DBD2 training ride #8: Pacifica (9/15/2012)

Date: Saturday, September 15
Meet time: 8:00 a.m.
Ride-out time: 8:30 a.m.
Meeting place: Parking lot at Villa and Franklin streets, Mountain View (across from the Tied House) (map)
City: Mountain View
Rain policy: Heavy rain cancels
Category: 2 moderate pace (10-12 mph)
Terrain: 3 - rolling hills with some steep climbs
Miles: 79

Description:

We'll wrap up this season's Mountain View training rides with a challenging ride up the Peninsula that has "lumpy" terrain very similar to that which you'll experience on the event.

You'll be treated to amazing views on our final descent to the coast, you'll enjoy the change of pace as you ride through Pacifica, and you'll be challenged by the moderately steep climb up Sharp Park Road back to Skyline. Our helpful ride leaders and SAG driver will be on hand to help you succeed with grace and style.

Strava reports about 5,100 feet of climbing for this route.

Click here to RSVP now
RSVPs are recommended but not required.

DBD2 training ride #7: Saratoga Gap (9/8/2012)

Date: Saturday, September 8
Meet time: 8:30 a.m.
Note the earlier time!
Ride-out time: 9:00 a.m.
Meeting place: Parking lot at Villa and Franklin streets, Mountain View (across from the Tied House) (map)
City: Mountain View
Rain policy: Rain cancels
Category: 2 - moderate pace (10-12 mph)
Terrain: 4 - steep hills, long climbs
Miles: 75

Description:

Due to a street festival in Mountain View, you will not be able to access our meeting location from Castro Street. Use Shoreline Blvd. to Villa Street.

Today, we'll head to Saratoga and climb all the way up Highway 9 to Saratoga Gap, a 7.4-mile climb that gains almost 2,100 feet. Of course, we don't stop there. After that, we'll ride along the crests of the Peninsula range along Skyline Blvd. and then descend the amazingly scenic west side of Alpine Road down to La Honda, where we pick up Highway 84 for a 7-mile climb back to the summit. But wait, there's more! After we return to Woodside, we'll head up Cañada Road to do the little climb and descent on Edgewood Road. And there's still more! We'll finish by revisiting La Cresta Drive in Los Altos Hills and, yes, one final trip around the Los Altos Golf & Country Club.

Total climbing for this ride is about 6,400 feet. You will need to pace yourself accordingly to make it through the entire route, but completing this ride will give you a deep sense of accomplishment and build confidence for your upcoming big event.

Click here to RSVP now
RSVPs are recommended but not required.

DBD2 training ride #6: Tunitas Creek (9/1/2012)

Date: Saturday, September 1
Meet time: 9:30 a.m.
Ride-out time: 10:00 a.m.
Meeting place: Parking lot at Villa and Franklin streets, Mountain View (across from the Tied House) (map)
City: Mountain View
Rain policy: Rain cancels
Category: 2 - moderate pace (10-12 mph)
Terrain: 4 - steep hills, long climbs
Miles: 69

Description:
Tunitas Creek Road is one of the signature climbs of the Peninsula coastside, climbing about 2,000 feet over 9 miles with the steepest parts in the middle. That's where we're going today. But since we're starting in Mountain View, we first have to get to Tunitas Creek ... and that means climbing over the Peninsula range just to get there. We'll do that by climbing Old La Honda Road, a 3.3-mile climb that gains about 1,300 feet, and then descending Highway 84 to San Gregorio. And if that's not enough climbing, we've got a tiny little surprise waiting for you in the last few miles.

Total climbing for this ride is about 6,000 feet. You will need to pace yourself accordingly to make it through the entire route, but completing this ride will give you a deep sense of accomplishment and build confidence for your upcoming big event.

This ride is Caltrain-friendly; the first southbound train from San Francisco arrives in Mountain View at 9:29 a.m.

Click here to RSVP now
RSVPs are recommended but not required.

DBD2 training ride #5: New Almaden (8/25/2012)

Date: Saturday, August 25
Meet time: 9:30 a.m.
Ride-out time: 10:00 a.m.
Meeting place: Parking lot at Villa and Franklin streets, Mountain View (across from the Tied House) (map)
City: Mountain View
Rain policy: Rain cancels
Category: 2 - moderate pace (10-12 mph)
Terrain: 3 - some steep climbs
Miles: 60

Description:
We take a week off from the giant climbs and spend some time on repeated smaller climbs of the type we'll be seeing on the event in September. We start with a familiar route through Stevens Canyon and up and over Mount Eden into Saratoga and onward to Los Gatos. Then it's up and over Shannon Road and into south San Jose for a quick run along Almaden Expressway. We'll return by doing the Kennedy Road climb into Los Gatos, revisiting the Sobey/Chester rollers from two weeks ago, and finishing with an easy return (no surprise last-minute hills this week) into Mountain View.

This ride has about 3,100 feet of climbing. Be sure to bring plenty of water and electrolyte replacement, especially if it's hot.

This ride is Caltrain-friendly; the first southbound train from San Francisco arrives in Mountain View at 9:29 a.m.

Click here to RSVP now
RSVPs are recommended but not required.