The time listed in Crista's ride announcements is an "arrival" time; the departure time is usually 15 minutes later. If you find that it takes more than 15 minutes to prepare yourself and your bicycle, try to arrive a bit earlier.
These rides are at-your-own-pace affairs; we do not necessarily stay together as a group except on the coldest days or under the most severe conditions. There will be some cyclists who will be "off the front" almost immediately and others who "make a day of it." If you are pleasant and talkative, you certainly will find someone willing to ride at your pace. The group does endeavor to re-group at rest stops. We often plan a sit-down lunch at a cafe and a post-ride dinner at a local restaurant.
The routes are generally well-suited for road bicycles but will sometimes include a few miles of hard-packed dirt or gravel, a stream ford, or some other "little adventure." Crista usually provides paved alternatives for those wishing to avoid these stretches, at the cost of an extra mile or two. If the ride includes non-paved roads, this will be indicated in the ride description.
There are often shortcuts available for those riders who might have other afternoon or evening plans, those who are feeling a bit lazy, or those who are riding with a spouse or friend not yet ready to tackle a full century.
During the winter and on longer rides, the 'dark monster' may catch us. Randonneurs know that they should carry lights when finishing after dark is a possibility. However, we strongly encourage everyone to have at least a tail light (of the blinking LED variety) permanently mounted on their bicycle. Also, a small clip-on headlight weighs almost nothing and is good insurance.
Cue sheets are provided and are always of impeccable quality. Maps (often highlighted with the main route and options shown) are usually provided as well. Occasionally, we will do a "check-out" or "exploratory" ride where the cue sheet has not been field-tested; this will be noted in the ride description and participants are warned that some 'unscheduled deviations' might result. Consider this part of the adventure.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR PATIENCE,
CRISTA
RE-POSTED OCT 29, 2009
Cue sheets are provided and are always of impeccable quality. Maps (often highlighted with the main route and options shown) are usually provided as well. Occasionally, we will do a "check-out" or "exploratory" ride where the cue sheet has not been field-tested; this will be noted in the ride description and participants are warned that some 'unscheduled deviations' might result. Consider this part of the adventure.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR PATIENCE,
CRISTA
RE-POSTED OCT 29, 2009
