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Thought to freshen this thread to be sure everyone who thinks they are interested really are interested! And to begin getting a more accurate headcount.
Please read through this so that we all share the same vision, (a vision not shared is a hallucination!), about how this ride will go!
DATE: Sunday, August 26th
MEET TIME: 6:30 am for breakfast - 7:30 for riders meeting and departure
LOCATION - MaryAnnes in Derry, NH MaryAnn's Diner - Restaurant
VISION - Spirited pace, no crashes, no tickets, no lost riders, all smiles and friends at the end
HELP - If the group doesnt get any bigger than 20 or so I will keep it intact. I am looking for a couple of volunteers to take sweep. If it gets much bigger I will divide it into two groups. I already have someone offering to lead a slower group but I am loathe to break it up that way since it implies that, a.) one group will be significantly faster than another. (It won't) and b.) that somehow this ride is about speed. (It's not!)
WEATHER - I will post last minute updates to my home page at BatMan Home. Check there late Saturday night or before leaving Sunday. I have no rain-date in mind so will likely go even if there is a chance of encountering some rain. But won't go if we aren't likely to have mostly good weather.
REGISTER - Please register at http://www.grouprider.com/rides.php?...de&rideid=1591 This is the list I am going by. So far we have 7 confirmed and 19 tentitive.
RIDE RULES - (yeah rules...)
• Gear - Helmet, gloves, boots, jacket, and at least heavy jeans. (You might want to bring a bathing suit in case we stop somewhere for a dip.)
• I am leading this ride. Don't pass me unless you plan to leave the group.
• Ride your own ride … period
• Stay at 80% of your ability based on YOU, weather, road conditions, your
bike, etc. If the rider in front uses all their reserve and you asspack ‘em
cus you weren’t giving yourself enough leeway it’s YOUR bad.
• It is the passing rider’s responsibility to complete a pass safely.
• No one gets left behind. I stop at all major intersections and any change
of route and get a count.
• Watch for the rider BEHIND you. If they aren’t there slow down and see if
they catch up. If not, stop. Eventually I will realize no one is behind me
and circle back to see what’s what!
• If you want to go faster, engage in stunting, or pass me…no
problem. But you are on your own and no longer part of this group! Try and let me know and strike out on your own. No hard
feelings! Have fun! But do try and let me know you’re splitting off so I
stop trying to count you. Worst case, at some point leave me a message
on my cell – 617.285.7154
• Ride staggered at slower speeds. Leave 3+ seconds or better at the
more spirited speeds.
• No passing on the right
• Limit passing on double yellow to only when necessary
• Keep speeds under a ton
• The ‘Pace’ is the guide I keep in my head
• Turn off your freekin’ blinker after you’ve completed the turn!
ROUTE -
The current route on Group Rider is broken into 3 pieces due to technical limitations of your leader...me! Doesn't matter though since the Evans Notch section doesn't apply anymore anyway! I expect to take the posted route across Hurricane Mountain. At this point I plan to run Hurricane Mountain back west then take 16 north to Mt. Washington. If the weather is good we can ride to the summit. If not continue north to Rt. 2 west. Then 115S to Rt. 3 South. At Franconia Notch we'll see how folks feel. Some may decide to slab 93 home. I may continue the lead to North Woodstock and 112/118 west and south to Canaan and Rt. 4. From there I will head home....
I know that lots of people have lots of suggestions about routes and, while I appreciate it I am not clever enough to figure out how to make everyone happy. So, I suggest we try and follow this plan and remain flexible. As long as I am successful at keeping everyone together changes in route should be no big deal!
I don't mean to piss anyone off or alienate anyone. But if my sincere desire to lead a safe ride at a spirited pace within the limits described above don't fit with your view of a group ride then DONT COME. Again, no hard feelings. I know my style isn't for everyone and I certainly won't be offended.
Lets use this thread going forward...
Dave