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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 discipline: Never cross the double yellow line! Always stay in your lane, and pick your line accordingly. 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. |
Welcome to the March, California BMW Triumph Shop Ride!
Our March shop ride will leave from the shop parking lot at 9:00 am, the first Sunday of March. This is going to be a rather short ride, with the point of the ride being a nice lunch over in Livermore at Emil Villa's Hick'ry Pit. On the way we will have a chance to ride the very entertaining and challenging Mount Hamilton Road (Rte 130) and Mines Road into Livermore. When we get to the summit of Mount Hamilton we will stop for a nice break (there are bathrooms there) and then head down the backside of the mountain to the junction of Mines and Del Puerto roads. There is a coffee shop there and we will stop to regroup.
These roads are challenging, and sometimes have gravel scattered on them, so you must exercise caution. Also, the Mines Road section has several decreasing radius corners which will come out and bite you if you are not careful. This is a ride, not a race, and I expect everyone to ride within their ability and not crash or go off the road.
We'll leave the shop and go down 101 to Alum Rock and take it to Rte 130/Mt. Hamilton Road, which we follow to the top of Mt. Hamilton for our first break. The driveway up the observatory doubles back sharply to the right just as soon as you get to the summit. There is an old school on the right hand side of the road right there, so watch closely and don't miss it. Our next break will be at the junction of Mines and del Puerto Roads. Watch closely, someone always goes blowing by this intersection.
We follow Mines Road all the way back to Livermore, and turn left on Tesla Road. Very soon you will pass the municipal buildings on the right, and immediately afterwards is the right turn into the shopping center. Emil Villa's is at the very end of the shopping center parking lot, and we will probably be eating on the patio.
After lunch you can return via Calaveras Road (very twisty) or straight back on 84 to 680 and the bay area. If time allows after lunch, we will ride out by Airway and 580 and check on the progress of the new building that will house Tri-Valley Moto, our new dealership. We will stock BMW, Triumph and KTM! We plan to open in late April, weather permitting.
This is a pretty ride, and has some of the most challenging and technical riding of any of the Bay Area roads, plus it is usually lightly traveled this time of year. Conditions should be good, perhaps a little sandy from all the rain, but we'll all ride carefully. I will be going rain or shine!
Everybody, please, be sure to stay within the safe limits of your riding ability. This is a social ride, not a race, so always ride within your comfort zone and work on being the smoothest rider on the ride, not the fastest. True riding skill is built on the practice of smoothness, control and a sense of the right line, not on trying to go fast. So, as always, this is a leisurely ride, nothing difficult, and please, no racing! I hope you can join us. Have fun and be safe!
I hope you can join us. E-mail me or call me at (650) 966-1183, ext. 3, if you have any questions or concerns.
Best Regards!
Kari Prager
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