Griffith Park Evening Training Ride - Intermediate Road Biking (challenge)

Note: For this last-Tuesday-of-the-month ride the idea is to challenge ourselves a little in order to gauge our improvements from month to the next. We'll push our limits on a few segments of the ride. Bring a stop watch so you can compare how long the segment took you from one month to the next.

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Join me for a great evening training ride in scenic Griffith Park starting from Fern Dell Dr./Los Feliz Blvd. This ride is perfect as a shorter training ride as it has a little bit of everything, some nice views, a few great climbs/down hills, some rolling hills, and a nice flat section. Much of the ride is also completely without car traffic.

Training Concept:
Since we are all at a different ability levels it is unlikely that we'll be able to stay in a single group all the time, especially on the climbs. I will designate a number of locations along the route where we will stop, catch our breath, and re-group. Most of these will be at junctions/turn offs to avoid that anyone gets lost.

I'd like to incorporate some interval training where everyone pushes themselves a bit during certain segments of the ride, as well as, some group ride training practicing pace-lining (drafting/rotation), hand signals and other group riding techniques.

Difficulty: Intermediate road biking (and up).
This ride is not appropriate for beginner level riders and you need to be well conditioned already. There is a usually good deal of climbing including some steep hills. Ability is very relative but as a gauge of sorts I'd say you should be able to keep an average speed of about 17 mph on the flats with no wind.

Type of bike needed:
This intended as a road bike ride so a road (racing) bike is advisable although if you are a strong rider you may be able to keep up on a fast hybrid or XC mountain bike.

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The Plan:
We'll meet by the bear statue at the intersection of Fern Dell Dr. and Los Feliz Blvd. at 6:00 PM, do some stretching, introductions, and ride briefing etc. We'll then start riding at 6:10 PM sharp heading up Fern Dell. Please get there early. It usually takes 10-15 minutes just to get ready.

As there are many riding options we will change up the route from week to week for more variety. The plan is to make an easier ride the first Tuesday of the month and a more challenging one the last Tuesday of the month.

Note: High probability of rain will cancel the ride (please check to see if ride is still on before attending).

Distance & Elevation Gain:
About 20 - 30 miles and about 1,500- 2,500 ft or so cumulative elevation gain/loss depending on ride option.

Time Required:
About 2 - 2 ½ hours or so.

Light:
Even though it stays light later now duing summer months, chances are (unless the group is quite fast) that you may need a light towards the end of the ride. I bought the following light which seems pretty good and is actually a very good deal as these type of lights are often several hundred dollars: Magicshine 1000 Lumens Lightset.

Note: The basic AA battery LED type bike lights won't do. Their output is typically less than 50 lumens which is practically useless for seeing in the dark while riding, especially at high speed. They are only good for making you visible to cars. I'd say you need a light with at least 400-500 lumens to ride safely in the dark.

Directions:Click here for Google directions to the meeting spot.

Parking:
You may not park on Fern Dell Dr. after sundown or on Los Feliz Blvd before 7 PM. However, you may park on the residential side streets across Los Feliz Blvd. like N. Oxford Ave., N. Serrano Ave, or N. Hobart Blvd.

Consider Train:
Our meeting spot is only ½ mile from the Hollywood & Western station on the Red line so depending on where you work/live this might be a great option to get there. Trains go every 10 minutes or so. This is how I get to and from work and I love not having to deal with traffic. Simply head north on Western and around the turn and you are there.

No Shows:
It is no fun when you are waiting for people you expect to be there only to (eventually) realize they are not coming, so please change your RSVP to "No" minimum ½ hour prior to the start time if you can't make it. If it's later than that please call me.

IMPORTANT:
Please ensure that you are in good health before participating and understand that there is risk involved in road biking and group rides. You can get hurt. As an event organizer I assume absolutely no responsibility for you. I am simply a "ride buddy", nothing more. If you choose to participate, you assume all responsibility for yourself and your equipment and agree not to hold me or our Meetup group liable in any way. Also, please adhere to the following:

Always wear a helmet when biking. This is mandatory, no exceptions. Make sure your bike is in good working condition, with the tires properly inflated (110-120 psi for road bikes) and the chain lubricated prior to the ride. Bring at least one spare tube, energy bars/food and enough water. If you have toolkit, pump/co2, or first aid kit, bring them. Learn and use standard hand signals for group rides. Be courteous and considerate to pedestrians/hikers, equestrians, other riders, and drivers. For night rides I recommend wearing bright clothing with reflective markers and have a blinking tail light.