Refer to Barb's posting for her
description of this ride, which should match the details I am posting in our
usual format below.
The Route: We will
depart from DeSoto Park on Hwy 441 near Hague going west, then head
north on NW 59th to NW 156th Avenue. We will ride east on NW
156th to CR 225 where we will turn north and START the challenge
portion of the course here at mile 11. We will increase our speed to
the upper end of our cruising range on CR 225, then turn onto
CR1475/225 and go north until it intersects with CR 18 in Graham, then
turn west and ride along CR 18 until we reach CR 231 (the Dedan Loop),
where we will turn south and follow the loop as it parallels then reconnects to
CR18 at Brooker, where we will turn west and go into Brooker to our rest stop on
CR231 at Mile 28, the END of the challenge portion of the
course. After the rest stop we will follow CR 231 south back to NW
156th, turn west and go back to NW 59th, then turn south and return to DeSoto
Park.
The Time: Please meet
promptly at 9:20AM, ride at 9:40AM,
Saturday, March 24th. Expect a ride time of ~3:00
hours including the rest stop.
The Ride: This is a moderately
easy ride of ~40.1 miles, with a
few significant hills and mostly smooth roads. Expect ride
speeds of 17-19 mph with a target pedaling speed
of 17-18 mph and an average speed of ~16 mph until we
reach CR225 (the dragstrip road). We will then try to maintain the highest
speed we can until we complete the "challenge" part of the ride, with the
intent to try and catch up with and/or pass the Tween Bees and LoBees before
reaching Brooker. During this part of the ride, we will NOT stop at
each turn and wait for anyone we essentially drop, BUT keep in mind that there
are only 4 turns to worry about, and we have ridden this route before. If
we succeed in passing the other groups, all we get will be bragging
rights
Note: This is not a
race! If you want to ride this ride as a "normal" ride, you
can indeed do so, or start out trying to keep up and fall back to a more
comfortable speed and meet up with the rest of the group at the rest stop
for a more relaxed ride on the way back to Hague. No one should avoid this
ride because of the "challenge" aspect; we will not be doing anything
drastically different than usual; just not regrouping at each turn until the
rest stop; if you don't know the route clearly, ask for a paper map from me
before we depart. The typical difference in speeds between our
three ride groups should account for making up the time lost in our delayed
start without our having to do anything drastic; we will be taking fewer and
shorter rolling rest breaks instead of our usual relaxed pauses, so plan on
swigging your water on the fly, and chugging your doughnuts and Clif bars before
we depart. Helmets are required
as usual.
The Rest Stop: Will
be in Brooker at approximately 28 miles, at the intersection
of CR 18 and CR231 at a gas station/convenience store with restrooms.
The Start Point: Will be at
DeSoto Park on 441 near Hague; this park is on the north
side of 441 about a mile northwest of where NW 43rd Street intersects with
441. There is a Sunoco gas station/convenience store with
restrooms adjacent to the park.
The Ride Aids: Route
maps will be available at the start of the ride; if you want a preview map of
the ride or a Garmin .tcx file, email Ed at the address
below; anyone on my mail list is sent a map in the
Ride Report for the previous ride. General information about
the Bee-17s is now available in the "Riding Groups" page at the GCC web
site:
Weather: In the event
of questionable weather as we near ride time, a GO or cancellation notice
will be posted on the list server approximately 1 hour or
sooner before posted ride meeting time; if you don't see anything by
then, the ride is most likely a GO; if you still have concerns or useful
specific information about bad weather along the ride route,
please give me a call.
Note: The Bee-17s are
now an official GCC riding group. Anyone wishing to "join" the group as a
regular member can do so from their own Members Area page and will receive
a Ride Report for each ride. Non-group GCC members continue to be welcomed
to join us on any posted ride they feel like riding without having to
formally "join" the group.