Attention those contemplating the up coming Rwanda Ride

[OMR]

Please do not under estimate this ride. Although the route does not go up Harding this year and the actually elevation gain is less, this is a long hard ride if you do the entire route.

I was considering riding the single speed again this year on sweep like last year... but after this weekend, when we rode most of the route, I've changed my mind. I'm going to ride geared. There are a lot of factors to consider here. The weather we've been having, the fires and the time change has all conspired against us. Many have not been riding as much and will suffer... the good news is that this is basically an out and back. If you find yourself getting tired, turn around. I was surprised how tiring it was for all the small ups and downs. ... Just don't under estimate the course.

Don't get me wrong, it is a great route with lots of views and the trails are in great shape. You will enjoy this ride.Just be warned that this is not the easy course like some think. You will need to be in pretty good shape to finish in good form.

'Nuff said, grasshoppers.....

[BandMan]

Thanks OMR. I was planning on riding SS but Gene provided me this post and I'm now riding geared this year since I'm not quite sure what to expect. Better to enjoy the ride than walk the ride.

[OMR]

Originally Posted by BandMan

Thanks OMR. I was planning on riding SS but Gene provided me this post and I'm now riding geared this year since I'm not quite sure what to expect. Better to enjoy the ride than walk the ride.

You gain in wisdom.... thank me after the ride....

[denmother]

Which 25 mile route is better, the 1st half or the 2nd?

[Abui]

That sounds like a challenge.

[ShinKen]

Originally Posted by Caveman

That sounds like a challenge.

thats what I'm talking about!! I'm with this BubB!!

[Kish Me]

Originally Posted by OMR

...
I was considering riding the single speed again this year on sweep like last year... but after this weekend, when we rode most of the route, I've changed my mind. I'm going to ride geared...

OMR- Was it the climbs or spinning out on the flats that made you change your mind<<

Is this a good course for my first Cross-bike (geared) ride?

[BandMan]

Originally Posted by ShinKen

thats what I'm talking about!! I'm with this BubB!!

Damn your evil!!

[OMR]

Originally Posted by denmother

Which 25 mile route is better, the 1st half or the 2nd?

The first half is a tiny bit flatter....

[Kevedge]

i rode the second half last year, wasnt that bad.

[OMR]

Originally Posted by Kish Me

OMR- Was it the climbs or spinning out on the flats that made you change your mind<<

Is this a good course for my first Cross-bike (geared) ride?

It was the constant up and down... a couple of short really steep climbs... it was hard to get into a rhythm... and it sort of wears on you after a while... right in the middle there is a long steep climb that really saps the strength ... and coming back is not flat... it's constanr ups and down again. I would have much rather just climbed Harding again...

Originally Posted by Kevedge

i rode the second half last year, wasnt that bad.

Sorry, but that was a much flatter route. the route has changed... this year's Lower Rwanda is not the same as last year's 2nd leg.

[klutter]

Originally Posted by BandMan

Thanks OMR. I was planning on riding SS but Gene provided me this post and I'm now riding geared this year since I'm not quite sure what to expect. Better to enjoy the ride than walk the ride.

Be careful with that geared bike...dérailleurs have been known to break when in the company of single speeders.

[Kevedge]

oh really? my mistake, i read somewhere that the second half was the same as last years.

EDIT: This is what I read

"...From the Dove waterfall, we head back out to what was basically last year's "second leg", We will pass the Coto main gate, climb and traverse Chiquita Ridge, head down Tijeras Creek trail to Arroyo Trabuco Trail, turn back to O'Neill, through the park and back to Cooks Corner."

[OMR]

Originally Posted by Kevedge

oh really? my mistake, i read somewhere that the second half was the same as last years.

This was true up until the Great Santiago Canyon Fire of 2007. This changed the first 25 mile leg (Harding) and thus affected the 2nd leg route. Although there are some sections that are the same, most of the new route is then completely different

[JOx2]

i'm not joining the Rwanda ride, but i'll take OMR's wisdom anytime.

[bigringrider101]

Thanks for the advise OMR.
It'll be a little challenge

[Sweetpea]

I compared the maps and the second part looked to be the same with the new first part jutting out over into Caspers and back. I only rode the second part last year and was hoping to ride the first part this year for something new.

The hardest part for me were those hills right at the beginning before descending into O'Neill. They are still there regardless of which part you do. The second part does have much more elevation gain than you would think. We rode it a couple of weeks ago at a casual pace (with 3 flats) and it took us 4 hours.

I think that one could make the ride easier and still ride most of it simply by starting and ending at O'Neill park and then driving (quelle horreur!) back to Cooks. At least that's what I've been suggesting to some riders who want to do it but are scared of the length and difficulty. I hope I'm not misleading them.

What if one does the first part and then goes back the same way (except returning via the monastery road)? Would that make the ride significantly shorter/easier than doing both segments? I've never ridden the trails going to Caspers and I really want to see them.

[OMR]

Originally Posted by Sweetpea

I've never ridden the trails going to Caspers and I really want to see them.

There are a couple of longer climbs in Caspers that come right in the middle of the ride... I'm pretty sure some will be walking by then... but a really pretty area. You'll like it!

[BandMan]

Originally Posted by klutter

Be careful with that geared bike...dérailleurs have been known to break when in the company of single speeders.

Make that Evil X 2 !!!