Ride Guidelines: These are the traditional rules that the rides abide by. See new items in red.
1) Start time 5:45 unless you e-mail us and request us to wait (we will). If it rains and we cancel we automatically reschedule for Wednesday. Cancellation notification via e-mail on Tuesday afternoons. Route map available on web site some time on Monday or by Tuesday morning. All communication is via the web site and the mailing list ramseyriders@topica.com The fast group averages 18-20 mph for 30-50 miles. The slower group averages 14-16mph for 20-40 miles.
2) Mountain bikes usually the first few weeks of the season. First ride is traditionally the first Tuesday after Daylight Savings Time.
3) Time trail about once a month. About every 4-5 weeks
4) The first 20 minutes or so is a warm-up. Please don't start hammering right out of the parking lot. 20 minutes gives about a 5 mile warm-up.
5) Single file areas: Due to increased traffic in the area please observe the single file rule on the following roads
a) All of Hwy96
b) Portland from Hwy 96 to Hwy 7
c) Hwy 7 from Portland to the top of the climb on the big "S" curve
6) We'll usually wait for flat tires on the first half of the ride. By the second half anything goes. So make sure you can fix your own flats.
7) The fast pack usually splits up as riders can't hold on later in the ride. So make sure you know the route or carry a map or ride with someone who does.
8) The slower group is basically a no-one gets dropped ride unless they agree otherwise during the ride. Assess you abilities accordingly and be self sufficient.
New (as of 2003)
9) The fast group has become faster and faster over the years. So much so that there seems to be another group emerging. Those people that can hang on for a 1/2 to 3/4 of the ride or until the big hills come. If this description fits you; instead of pushing along by yourself trying to catch the front group, that's being driven by a bigger engine than you have (you'll never catch them by yourself) , why not wait and form a new group with any other people who have fallen off before you. Usually when someone get dropped it's because they are already at their max and they most likely will not be able to catch back up, especially in the second half where we tend not to wait. If there's still a lot of miles left, wait and form a chase group with the others who've been dropped. You might even catch back on, but at least you'll have a more enjoyable ride.
10) To participate in the Time Trials you must e-mail me and tell me you are coming. If you just show up without prior announcement you can't ride. We'll make you do the timing. Send a Time Trial notice e-mail to sdthatcher@att.net. We will have a Time Trial sponsor this year and we need to know how many people are coming and you also need to sign a waiver (once). Click for waiver. Sign it and bring it along with you. Copies will be available at the start for those pre-registered. See Time Trial date on main page.
11) Time Trials Logistics: Start time is 6:30. Start order is slowest expected person to fastest (We make a good guess). Start interval is 30 seconds. The course is 13.3 miles and we go clockwise around the loop starting from the Withrow School. Finish will be in front of the school on Hwy 7. Park in the Withrow School parking lot. There will be a random drawing for prizes for all participants at each event. The prizes are courtesy of Now Bikes and Fitness. Results will be available in an Excel spreadsheet on the website by the day after the event. The spreadsheet will contain all historical data as well. This year all 5 Time Trials have selected dates. See link on main page to Time Trial dates.