Exposure Lights Test & Review

Searching for a light combo (bike/ helmet) that :
-Is lightweight.. A 455 gram light adds one pound, so like to keep the light(s) less than that.
-Has no wires to an external battery-especially for the helmet.
-A helmet light that will add depth of field, a backup light, and something to use in case I have to change a flat.
-Has a run time of minimally 3 hours. I'm not planning to ride thought the night, but if I leave in the dark 45 minutes before sunup--a 2 hour run time light has me nervous for later.
-Has LED bulb(s) so I don't have to worry about replacing the bulb and I get a white light (instead of yellow.)
-Gives off enough light. On roads with no street lights-15 watts/ 110 lumens is too dark.
-Is inexpensive-though lights are not getting cheeper (sic)--but brighter and smaller.

Every year lights get more powerful, smaller, longer lasting (thanks to LEDs.) With my eye toward the Alta Alpina 8 next year--and 2 hours of night mountain riding, I started considering a new bike light. My 65 lumens Coast mini flashlight (100 hours) and 50 lumens Princeton Tec Headlamp (105 grams, 4.5 hours) didn't cut it at the beginning of Knoxville, especially when there were no streetlights. And my NiteRider MiNewt, at 110 lumens, (175 grams, 3 hours) barely did the trick at the end when on a streetlamp-less country road. Something more was needed riding down a mountain pass.

I also have an older15 watt* NiteRider Smart Evolution Halogen light (*lights used to be rated by watts and NiteRider has not converted this to the more precised lumens.) But three problems. (1) Though it could be stepped down to 10 watts and last longer, at 15 watts the light only lasted for 1:45 hours. (2) And it weights--550 grams, adding over 1 pound. (3) Even 15 watts isn't that bright when there is no other surrounds light.

Exposure Lights caught my eye. All their lights last 3 hours on high. Their lights are relatively light--their 960 lumens light is just 298 grams and their helmet mounted Joystick, 240 lumens, is a flyweight 76 grams. At first I figured that I'd get an Exposure Light for my bike and use my NiteRider MiNewt as a helmet light. But then I'd be riding around with a wire dangling from the helmet light to the battery taking up space in the jersey.

An alternative came to mind as Exposure Lights have NO WIRES. I'd picked up the Exposure Joystick to evaluate their product, use it as a helmet light, and if I like it I'd eventually pick up one of its big brothers.

Indoor Comparison
First helmet 10' away from light, 2nd helmet 20' away, Flanders Flag 25' away. (Photos taken on tripod at 1/2s 3.1f) Note-Ward did recommend that I shine each lighting system at annoying corner neighbor's house and see which one they come running out about the fastest.

Coast Mini Flashlight (65 lumens) coupled with Princeton-tec (50 lumens) headlight not the greatest--even if they give off more light than most small bike lights. (And in a garage you get reflection off the walls, ceiling floors; and the light just has to throw 25' which is barely acceptable outside (at 20 mph you'll travel almost 30' a second.)

MiNewt on low puts out a nice white light& 15w halogen Evolution puts out a more diffuse light but yellow so not a great throw forward. Joystick on has the least spread--but has a nice clean spotlight.

Joystick is the same size (actually a tiny bit thinner) than mini flashlight. It snaps onto the helmet on a special bracket that goes through a vent (or a handlebar bracket which I didn't get yet--in fact I put it on the handlebars with ponytail ties which I've used on doubles with my mini-flashlight.) As I later learned, a bonus of the Exposure Joystick helmet mount is that you can change the tilt or direction while you are riding.

Outdoor Test #1

I went to a street without streetlamps (Contra Loma approach.) Throw and brightness of Exposure Light Joystick on High is better than 15w NightRider Evolution, though NightRide has a little more spread close up.

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Two things I learned in the meanwhile:

1) Watts vs Lumens. As they measure different things, and watts are dependant on the type of bulb, there is no strict conversion formula. But Peter White Cycles, a very good site re off the beaten path bike equipment, provides this:

Light output: 65 lumens, (5-8 watt halogen equivalent)

Light output: 80 lumens, (8-10 watt halogen equivalent)

Light output: 120 lumens, (12-15 watt halogen equivalent)

*

Another lighting supply site provides this:

75 lumens=15 watt halogen

So 1 watt halogen ranges from 5-13 lumens equivalent; so my old 15 watt NiteRider Evolution threw out 75-195 lumens.

