Anyone interested in doing the Calhoun County Century Ride on Saturday? The Golden Eagle Ferry is back in operation and it should only be about 90 degrees on Saturday.
Anyone interested in doing the Fun Club ride on Sunday? Could start from my house and get about 100 miles in.
Greg
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Thursday, July 10, 2008
What does grade mean?
Ever since I took up cycling again in 2004 I've been puzzled about something that may been obvious to everyone but me. When referring to the steepness of a hill we describe it as a percentage. Federal highways are graded at 6% or 7% maximum, I can't remember which. But the question always nagged at me. Percent of what? Surely it's not the angle of incline which would be expressed in degrees. Nope.
In studying my ground school materials for my pilot's license I found the answer that's literally been in front of me the whole time. It's simply a statement of the slope expressed as a percentage of 100. You know, rise over run. Duh.
It was discussed in the ground school material in reference to the gradient of runways. So a 7% grade on a hill means for every 100 feet of horizontal distance of the road it increases in height 7 feet. A 15% grade increases 15 feet per 100 horizontal, etc. Yep, obvious and I couldn't see it.
I may very well have been the only one who couldn't figure this out. Now I can sleep with this off my conscience.
Have fun in the Blue Ridge and ride safe.
Blue Skies!
In studying my ground school materials for my pilot's license I found the answer that's literally been in front of me the whole time. It's simply a statement of the slope expressed as a percentage of 100. You know, rise over run. Duh.
It was discussed in the ground school material in reference to the gradient of runways. So a 7% grade on a hill means for every 100 feet of horizontal distance of the road it increases in height 7 feet. A 15% grade increases 15 feet per 100 horizontal, etc. Yep, obvious and I couldn't see it.
I may very well have been the only one who couldn't figure this out. Now I can sleep with this off my conscience.
Have fun in the Blue Ridge and ride safe.
Blue Skies!
Monday, July 07, 2008
Blue Ridge Major Driving Distances
Folks,
In the sake of honesty here are your car distances.
Friday July 11th 280 miles
Saturday July 12th 462 miles
Sunday July 20th 575 miles
I suggest reading materials, Itunes, and the drowsy version of dramine.
Roark
In the sake of honesty here are your car distances.
Friday July 11th 280 miles
Saturday July 12th 462 miles
Sunday July 20th 575 miles
I suggest reading materials, Itunes, and the drowsy version of dramine.
Roark
Blue Ridge Departure Times
Folks,
I hope to have the SUV & Trailer pulling out from my house at 3:00-3:30 pm.
SUV Passengers Include:
Cheri, Amanda, Melina, John, Mark, Ginger
Everyone else needs to be at my house at 4:30 pm. We will depart promptly for the Blue Ridge picking Brian up in route. The SUV has room for one more, so if your interested in getting out of town earlier please let me know.
Roark
I hope to have the SUV & Trailer pulling out from my house at 3:00-3:30 pm.
SUV Passengers Include:
Cheri, Amanda, Melina, John, Mark, Ginger
Everyone else needs to be at my house at 4:30 pm. We will depart promptly for the Blue Ridge picking Brian up in route. The SUV has room for one more, so if your interested in getting out of town earlier please let me know.
Roark
Sunday, July 06, 2008
Blue Ridge Countdown Info
Blue Ridge Folks,
Please make sure anyone attached to you and coming on the trip; but not getting the blogger gets a copy of the information that will be flowing in the next few days.
First, the Sag List is Done. It's not perfect, but its an attempt at being fair. You will be getting a copy of sag list before the ride starts. You will need to make sure you pull off close to where indicated if your driving. If your bicycling you must know where you supposed to take your turn. It's your responsibility to take your turn.
Second, we could definately use a cell phone assigned to just the SAG vehicle. If you have a spare cell phone (activated), and can provide the phone, please let me know. It would be great to have just one number to call if you need the SAG vehicle. I would also like someone to volunteer to put together a cell phone list, to be passed out to the group. That way we could all be able to reach each other (except for John who carries no phone). If no one comes up with a cell phone I might rent one for just the week passing the cost along.
Third, please pack in at most two duffels. Think of this as Colorado without the need for a tent. Two bags should be plenty. I also suggest a day pack that you can put into the SAG for quick access to arm warmers, etc. On the Friday we leave this should hopefully be packed with your overnight supplies. At least one of your duffels should be dropped off with your bike Thursday to be packed into the trailer. It will not be available till we reach the Blue Ridge.
Forth, dont forget your bike must be at my house Thursday. I will not wait or repack the trailer if your bike comes with you on Friday. In fact I hope to be able to let the slower trailer and SUV leave ealier if the Lopatins and I can figure something out that works for them. The trailer could be gone, if you show with your bike Friday.
Next, do not expect on returning Sunday to just scoot for home after arrival in St. Louis. I will expect help breaking down the trailer, and returning the Van. If we are early enough even the trailer will be returned. We all will have been gone, and eager to see our loved ones, but no one should have to shoulder the burden of cleaning up from the trip without full participation of the group. PLAN ACCOURDINGLY!
