Pre-registration for Nonmembers
Pre-registration for this event is optional, but strongly encouraged.
Leader: Pat Greene (415) 481-5469 text
Leader: Chris Witt
Meet at 11:00 am for a 11:15 am start
Start Location: Staten Island Road
Pre-registration
Franklin Road is closed between Desmond and Twin Cities. Use this RideWithGPS route https://ridewithgps.com/routes/53880358 It is the same route as the second route below; but this iteration is in the GPC library so you can print cue sheets if you want.
Feb 2--Fog forecasts call for morning fog, afternoon sun. Let's start the ride later than listed; meet at 11:00 for 11:15 start.
Please preregister!
Note the somewhat later than usual meeting time and ride start to accommodate long drive and give fog a little extra time to clear.
Riders encouraged to bring their own binoculars or spotting scopes.
We love cycling in the Delta in a this time of year because of the many thousands of birds that come to spend the winter. Even if you don't stop much and use optics, the sight of Sandhill Cranes, sometimes dancing, but always impressive; large flocks of white geese and dark geese in the air and on the ground; and the sounds they make as they communicate with each other are mesmerizing. If you do stop, you may also see Tundra Swans, many kinds of ducks, raptors, and a variety of other birds.
Let's meet on Staten Island Road and do a 25 mile loop (https://ridewithgps.com/routes/38563999) so we have time to linger at the birding hot spots; Staten Island Road to near the end of the pavement; the wetlands across from the Cosumnes Visitor Center where we may need to leave our bikes briefly; Desmond Road; and any place we see great gatherings of birds.
Doing the 25 loop allows us to ride through historic Locke and to stop at Mel's Mocha and Ice Cream in Walnut Grove. In my experience, the most troublesome traffic on Twin Cities Road lasts only ~1 mile between Franklin Road and the I 5 entrance. I would skip the loop only if I have spent too much time and energy birding and want/need to get back to the car directly (https://ridewithgps.com/routes/45635541). This route is almost out and back but takes some farm roads to avoid traffic on N Walnut Grove Road.
Meeting Place: To get to the Staten Island meeting place, turn R, off Walnut Grove Road and go ~0.2 mi. There is a 'wide spot' in the road parking lot and a seasonal porta-potty. Please carpool to conserve parking.
Lunch: Lunch is at the Cosumnes River Preserve Visitor Center on Franklin Road. Most people bring their own, but it is possible to buy lunch in Thornton.
Weather: Right now, NOAA predicts 53°F at the start and a high of 63. But if the sky cover/fog lingers expect colder temps. If you plan to spend time birding, you will not generate as much heat as you would on a vigorous ride. LAYER UP! Speaking of FOG: no rain is predicted, but various models predict variable amounts of fog. Heavy fog could cancel this ride.
Release of Liability
This is a Release. When you agree to it, you forever give up certain rights to sue the persons and entities referred to in this Release. READ IT CAREFULLY.
"Grizzly Peak Cyclists", "GPC" and "the club" refer to Grizzly Peak Cyclists, Inc., a California Nonprofit Mutual Benefit Corporation, or its successor organization in the event that it should reorganize, merge, or change its name.
In return for being allowed to participate in any activity by Grizzly Peak Cyclists, Inc.:
- I acknowledge that I and other participants may be engaging in activities that involve risk of serious injury to me, including viral and bacterial infections, other communicable illnesses, permanent disability, and death. I understand that these risks may be increased through my own actions, or through the negligent action or inaction of Grizzly Peak Cyclists members or representatives. I therefore assume all risks of injury or loss, even if caused in whole or in part by the negligence of Grizzly Peak Cyclists, its members, or other representatives.
- I release from liability Grizzly Peak Cyclists, their officers, members, sponsors, and employees; and owners and lessors of facilities used by Grizzly Peak Cyclists, for any injury or damage that I may incur as a result of their activities, even if caused in whole or in part by their negligence.
- California Civil Code section 1542 states: 'A general release does not extend to claims which the creditor does not know or suspect to exist in his favor at the time of executing the release, which if known by him must have materially affected his settlement with the debtor.' I specifically waive the terms of that section, and agree to release claims that I may not yet know of, or which may be based on events that have not yet occurred.
- If I am allowing children under the age of 18 to participate in any activity, I agree on their behalf to the terms of this Release. I agree that if, notwithstanding this Release, I, the minor, or anyone on the minor's behalf makes a claim against any of the persons or entities Released, I will indemnify those persons and entities and hold them harmless against all expenses, damage or costs, including attorneys fees, arising out of that claim.
- I recognize that GPC is built on the efforts of its volunteers. If, in the course of performing volunteer service for Grizzly Peak Cyclists, I provide or develop any software, procedures, data, maps, cue-sheets, artwork, or other material in which I have any ownership or copyright rights, I grant to the club license to copy, modify, retain and use such material in perpetuity for its purposes without compensation either implicitly by this agreement or by any compatible explicit license. Such grant is not needed for presentations or writings intended for one-time use, such as meeting presentations or items sent to the newsletter.