Mountain Cyclist –
November-December 2001
Club News
by Berry Stevens
Friends,
Saturday morning (Sept. 22nd) found ROMP teaming with WOMBATS, FATRAC and the Tahoe Donner Land Trust (TDLT) to push the Donner Lake Rim Trail project further along. Nearly 20 energetic and dedicated volunteers showed up to meet Susan Sheffield and Buddy Hunt from TDLT and we shuttled up to the work site near the top of the ridge on the Northwest side of the Tahoe Donner community. Jim and Cathy Haagen-Smit from FATRAC, also Northern California IMBA reps, as well as Margaret Boutell of WOMBATS, with Rowan Boutell and their friends Nick and Lucy joined us in a day of sunshine, great views and good fun building the trail. We improved and finished some previous work, finished two switchbacks and cut trail through some rock formations. Our shaded lunch spot had some drop-dead scenic views of the Donner Summit area including Castle Peak and Donner Peak. When riding this trail, It will be a challenge to keep your eyes on the trail instead of the scenery. The dry and entirely different type of soil made this a learning experience for me personally, but the locals assured me that the coming winter would firm things up and create a good trail surface. When complete this will make a 23 mile loop around the lake and over the North side of Hwy 80 between Tahoe Donner and Boreal. I can hardly wait! ROMP will make this a regular part of its trail building effort; look for another project this time next year.
Sunday the WOMBATS crew joined the ROMP for the always entertaining Hole in the Ground trail; my first time, but not my last. Though not overly difficult or advanced, this trail is a constant and unrelenting challenge. You start with the only sustained climb, first fire road then singletrack with several switchbacks topping out with a stunning view to the East of Castle Peak. They have used cinder block on many sections of trail to provide a stable surface and to withstand use. Then we came to the descent and the loop around the lakes. There were a lot of Sierra granite, with short ups, a constant and varied assortment of technical challenges, short descents, whoop-de-dos and unending fun. Though nothing really dangerous, this trail never lets up, you have to be paying attention all the time. There are two short out-n-backs to lakes; first Sand Ridge Lake, then Lower Lola Montez Lake, which are well worth it. Then we came to the descent down to Highway 80, including a very technical singletrack drop thru deep granite powder that will have you grinning from ear to ear. This is a great ride for intermediate or better riders; a real skill builder. It took us about four hours, we stopped for food breaks at both lakes and to enjoy the views along the way. A fit expert rider could do the loop in less than three hours by skipping the lakes and passing on the views, but why? When we all exited to pavement there were smiles all around. Thanks to all who worked on Saturday and to those who contributed to the fun on Sunday.
See a topographical map here.
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Karen Morgan
ROMP Sponsor Coordinator
Willow Glen Bikeshop and Crossroads Bicycles, our two newest Sponsor Shops, are helping ROMP by providing funds for necessary educational materials such as rules of the trail cards and trail education stations; communications such as our newsletter, flyers, and web page; and community activities such as trail building and awareness events.
In appreciation of all our Sponsor Shops’ support of our efforts toward trail access and rider education, we urge you to purchase your new bikes, maintain and upgrade your current bikes, or purchase clothing and accessories from any of our Sponsor Shops. Or just stop by and introduce yourself to the employees and thank them for their support. Without such support, we would be unable to continue in our mission of leading the participation of mountain cyclists in the trail community and working to protect our rights to our public parks and open space.
Crossroads Bicycles is located at 217 North Santa Cruz Ave, in Los Gatos. Their phone number is (408) 354-0555. Willow Glen Bikeshop is located at 1110 Willow, off Lincoln Ave, in Willow Glen. Their phone number is (408) 293-2606.
Thanks!