Lastly, if your not working this Friday, I am sure John and I could use your help packing. We start early so let me know your schedules.
Roark
Please make sure anyone attached to you and coming on the trip; but not getting the blogger gets a copy of the information that will be flowing in the next few days.
First, the Sag List is Done. It's not perfect, but its an attempt at being fair. You will be getting a copy of sag list before the ride starts. You will need to make sure you pull off close to where indicated if your driving. If your bicycling you must know where you supposed to take your turn. It's your responsibility to take your turn.
Second, we could definately use a cell phone assigned to just the SAG vehicle. If you have a spare cell phone (activated), and can provide the phone, please let me know. It would be great to have just one number to call if you need the SAG vehicle. I would also like someone to volunteer to put together a cell phone list, to be passed out to the group. That way we could all be able to reach each other (except for John who carries no phone). If no one comes up with a cell phone I might rent one for just the week passing the cost along.
Third, please pack in at most two duffels. Think of this as Colorado without the need for a tent. Two bags should be plenty. I also suggest a day pack that you can put into the SAG for quick access to arm warmers, etc. On the Friday we leave this should hopefully be packed with your overnight supplies. At least one of your duffels should be dropped off with your bike Thursday to be packed into the trailer. It will not be available till we reach the Blue Ridge.
Forth, dont forget your bike must be at my house Thursday. I will not wait or repack the trailer if your bike comes with you on Friday. In fact I hope to be able to let the slower trailer and SUV leave ealier if the Lopatins and I can figure something out that works for them. The trailer could be gone, if you show with your bike Friday.
Next, do not expect on returning Sunday to just scoot for home after arrival in St. Louis. I will expect help breaking down the trailer, and returning the Van. If we are early enough even the trailer will be returned. We all will have been gone, and eager to see our loved ones, but no one should have to shoulder the burden of cleaning up from the trip without full participation of the group. PLAN ACCOURDINGLY!
Lastly, if your not working this Friday, I am sure John and I could use your help packing. We start early so let me know your schedules.
Roark
Thursday, July 03, 2008
Weekend Rides July 5-6
Folks,
This is it, the last weekend before the fabled Blue Ridge. It's too late to build those hill climbing legs so I just plan to keep mine limber. That said, here my plans
Saturday - Mostly Flat Ride From My House Out to New Town in St. Charles County. Figure about 60 miles round trip. You know the one big climb out from Creve Coeur Lake. Lets be rolling say at 8:30 am.
Sunday - Some Hills, just to keep your legs in hill climbing mode. Fifty miles of the Hills of Kirkwood. If we leave my house at 7:30 am, and we can be back by 1:30 pm. Cheri and I did the loop last week starting at 8:30 and were back by 1:00 pm
Let me know your comments, start times are flexible.
Roark
This is it, the last weekend before the fabled Blue Ridge. It's too late to build those hill climbing legs so I just plan to keep mine limber. That said, here my plans
Saturday - Mostly Flat Ride From My House Out to New Town in St. Charles County. Figure about 60 miles round trip. You know the one big climb out from Creve Coeur Lake. Lets be rolling say at 8:30 am.
Sunday - Some Hills, just to keep your legs in hill climbing mode. Fifty miles of the Hills of Kirkwood. If we leave my house at 7:30 am, and we can be back by 1:30 pm. Cheri and I did the loop last week starting at 8:30 and were back by 1:00 pm
Let me know your comments, start times are flexible.
Roark
Blue Ridge Info Needed
Folks,
John J is helping me build the bike transport trailer. He asked me to get you all to respond to this request to hole us out! Please respond ASAP. Relay this on to any of the group who are not hooked into the blogger.
Roark
ASAP ----We need anyone going to take the front wheel off their bike, roll it up to a wall, and measure from the floor to where the fork hits the wall(center of where the scewer would fit)ALSO;: when you bring your bike Thur. A--bring something to put the wheel in(wheel bag, taped flat carton also workes fine) B: With a felt tip marker write your name as large as possible because we are going custom fit front wheel hold-downs on the two sides of the trailerand than tag your your spot. Roark and I picked up the lumber and hardware last nite at H.D. We may work on this tonight(THUR) so your co-operation is appriciated. john jauss
John J is helping me build the bike transport trailer. He asked me to get you all to respond to this request to hole us out! Please respond ASAP. Relay this on to any of the group who are not hooked into the blogger.
Roark
ASAP ----We need anyone going to take the front wheel off their bike, roll it up to a wall, and measure from the floor to where the fork hits the wall(center of where the scewer would fit)ALSO;: when you bring your bike Thur. A--bring something to put the wheel in(wheel bag, taped flat carton also workes fine) B: With a felt tip marker write your name as large as possible because we are going custom fit front wheel hold-downs on the two sides of the trailerand than tag your your spot. Roark and I picked up the lumber and hardware last nite at H.D. We may work on this tonight(THUR) so your co-operation is appriciated. john jauss
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