Ride this Sunday! 6.22.08 10 am

[buttrumpus]

It's official. The response seems good for this one, so it's going to happen.

Here's the link to the route again:
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&hl=en&geocode=11380723999305507511,34.014070,-118.498070&saddr=1816+Berkeley+St,+Santa+Monica,+California+90404&daddr=berkeley+st.+and+broadway,+santa+monica+ca+to:Santa+Monica+Blvd+%4034.014070,+-118.498070+to:california+incline+%26+ocean+ave.+santa+monica+to:california+incline+%26+pacific+coast+highway,+santa+monica+to:topanga+canyon+rd.+%26+pacific+coast+highway+to:topanga+canyon+rd.+%26+old+topanga+canyon+rd.,+topanga,+ca+to:Mulholland+Hwy+%26+Old+Topanga+Canyon+Rd,+Calabasas,+Los+Angeles,+California+91302,+United+States+to:mulholland+hwy+%26+las+virgenes+rd+to:malibu+canyon+rd.+%26+pacific+coast+highway+to:Pacific+Coast+Hwy+%26+California+Incline,+Santa+Monica,+CA+90403+to:Ocean+Ave+%26+California+Incline,+Santa+Monica,+CA+90403+to:ocean+ave+%26+santa+monica+ave+to:santa+monica+ave+%26+berkeley+st+to:1816+Berkeley+St,+Santa+Monica,+CA+90404&mra=pi&mrcr=13&sll=34.07623,-118.58722&sspn=0.2511,0.396194&ie=UTF8&t=h&z=12

Meeting 10am at the Bikerowave for a casual yet challenging road ride. I say casual because I for one have no intention of hauling ass to get this done. I've always wanted to see these roads via bike, and it's only possible as a group, so let me know if you're down.

We're going to try to make it a weekly event from here on out, with different routes every week. So if you have any suggestions, or a good title for this ride, post! Whether or not we can call it a Bikerowave ride or not has yet to be determined, but I bike the idea, and fully encourage we form a rag-tag team of upstarts. Again, discuss!


P.s. Sorry for starting a new thread, as like all things, it's really just about the marketing.

[Elizabeth Hunter]

I'll be there!

Should we post this anywhere? I don't really think it's a Midnight Ridazz kind of ride...but maybe? Is there anywhere else to post rides?

[paul]

hmmm.. this means lay off the booze @ C.R.A.N.K. Mob

So be it!!

[paul]

also; this ride needs a name:

spunday?
sweaty spandex?
asparagus sandwich?

[E-Rock]

i'm there

[E-Rock]

the math jokes ride?

[buttrumpus]

de ronde von bikerowave?
giro di topanga?
los funday express?

also, i don't know where else to post this one. where online does our demographic congregate to discuss lycra?

[steveby3]

lets just post it here only, it'll be fun to have a bikerowave ride

[Elizabeth Hunter]

Good call Steve. I don't think it should be a huge ride anyways. We don't want people showing up on their cruisers. ;-)

Yay. See y'all there!

[buttrumpus]

So I scouted this route in my car during my lunch break today. I'm real excited now, this route is friggin beautiful, and it has all that the California canyon and mountain country can offer in terms of natural sights and wildlife.

I think the most important things to keep in mind will be to have plenty of water, and to take it easy once we get up old topanga because the temperature rose by about 30 degrees from the coast. It's going to be cooler on sunday, so it shouldn't be too bad, but its certainly a consideration.

I was pleased to see that none of the climbing on this route is all that bad, so it should make for a good first ride for us. I noticed 4-5 spots where it looked like the gradient went above 5-6%, and it usually wasn't for more than 2/10ths of a mile. The bulk of the uphill is very steady from the coast inland, and once into topanga and mulholland i'd say there was actually more downhill than up, so it should be easy to recover, and get some absurd speed if need be. Also, I discovered that Malibu canyon rd. actually has a wide shoulder in most of the winding sections, so that should save us some hassle, though we'll have to have rear lights for one short tunnel.

I'd also suggest bringing some sort of snack food because between topanga and malibu creek state park there isn't much in terms of towns or stores. we can stock up on the way though, i know of one mini-mart in topanga that sells good natural snacks and drinks.

woooo i can't wait.

[faultymonk]

Here's the link to the route again:
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&hl=en&geocode=11380723999305507511,34.014070,-118.498070&saddr=1816+Berkeley+St,+Santa+Monica,+California+90404&daddr=berkeley+st.+and+broadway,+santa+monica+ca+to:Santa+Monica+Blvd+%4034.014070,+-118.498070+to:california+incline+%26+ocean+ave.+santa+monica+to:california+incline+%26+pacific+coast+highway,+santa+monica+to:topanga+canyon+rd.+%26+pacific+coast+highway+to:topanga+canyon+rd.+%26+old+topanga+canyon+rd.,+topanga,+ca+to:Mulholland+Hwy+%26+Old+Topanga+Canyon+Rd,+Calabasas,+Los+Angeles,+California+91302,+United+States+to:mulholland+hwy+%26+las+virgenes+rd+to:malibu+canyon+rd.+%26+pacific+coast+highway+to:Pacific+Coast+Hwy+%26+California+Incline,+Santa+Monica,+CA+90403+to:Ocean+Ave+%26+California+Incline,+Santa+Monica,+CA+90403+to:ocean+ave+%26+santa+monica+ave+to:santa+monica+ave+%26+berkeley+st+to:1816+Berkeley+St,+Santa+Monica,+CA+90404&mra=pi&mrcr=13&sll=34.07623,-118.58722&sspn=0.2511,0.396194&ie=UTF8&t=h&z=12

I used the "Path Profiler" tool from the "My Maps" tab on google maps, and it generated:

[buttrumpus]

i had no idea that was possible, that's awesome.

[steveby3]

the climb up Topanga is pretty balls out but super duper fucking beautiful..  theres a couple little food stores that might make a nice refuel point.  be prepared to be riding on the white line while cars zip by though,it's narrow.

[ScottS]

PCH update-

You're in luck!

PCH is now paved from Temescal all the way to Cross Creek. They've even FINALLY fixed that curve on the southbound side right before the parking lots where before you had to jump into the lane and risk getting hit by a car going 60 mph around a curve. Now there's a 3 foot shoulder to ride on. Sweet!!

Unless they pave the remainder of PCH from Santa Monia Pier to Temescal between this evening and Sunday morning, I recommend going down to the pier and then north on the bike path to the parking lots and turn onto PCH at Temescal. Unless you're trying to get the Paris-Roubaix experience, that is.

http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=2007016

Two large water bottles (24 oz) are essential. There are very few places to refill. Make sure you stop at the store on Topanga before you start up Old Topanga and fill your bottles. I prefer something with electrolyte replacements. Water by itself won't be enough. On hot days I also add salt to my hydration mix and make sure I eat something salty before and during the ride. Bring energy bars or gels.

Although it will be a bit cooler on Sunday, this morning when I was climbing Busch Drive at 9am, it was plenty warm and that's much closer to the coast and a much shorter climb. Best thing would be to get an early start so you're not riding in the hottest part of the day.

-ss

[buttrumpus]

Thanks Scott!
All of your suggestions will be noted. I'm def. bringing two 24 oz. bottles with me, filled with this Ultima Replenisher electrolyte mix that's sold at whole foods. I've used it on backpacking trips, and I think it works pretty well. That's also some good news about the PCH being paved more than it was a few days ago, and that that one spot has been fixed. I know exactly which one you're talking about, every time I drive by there I cringe thinking about riding that. So, no need for the pave' tires then.