Monday, March 19, 2012

We have options...

As you may be aware, there was a fair bit of snowfall over the weekend. My sources indicate that the trails we usually ride on Tuesday's may be under a bit more snow than has been customary this winter season. Note, I didn't say unridable. Paul did several rides over the weekend, plus a couple long distance swims, as he too is tuning up for an Xterra this summer.

Anyway, I would like to throw out the option to bust out 'yer crosser tomorrow and embark on an recently discussed journey, as follows; Depart Mosquito lot at 6:00pm, ride to Coloma, then ride Cronin to Salmon Falls. Then ride into El Dorado Hills, where I will treat you to some of their local single track, and possibly a fuel stop, then roll some back road combo of dirt and road into Cameron Park (yeah, I got that too), fueling again in Shingle Springs, where we pick up the El Dorado Trail for the roll home. I would estimate this adventure will take approximately 4 hours and it obviously will include some road riding. I am floating this today to see if it has any traction. If not, well, feel free to put another call out up tomorrow with other options. I am just going to come right out with it now, even though it would give me the chance to be the taco golden boy again, I am not up for an FTSki, I prefer to ride. With that, I am opening this up for discussion in the hidden comment field below. Get 'yer discussion on. Oh, and who got the reference in the title line?
Cappy

45 comments:

  1. Sounds like a great plan. Too bad the crosser isn't race ready. I should be able to make something work, though.
    Good thing, starting this discussion early. I'm sure B is going to be on the snow all day, and, well, I guess that's everyone...

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  2. I am not down for a FTSki either and am attracted to a nice ride. I don't think I can afford a 4 hr ride on a tuesday night but I am happy to join the group as far as I have time and the good judgement for. I also, know that I don't have 4 hrs of runtime on my lights.
    Don't let my personal needs sway you all from an epic, first ever FT3 event. I'm charging myh light now and planning on riding something

    Two, or is it Three.

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  3. I just found a beer can in my hydration kit. What was it doing in there all empty and worthless.

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  4. I should add to this that one could do this ride on a mountain bike if necessary. Dont let absence of a crosser or a crosser in need of repair deter you.

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  5. We will be riding with lights off for approximately 1.5 of those hours. This ride wont be that hard. The cronin part is easy and from salmon falls it is just seven miles to el dorado hills then a ride back to pville. Four hours total time...i think...

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  6. I am up for a short ride with No Handle. My light only lasts two hours these days.

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  7. Wow, a blatent call for a short ride on the blog. C'mon. This ride is not that hard. And as for lights, by the time the lights are dead we will be on the El Dorado Trail. We can conserve and share lights.

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  8. Oh and by the way, COUNCILMAN, and XTERRIC were at Sweetie Pies this morning. AND, Councilman is thinking of doing this ride, jet lag and all (he just got in last night). Way to step up , C-Man. Xteric is a maybe, as he has been working all weekend.

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  9. But does Councilman have to get up early tomorow? I think Peter and I are going to go snuggle up by a warm fire and share some tacos.

    So what's it going to be No Handle?

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  10. It seems Cappy is proposing for us to be back at the Mosq Lott by 10. That's easily an hour earlier than normal. Although, I question the amount of time that he is devoting to fueling.

    And, I have a fully charged backup happy sunshine light.

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  11. Map sent via back channel. It is about 50 miles. If we average 15 mph, which seems a bit low, we should be done in 3.5 hours. We will have the ten miles to Coloma done in 20 minutes. I agree with NoCar on the "earlier than usual" arrival at the Mosquito lot. As for fueling, we can take that as it comes. Let's ROLL right at 5:45.

    Paul did this ride on Sunday while it was snowing. It only took him 2.5 hours.

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  12. I just confirmed back channel that if NoHandle does the long ride, Bambi will too.

    I also know from back channel that B is skiing his ass off, so it will be a man up effort for him to pull this, but he is not one to back down from a challenge. B, get home soon and take a nap.

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  13. Sorry, but I'm not rolling the big ride. I can't afford the gamble of a late night far from home. I have too much on my plate these days and need something more tame. It is not about the legs, I am fresh as a spring morning and fit as a Russian olympian in the 80's.
    this is a weekend ride for me.
    Also, for the record, our road rides in these parts of the county barely hit 15 mph.
    Don't let my plans stop you all. Just pretent I'm out of town.

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  14. "As for fueling, we can take that as it comes."??? I realize now that you haven't provided any time for dinner. I guess that means we all raid the Cappy fridge when we get back to p-ville.

    Do I need to carry four hours worth of snacks, or not?
    Your itinerary doesn't include much time for incidentals. Especially as the top road speed of the Spot might be 15mph, not its average.
    I suspect some slight of hand on your time estimates. Which is what any good rideleader would do when short ride requests appear in the call out.

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  15. I suppose I will roll out for a lunch ride, as it is becoming increasingly clear that my FT3 compatriats are once again launching a coup to overturn my concept for a most memorable and epic adventure. Maybe we should just ride in Auburn.

