49er ride in 2012?

[dgaddis1]

In 2008 seenvic put together a big group ride. Not a race, just a ride. All the turns were marked, everyone was given a map and directions. We started at Lick Fork, rode the Horn Creek trail and then rode over to Wine, Turkey, then on to Modoc. We had one SAG stop at Key Bridge where you could send stuff ahead to be waiting on you. We asked for a $20 donation to SORBA-CSRA since SORBA made sure the route was marked and did the SAG drop and managed shuttle people to/from the start.

That was the first big ride I ever did, and probably still the most I've suffered on a bike. Previously the biggest ride I had done was only 27 miles. The 49er ride was an eye opener. On the rode to Modoc I was just miserable. I had no power, and everything hurt, especially my butt. It hurt to sit. It hurt to stand. It REALLY hurt to go from sitting to standing and vice versa. I wanted to quit and had decided to take the road around instead of riding Modoc, but my friend Kris (also on his first big ride) encouraged me to keep going. "We've gone this far, might as well finish it." So we did. I did a lot of walking on Modoc, and not just the creek crossings. But we did finish it. I want to say it took us 6.5 hours, but I'm not sure.

I learned a lot on that ride. Mostly, I learned that I could do a lot more than I thought I could. I was hooked, and I still love getting out and doing big rides. I'm still not fast, but I have got to the point where I can enjoy myself for most of them, and my taint doesn't feel like someone hit it with napalm anymore.

Soooo.....would anyone be interested in doing another 49er ride? Same format as before? I'll help run it if folks want to try it, get out and see what they're made of.

It's not a contest, just big miles with a little support to help you make it.

Let me know if you're interested. Reply here, or send me an e-mail.

[seenvic]

I'd do it, but wonder if we could just do the route we did yesterday instead.

We could have some shorter options and some not much shorter, but easier.

This would save us from having to run a shuttle at the start or the end.

Assuming my calendar is open, I am in for the original 49er or whatever you decide to do.

[dgaddis1]

Nov 14, 2011 13:37:41 GMT -5 seenvic said:

I'd do it, but wonder if we could just do the route we did yesterday instead.

We could have some shorter options and some not much shorter, but easier.

This would save us from having to run a shuttle at the start or the end.

Assuming my calendar is open, I am in for the original 49er or whatever you decide to do.

I'm game for that too. Whatever folks want to do. More singletrack in what we did this weekend (Wine to Modoc and back). The 49er route is easier though. I also like the idea of a one-way ride covering a lot of ground, without seeing anything twice.

What's everyone else want to do?...if there is anyone else interested.

[wooglin]

I'd do whatever depending on the calendar and family duties. Not sure the connector would be good due to oncoming traffic unless there's a way to lollipop it. Maybe start at Modoc and lollipop from Wine/283 back to Key Bridge/Turkey via gravel?

[brianW]

I like the idea. In case of very wet trails, seenvic has a 30+ mile loop in the area that is mostly gravel with just a small amount of singletrack.

49-er

[azdrawdy]

I (we) like the idea of a 49er route. That first one was a kick in the pants (or lycra). Lots of fun. Our SORBA/CSRA group usually has enough good folks to man a food stop, or run a sag vehicle back and forth.

Like you, I like the idea of not hitting the same trails more than once. We have done numerous WC/TC/PM/Modoc/PM/TC/WC (and other variations) but a point to point is so much sweeter.

IMO,
MD

[kconner]

longest ride I've done is about 25 miles in a day. I would be very interested in doing a longer ride, or even helping out with a ride that was too long for me.

[money]

I would be interested in doing either.

[Ted S.]

I'd love to join a long 'supported' ride. I'd prefer the route with the most single and least amount of Pavel. I don't mind an Out back and don't think the two way traffic is much of an issue, just another excuse to pause/stop/rest/chat. But will happily join what ever ride is decided upon. LOVED, Sundays ride !! Would do that again in a heartbeat.

[Angela]

Depending on our conditioning at the time and the route (I'd love as much singletrack as possible ) would love to do another longer ride like this but at any rate, we'd be happy to help set up ride support as we did last time!

[mhanna]

I'm with Ted. I prefer the route with the most Single and least amount of pavement. Sunday's route was sweet as it had very little pavement. The double track and powerline was rugged enough that it was alomost like single.

Don't forget LCHT. Easy to put together a 50 mile ride there and almost NEVER leave the Single. I'm sure the Greenwood guys would put together a fun route and use the old trails towards the lake to make it even more interesting. Great stuff up there.

MH

[dgaddis1]

Starting to like seenvics idea the more I think about it, lots of options. No shuttle makes it easier for everyone, riding or supporting.

Connector with Extra Special Sauce - 52.4 miles - most single, least pavement (what we rode Sunday), modoc/turkey/wine both ways
Connector with Special Sauce - 52 miles, easier than the Extra Special route, more road, no powerlines, modoc/turkey/wine both ways
Modoc/Turkey/Wine Lollipop - 42 miles, hits modoc/turkey/wine but only wine is ridden both directions.

Folks could just ride Wine/Turkey for 25 miles. Or set up their own shuttle and do the Connector W/Special (or Extra Special) Sauce one way for 26ish miles.

Keep the ideas and opinions coming!