No Shortage of Steeps

This is your Captain with the ride report for the planned, replanned and ultimately relocated TGFT3 event. At the mosquito lot our fearless group was met with brisk air and clear skys. Six riders including myself, RG, C-Man, THTH, No-Car and Bambi were set to knock down the P'ville steeps after prerequisite hydration. No-car was rolling the versitile urban Gary Fisher Hookooeeku or whatever it is with the rack, waterproof bag and several hydration units. To lighten his load, most of the group took at least one unit for carry and later use at a proposed hydration stops. It is notable that Bambi was rolling the single and RG was rockin the CX. The CX was deemed the lightest bike, albiet with the hardest gearing. That said, the hard man award goes to NoCar for the heavy bike, rack and carry for all. The route started up the steep side of Clay street and ventured into GB park for some Fat Tire keep it real fun. The warm up was good and took us into some more steeps near upper Bedford and across Quartz Hill. We ventured up Northridge, which was both steep and long, back down and around to enjoy some urban singletrack along SR 49. We took down another small steep, Green street back to Bedford then passed B's house for the steep near his place. We had pit stop number 1 at the bottom of Spring Street, then climbed that, and rolled over to Bee street, over canal and took in another steep across from combellack to 49. Down Combellack we enjoyed our first cold snap of the evening descending to Placerville Drive. We went up RLD and took down a dirt section there and ventured over past in and out and bambi was drooling. We dropped Forni and at this point we are over an hour into the ride and we start up Lo-Hi Way. This steep took it's toll and the riders were now beginning to feel as if they had been climbing a bit. We went over Forni to Excaliber where we had pit stop number 2. Excaliber took us to Coon Hollow then we enjoyed riding up Excelsier. Atop Big Cut we enjoyed yet another steep on Pardi Way. At the bottom of big cut we went down to Main Street and put Rector street in its place. We then took Pacific to Thompson to Cedar Ravine. Noting that it was nearly 9pm and our eating options were becoming fewer by the minute we decided that our finale would be the dirt crossing of a certain hill near cedar ravine. Atop there we took in the amazing views of the clear and cold nite for pit stop #3. The ride back into town was brisk and we realized that we missed Airport Road. Indeed, no shortage of steeps. We rolled up to Powells at 9:20 and they denied no-car tacos. We later found that if someone else had asked we might have gotton them. Rolled up to Round Table at 9:22 and they were still open so we went in, cycling gear and all, and our friend no-car put the tab on his card. Maui Zaui and Garlic Chicken was the called of course topped with massive amounts of peppers. Sierra Nevada was enjoyed and wagers were made on the elevation gain. Can't wait to see the GPS. Post pizza we led some stray young ladies back to 'the bus station' and the pithy core changed and rallied for post, post ride hydration at Powells. Powells was gracious and the pithy core sayed out a bit too late.


SKTPBJCXW

That's a call out for this weeks alternate ride:
Skinny Knobby Tire Peanut Butter and Jelly Cyclocross Wedensday!

With well over two feet still on the ground in Pollywood, not ride of any significance is taking place up there tonight. Last weeks Tour de Steeps proved highly succesfull and could be duplicated tonight. However, for those of us currently bit by the Cross bug, the Wedensday Rodeo Cross in Folsom may be a good alternative. Racing goes off at 7:30 and looks like is a $15 cost for those already doing either Rodeo Cross or the Sac Series.

One (for SKTPBJCXW)

Golden Gate Cross:
Snow kept me home bound on Sunday, but it sounds like the race was well worth the trip for those in attendance! RG, Cap'n and Bambi all made the trip down and raced hard. Looks like RG had a good crash near the start and pulled out of the race. No crash report, but sounds like he is ok. Cap'n and Bambi battled in Bay Area A's and held their own. I am sure they both wanted to be higher in the ranks but looking at times, it appears that both did an amazing job! Way to fly the colors with pride FT3. Oh yeah, thanks for bringing my better half home from the city!

Until We Ride,
LOtB

FT3: Going with the flow!

The forecast is not friendly to those desiring a camp fire and rounds of kumbaya...however winter doesn't even register in the list of things that cancel a ride. Actually come to think of it, I am not sure there is anything on the list of things that cancel a ride. Therefore, we may not camp, there may not be smores by the fire, but there will be a ride.

TGFT3 Revised:

After long analysis of the email threads today, this is what I am proposing, shot me down if needed but it seems to fit all criteria.

1) Ride will depart from the Mosquito lot at 5:45.

2) Come equipped with your ride of choice: Highly recommended to have both front headlight and rear flasher or red light.

a. There will be pave sections

b. There will be unpaved sections

c. There will be flat sections

d. There will be several really steep hills thrown in for good measure

(good to my word the Sunkyung will make its FT3 debut)

3)Post ride food and hydration are up in the air. I am posting from home with power at the current moment, however that has fluctuated moment to moment, so I will address the power situation throughout the day tomorrow at the Knot.

4) Ride Leader: Again a proposition - we make several loops in and out of the Mosquito Lot. Each FT3 member showing with an idea for a loop gets to lead one of the aforementioned jaunts. All routes will begin and end at the Mosquito Lot. Points for variety of terrain, creative use of road and trail network, rideability, and flow. A winner will be crowned post ride.

4) I see this as good growth from our "year one winter urban assaults": FT3 has shown good ability to adapt and grow!

Sundays cross report, well my day was summed up in the squeaking sound the brakes made as I grounded to a halt. The others, although faring better than I, all seemed to think that the energy sucking race was ridiculously taxing and not FT3 finest hour and how the hell does Alex Candelario go so flipping fast?!?!?!?!

Anyway, I can't tell if this guy is enjoy the race or not, might be a strategy I employ for future cross races?

One(ish)

Until we ride,

LOtB

Thanks B for being one of the first to find this: 30-35 sec is mind blowing!