of staying on Moorpark all the way like I did. I can see why that climb shatters any large group. Too narrow with no shoulder for one thing, and then there's the large gear in the back required to keep moving.

That and you pointed it out before she inquired.

Thanks guys - this was a great ride. Sorry I bowed out early, but I wasn't in the mood to do another 15 miles, 95 was enough. Mike/Gene- good meeting you. Steve- always a pleasure, and thanks for your guidance on the ride.

The big problem with the ride for me was that I had already done 33 miles before the ride even began. That being said, I did fairly well on the climbs and was able to stay with the big guys on the flats. I'm very happy about the ride and feel great.

The most frustrating part of the ride, aside from the dropped chain? While rolling up Santa Susana pass, I latched on to umd's wheel, listening to him and Lt Intolerant blabbing away effortlessly while I was at my limit just trying to keep up.

Yeah, Norwegian is just Moorpark road. The group turns on Olsen which eventually becomes/turns onto Lynn. The "left" group turns on Madera which turns into Olsen. I'm not sure now if they still go out to Potrero or if they come in more directly.

Where did you cut over to PCH? Las Virgenes? You did great for that many miles! My goal from the start was to stay on your wheel, but that didn't happen...

If there is a pumpernickel bagel and lox involved, she will know it's mine.

I actually made a bagel and lox for breakfast and ate it driving out

Naw, I just looked at that food and drink, and thought that would be a meal umd would get. I didn't know that you guys even ate together.

My guess is no Potrero for the C option, which was my original plan - to turn toward Thousand Oaks before the 101 and avoid Potrero. First time and all.

https://connect.garmin.com/activity/22022909

Took Mulholland to Old Topanga

After checking out the numbers (power during climb in particular), I could clearly see where you said you blew up on Potrero. What's blowing up feel like at that intense level of output? Like an on/off switch? A pain overload?

Not the easiest climb going southbound from Mulholland, but what a fun descent, huh?