DS Ride 02 - Sept. '06 - Orientation

PUTTING “DUAL” INTO DUALSPORT:
A PROLOGUE

What….......………………Dualsport Ride, full day
When…Meet Sunday, 10 September, 6:30 AM
Where…….Meet @ BMW Ventura parking lot
Contact.…….…Laine_MacTague@verizon.net

DS RIDE 02: ORIENTATION

This is a basic orientation to group rides in general and this one in particular. There are some changes since DS Ride 01, and the ride-specific info is different of course, so please re-read this even if you have seen it before. 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) @ 6:30AM Sunday the 10th of September. It will likely 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 3L camelback)
Driver’s license
Vehicle registration
Proof of insurance

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

You might like to bring
Camera
2-way radio
Cash (homeward restaurant stop)
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. Remember, when you reach an intersection where some one has been waiting for you, that you may need to stop there and wait for the rider behind you as well! If we all follow this rule, you may see no one ahead of you on a curving road, but you will always see some one when we make a direction change. Also, you may be required to wait a few moments now and then if you ride quick, but you can always ride at a pace you enjoy, and still stay with the group.

— 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, on the left, 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. This will help limit the tendency of stops to string out the group.

If you drop behind the sweep rider or make an obvious turn off the route without appearing to have a problem, it will be assumed that you have chosen to vacate the ride—the sweeper is not obligated to wait for riders who choose to drop behind him. If you opt to drop out of the formation, inform the leader if feasible. At least inform the sweep rider.

— 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 a rider is maintaining position right behind you in the turns, keep an eye out for his high beam; if you see it, or hear a horn, slow and wave the rider past when its safe.

The leader— Honk or flash, just like with any other rider. I’ll letcha by. Just stop and wait if you get to an intersection and aren’t sure which way to go. If you miss a turn when out of sight, however, you have effectively left the ride (and are welcome to rejoin, of course).

— Communication —

I have included 2 links below concerning hand signals for riders. We seem to make use of them rarely, but the ability to recognize a quick obstacle warning from the rider in front of you, or a request to pass from the rider behind, will make the ride more pleasant for all of us. The MSF-USA link (below) is particularly valuable in this regard.

— Planned Stops —
See Logistics document. Will also discuss the morning of the ride.

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

Off-Pavement

Just like DS Ride 01, except this ride is meant to be a long 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 enjoy the mountain views, 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 logistical info as only the most general of guidelines.

All of our off-pavement riding on this ride will be graded fire roads, unless…
This route offers many small sections of “optional” terrain: Many turns sport small or quite large berms, some with sandy sections or small whoop-de-dos. There are some short single-track sections that parallel the main road. Other options may present themselves. My own goal is to become a rider capable of handling a wide variety of terrain and surfaces—I figure, that’s what dualsport is all about! On that head, and in light of what I have planned for future rides, I recommend looking for these terrain options and attempting any you feel safe trying: Building skills now will pay off in spades on more challenging future rides. And if the main road is challenge enough, stick to the main road!

— Formation —

Single-file formation allows maximum maneouverability for avoiding obstacles. In this formation, dust often forces us to loosen up ranks considerably. One workaround is to ride in pairs when the terrain allows:

Ideally, riders of significantly different ability pair together. The more experienced rider rides a few bike lengths behind and to one side of the less experienced rider. The front rider has only the road ahead to worry about, and the back rider has the road and the front rider to watch out for. The back rider can adjust his distance from the front rider such that billowing dust passes below his face. Standing helps a lot, in this case. This formation is never a requirement, but can be fun on easy curving terrain, and will serve to keep us closer together. This is not a safe formation at high speeds or on technical terrain and should be quickly abandoned in such conditions.

— 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. It is key that no rider attempts the crux until the previous rider has completed it successfully! Even a very capable rider may find a challenging section impossible if there is another bike and rider on the ground in the middle of it!

— Communication —

The information we want to share off-pavement is sometimes different from what we communicate during a slab ride. A good example is a group of riders on a hilltop staring at a downed rider a quarter mile away where the road climbs up the face of the mountain. I would like to adopt some SCUBA signals for this sort of situation, until something better comes along: If you are concerned about a rider at a distance, signal the rider by putting your hands together over or on top of your head, forming an O (for “Okay”) with your arms. If you see some one giving you this signal and you need assistance (or simply, if you need assistance), wave your arms around over your head. If you are okay, make the O sign (and remember not to wave your arms, but hold them steady for a moment in an O position). Waving for help, O for okay.

Some of us brought radios on DS Ride 01. We never used them. They’re a good idea nonetheless, though not a requirement. They will become more valuable as these rides become longer & more challenging.

— Planned Stops —
Will discuss at the gate.

— Known hazards —
Will discuss at the gate.

HOME WE GO

As in August, there is an ideal restaurant opportunity just before we get back to town…

Consider yourself oriented. See you soon!
Laine MacTague

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 left of this column. I found the Jimmy Lewis class description particularly helpful.

If you want more links, email me a request. If you have any links to other pages supplying information you think is pertinent, please send them to me.