DS Ride 01 - August '06 - Orientation

PUTTING “DUAL” INTO DUALSPORT:
A PRELUDE

What...........Dualsport Ride, ½ - ¾ day long
When........Meet Sunday, August 6, 7:00 AM
Where....Meet @ BMW Ventura parking lot
Contact.....Laine_MacTague@verizon.net

DS RIDE 01: ORIENTATION

Here is a basic orientation to group rides in general and this one in particular. Some of you asked specific questions; if you don’t find the answer below, let me know:

WHERE TO GO

Meet @ VTA BMW (Newbury Park) @ 7AM Sunday 06th August. It will be a hot day – the sooner we get going, the better. If you are coming from the direction of Ventura / Santa Barbara, contact me if you would like to arrange to meet us en route rather than ride to the shop.

WHAT GOES

You must bring
Your bike
Water (I bring a camelback)
Driver’s license
Vehicle registration
Proof of insurance
NFS permit (we’ll pick up)

You should bring
Basic tool kit for your bike
ATGATT
Pressure gauge

You might like to bring
Camera
2-way radio
Snacks
Air pump

I strongly suggest you don’t bring
Saddlebags
100% street tires
Saddlebags
Passenger

HOW WE GO

Pavement

Ride at a pace you are comfortable with. Never leave an intersection without making sure that the rider behind you sees you and knows what direction you are going. This will allow us to all ride our own pace and string out if need be, while still assuring that if any rider requires assistance, the rest of the group will be made aware of it.

-- Formation --

The basic group riding formation is familiar to most riders. The lead rider rides to the left (usually) of the lane, with the second rider to the right and a few lengths back. The third rider is a similar distance behind the second, and so on. When the road gets more technically demanding, open up into a single-file formation. When we come to a stop at an intersection, tighten up into a two-abreast configuration at the stop.

-- Passing --

Other vehicles – When the group is passing a slower vehicle, assume that the rider in front of you has no plans to leave you room between himself and the vehicle he is passing, once he has passed it. Pass when you know its safe, not when you expect it will be.
Other riders in the group – Ride your own pace, and let others do the same. If you are behind a rider who is taking the turns a little slower than you would like, you should feel comfortable tapping your horn / flashing your lights to request to pass. Likewise, if you get the impression that a rider behind you would like to go faster, signal him around you when you can.

-- Stops --
Will discuss the morning of the ride.

-- Known hazards --
Will discuss the morning of the ride.

Off-Pavement

This ride is meant to be a short and dirty play day. Whether you want to complete the dirt section without falling over, or to get comfortable standing up while riding, or to figure out how to power-slide around a corner while standing, or to enjoy the view from Nordhoff ridge, or to help a riding buddy get up to speed, or whatever, don’t let the “group ride” factor get in the way of your personal goals for the day. Consider the Off-Pavement info as only the most general of guidelines.

-- Formation --

All of our off-pavement riding on this ride will be graded fire roads. Single-file formation will allow maximum maneouverability for avoiding obstacles. At slow speeds on easy terrain, we can ride close together, but as speed increases, dust will likely force us to loosen up ranks considerably.

-- Passing --

Remember to let other riders ride at their own pace, whether slower or faster. Passing on fire roads may require the slower rider to stop briefly, depending on terrain.

-- Cruxes --

The lead rider generally stops at the beginning of a particularly challenging section of trail in order to allow other riders to gather. This way, information about the best lines can be shared. The lead rider then rides through the crux, stopping just past the end of the difficulty. Riders then follow, one at a time, through the crux section. This ensures that if a rider has trouble in the crux, help is available from both directions.
Further discussion at the gate.

-- Stops --
Will discuss at the gate.

-- Known hazards --
Will discuss at the gate.

HOME WE GO

Ideal restaurant opportunity just before we get back to Ojai…

JUST BANKING INTO THE OFF-PAVEMENT LEARNING CURVE?

I found a lot of information on the net that has proven useful in my quest to become a better off-pavement rider. If learning by reading / looking at pictures works for you, you might want to check out the links in the sidebar to the left of this column. I found the Jimmy Lewis class description particularly helpful.

If you want more, email me a request. If you have any links to other pages supplying information on riding technique, please send them to me.