ALEX'S SECOND SATURDAY ALL-CLUB RIDE
— A GPC SERIES —

February 2010 Update. Throughout its history, our Second Saturday All-Club Ride has always followed the same East Bay route(s) starting at Orinda BART. In February 2010 it takes place in Marin instead. Come join us as we try something different. We tried this once last summer and it was very popular. As always, we start by riding all together at a purely social pace before breaking into separate pace groups. See the February ride listings for details. Please carpool if you can.

January 2009 Update. When Alex Zuckermann first announced the Second Saturday Ride, he concluded, "I am excited about GPC embarking on a new venture here. Let's try it out for three months and then reevaluate it and tweak it to make it even better." Well, it proved so successful that it has run for 77 months — 11 months a year for seven full years — without serious reevaluation or tweaking. But, by popular demand, we are doing that now. In recent months, there have been several on-line discussions of the ASSR. At the January 2009 GPC meeting, we took a number of votes which will result in some changes. First, there may be some route changes or experiments; stay tuned. Second, the pace group names will change, as follows.

PACE GROUP NAMES CHANGE

The groups will be known mainly by their paces (LT, T, TM, M), not by the musical designations. Here's why. We get a lot of new and prospective GPC members at the ASSR . . . they need to learn what LT, T, TM, etc, mean anyway. Getting these folks oriented at the ASSR is complicated enough without having to explain the musical jargon on top of everything else.

• The Larghetto (a.k.a. "slow" or "short") group will be renamed as LT.
• The Presto group (a.k.a. "fast" or "long") group will be renamed as M.
• The Allegretto (a.k.a. "middle") group will become two groups: T and TM, each with its own leader. Allegretto has been the largest group and the most spread-out. The hope is that two smaller groups will be easier to lead and will provide a better ride experience especially for newcomers.
• A TM group for the 75+ mile route (a.k.a. the Presto route) will be organized each month if enough riders are interested.

This means that, each month, our ASSR Coordinator will be looking for up to five leaders.

Many clubs do it, some do it occasionally, some never do it: starting at the same location and doing the same routes once each month. Alex Zuckermann, inspired by the Santa Rosa Cycling Club, originated the SSR for the GPC. Sometimes referred to as an "All-Club" ride, the SSR relies to a large extent on repetition, familiarity and reliability, often a comforting thing.

You'll seldom have to consult the newsletter, and never have figure out how to get to the start: on the second Saturday of each month (with few exceptions) you simply roll out of bed, eat a hearty breakfast, head to the Orinda BART station, sign in for your choice of routes, and get a map should you need one. The exceptions are May (when there is no SSR) and a few hot summer months later in the year (when the SSR starts an hour earlier to avoid the afternoon heat).

Rain or 30% chance thereof the morning of the ride cancels. (This is a standard GPC ride guideline.) If weather is questionable the morning of the ride, phone the coordinator or ride leader at the number in the current ride listings. The best place to check rain likelihood is the NWS forecast for Alameda and Contra Costa Counties.

Orinda BART is where all Second Saturday Rides (SSR) start. And that's where you'll meet old friends and make new ones. And best of all, you don't have to worry about ride pace: "Will I be able to keep up?" or "Will they drop me?" From a large mix of different paced riders you are sure to find the ones that match your pace. In addition, you'll see and connect with riders who may be faster or slower than you and who you might have an opportunity to ride with side by side, even if it's just a short distance. We might call this the intermingling of pace groups.

Alas, the matter of pace needs some clarification, however. There will be three groups: The Larghetto group (moderately slow) will do 28 miles, the Allegretto group (a bit faster) will ride 65 miles (with a 51-mile bailout option) and the Presto group (faster yet) will conquer approximately 80 miles.

In other words there is an intent here to allow some blurring of our usual L, T, M and B paces. Intermingling of pace groups is encouraged. As a matter of fact, the Larghettos, Allegrettos and Prestos are urged to stay together on San Pablo Dam Road (SPDR) until they get to Castro Ranch Road. Also encouraged is the wearing of the GPC jersey. Just picture the awesome sight of 100 GPC jersey-toting cyclists on that road! In case you were wondering, all rides will be hilly in the true GPC tradition.

