|
|
Sunday Ride Protocols |
|
Ride notes: This is an informal ride, and as always, remember that this is a social ride; your safety and the safety of your fellow riders is paramount. As a reminder here are some basic group ride protocols which you may also find useful for your own rides. Safe speed: The safe speed for road conditions will differ from rider to rider. You are responsible to pick a pace that is comfortable and within your ability. There will be plenty of opportunities to regroup. Never ride beyond your limits in an attempt to keep up with another rider! Safe distance: Do not follow closely; leave a safe distance between you and the next rider. It is especially important to avoid following closely on secondary roads where you can't see around the next corner and circumstances can change without warning. Passing: If you must ride faster than the rider in front of you, put your blinker on and pass. If you see a rider behind you preparing to pass, move over. There is little point to passing when riding in a group, however. We all get there about the same time... Lane discipline: Never cross the double yellow line! Always stay in your lane, and pick your line accordingly. Passing: If you are prepared to ride faster than the rider in front, put your blinker on and pass. If you see a rider behind you preparing to pass, move over and give plenty of room. Don't speed up! Stopping: If the group stops, pull off the road completely. When the group starts, be sure to look over your shoulder for approaching traffic before you pull out after the person in front of you. Don't assume it is clear just because they pulled out... Breakdowns: The sweeps and riding friends may stop and provide assistance. It is not safe for then entire group to stop for one rider unless there is plenty of room to pull off the road. Taking off early: It is fine to head home early, but it is appreciated if you let the others in the group or the sweeps know so we don't wait around or go looking for you. |
Dear Riding Friends!
We are going to try something a little different this month, a ride combining both California BMW Triumph (CALmoto) and Tri-Valley Moto (BMW, KTM and Triumph). The ride will be to the East, so we will leave as usual from California BMW at 9:00 am and head directly to Tri-Valley Moto by the shortest, most direct way. We should arrive around 9:30 am and leave immediately for the best parts of the ride. This ride is very technical and challenging, not unlike Tunitas Creek off Skyline. There are bumps, potholes and off-camber corners. Having said all that it is a neat road, probably doable by a confident rider with six months or so of experience, but it depends on your ability to evaluate your own skill and confidence level whether you join us or not.
Our route from Cal BMW will be all freeway, 101- 237 - 880 - Mission - 680 - 84 -Tri-Valley Moto. We'll ride that section in a group. From Tri-Valley we will head north on Collier Canyon, right on Carneal, right on Manning, left on Morgan Territory Road, which we will follow all the way to the other end, where it joins Marsh Creek Road. We'll turn left on Ignacio Valley Road and follow the signs for Mt. Diablo. We are planning to go to the summit, so there will be a ranger fee, probably about $5.00. There are no amenities on the summit but it is a great place for lunch, so I recommend bringing a sandwich and a bottle of gator-ade for lunch on one of the prettiest spots in the Bay Area.
We'll come down onto Blackhawk Road, which will take us to Tassajara Road. Turn left on Highland, and right on Collier Canyon Road and you will be right back at the shop. I will have maps available on Sunday, October 5th, at both stores. Morgan Territory Road is a narrow, bumpy road, and can be quite challenging, so this is probably not a good choice for a pure beginner's ride. Next month we'll have something more appropriate for newer riders. I estimate this will be about a three or four hour ride, depending on how much time we spend hanging out on Mount Diablo for our picnic lunch.
Please, be sure to stay within the safe limits of your riding ability. This is a social ride, not a race, so always ride within your comfort zone and work on being the smoothest rider on the ride, not the fastest. True riding skill is built on the practice of smoothness, control and a sense of the right line, not on trying to go fast. So as always, this is a leisurely ride, nothing difficult, and please, no racing! I hope you can join us. Have fun and be safe! E-mail me or call (650.966.1183 ext.3) if you have any questions or concerns.
Best Regards,
Download Acrobat Reader (opens new window)