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2) Throw vs With of Beam. A great commentary on this is provided by Peter White Cycles:

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On country roads on a moonless night, it's as though you're riding along in a tunnel. The width of the tunnel is determined by the width of your headlight's beam. The wider the beam, the wider the tunnel. With a narrow beam, you need to be paying closer attention to what's going on around you. With a wider beam, you can relax more. You don't feel as though you can make one false move, and go flying off the road. It's just more relaxing. But a wider beam requires more total light, otherwise that tunnel, though wider will be darker.

*

The 240 lumens Joystick was creating a little narrower but MUCH brighter tunnel than the 15w halogen NiteRider Evolution.

All outdoor photos "brightness" is increased +20 in Photoshop to mimic the conditions I saw after my eyes adjusted.

Exposure Light Joystick Helmet Light Review

Joystick mounts on the helmet on a plastic mount that locks through the vents, and then is able to be adjusted/ tilted on a ball joint, even when riding. It is very stable while riding. There is also a supplied lanyard I clipped to the Joystick that also loops through the helmet vents--provided as on mountain bike rides branches can dislodge the Joystick from its mount. Doesn't seem like it would be a problem on a road ride.


I'll have to make the helmet a tad tighter, it seemed to slip forward a little with the light.

Otherwise the helmet felt the same as always as the light adds little weight.

Small push button switch in the back of the light can scroll through 3 light levels--the small button was easy to find and change (even with mini-Red led taillight plugged into the back next to it) though it would be hard with thick glove; not a problem with glove liners. There are many options for the light--ability to double the light output and attach another lens, attach an aux. battery for longer run time, attach a full sized taillight, or, what I did, attach a mini taillight to the back of the unit. The light does have a power level indicator--though while on the helmet of course impossible to see while riding.

The light does mount on the handlebars--in fact as I didn't order the handlebar mount that also fits its big brothers, I used my old pony tail tie trick to secure the Joystick to the bars. No problem.

After test ride very happy with the Exposure Light Joystick, so I was ready to go ahead and order one of it's big brothers.


Outdoor Test #2

An initial dilemma. Exposure Lights had a holdover model, Maxx-D, that put out 900 lumens A new model, Toro, put our 700 lumens. Weight was basically the same, very light for a high powered light (slightly under 300 grams), run time (3 hours on high) exactly the same. Big difference was that with 4 LED bulbs the Maxx-D had a wider light spread while with one "super" LED the Toro had a more focused beam.

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Damn--wish I could have tested both out side by side.

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Even though I now had the Joystick as a tight focused beam, for road riding the throw more important than the spread, so I went with the Toro.

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I took the Toro and my other lights to the base of Mt. Diablo--again the last streetlight about 100' behind me and blocked by a tree so very dark. I set up a can about 5' in front of the camera on tripod, a pumpkin on the center line of the road, left side of the photos 30-40' away, and another pumpkin in front of the Mt. Diablo sign about 90' down the right side road.

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Brightest light?? The ranger's overhead flashing lights when he came racing down to kick me out of a closed park, which prevented me measuring the marks I set up.

As you can see below, the MiNewt's 110 lumens lights up the can hazard, but really fades to the 1st pumpkin on the road, and this area is not that bright. The 15wEvolution really brightens up the can hazard, but really doesn't light up much else--though if I had time to look at the photos at the site I'd have redone this one pointing the light further out.

*

I included the Exposure Light's Joystick and Toro 10 hour medium setting photos, but this should only be used when riding on a lit street. Using the 3 hour max settings, the Joystick did a nice job throwing out a long beam, but again not too wide, the area around the 1st pumpkin, 30'-40' away, is brighter than the area around the can 5' away. Actually good for a helmet light, will brighten up what I am looking at.