There will be route sheets and maps showing the routes. Typically, there will be two ride leaders for the Larghettos, three ride leaders for the Allegrettos, and a single ride leader for the Presto group. Since participants may switch routes in the middle of the ride, the usual shepherding by leaders may be more relaxed. All three groups share San Pablo Dam Road and Castro Ranch. The Larghettos complete the ITT loop via Alhambra and the Bears. The Allegrettos will climb Pig Farm, Reliez Valley, take Olympic, head through Danville, Norris Canyon and Redwood. The Prestos branch off from the Allegretto route at a certain point, do an extra loop, and rejoin the Allegretto route.

Lunch will be at the excellent Diablo Deli, located in the Diablo Plaza in San Ramon, just past Crow Canyon Road. After lunch it's over scenic and steep Norris Canyon, Heyer and Redwood Road. The 51-mile Allegretto route offers many options to cut short the distance. One common bailout omits the Danville Blvd section to San Ramon, heading west from Olympic instead. Another is a return along Danville Blvd from San Ramon and the lunch stop to either Lafayette or Walnut Creek BART stations. People who need to get back early may elect other bailout options. Check with the ride leaders for any of the three routes for the possibility of a bailout route being led by a ride leader. Generally, though, should you decide to cut short the route, let the ride leaders know, and expect to be largely on your own.

Presto route alternation. To keep the Presto riders fresh (ok, they asked for it), starting in 2004 their SSR route varies among three alternatives:

Crockett, the original version. Departs the Allegretto route at Alhambra Valley Rd, follows the GPC Century route north to Pinole, Crockett, McEwen, Franklin Canyon, then rejoins the Allegretto Route at Reliez Valley Rd. Total route from Orinda is approximately 78 miles and 4500 feet climbing.

Mt Diablo Junction. Departs the Allegretto route midway through Reliez Valley Rd, travels through Pleasant Hill, climbs Mt Diablo Northgate to the junction, descends Southgate, then Blackhawk and Crow Canyon Rds to San Ramon where it rejoins the Allegretto route. Total from Orinda is approximately 77 miles and 5700 feet climbing.

Sunol. Departs the Allegretto route at San Ramon, continues south to Sunol, west through Niles Canyon, north on Palomares, and rejoins tthe Allegretto route in Castro Valley. Total from Orinda is approximately 87 miles and 5000 feet climbing.

Sunol:  January, April, July, October.
Crockett:  February, (no SSR in May), August, November.
Mt. Diablo Junction:  March, June, September, December.

Alex Zuckermann originated the GPC Second Saturday Ride series. Here is the concluding paragraph from his original writeup:

I am excited about GPC embarking on a new venture here. Let's try it out for three months and then reevaluate it and tweak it to make it even better. Hope to see you all in Orinda.

SSR Frequently Asked Questions

I'm not sure what pace I'm riding at. Which group should I sign up with -- the Larghetto (slow-paced), the Allegretto (medium-paced), or the Presto (fast-paced) group?
That's what the SSR is all about. Just being in the company of so many differently-paced riders will give you plenty of choices of hooking up with others of similar riding pace and ability. Just sign up with the group you think you'll be riding with, but feel free to switch to another group during the ride.

I am really slow, and am worried that I won't be able to keep up on San Pablo Dam Road (SPDR) with all the groups riding together. Will I be dropped?
Not a problem. The Larghetto (slow-paced) and the Allegretto group will briefly regroup at the corner of Castro Ranch Road.

I've heard the term peloton used. Is that what we're gonna do on SPDR?
The term generally applies to racers, and is commonly used during the Tour de France when the racers ride in a group, often 5 to 8 abreast. We are not planning to imitate racers, but are planning to ride together "all-club" style to show the GPC club spirit. The idea is that, on SPDR, we all ride at a relaxed pace, hang together, and take the opportunity to socialize on bike with other people we may not see after the different groups separate at the corner of Castro Ranch Rd.

