The fall roadie campaign begins

School is back in session, politics is heating up, time to ride. Hoping to get a group at Grace at 7 a.m. Saturday for a nice two-hour roadie. Show up then and there if you are all in.

Roadie, anyone?

I would like to ride on Saturday, but have a tight time frame -- 7 to 8:30. Reply if you are interested. If no one wants to, I'll sleep in.

Also: I am writing a story for Friday's Trib on the end of Team Highroad. Owner Bob Stapleton told the cycling press today he could not line up a new sponsor and he cannot compete economically anymore with the new "super teams" that have twice as much money to throw around. Sad news. Highroad will disband after this season.

Monday Roadie August 1st 6 AM

This may be my last ride before the wedding so I figured I should post it. Plan is to meet at Grace at 6 am and ride for approximately 2 hours. Hopefully some of you can make it out.
Blake

Back on the Mountain

Riding on the road so much, I forgot how sweet the dirt was until yesterday. Got out with Levi and Drew (nickname pending) and rode Madonna.

Let's do it again.

Friday, 6:30 Shooters, taking off from Poultry Unit.

Reply if you're in.

Saturday roadie, as you like it

A roadie with options: Start at Grace at 7 a.m. and head to Cayucos. Upon arrival, those who want some climbing can head up Old Creek Road; others can remain coastal and return to SLO. Those on Old Creek can then head to the top and ride back down, or if more miles are desired, head west to Highway 1. The more, the merrier -- would love to see some Death Riders!

Something to ease Docs Pain...

Gotta love cycling.  Experiences in big mountains, at elevation, leaves a mark.  Love the humor, albeit I am sure there is a bit of truth in it.  Glad to hear you finished safely.  Hope the rest did as well.

Thought I would share something that reduces your pain perhaps.  In a Tour marked with an unbelievable number of painful crashes, this one tops them all.  Cannot believe these men remounted and rode to the finish.

No matter how bad your 5 mountain passes hurt, Flecha and Hoogaland are going to sleep pretty poorly tonight, and not sleep as sound as you.  Glad you are back Scott and look forward to the stories...

Vive Le Tour!

Post Death Ride thoughts....

Dear Road bike,
We've been friends for a long time and we've been through a lot but yesterday in the Sierra's you put me deep in the pain locker for 8.5 hours and I've decided I don't like you very much today!

Dear Golf clubs,
I know I've stuck you in the closet for a few years but I want to apologize for this and am wondering if you'll take me back, you put me through emotional pain but you never did what my bike did to me yesterday! Please forgive me for neglecting you!

The Death Ride was an amazing exercise in mental fortitude and pain management! 126 miles, 5 sierra passes, 15,000 feet of climbing. Open the pain locker door, step in, close the door and sit there for 8.5 hours... and we did this voluntarily!

Saturday roadie

For those who might want to jump in, roadie from SLO to South Bay Blvd and then back via Turri Road. 7 a.m. at Grace to roll out.
Otherwise, our thoughts go with the intrepid Death Riders -- Doc, Hobbit and Peter "The Dane" Kardel. Best to you, gents!

Roadie on the Fourth

Start the Monday holiday off right: Meet at Grace at 7. Head out Broad to Price Canyon to Ormonde Road. Climb that beautiful stretch to Old Oak Park, then down that lovely valley and into AG and on to Highway 1. Home via Pismo and Ontario Road. Let freedom ring!

Two For Tuesday

Up and down Prefumo twice. Join Hobit and I Tuesday morning at 6:00 for some climbing before work. Reply if you're in.

110, 17, 15+, 2, 1

Even though the word "epic" is a bit worn out, it must be used to describe SB to SLO 2011. 110 miles traveled, 17 riders, 15+ flat tires along the way, 2 crashes, 1 lost rider near the finish! A number of PR's were set for mileage, some first time century people on board -- nice job!
Now for the awards...
Most skin lost: Sean C
Best PR: Tad W
Best new rider effort: Ron J
Most committed: Rick W (His son was graduating that afternoon and his wife was wondering why he was even going on the ride)
Best friend: Ricky (came all the way from Oregon to ride with Sean)
Best Fan support: Dan W (wife and daughter were on State st. cheering when we got there)
Best SAG support: Ron J (wife picked him up in Lompoc)
Guess that's it, got to get to work, nice job everyone!

Weather forecast for SB ride

As drawn from National Weather Service and the daily John Lindsey report: Fog and overcast, even possible drizzle, will greet us starting out Friday. Start-time temperature likely in the 50s. Fog and overcast conditions will remain with us for most of the day, with some partial sun possible east of Lompoc before we drop back down into June gloom.
Predicted high temps for spots along the course:
Guadalupe -- 59
Vandenberg -- 59
Lompoc -- 63
Las Cruces (Highways 1 and 101 interchange) -- 67
Gaviota -- 65
Goleta -- 65
Santa Barbara -- 65
Good news is light winds.
See you all tomorrow!

Help?

Anybody heading to Doc's from South County tomorrow morning? If so, I could use a ride.

Call me if you can help out.

Cade 801-8497

South County

Although I would love a run up the coast with Brian, my schedule precludes it. Several departing my driveway at 630am for Lopez to Ranchita ride. Hour up and back likely. Gotta be back to my house between 830.

Korey, Tim, Sean, and potentially Rudy.

Will be rolling by 635 no later.

Saturday Ride - SLO to 46 to Old Creek to SLO??

Anyone up for a pre-SB ride this Saturday morning? From Grace up 1 to 46 to Old Creek and back to SLO. About 75 miles. Roll from Grace at 7am.

Who's in? I think I'm going regardless..............!