The Toro was real impressive. On medium it is as bright as the MiNewt. On max it is scorching! You can start to make out the 2nd Pumpkin and the Mt. Diablo sign 100' down the road. Coupled with the Joystick the lane for 100' is really lit up.

All outdoor photos increased +20 in brightness.

Exposure Lights Toro Light Review

I'm really impressed how light the light is in total darkness.

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As previously reported this brand caught my eye as apart from being cordless, about half the weight of other high powered lights. The only spec negative is that it takes 12 hours to fully charge the Toro (9 hours for 90%.)

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The light is nicely machined and so is the light bracket--and the light goes on the bracket very easily but securly. I got a few brackets to put and keep on each bike--as once I get the optimal light angle dialed in I don't want to keep having to move the bracket and start over. Conversely, the MiNewt doesn't need a bracket, can easily be moved from bike to bike, but every time I put it on it took a few adjustments to get the angle where I wanted it.

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With glove liners on it was easy to cycle through the different outputs--and on a street with streetlights the medium setting (that goes for 10 hours) was more than enought. But as you can see when it is pitch dark, the medium setting doesn't cut it. As a quick afterthought I had in the back of my mind that the Joystick and Toro on medium would cast half the lumens as they do on full power. But after seeing the lights in action, and thinking about it (Expsoure Lighst does not provide this information), as the medium setting runs over 3x longer than at max/ high, then it stands to reason that the lumens cast are not half but a THIRD of max/ high. So on the medium setting the Toro just cast 210 lumens (the Joystick just 72.) And on the low setting the Toro can run for 24 hours, but just at 84 lumens. I wish the light had less of a run time at medium and low setting but more with more lumens.

*

In short, I'm amazed how lights have become better (more powerful, lighter, run longer) in a few years. And after a light test and a few night time runs, real impressd with the Exposure Lights.

Mt. Diablo Recap-Put off another Year of Aging-2009

Unfortunately one of the great standard rides just ended--riding up Mt. Diablo after work. I did it almost every Tuesday and Wednesday during daylight savings time. On Tuesday Ward and I loosened up bs'ing (one quote of the year, we passed a rider and he said "how can you guys talk and go so fast.") and on Wednesday the Diablo Cyclists time trial to the Junction. On Wednesday usually cut off 6-8 minutes from the day before, continue up to the top if it was warm or if there was a need to train for an event. We'd return down the "easy" South Side to paceline back through Danville and Walnut Creek, creating a loop that made the ride longer. Diablo Cyclists going up on Wednesday catching riders who started before us. Local cyclocross camp Mark probably is already at the Junction reading a newspaper. (Diablo Scott photo) After Diablo Cyclists pass Diablo Scott en masse, he takes photo and has a great caption on his blog "And in an instant my passed-em : passed-me ratio goes down the crapper."

On weekends the road is congested with cars going up and down and yahoos trying to pass on blind turns, but during the week Mt. Diablo is quiet--almost one big bicycle path going up. Early and late in the season with the sun setting early, we go 2/3rds up to the Junction; (from North Gate-the "Hard Side") 6.55 miles and 2,159' climbing. Later on, we continue on to the top which makes the climb 11.19 miles and 3,849'. Though the extension is shorter the road gets steeper so it almost doubles riding time. The last section to the top-the ramp--is 16-19%, and the rule is we have to do it twice. Going down the South side and looping back from the Junction gives us almost a 30 mile ride, from the top almost 40.
Diablo Scott took this great photo of the ending ramp last year. Unless we have a doctor's note, we have to do it twice.

As the club wimp I usually refuse to go to the top unless it is 83 or over at the base. It is freezing when going down when it is cooler. Conversely, I may be the only person enjoying the climb when it is 95 degrees+ and descending in just a sleeveless vest is priceless. But as I trained for the early Devil Mountain Double this year it meant going up Mt. Diablo when it was still cold--the lowlight may have been descending Mt. Diablo when it was in the mid 30's. F.


