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Pleasanton/Dublin weekday lunch ride - Thursday, August 27, 2009

Another successful ride, even if it was a bit slow. Nine bikes total. The two newer riders thought it was a good pace. Next time if we have eight or more riders I would like to split into two groups. I'm happy to lead the slow paced one or the medium paced one depending on who can take the other one.

I'm open to suggestions for the route next week. Be aware that I won't be around the week after that (Sept 10), but it's fine with me if someone else schedules a ride then.
 
Had a great ride today! Nice bikes and group o' riders. Thanks for slowing the pace for us Scott. I'm almost scared to ask what is medium pace :|

I'll try to make next week's lunch ride!:ride
 
Good ride today - any ride where everyone finished upright is a good ride. If we split into two groups next week, I can offer to lead the faster pace group at the next ride, as long as work is accommodating.
 
^^ You may want to talk that over with Scott... :laughing

I know for a fact that beneath Scott's mild-mannered exterior is a 'better not be in front of me' adrenaline junkie... :rofl

Those two Ducs can fly. :thumbup :laughing
 
Fun ride today Scott...thanks

Thanks Scott, a fun ride today. Doesn't always have to be nine tenths to be fun.
 
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Definitely a good ride today. :thumbup

If we split into two groups next time, I volunteer to ride in the faster one (but I'd rather not lead it).

And I'd be up for Altamont Pass next week if everybody else is. :teeth
 
OldFatGuy said:
And I'd be up for Altamont Pass next week if everybody else is. :teeth
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Okay, that will be the plan.

Now please help me come up with a politically correct way to say "experienced riders only on this ride, please". :cool

I don't want a repeat of the Kornholio experience out there. :rolleyes
 
Experienced riders only should work. Or no newbs, rookies or girls allowed. Kidding.
 
yamalude said:
I was not there for this experience - care to elaborate?
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That particular ride was billed as a "strafing run" through Patterson Pass and Altamont Pass. In other words, there were strong hints that it would be at somewhat higher speeds than the usual lunchtime rides. That was the first ride that Kornholio showed up at and it turned out that he was the slowest rider that we've ever had along on one of the lunchtime rides (and we've had a few genuinely slow guys show up in the past). At one point he even had an old stake-bed farm truck trying to get around him in the twisties. Jason is a nice guy and everything, and might even be a better rider now, but he was cautious to the extreme back then. We spent way too much time waiting for him to catch up.

I would prefer to be able to once in a while have a rather spirited ride without having to worry about any riders being in over their heads and not having to wait for minutes at multiple points along the way.
 
ScottRNelson said:
Now please help me come up with a politically correct way to say "experienced riders only on this ride, please".
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How about something like, "Because of the extra length of this route compared to our usual one, we will not be able to accommodate a beginner pace and still get back to work in time to avoid being fired. Therefore we request that anybody who is not able to maintain a spirited pace please sit this one out and join us for the next one instead"?

But seriously, I hate excluding people. So if it's going to be a problem to ride that route, I would be perfectly happy to do a different one instead.
 
OldFatGuy said:
How about something like, "Because of the extra length of this route compared to our usual one, we will not be able to accommodate a beginner pace and still get back to work in time to avoid being fired. Therefore we request that anybody who is not able to maintain a spirited pace please sit this one out and join us for the next one instead"?

But seriously, I hate excluding people. So if it's going to be a problem to ride that route, I would be perfectly happy to do a different one instead.
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Ha, perfectly said. Scott Leads and we have some great sweeps that are very patient, safe and in general don't need looking out for themselves. If we had a known list of riders that can and will take the slower group it would be easier splitting groups into A and B class speeds. Newbs should be incouraged to take the B speed first time or if they like a mellow pace. B's could do the same ride, maybe have to shortcut home, or turn around earlier sometimes. We just need someone who can be trusted and to step up and take B pace rider group and the most patient of sweeps to offer the same. Scott will surely want the quicker group. So Scott who's on the list for acceptable candidates for the B group leaders and sweeps? Then they can choose to accept the call and offer the service when needed. Maybe it's anyone who offers, maybe Im not on the list but I'd like to be in the A group:ride . That seems to be the best way I can come up with to be all inclusive and not be only as fast as the slowest rider.
 
Until recently, a "big" group was six bikes. That's not enough for a leader, a sweep, and other riders in two different groups.

As I already mentioned, we're usually very happy to accommodate the newer, less experienced, or more cautious riders. It's just that every once in a while we would like to make a more spirited run on roads that many of the riders are not all that familiar with.

Also note that on a faster ride I will insist that those participating have a higher level of riding gear, including a motorcycle jacket and boots. I'll be wearing leather from neck to toe for this one. So if you show up with bare arms and tennis shoes I might have to ask you to take a different route. Higher speeds require greater protection.
 
I consider myself a slow rider. And I don't have a problem not going on this ride.
My biggest goal in riding is coming home alive and with no damages on my bike. So I actually appreciate if you guys say that's nothing for newbs.

Maybe the newbs and slower riders can take a different route or just skip one week. Therefore we just need to know how many will show up and if it is worth considering 2 groups.

Just my 2 cents
 
We had a great ride today. It gets hotter once you get over the pass heading into the Central Valley. This ride was a bit more technical and we didn't really ride THAT fast, but we never stopped either. Tom was reminded that it's not a lot of fun going 80 mph into a headwind on the big sweeping turns of Altamont Pass Road on a motard or dual sport.

And I made it back to work at 1:00 p.m. :)

But I promise not to schedule any other "exclusive rides" for one of the Pleasanton/Dublin lunchtime rides in the future. From here on we'll adapt the pace to whoever shows up and you're all welcome to come along. The next time any of the experienced riders feel the need to a faster run, it will have to be organized using PMs.
 
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