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Berryessa Newbie Ride - April 25th, 9:30 AM

flying_hun

Adverse Selection
Administrator
Joined
May 4, 2005
Location
Orinda, CA
Moto(s)
A funky red & white Italian named Gianni Cervo! Versys - two of 'em! And a Ducati for laughs.
BARF perks
AMA #: 281672
Come one, come all for a newbie ride! We're going to introduce you to some of the more popular routes up to Lake Berryessa.

Meet Up:
The ARCO station at 134 Pittman Road, Fairfield. Get gas here. You'll need about 100 miles of range, and there are limited fuel options on the route, and I won't be stopping for gas.

KSU:
Following a short pre-ride talk, I would like us to have kickstands up by 9:45 or so.

Route:
We'll go north from Pittman up to Wooden Valley Road. At the junction with Hwy 121, we'll turn right and and head to Moskowite Corner (AKA Posers') at the junction with Hwy 128 for a brief break. From there we will continue on 128 to the Turtle Rock Store where we'll turn right to proceed north along the lake until we get to the bridge where we'll take another break for about 30 minutes (there's a toilet here), then we'll proceed west to Pope Canyon, then south to Lake Hennessy where we'll turn left onto 128, and head back to Moskowite Corner for another brief break, then we'll backtrack to the ride start. I'd plan on 3+ hours.

Pace:
Newbie friendly, chill, no, seriously. Limited overtaking, only if and when the cagers actually force us to. NO overtaking in the group. This will NOT be a fast ride.

Ride Management:
It has been my experience in leading newbie rides that they work best if I can put the slowest/least experienced riders immediately behind me. That way I can key my pace based on what I see in my mirrors. If I begin to pull away, I'll slow down. Faster riders will be positioned further back because any disruptions of the group will require faster riding at the back. At the breaks we will discuss pace, and whether there are gaps opening up, and re-sequence riders if needed. NO overtaking in the group. Pay attention to your mirrors. If the rider behind you disappears, slow down until they reappear. Not just at junctions, all the time.

Break Management:
Huge amounts of time can be wasted at breaks, turning a 3 hour tour into Gilligan's Island. When I announce that I'm departing in five minutes, I mean it. I might even leave in three. If you're still talking, smoking, whatever, and are not ready to go, that's not my problem.

Rules:
  • Do NOT crash into the rider in front of you
  • Do NOT cause another rider to crash
  • Do NOT crash
Yes, all that has happened on rides I've led, and it fucks up the ride. It helps if you don't crowd the rider in front of you. If these rules strike you as onerous, this ride isn't for you.

Licensing:
Bring your California Driver's License, and prepare to show it at the start. I'll be looking to assure that you have your M1. If you haven't passed your M1, you're not a newbie, you're an unlicensed operator, and pose an unacceptable risk to the group. No M1 = No Ride.

Questions?
 
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April 4th, 1967,
I got my mc learners permit,
Berryessa was a crumbling, narrow, bumpy path to blue sky, warm sunshine, & girls.
Gotta jump from the bridge, or the rock, with a full pool, easy, , ,
High School to Berryessa, after school, or, cut school, enjoy the day.

Come and learn, my roads, , ,
 
Great add to a great plan.

Probably the best newbie ride post I have ever seen. Direct, clear and succinct. :applause

For those of you that do not know Mr Hun he is the real deal moto traveler and for a guy like me every time I get to join him his smile imprints on me and I have a great time.

Take advantage of Kurt doing this and go ride with an awesome seasoned vet with stories for weeks!!
 
Will check the schedule with the Mrs and see if we can come ride sweep or whatever else you may need as have not ridden with you in a few years. Would be great fun and great experience for some newer riders. Way to go Kurt!

Check schedule with the wife as we are in Kansas visiting our new grand daughter. We are free so we will be there! BRAP!
 
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Coming up in just over a week! It's possible that not everyone will have been in a group ride before, or only a few. Here's a video from Uncle Kevin that contains good practices, and you can use it to set your expectations for the way we'll conduct the ride. There's nothing here with which I don't agree. The one addition to these approaches is that I will work on identifying the slowest, least experienced riders right behind me so that I can keep my pace to one that is comfortable for them. When we stop for breaks we will discuss anywhere that gaps might be opening, and take the opportunity to re-sequence riders to keep the group intact.

 
Hi Kurt. Apologies but we have some family issues that have come up and will be out of town this weekend and not able to attend the ride. Hopefully we can make it up to you, cheers.
 
Hi folks, with the rain you may be wondering, but have no fear! The forecast for Saturday is partly sunny with a daytime high in the mid-60's. Just about perfect for riding comfort! Looking forward to riding with you Saturday! :ride
 
I learned how to ride in this area. In the Air Force in the 90s. I only ever rode the same two roads though, so I an very unfamiliar with the Berryessa routes. If I can clear my Saturday honey-do's, I'll be there.
 
It's been some time since I last rode Berryessa, so it seemed prudent to pre-run it to see if there are any concerns that would be good to be aware of, plus I had the time. No problems! 121 is getting kind of beat up in places, but it's still a great ride. Coming down the canyon towards Lake Hennessy there were some rocks and a bit of gravel, but nothing out of the ordinary. The nest at the bridge (you can see it on top of the telephone pole behind my bike) has a nesting pair in it. I didn't get a real good look, but I think they're ospreys.

I did the whole loop starting and ending at the Arco station on Pittman, and my trip odo showed just over 88 miles. Come on out! :ride
berryessa_april_23.jpg
 
Wish I could join. It's bit too far from here (more than the ride itself).
I am hoping and looking forward to the Mt. Hamilton newbie ride that elders have promised
 
Hi there Flying_Hun! Not a newbie, but new to BARF. Okay to add myself to the ride last minute?
Please do! Since you're an experienced rider, would you be interested in helping out?
 
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