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Sunday Ride Protocols |
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Ride notes: This is an informal ride, and as always, remember that this is a social ride; your safety and the safety of your fellow riders is paramount. As a reminder here are some basic group ride protocols which you may also find useful for your own rides. Safe speed: The safe speed for road conditions will differ from rider to rider. You are responsible to pick a pace that is comfortable and within your ability. There will be plenty of opportunities to regroup. Never ride beyond your limits in an attempt to keep up with another rider! Safe distance: Do not follow closely; leave a safe distance between you and the next rider. It is especially important to avoid following closely on secondary roads where you can't see around the next corner and circumstances can change without warning. Passing: If you must ride faster than the rider in front of you, put your blinker on and pass. If you see a rider behind you preparing to pass, move over. There is little point to passing when riding in a group, however. We all get there about the same time... Lane Passing: If you are prepared to ride faster than the rider in front, put your blinker on and pass. If you see a rider behind you preparing to pass, move over and give plenty of room. Don't speed up! Stopping: If the group stops, pull off the road completely. When the group starts, be sure to look over your shoulder for approaching traffic before you pull out after the person in front of you. Don't assume it is clear just because they pulled out... Breakdowns: The sweeps and riding friends may stop and provide assistance. It is not safe for then entire group to stop for one rider unless there is plenty of room to pull off the road. Taking off early: It is fine to head home early, but it is appreciated if you let the others in the group or the sweeps know so we don't wait around or go looking for you. |
Join us for our first Sunday Shop Ride of the year, January 8th, 2012... a short Sunday Ride through the Marin Headlands, getting you home by early afternoon.
We typically head north to Hwy 280 via Charleston/Arastradero Roads. Take 280 to 19th Ave. to 101 north over the Golden Gate Bridge. We usually stop at the north end of the Golden Gate Bridge, Vista Point (9:45-10:00 am) and regroup, use the restrooms, and look at San Francisco in the sun across the bay.
After your break, head north on 101 to Mill Valley/Stinson Beach/ Highway 1 exit north of Sausalito. Take Hwy 1 over Mount Tamalpais to the summit of Mount Tamalpais. Just follow Highway 1 north from Mill Valley and bear right on Panoramic Highway, right again on Pan Toll Road and follow signs to Mt. Tam. Be careful if you cross the double yellow line; you may get a ticket!
The high point of the ride, and the main stopping place is the summit of Mt. Tam. I suggest bringing a thermos of coffee or tea, as there are bathrooms but no other facilities. If you want the very best views of the bay, walk up to the Fire Lookout. It is only a ten minute walk up and a five minute run back down to the parking lot, and you really get a panoramic vantage that is unique. When you are ready to take off, be sure to take the right hand turnoff on Ridgecrest Blvd, (don't follow Pan Toll back down) and follow Ridgecrest north to the Fairfax-Bolinas Road (bear left). This is a tight, bumpy, twisty road that rejoins Rte. 1 at the north end of Bolinas Lagoon, just across from the Bolinas turn-out. Turn left and head back on Hwy 1 along the Bolinas Lagoon to Stinson Beach. Continue south on Hwy 1 until it loops back over the mountains just south of Muir Woods and brings you back to the Golden Gate. If you still want to explore, take the Muir Woods Cutoff about 6 miles south of Stinson Beach. This takes you through the Muir Woods Redwoods and loops back to Hwy 1 and takes you back to 101 via Mill Valley, the same way you started up the mountain.
The ride ends when we get back the Golden Gate where our riders can take their choice of routes home. I will likely be stopping in the City for something to eat before I head back on 101!
Weather should be fantastic this weekend and the views spectacular.
Departure time is 9:00am from California BMW Triumph (We will not be making a stop at Tri-Valley Moto this month), coffee will be ready by 8:30. Be gassed up and ready to leave by 9:00am sharp. We'll have a short rider/safety meeting at 8:50. I want to earnestly request that all riders ride within your comfort zones. Stay within the safe limits of your riding ability, and work on being the smoothest rider on the ride, not the fastest. True riding skill is built on a sense of smoothness, control and a sense of line, not in trying to go fast. Practice performing the smoothest possible upshifts and downshifts by good throttle control and matching engine and road speed, and experiment with slight changes in body position and weight transfer to help control the bike in the corners. For this Sunday's ride we are going to set an easy pace, and anyone who exceeds that pace and passes the leader is on his or her own.
I hope you can join us, have fun and be safe! e-mail me or call (650.966.1183, ext. 3) if you have any questions or concerns.
Ride Safely! ...and, all brands are welcome, of course...
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discipline: Never cross the double yellow line! Always stay in your lane, and pick your line accordingly.