Rides Coming up...From Laura

Hi Everyone,

Thanks to all of you who came out for the Saturday ride this past weekend! It was a great day and we really lucked out on the weather.

Looking out a couple of weekends, lets set Sat. Apr 24th as the Mt Hamilton ride day for those interested. I would like to do that as part of the organized Mt Hamilton Challenge (or Ascent) tour. It's a route that I often ride on my own, but doing it as part of the organized century has the advantage of riding with many others (and showing off our cool jerseys!), not to mention sag or other support if needed. (The roads on the back side of Mt Hamilton are quite remote and offer limited services). Plus, if our group splits up a bit during the ride, it's less worrisome with other riders out there too, and with route markers on the pavement to follow.


If interested, download the registration form from http://www.hillsidegraphics.com/hamilton-challenge/index.html and send in your $15 before April 15. It's a no-frills and inexpensive century, and all proceeds go to LAF. You can also register on-site on the 24th, but the cost goes up to $25.

Here's the deal -- you bring 3 bags of food that you want toted to the 3 rest stops. They sag whatever you give them. They also provide water and other fluids at the rest stops, as well as some snacks. There's some food at the start/finish too. Best of all, if it's one of those days where you get 5 flats and run through all your spares and patching kit, 70 miles from home, there's people to help you out.


The full route is 125 miles with about 8200' of climbing and terrific scenery. Basically, Mt Hamilton is only half the climbing -- after that you still get to climb Eylar Ridge (sometimes called Mt Mocho I think?) and then Calaveras. Plus numerous bumps in between. You also get to thank your lucky stars you're not one of the poor Devil Mtn Double riders who are out there for 206 miles and 18,500' of climbing, and who you get to see (and heckle?) twice that day.


Or if pressed for time, consider just the 70-mile Ascent. (I'm not sure there's even a need to sign up for it, if you carry your own food.)


RECAP OF OTHER UPCOMING RIDES:


If you're new to the list (Gregg and Mark take note!), the other centuries that we already have at least several people signed on for are:



Tierra Bella, Saturday Apr 17, info and registration at http://www.tierrabella.org/index.php (the 100 mi route is great, with the option of 200km if we make the time cut), and



Grizzly Peak, Sunday May 2, info and registration at http://www.grizzlypeakcyclists.org/century/ (go for the Campolindo HS starting location.)



Both typically fill early, so sign up soon if interested. Neither offer day-of registration.



If you miss the April Mt Hamilton ride, I'll re-run it as a team ride sometime in mid-May or whenever you all want. Flowers are best in April though.



- Laura