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  16. Except NoCar, who will probably ride to and from work and then to the Mosquito lot and home again later tonight after the effin short ride.

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  17. FYI...it was March 29, 2011 when the last coup occured. See ride report post of march 30 aptly titled "Short Ride." Funny thing about all this...i honestly did not think for a second that what i was proposing was too ambitious for FT3.

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  18. Awesome bit of blog research. That was a fun night. Is that route one of our options? Maybe NoHandle would come then. And its definitely short enough for Bambi.

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  19. Oh and im not saying that too be all hard as nails...its just how it went down in my mind. Kind of like how six hour rides only take three hours.

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  20. Do you think THTH would make that statement about his legs resembling a springy Russian mourning the 80s and then still not ride if we shortened the route?

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  21. Bambi already knows what to do.
    I'm riding tonight, with him. See you at the lot, but I'm not doing the big, cool guy ride, I'm doing the old fart, scardy cat one.

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  22. I've got some mechanicing to do. Cross or mtb? Or has the route schism also divided the bike preferences?

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  23. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  24. I think we need to make a collective decision before we all arrive at the Mosquito lot with our different bikes and agendas then stand around there in person wondering what to do.

    We have been down this road before. I know the force is strong to keep the group together, I share a preference to not divide the group. However, I also want to seek a superior riding option.... meaning, let's do something cool, fun, and different... Maybe we can make lemonade out of lemons by showing up with cross bikes, open minds and some creative route planning that doesn't involve 50 miles and six hours of ride time. One question though, how long is too long?

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  25. I'm attempting to not derail Cappy's plans. I just can't join in on it but that should not stop anyone from joining. I know how saddle sore he was after last years failed "Epic" ride to Auburn. It is still Tuesday and I still plan to ride. I'll see you at Mosquito lot at usual time and will send you off w/fan fare. Can't wait to see C'Man. I'm sure he is in for the big loop.

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  26. I was trying to respond to No Car's post but it didn't work right.

    Start throwing out some sugestion Cappy otherwies THTH and myself are jumping ship.

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  27. I think there may have been some overlap in the last postings from the dueling rideleaders. Otherwise it reads like Cap'n tried to compromise but was rebuffed by a sarcastic THTH.

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  28. Did anyone hear that boom, I think the HCF just blew up.

    And my crosser is ready. I just had to fudge with the nut under the dust cap. (have at that one Bambi)

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  29. This HCF thread has kept me awake during my all day corporate FTF, day 1 of 3. We've got respectable international representation on hand, Israel, France, Germany & USA.

    I was scared off by Cappy's original HTFU call out as I'm quickly resembling the Michelin Man. Unfortunately just watching the Cancellara power away at Strade Biachi and Milan-San Remo did not improve my fitness much.

    Have fun what ever you decide, I'm available for truck rescue if a dire situation occurs.

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  30. I saw this coming and long rode ya'll at lunch. With five riders committed, I see myself as the swing vote. I am rolling with the bigger group. C-man is not riding, nor is XTerric.

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  31. If I stay home will that ensure the bigger group does 50 miles?
    I watch Days of our Lives and General Hospital today, boring!

    PS: Bambi, I'm still riding but don't tell anyone, I don't want to disrupt the apple cart.

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  32. You guys should stick w/original plan.

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  33. I have a 24" cruiser that is longing to be ridden.

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  34. I have a 20" bmx someone can borrow too if needed.

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  35. I am bringing my cross bike, but that is only because it is what I left the house with this morning.

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  36. If we go to Auburn though, I will be wishing I brought my 29er.

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  37. 54 comments. Biggest blog explosion on record???

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  38. I need to show up at the Squito Lot just to see what's going on (with my 29er) of course.

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  39. Alright, inquiring minds want to know...who won, what was the route, is anyone going to throw stuff at me if I wear my FT3 kit, were there shared tacos, were there tacos for that matter...

    Do tell

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  40. B, Captain, Bambi, Nocar, No Handle, and I gathered for a 6:30PM launch out of the mosquito lot. THTH and I were on 29ers while other piloted cross bikes. In short, we took 49 out towards Cronan Ranch with some dirt on the way. We rode around Cronan, and other trails by the boat launch off 49. Then we headed back stopping in Coloma for some food at a local convenient store. We got back to mosquito after 11PM. I'm not sure if there would be a formal ride report, hence this being short. We rode about 40 miles round trip: more technical ride specs to come later.

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  41. Indeed it was a grand ride B. I forgot to mention that we had a great time hearing the Xteric Echo on the way back.

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  42. I'll just get the technical specs of the ride and add to this so the HCF could have a post ride blow up too.

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  43. Post ride specs:

    From Mosquito to the Riverside Mini Mart (gas station in Lotus): 8.75 miles, 705 ft of climbing, 1774 ft descending, Time - 38:22 including stops.

    The entire trip (not including about half a mile after leaving the gas station [I forgot to start the GPS]):
    -38.31 miles
    -4 hours 21 minutes (not including a rest stop or two)
    -4976 Feet of climbing
    -8.8 mph average speed (including break/s I think)
    -39.2 mph max speed

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