Interesting year, with an ebb and flow of people rounding into form different times of the year. Like every year local cyclocross champ Mark always takes off and gets to the Junction at 30m; beneficial to me when new people try to chase Mark, riding the heaviest bike, and then blow up down the road. Otherwise, this year joined by many fast climbers. Early on I'd drop James on the steep sections but he'd use his sprint (he almost hit 40 mph on the blvd) to roar past me when the road leveled off within 200 feet of the junction—damn. We also had to put up with young mountain bike racer Justin zooming by while complaining that he was out of shape.

In the spring I'd be dropped if I hit the 1000' sign at 15:05—by the end of the summer I di get there at13:40. Drew and Specialized Dave much faster than me, but when it got hot they suffered more than I did and I was able to get by them. Near the end of the summer a new person, Chris, showed up, and if I worked hard to drop Drew on a hot day Chris would go by. The best times were tangling with Dr. Dave when he got off the recumbent and onto a regular bike—I'd have to get far away on the steep sections as he'd easily spin by me when the road started to level off.

(above) Ward finishing the ramp the second time. (below) I'm at the top with the San Ramon Valley behind me.I've become a better descender the last couple of years (well, I couldn't have gotten any worse) but was getting slower and slower on the climbs. Five years ago, when the Death Ride and other unknown rides "scared" me, it was incentive not to eat and to go balls out on every climb--and lost this motivation over time. But the good news is that after breaking 36:00 to the Junction only 2 times from 2006-08 I did it 6 times this year and after breaking 70:00 to the top last in 2005 I did it again in 2009.

Breaking 36:00 to the Junction (from North Gate)

2003 (3x, fastest 33:13), 2004 (1x, 33:51), 2005 (1x 35:50), 2006 (0x 36:34), 2007 (0x, 36:08), 2008 (2x, 35:37), 2009 (6x, 34:39)*

Yea!, I hadn't seen anything in the 34:00's until this year since 2004.

Breaking 70:00 to the Top (from North Gate)

2003 (2x, fastest 66:25), 2004 (1x, 67:55), 2005 (1x, 69:25), 2006 (0x, 75:52), 2007 (0x 70:49), 2008 (0x, 72:52), 2009 (1x, 69:01)**

*In mid summer there is a race up the North (Hard) side to a point about 1 1/2 minutes short of the Junction. Taking my best time (33:09) I would have come in 20th of 60 35+ Cat 4/5, 18th of 34 45+ open, and 115th of 237 men combined.

An interesting toy is the Bicycle Power Calculator. Figuring a 35:00 time up the 5.35% climb to the Junction, I estimate that I can put out 255 watts.

**In the fall there is a race up the South (Easy) side to the top. Estimating it takes 5 minutes less to ride up the South side than the North, with my best time (@64:01) I would have finished 263rd of 896 total riders (which includes some unicyclists.) I never do this race--I figure my race up Mt. Diablo is the Devil Mountain Double, which afterwards has 180 bonus miles thrown in.

SANTA ROSA WINE COUNTRY METRIC MAKEUP-2009

(October 24, 2009) TOURNING (sic) of the LEAVES METRIC, Diablo Cyclist Club ride.


As one may recall, the Santa Rosa Wine Counrty Century, the BEST century (actually 120 miles) to do keeping the Club together was rained on this year and broke up after slogging through 50 water logged miles. This almost made up for it. Another great metric ride on a beautiful day, cobbled together by our resident route tinkerer, Stephan. Before the ride Dr. Dave and I proposed numerous alternatives, as Stephan is apt to do on any route, though his are more grounded in reality than ours. One last minute change was a climb up Sweetwater Springs which is really ducked in the middle of nowhere.



Photos by either Ward or I. If he's in the photo I took it, if I'm in the photo he took it. If its a good still life photo I took it, if its a great action photo Ward took it.



The official Elevation Graph-suitable for framing-from Ward Industries.

Ride leader and resident route tinkerer Stephan asked for suggestions for the route--my proposal had us detouring a bit to go through Central Park (leaves really tourning (sic) there) and then the Paris Roubaix velodrome...

.. . while Dr. Dave submitted a metaphysical one, but not realistic like mine, so I don't think Stephan will ever ask us for suggestions again...

