OT: SFR Russian River 300k next Saturday

[djconnel]

Despite a rather lie riding volume since the Pierce Point 200k a month before. I just signed up for the SFR Russian Eiver 300k next Saturday. Sometimes it's good to be underprepared: it provides respect for the course.

http://sfrandonneurs.org

Reg is a bit hidden: follow the PayPal link. Note tgey want additional info in comments on the PayPal form.

Pierce Point was a lot of fun: I really enjoyed the atmosphere. On this one I'll need to pay more attention to eating and drinking early. This is especially important since riding to and from the start will take this out to 200 miles for me.

[djconnel]

This was even harder than I anticipated...I simply don't have the miles in Feb I do in summer, and it's the first time I've attempted, at least in CA, 200 miles (including to and from GGB) earlier than May. So after 150 km I lost all top end, although I recovered a bit once I was on end game past Nicasio. Carlin was very strong, smiling all the way.

The route was mixed. Out to Petaluma is very familiar...FD to Plstform Bridge to Pt Reyes-Petaluma. I knew it was going to be a long day when I started to feel a bit tired here. Petaluma to Healdsburg via Santa Rosa was rather poor: way too many traffic lights, way too much car traffic, and "controls" which involves getting receipts from Safeways with parking lots the size of many European cities. But then things improved. Westside Road was quite nice, and River Road was pretty despite a surprising number of vehicles. From there it was 1 with its endless rollers bank to Pt Reyes, Pt Reyes Petaluma Rd to Nicasio Road to FD over Whites to Fairfax. All very nice.

But here my slow pace caught up with me and it got dark. Unsure of my light endurance I kept my old Niterider on medium intensity which made Camino Alto less than super fun, in any case car headlights being what they are these days (like high beams back in the day) meant any hope for night vision was lost. I have a newer L&M but I need to warranty it because it randomly turns on and off and I should do that tomorrow. But I eventually made it back to the bridge, Carlin with me at that point pointing out I needed to cross on the east side at night saving me a slight out and back, then I reached the finish.

The 400k is next. The difference there is you're looking at up to close to 100 km after dark without better fitness than I had yesterday. That's a lot, but on the plus side you hit the high traffic area near SF later when traffic is less. Not liking riding at night I'm leaning against that one.

Still despite being slow, and doing most of the ride with a broken driveside spoke, at least I finished. And that's the important thing with brevets. Speed counts but much less than whether you finish.

[Kurt Wallace Martin]

Bravo, Dan! that’s a big ride, and even harder after dark!

kurt

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