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Kathleen Meyer
August 11th
Well it's history but I am still flying high on adrenaline...not much sleep in the past two nights. The days prior to the race had everyone nervous; there was plenty of rain and hail. Race day arrived with a clear blue sky and 38 degrees. It was cold at the start. Kirsten sprinted forward on someone's wheel within five minutes. My thoughts on that first 25 miles were not good. My heart rate seemed to stay high the entire time (kinda funny because later I couldn't get it above 152). I thought about my kids along with Jeff Hane and Conor's last words. They seemed to have more faith in my abilities than I was currently having. Somewhere about mile 87 I realized there might be a chance I could finish in less than 11 hours. Feeling really good I kept a steady pace without burning myself out. Last year I quit at mile 85 with hypothermia and was not familiar with the rest of the course. Otherwise, I may have had second thoughts about trying to finish sub-11 because they didn't make it easier at the end. I fell with 7 miles left... the last section of rocky downhill. Two guys I passed climbing, passed me. Some scrapes and a bruise, I didn't take much time to check them out. Rolling out on to relatively flat dirt, I ate my last shot of mocha, mocha and a good hit from the hammer get flask. I passed the two guys and was pretty pleased not to see them again until after I finished :). Had I known the trail takes you back to a dirt road where I climbed in the hail and the rain, I would not have been so optimistic about a sub 11-hour finish. Still I figured I was feeling great (that horse heading to the barn thing) and I didn't want to give it up yet. Leaving the dirt, I now hit a familiar road...the last stretch. Up hill, down and the finish is on an uphill. Standing in my big chain ring I crossed the line. I asked the nearest lady what my time was and she said just past 11. Oh well, I figured I tried. A second volunteer said she would check the official time. She came back and said 10 hours, 59 minutes and 57 seconds. I hope I didn't bruise her ribs with the hug I gave her. I didn't find out until the awards the next morning that I placed third. Icing on the cake. A BIG thank-you to everyone for your support - My mom for watching my kids, Kirsten for pushing me (and sometimes trying to kill me with the pace), Jeff for all the company, fun and support over the last weeks and Conor too for insisting that this should be my year. It sure didn't feel that way at mile 15. Kirsten and I had the support of Jeff Ward and Sue on the trail along with Duane (we only met him a day and a half before the race). It was great to see their faces and have them tell me I was doing better than I felt. The last 25 miles were AWESOME!
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by Karen Morgan
ROMP Social Coordinator
Over 50 people enjoyed the fun and food at our Annual Volunteer Recognition Picnic at Stevens Creek Park on September 15th. Armadillo Willy’s supplied a delicious lunch of smoked chicken and ribs with all the trimmings, including wet wipes for all that delicious barbeque sauce!
There were speeches and accolades to the many volunteers and the tireless activities that they contribute to our goal of maintaining access to trails and educating the mountain biking community about responsible riding. Then there was a contest of who could change a tire, completely blindfolded, the fastest. It was hilarious to watch! I had no idea we had such quick-handed riders in our club!
There was a drawing for all kinds of swag donated. Each picnic participant got a ticket for the drawing for free and the rest of the tickets were based on the number of volunteer hours each person has reported. The number of volunteer hours boggled the mind! I think everyone attending left with at least one great piece of swag, such as a set of tires, a set of wheels, a jersey, or some other clothing. There were two big winners of a complete Schwinn bike (John Street) and a Bob trailer (Patty Ciesla).
I would like to thank Jim Sullivan for all the work he did on acquiring the swag for the prizes, Great Job, Jim! I would also like to thank Jim Lauth for arranging the keg of beer and reserving the picnic site for us. Most of all I would like to thank all the members who volunteer their time and expertise to ROMP. You are the hub of the club!!!!!!
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Jack Alter
Ed Atherton
Gino Aynaga
Cindy Bishop
Anne Carasik & Russ
Henmi
Teri Chiu
Jeff Flippin
Louise Fusfeld
Donald Glockner & Stefanie
Starna
John R. Grundy
Jackie Haas
Adrienne Harber
Kevin Heinrich
Don Irving & Family
Jason S. Jones & Family
Nancy Kenny
Dave Masover
Joshua Moore
Paul Nellis
Susan Orth
Kevin Pedersen
Chris Pennington
Tim N. Pham
Marilee Schultz
Darren Scott & Claudia
Beck-Scott
Vicki Soll
Chris Tolbert
Kevin Veltfort
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