I am not used to riding with other cyclists so close to me. Is that going to be a problem on SPDR?
Just keep a comfortable distance from other riders. To increase your comfort, you may consider taking a skills clinic that may be offered later in the Spring. It deals with how to get comfortable riding close to others. In any case, exercise due caution when riding near other cyclists. If you have the slightest doubt, the safest option is to ride in the rear of the group. They are sure to wait for you at the Castro Ranch corner.

What if I fall behind while riding with the Allegretto group and no one is behind me?
One of the Allegretto leaders will undoubtedly be riding sweep.

The Allegretto ride of 65 miles is too long for me. How will the 51-mile bailout option work?
Glad you asked. When the Allegrettos head south on Pleasant Hill Road there will be a regroup stop at the corner of Olympic Blvd. The 51-mile option will turn right on Olympic, go one block and then continue straight on the Lafayette-Moraga bikepath to Moraga, then up Pinehurst, Skyline, Grizzly and down Wildcat.

I'm confused about the lunch stops for the three rides. Where are they and after how many miles do they occur?
The Larghetto lunch stop will be at the end of their 23-mile ride and will be somewhere in the business districts of Orinda, some time between 11:30 and 12:30. The Allegretto and Presto lunch stop will be at Diablo Deli in San Ramon, first driveway past Crow Canyon Blvd. It will occur at mile 37 for the Allegrettos and, assuming they follow the Crockett route, at mile 51 for the Prestos. Both groups are expected to arrive there between 12:30 and 1:30. (Well, when the Prestos arrive there on months they do Mt Diablo Junction remains to be seen.) Remember this is not a race, boys. There are 40(!) sandwiches and many delicious salads and pastas to choose from at the deli.

And where are the regroup stops going to be?
Well, there is going to be an initial one for everybody at the ITT corner -- SPDR at Bear Creek -- to let everyone catch up. Later, for the Allegrettos, there will be one at Pleasant Hill and Olympic, where the 51-mile option peels off. Other regroup stops will be at the discretion of the ride leaders.

Why have the customary L-T-M-B ride ratings been ignored?
This is an all-club ride, inviting EVERYONE to participate, regardless of race, creed, hair color, ancestry, bicycle make, bicycle attire, and, of course, speed, tempo, and pace. This is the one day each month where the pace differences get blurred.

What about the Presto ride? You talk about blurring the pace differences, but it still sounds like an 80-mile M-pace ride?
The Prestos ride intermixed with the rest of club for the first 8 social miles, Orinda Bart to Castro Ranch Rd. There they regroup and separate into a typical M-pace ride . . . which means they ride mainly as a small pack, but some may hammer off the front, and some may fall off the back. Unlike the other groups, the Prestos have no sweep. If you follow the Prestos to Crockett, the next opportunity to rejoin the Allegrettos is not until lunch in San Ramon, and by the time you get there, many Allegrettos may be leaving. If you follow the Prestos to Diablo or Sunol (see explanation of Presto alternatives, above) you are unlikely to see the Allegrettos again that day.

Where do these crazy ride names come from and what exactly do they mean?
They are all musical tempo markings. To get the full flavor you must pronounce them in true Italian singsong. Larghetto is a derivative of Largo (which is the slowest tempo) but is a bit faster, reflecting the fact that the Larghettos definitely go faster than slow. Allegretto is a derivative of Allegro (which means lively and 'con moto') but is a bit slower, definitely more moderate. Presto, well, we all know what it means, it's veloce, rapid, quick and fast.

I don't own a GPC jersey. Can I still come on this ride?
So get one -- only kidding, of course. Come as you are. But for those of you who own one, we encourage you to wear it!

I am not a GPC member. Am I welcome?
Very much so, please join us, and listen up all GPCers, invite non-club cyclists to come on out. We'll treat you like royalty.

The ride starts at a BART station. Can my bike and I get there on BART?
You bet! It's easy to take a bike on BART. See the BART web site for info.

How many riders typically show up?
Turnout varies by time of year and by weather, but most months there are 50-75 riders, with the Allegrettos being the largest group.

What about the month of May?
The second Saturday of May (the Saturday after our Century) is traditionally the GPC Worker's Century. This preempts the SSR.

More questions? Just fire away. Contact me at the address above.

See photos from the first SSR, 9 February 2002.
See recent photos and news of Alex.

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