HCP Summer Solstice Ride 2012

[Rock N' Rolla]

Sorry , I realize this is early and probably way too soon to be asking, but is it a good assumption that this ride will be on or close to the same dates as last year. My work rolls on that 1st come 1st serv. basis for day off requests. I was pumped to go last year then was stricken with a bad case of having to work on the Wed. before the ride .
If so, This year would look to be either week ending June 2nd or June 9th. With the whole 2012 thing this year I Have to make this ride!

[Nelg]

Sorry , I realize this is early and probably way too soon to be asking, but is it a good assumption that this ride will be on or close to the same dates as last year. My work rolls on that 1st come 1st serv. basis for day off requests. I was pumped to go last year then was stricken with a bad case of having to work on the Wed. before the ride .
If so, This year would look to be either week ending June 2nd or June 9th. With the whole 2012 thing this year I Have to make this ride!

Put in for June 2nd.

The ride starts off from Clear Lake campground approximately 10 miles north of Atlanta on M33. We camp in the group camping area which is $5 a night per person. Since the ride starts early, I'd plan on camping Friday night for sure and most likely Saturday as the post ride campfires are typically as fun as the ride itself. If you want a non-rustic camping experience or have a motorhome or travel trailer, you'll need to reserve a regular camp site. Small trailers and pop ups will fit in the group camp area.

What to bring:
What ever you need to be comfortable for an all day ride plus food and water. We are camping and the trail is in the middle of no where. You can't hit a party store or gas station, but we will have four supply drops for the 80 mile riders and two for the 50 mile riders. People typically bring jugs of water and plastic shopping bags with fruit, energy bars, bagles, snacks, etc. to leave at the drop points. Some crafty folks even bring small coolers to keep beverages and food cold at one or more of the stops.

What to expect?

80 mile riders: Leave camp by 7:00 AM and expect a 11 to 13 hour day in the saddle. If you don't typically ride your bike for 5+ hours at a time for your longer endeavors, this one probably isn't for you. If you like peddling for hours on end and have a butt of steel, go for it, it's a bigger accomplishment than the Lumberjack 100 due to the terrain. Plan on supplies for four drop points.

Fun 50 Mile: (OK, it's really only 47) Leave the camp in cars to the start point by 8:15 AM. 8 to 10 hours in the saddle is the norm. It's a great last long training ride before tapering down for the LJ100. Bring stuff for two drop points.

30 Miler Roll out of bed after everyone else has left, shake off the hangover and drive out to the Pigeon Bridge trail head parking lot. Roll south on the trail and enjoy the scenes from Rattlesnake Hill and beat everyone else back to camp for the first post ride beer. Expect to be in the saddle for 5 to 6 hours. Can be modified to a 40 miler by riding the Shingle Mill Pathway first.

Shingle Mill Century Leave camp via car at 7:00, drive to the Pigeon Bridge parking lot with a day's worth of supplies. Do the 11 mile Shingle Mill trail loop nine times. Hop in the car, return to camp and drink beer recalling the same sites over and over and over.....

Shingle Mill non-Century Enjoy a snippet of what the whole 80 is like with a 10 or 11 mile loop of the Shingle Mill Pathway. It's a great way to get a taste of what you'll see on the larger loop without needing to commit 4+ hours in the saddle.

Can't wait to enjoy the fun out there this year. If you like backcountry, un-groomed riding it's a must do.

See you on the 2nd!

[feldpaj]

I had penciled in the 2nd, Tom was saying he would like it the 9th so that kids will be out of school and families can come up. Either way i am excited.
When is the spring riding/trailday?

[Nelg]

I had penciled in the 2nd, Tom was saying he would like it the 9th so that kids will be out of school and families can come up. Either way i am excited.
When is the spring riding/trailday?

The 9th would have been cool, but it's only one week in front of the LJ100 so it would go from being a great final training ride to to close to the actual event. Plus, we changed it to the first weekend in June, we should keep some type of consistency to it.

First trail day is looking like the last weekend in April followed up by the second weekend in May. I need to finalize it with the DNR, will keep everyone posted.

Thanks!

[Mike_D]

My son's graduation party is the 9th so I was planning on the 2nd myself.

[purple helmet]

I was back and forth, but the 2nd is fine. Keeps with tradition, and keeps a decent buffer before LJ (might be on speaking terms w/my bike by then

[alexyoung]

I'm in for June 2. Looking forward.

Also, does anyone have a tcx file of the route? 50 and 80 preferably. Thanks!

[bh357]

No cousin getting married this spring, so I'll be there.

I'll make a decision later this spring as to the 50 or 80... not as much time to ride this year.

If I do the 80... ride counter-clockwise and pick up the Pigeon car? or ride clockwise and pick up the M-33 car?

[alexyoung]

My wife and my friend (both trail runners) will also be coming. Can't wait!

[bh357]

To the 2 people whom I emailed my GPX file of the entire loop to,

The route in the GPX file should be followed with a liberal dose of common sense, as well as a good eye for the blue dots. I looked at that route and counted no fewer than 5 "unintended side trips", including one of over a half mile

[alexyoung]

Yeah, I saw that Noted, but thanks for the map, that will help when I inevitably will get lost.

[Nelg]

Yeah, I saw that Noted, but thanks for the map, that will help when I inevitably will get lost.

We also have a very nice, detailed water proof paper map that's quite helpful. We'll have them for sale at the ride.

[alexyoung]

...and I'll be buying one of those too. Maps are just cool anyway!

[bh357]

The folding map is also helpful for if you need to bail and take dirt roads back.

[Nelg]

The folding map is also helpful for if you need to bail and take dirt roads back.

Which is typically further than staying on the trail, but a whole lot smoother!