Hi all -

Wanted to invite folks on a Sunday ride up in Marin. The ride start is at the Big Rock Deli, 1500 Lucas Valley Rd, in Marin County about 2 miles west of the junction with US101. (Here's a link to the ride start on Google Maps (http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=lucas+valley+and+mt.+lassen,+san+rafael,+ca&sll=38.025947,-122.569404&sspn=0.003102,0.006952&ie=UTF8&ll=38.02536,-122.568712&spn=0.012001,0.027809&t=h&z=16&iwloc=addr))

Meet time is a little before 8, and we'll get on the road just a few minutes past 8. The ride goes through all of those fun roads you've heard about (Lucas Valley, Nicasio, Hicks Valley, Chileno Valley, and much more), lasts about an hour, and we'll grab breakfast in Occidental just a little past 9. After breakfast, the ride back includes Coleman Valley, a large chunk of 1, and some more fun roads out near Dillon Beach. The standard route will have you back down Lucas Valley and at the freeway around 11:30 - 11:45 AM. Pace is moderate, but no matter what your preferred speed there will be someone waiting at the next corner (as long as you've let somebody know that you don't know the route). Total mileage is about 55 miles prior to breakfast, about 70 miles after breakfast. Helps to come with a full tank, as there aren't a ton of gas stations en route (though there is one in Bodega Bay about 15 miles into the after breakfast route).

Weather looks to be phenomenal once again this weekend, with a projected high into the 70's. May be a little chilly before breakfast, but with the sun out it will be plenty warm after breakfast.

Here are some pictures (http://www.ninjette.org/forums/showthread.php?t=7010) from the same ride awhile back.

http://aciurczak.smugmug.com/photos/358305879_nPW2B-L.jpg

Woo hoo, I think I can do this. Gotta convince the ladyfriend that it's okay to go for a ride on Saturday and Sunday now.

But man, 8:00 AM!? Are the roads even open that early?

I'll try to make it but if I can't I'll hit it next Sunday for sure.

I just realized I'm going to have to wake up at like 6:30 for this ride, it better be sunny!

It's 100% guaranteed to be clear and sunny, don't worry! :thumbup:

(but it still might be a little chilly, the sun can only do so much that early... ;))

Is there gas on Lucas Valley?

No gas on Lucas Valley. There's gas at the Freitas exit on 101 right before the smith road/lucas valley road exit. Several gas stations right on the west side of 101 right off of Freitas, you can get right back on to head north 1 exit and then get off at Lucas Valley.

Right on, thanks :)

A little chilly this morning, but there were still 11 or 12 bikes at the deli when I arrived this morning. Quite a few new folks made the trek as well: 2 from SBR, 1 from ninjette.org, plus some friends of Don's. So for the first time I can remember, we had 3 screaming 250's on the ride. :)

I left the deli parking lot, and only made it a few hundred yards before I realized I had forgotten to re-hook up my heated liner, so I pulled over to fix that problem and the train of bikes zipped right by. But it was probably a better idea anyway; this way I was closer to some of the riders that had come due to my invite anyway, and I was already going to waiting at the intersections to make sure everybody was heading in the right direction. It was quite chilly on Lucas Valley (in the low 40's), but happily it warmed up a bit as the ride went on. Much of the ride was spent leapfrogging back and forth with Ryan, one of the folks from ninjette.org on an identical ninja 250. We all made it to Howard's safe and sound, and by that point the sun was starting to make some headway.

After breakfast most of the group headed west over Coleman Valley Road. The views were quite crisp and clear, and even though it probably wouldn't be described as warm yet, it was approaching warmth at least. :D Once we hit 1 we stopped for a minute at the Coleman Beach overlook for pictures:

Matthias (mattzz) & Ryan (R.Sallee):

http://www.ciurczak.com/photos/506032496_7GYQp-L.jpg


Eric (from SBR):

http://www.ciurczak.com/photos/506033317_gW3yR-L.jpg

Gearing back up:

http://www.ciurczak.com/photos/506033630_voa2u-L.jpg

All of these pics and more are available in full-res right in this gallery (http://www.ciurczak.com/gallery/7814900_9aRVK#506031809_MZuRw).

Rest of the ride was just about perfect, with nice temps, good pace, no scares from traffic, road conditions, or anything else. Glad I made it out this morning and glad some other folks were able to join me. :thumbup:

Phenomenal ride, hope I didn't hold you up too much, Alex. Really appreciate the invite. I'm trying to recreate the route on Google Maps so I can run it again, but with more camera stops :D

EDIT: Here was what I came up with (http://maps.google.com). Lemme know if it's accurate.

As always, looks like a stinking blast. I'm glad a few of you were able to enjoy the SUN!! ;)

Not at all Ryan! It was fun zipping around with other 250's. I just emailed you (and Matthias) the route we took this morning.

Wow,

I hope to join your rides later this summer.

Ryan - your google route looks pretty close. But I can neither confirm nor deny publicly that those are the actual roads we were on or plan to be on in the future. :eek: :D

Maybe I'll put it to the test to iron out any kinks. Also, here are some of the photos I took.

http://www.jadedgamefans.com/ninja250blog/media/oldmen_02.jpg

http://www.jadedgamefans.com/ninja250blog/media/oldmen_01.jpg

And Alex said there were no traffic scares, but this guy (and his many buddies yet to be wiped clean from my visor) begs to differ.

http://www.jadedgamefans.com/ninja250blog/media/oldmen_03.jpg