[Squidward]

I'll be there.

 

[Squidward]

I think a few people added on a few extra turns and hills (by accident :mad2: ).

You mean like my buddy and I missing Junipero Serra altogether and riding up Alpine Road for about two miles before figuring out that we were in the wrong place?

Somehow my Garmin GPS showed that we rode just shy of 34 miles when the Bikely map shows only 24.9 miles. It might also be because we rode up and over Woodside Road instead of Sand Hill Road as I felt that I didn't like the intersection at Highway 280 and Sand Hill (it's dangerous as cars come flying up the ramps and cars driving on Sand Hill need to merge across the bike path to get onto the freeway). A few people have lost their lives at that intersection so we avoided it by going around it.

 

[Squidward]

With regards to tailgaiting, a few questions:
Is an open barbeque pit allowed on the premises?
Should we put together a "What's everyone bringing?" thread?

 

[Squidward]

This past weekend my buddy, Joey (Bianchi long sleeve jersey from the last ride) and I missed two turns through The Maze. We found our way, eventually, but we really need to ride through there again to familiarize ourselves with the area some more. As long as the next route takes us through the same areas then that should be fine, other than Sand Hill at Highway 280 that I don't like. I mentioned this earlier either in this thread or the other thread that I don't like that particular junction because of the way you have to cut across the lane to get to the side of the road then have to cut back across the same lane to stay on Sand Hill as this puts us at risk of being in the flow of fast moving traffic twice while climbing a slight incline so our speeds won't be too high. The last time we did this ride we went up and over Woodside Road, which has one junction where cars come off the freeway at speed but they have to slow down for a curve just before the junction and it's a downhill section so our speed is good so it seemed like a safer way to go. We made a right at Alameda De Las Pulgas, which eventually takes you to the junction of Sand Hill and Alpine Roads where you make the left on to Junipero Serra. It seems like a slightly longer ride this way and the area is not as picturesque but I prefer this over Sand Hill at 280. Just a suggestion.

 

[Squidward]

The Sand Hill/280 intersection doesn't seem to bother me because your descending at speed. Plus you have such a clear view of the whole situation. The worst part is the traffic coming up the ramp from the 280 but I've never had a close call (knock on wood) at that spot because cars usually see me and slow down. I think psychologically people are transitioning from highway traffic to road traffic and are more aware (just my theory... well hypothesis really).

Now the weird part of the ride for me is Page Mill/280 where you have to be in the middle in the funky bike lane.

The thing about Page Mill/280 is that there is a bike lane. Sand Hill/280 doesn't. Woodside Road/280 does until you reach the merge with the freeway exit mentioned above. Beyond the merge, there's a wide shoulder to ride on all the way to Alameda De Las Pulgas and beyond.

I used to do a lunchtime ride up Woodside Road from almost 101 to Whiskey Hill, left on Whiskey Hill, right on Sand Hill, right on Portola, right on Mountain Home and right on Woodside to get back to the office. I'm fairly comfortable riding on this section of road (Woodside Road/280). Sand Hill/280 I've ridden once and I could not get over the feeling of having a car bear down on me the entire time I was between the ramps. Then I read the reports here about not one but two folks getting run over right in that area and I pretty much swore that I would not ride there if I can avoid it. Maybe I'm getting old but I look at my kids and I can't imagine them growing up without their dad so I think about these things a little more.

 

[Squidward]

It's not any longer - it's almost exactly the same distance.

Ok, I have created an alternate route that follows your suggestion - http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/RBR-IIa-4-6-08

(I have also corrected an error in the connection to Miranda Ave at the end of the ride - and corrected it on the earlier RBR II map.)

I certainly won't be the one choosing the "official" route (let's see how high we can elevate this thing), so both maps are offered.

Thanks! It's a suggestion and I guess someone needs to make a call on which route we will take.

 

[Squidward]

i'll stick around for a lil bit...what are we supposed to bring/contribute?

Ditto. My buddy from the last ride will be there, too.

 

[Squidward]

Sorry, folks, something came up and I will not be able to make it to this ride. Next month?