The Monday night ride is almost here for 2009. The first ride is 6:30 pm at the Aquatic Center May, 4.
MCC got some very good feedback last year and over the winter about last year’s format, so we will continue that for 2009 with minor changes.
There will be two groups leaving. Sport 1 will go around Hutchins Lake and through Fennville. Approx. 40 miles with a pace of 20-21 on average. This group leaves at 6:30. This is a RIDE. No sprinting or putting the hammer down to drop the group. The group sticks together as much as possible. Sport 1 will stop in Douglas to catch any riders that fell off while on Blue Star Highway. Also there will be a regroup on the top of 58th street/Old Allegan Road hill. Sport 1 will usually NOT go through New Richmond.
Sport 2 leaves a 6:32 pm. This shorter route turns at 126th Ave. off 62nd. 35 miles with a pace of 17-18 mph on average. This is a RIDE. No sprinting or putting the hammer down to drop the group. Sport 2 will also stop in Douglas and try and regroup at the top of Old Allegan Road hill. Sport 2 will go through New Richmond as long as road conditions permit, otherwise we will take 58th instead.
In 2008 there was another group that also started at the Aquatic Center at or before 6:30. This historically has been a faster ride than either the Sport 1 or 2, and usually includes strong pace setting, sprinting and good hill climbs. This is a great ride for anyone wishing to train hard and get faster, but it’s also a ride with plenty of time to talk with others and enjoy a good ride. This is a skilled group of riders who encourage others to join them. This earlier group is not an MCC ride. The club supports this group but is not responsible for route, distance, or schedule. The club encourages this group to form and leave earlier than 6:25 to avoid confusion of groups and congestion on city/county streets.
Also, PLEASE READ! The club has gotten credible information that the Allegan County Sheriffs Dept. is looking out for cyclists not obeying the “two abreast” rule for riding in the lane. Some groups have already been pulled over and given verbal warnings about this, MCC expects this will continue this summer.
The MNRide will ride every Monday night unless the NOAA has issued a Thunderstorm or Tornado WARNING for Ottawa or Allegan county. Otherwise all conditions are fair for riding.
Please post QUESTIONS for the MNRide on the MCC forums.
Thanks, see you May 4th 6:30 pm