FLCC> Sunday Slow Rides vs. Moderate Rides

[Steven Powell]

FLCCers,

Here's an attempt to discuss the different groups that have evolved 
for our club Sunday ride so that people have a better idea of what to 
expect this week.

For reference, last Sunday the moderate ride group averaged about 14 
mph for the 65 mile ride from Ithaca.  There also was a slow/leisure 
group that did a shorter loop from Virgil -- I am not sure of their 
average speed, but I would expect 10-12 mph, typically.  The moderate 
group was started for people who wanted to do the longer Sunday club 
rides, but did not want to hammer to keep up with the lead group. 
Also the moderate group will take more rest stops that the lead 
group, and will attempt to re-group at several places to allow 
everyone to catch up.

So what does this mean for this Sunday's ride?

If you want to the full 47 mile strenuous ride with lots of climbing 
(3950 ft) then meet at East Hill at 9 am for the published Legge and 
Ford Hills ride.  Both the lead group which probably averages 18-20 
mph and the moderate group which averages 13-15 mph will depart from 
here.

Alternatively, Marcie Robinson will lead the slow/leisure group, 
departing from the Caroline Elementary School (east of Ithaca on 
state Rt. 79) at 9 am.  Starting at Caroline will shorten the ride to 
about 31 miles, but it is still a very challenging ride because it 
still covers most of the hilly terrain.  Andrejs has made some 
excellent suggestions about shortening the ride further (see below), 
and this group might consider turning left to Speedsville after Legge 
Hill at the intersection of West Creek Rd.  This is an unmarked 
intersection, but there is a stop sign there.  This would reduce the 
ride by another 9 miles or so, bypass Ford Hill, but still cover 
Legge Hill with its spectacular views.

I drove the full 47 mile ride yesterday and noted that there is a 
convenience store in Speedsville.  However, Speedsville is not on the 
published route, but can be reached with a couple of detours.  The 
first chance to go to Speedsville is by making a left at the stop 
sign at West Creek Rd at mile 20.7 on the published cue sheet.  This 
is a 1.2 mile detour.  The second chance for Speedsville is to make a 
left at another stop sign at Creek Rd at mile 29.0 on the published 
cue sheet.  This is a 0.5 mile detour.  Everyone should keep these 
short detours in mind if they are running low on water or food.  The 
convenience store is open on Sunday (I checked).

See you Sunday.

--Steve Powell


>Dear FLCCers,
>
>There were some posts on the list about last Sunday's moderate ride and
>it's great to see news of people enjoying the Sunday rides. Makes me
>wonder, though -- was there a slower group, too? Did everyone not in the
>fastest group go with the moderate group? And, how fast *is* the
>moderate group? Could some of those who did that ride report their
>average speed? It would help others evaluate what they are in for.
>
>It looks like I'm not going to be able to join any FLCC rides for about
>another month -- off to ride slowly in other parts. So, if there remains
>any interest in the slower ride, I can offer route suggestions but not
>much help on the ground. But, I'm very interested to hear any plans or
>thoughts about such a ride. It looked for a while as though there was
>some demand for it, so it would be good to keep the option perking.
>
>This Sunday's scheduled ride is one that's pretty tough to adapt to a
>shorter or easier version. The great part of it is the two climbs --
>first up Old 76 and over Legge Hill Rd; and then over Ford Hill and back
>on Glenn Rd. As I recall, there was quite a bit of cussing and spitting
>after the first time we did this ride. I was thinking about abandoning
>it but, then, thought it deserved another try or two. The Legge Hill
>stretch has a lovely "lost world" kind of quality, it's so far from the
>prevailing landscapes of our region that you wouldn't guess you're
>within a short ride of Ithaca. So, it's on the schedule for this week.
>
>What to do for the slow riders? To get to see the "meat" of this ride,
>how about meeting in Caroline Center (park on Buffalo Rd just up from
>the intersection of Old 76). Follow the route from there to Legge Hill
>Rd and over the ridge to the West Creek Rd. If you're bushed, turn left
>to Speedsville and take Old 76 back to Caroline Center. If you have a
>bit of work left in you, continue on over Ford Hill and Glenn Rd to
>return via Old 76 to Caroline. If you take your time, it will be a ride
>worth taking. Or, it will make you cuss and spit. Either way, it will be
>a good story.
>
>Andrejs
>
>_______________________________________________
>FLCC mailing list
>FLCC at icycle.org
>http://icycle.org/mailman/listinfo/flcc_icycle.org


-- 
Steven Powell
Cornell University
School of Electrical & Computer Engineering
321 Rhodes Hall
Ithaca, NY  14853
Tel # 607-255-4551
Fax # 607-255-6236
e-mail: sp35 at cornell.edu
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