Potpourri

Novice MTB Ride:  Last night was a blast!  Four of us went out.  (Count them.  Four.)  The trail conditions were outstanding.  The temp was delightful.  The threatened rain just did not materialize.  So, with no beginning riders to instruct, we just had ourselves a party on the trail.

This kind of serves to emphasize a point.  When in doubt…  GO!  More often than not, I see fear of rain stop folks from riding.  Usually the weather isn’t bad.  It’s just the threat that keeps people from showing up.  If it’s doubtful, go.  About one time in twenty, you might prepare and arrive only to find conditions unsuitable.  The other 19 times are great rides.

Audax Tune Up:

This Sunday.  That’s 1 May 2011.  Departs from Bicycles Unlimited, at 11:00 A.M. 

As of this writing, the weather outlook is quite favorable.  Should be mostly sunny, with temps ranging from the mid 60s at start, to somewhere in the mid 80s by the finish.  Do watch the weather, and plan to dress accordingly.  (I’d recommend applying sunscreen, and carrying a rain jacket.)  We will go rain or shine. 

The group will stay together.  We will have fun!

Do bring your climbing mindset.  This is a hilly route, with a couple of good long grades along the way.

Bring some cash for munchies.  We’ll stop at least two times, with a third optional stop if necessary.  You will want to either bring some food along, or plan to purchase.  Stops will be at (approximately) at 15 miles, and 40 miles, with the optional stop at 55 miles.

We won’t go at a blistering pace, but we will move right along.  For most folks this is a mostly conversational ride.

Mid-Spring Night Ride!

It’s time to ride in the night again!  The first of this year’s Seasonal Night Rides is coming up fast!

Monday, 9 May.  Departure point is the Frederick Brown Amphitheater, in Peachtree City, Georgia, USA, Earth, Solar System, Milky Way, Local Group, The Universe.

It will still be daylight when we leave.  Please don’t let that fool you.  It will get dark while we are out.  Lights are most definitely required.  That’s a good strong headlight, and a strong tail light.  Also required is a full compliment of reflective gear.  That means a vest or sash, and ankle bands.  The general idea is that there is no such thing as being too visible.  Helmets, of course, are to be worn while on the bike.

We usually don’t plan to stop on these things.   Be prepared.  We may take a break to put a foot down and adjust clothing, but no planned stops.  We’ll cover something like 40 miles, and do it in close to three hours.

The group usually stays pretty close together.  That’s advisable.  There will be no published cue sheet, but a good route is promised.

Expect to use good traffic discipline.  We will be seeing some vehicular traffic at the beginning, but past experience is that this just about vanishes by 9:00 P.M.  We’ll do our best to keep things on mostly rural roads.

Please bring appropriate clothing.  It will be warm at the start, but can cool quickly after sunset.  We’ll not be charging through the night, but the pace will be designed to get us to the end of the ride (approx 40 to 45 miles) in three to three and a half hours.  Bring enough water to last you through the trip.  Stores are infrequent and tend to close early.

I think that covers it.  Let me know if you need more info.