...So we were "stuck" doing Stephan's route, which started among kindergarten art in Windsor--that tries to create a village feel...

..Somehow, Ward, Joe and I were nominated to proudly stand by the devil...

...We did Chalk Hill backwards--against the Santa Rosa Wine Country century route. Our first regroup at the end..Ward just arrived as he thought he was on the Century and threw his water bottle at an imaginary rider wearing an IPOD...

..At first real rest stop--while Johnna wise NOT to turn around, she does see Joe's plastic bike melting against a live BBQ (caption suggested by Joe)......The sun is finally on the right side of the road--on the other side of the vineyards, on Dry Creek Road (Ward and I stocking up on lights for next year to use as strobe flash fills, when shooting into the sun. If I was a little faster I could have gotten into the frame--but I like the way it came out. (Ward photo)

Ward and Joe imitating art by the dogs playing cards and taking photos. Only time Joe would stay still all day--rest of the time he was attacking with Brother Joe.

Stephan leads the pelaton, while thinking about a route change, on Westside Road rollers (Ward photo)...

Regroup where we are going to decide who is going to do the Sweetwater Springs Climb...

Johnna, Jack and Jandy (we told Andy he has to change his name to get into this J club photo) by the regroup (Ward photo)...

... While starting the road up to the Sweetwater Springs Climb there is always time to mug for photos. (guess who took which one)......Man, Sweetwater Springs nice and desolate, not steep either, maybe Stephan got something with this route change (Ward Photo)

...hmmm, later on the climb gets steep, as Beth found out...

Ward brought along the Ward Industries mail clerk, who turned out to be the slowest of the climbers. We had to wait but at least he bought a Club Jersey (Ward photo)

..I probably went through a set of brakepads on the downhill (Ward photos)

Back on the flats--well flats punctuated by steep rollers, on Mays Canyon Road (Ward photo)

The psycho house....
The Diablo Psychoists pose in front of the psycho house (Ward-o-photo) Unfortunately the ride is almost over.

FOXY'S FALL CENTURY REDUX-2009

...Pumpkincycle two cents on Foxy Fall's Century-2009

I'm an addict--I Want just ONE MORE GOOD LONG DISTANCE RIDE for this GREAT 2009 Cycling Year

Some Notes On:

1) First Century ever I did ill prepared at the last minute
2) Philosophy of "grifting" a ride, including components to rating an Organized Ride
3) Food eaten on this century (as I carried the food around I remember it all)

No, this isn't the course map. Two days before Foxy' my daughter, wife and I took one of our looooong walks around SF--Haight to Clement to Union to Chestnut down Fisherman's Wharf to Embarcadero. 11 miles. Cyclists like to think legs are tough but using different muscles bad case of shin splints through the weekend. Map my Ride good for walking stats also--though it wouldn't let me bike down the staircase on Lyons Street.


Last Minute Prep
Twelve hours before this ride started I wasn’t sure I was going to do it. Weekend before was cool and on Tuesday a monsoon had moved into the Bay Area. Until Thursday morning it was drizzly. Meanwhile Chairman Ward was off on a business trip, I suspect inspecting the Ward Industries Sri Lanka Thong Plant compliance benchmarks and wasn’t due back from the business trip until Thursday were he’d figure out of he wanted to do the ride. On Friday morning Big Jim emailed that he and Jeanne were doing the ride, a windless day was promised (with sort of a promise we could draft off of him if it was windy--though we might encounter Jeanne's wrath), a few more Diablo Cyclists were riding though they’d probably cut a few miles off the course (Don on a fixed gear and Brian just getting off the disabled list.) And as Friday continued the day got nicer and nicer.

At 8pm Ward & I talked each other into doing the ride as it was going to be a beautiful day. Ward said he’d get there early and see if he could register—and now there was a $60 fee! Sixty fn bucks. I said that I’d do the ride but go self supported like I did on more than a dozen 100 mile rides this year. I did check the Davis Bike Club web site which indicates $45 registration is closed and there MAY be some slots open morning of registration for $60. (Jeanne says the $15 is NOT a late fee but rain insurance.)

Bad Mood
As I didn’t think we’d be doing this ride on Thursday, when my daughter came to visit, daughter, wife and I took a little walk around San Francisco. Walking through a city is great and you keep passing interesting NON chain stores and homes with interesting architecture. Our little walk took us around Haight to Clement through Pacific Heights down Union, around to Chestnut, back through Ft Mason and down the Embarcadero back to the Ferry Building/ Bart. For those not familiar with San Francisco, there are a few hills involved and the walk is a little short of 11 miles. I like to think I’m fit but walking muscles are a little different than cycling muscles, and I got a bad case of shin splints that only subsided slightly by Friday night.

Still sore on Saturday morning and my blitzing out on starting/ driving time didn’t help. Jim said he wanted to start at 7:30. As it takes 1 1/4 hour to drive to Davis I should have left at 5:30-5:45. But I wound up leaving at 6:05, meaning that with even a perfect trip I arrived in Davis, parked on the street about a ¼ mile from the venue, and had 11 minute so set up my bike and ride over to the start--as when Ward and I say a ride is starting at 7:30 it starts by 7:31. But Jim much more lax than us, and 3 of 4 Diablo Cyclists had to check in, so in reality we left @7:45 and there was no need to rush. But I did rush so I was already wound up.

So sore and cranky from rushing where I zoom to the start, looking around for group and finally spot Big Jim and A CAR STOPS IN FRONT OF ME—I JAM ON BRAKES BUT DON’T CLIP OUT, do a soft landing on lawn but also twist my bad knee. Oh F.

Of course co-2005 triple crown rookie Sacto Doug spots me after I get unclipped and comes over being super friendly as he usually is while I’m super surly. (While Doug is super friendly his timing is super shitty, last time he wanted to stop and chat was when I was sprinting in at the end of the Mt. Tam double.)

Luckily the morning weather is nice—some warmth and humid—not the damp wetness that F’s up my breathing but (kinda like) steamy if it was a little warmer.

Overall
Turned out to be a great ride with our larger Diablo Cyclist group keeping the pace steady, 19-21, to the first rest stop, and coming in from the last rest stop our long haul group kept the pace at 20-22. Both times joined by lots of grateful cyclist to be pulled around, and they did a nice job keeping in order in the back and letting DC keep together at the front. (I figured if we died out near the end I could ask our new friends to come forward but there was no need to.) A really nice group ride over a pedestrian course, and I was surprised by the average speed as very few digs put in during the day, and a few places where we slowed to regroup. See Ward's prior entry for ride details.



Early in the morning through the ag fields around Davis. (above) Jeanne, (below) I'm w/ Jim. (Ward photo)

More early morning ag fields around Davis. (above) Brian getting off the Disabled List. (below) The large Diablo Cyclist pelaton before our group eventually split apart. (Ward photos)

Grifting the Ride
Philosophically I am trying to work out if it is OK to grift a ride. Hands down yes if the ride is closed, up in the air if it may be closed and a significant day of fee is being charged. Let me know what you think. The facts:

1) Decision to do the ride was just made the night before.
2) It was still raining in the Bay area until mid day Thursday.
3) The route/ ride is nice but nothing special. A chunk of it was on the Fondue Brevet we did last week.

Which leads off onto a tangent “What makes a ride special?” (apart from riding with friends that made doing this ride appealing) :

Support-How is the pre/post ride venue? Do you see sag wagons often (bonus points if you hear good music from Lee Mitchell’s)? Are the rest stops crowded? Is there more than 1 toilet for the 100 cyclists that arrive around the same time to Rest Stop 1? Is the food pedestrian or unique? (either gourmet unique local or high quality performance food). Is the course well marked?

For FF the Davis bike club does a wonderful job marking the course, sending around sag wagons. Rest stops looked crowded and didn’t seem to have anything special. Good that they put extra porta potties at the beginning of the ride where the lines to the building restrooms used to be ridiculous.—Fair-Good

Road Condition-As to get off of main roads with lots of traffic, cycling events often send one on back roads, some well paved, some that frequently have road hazards, or if in Sonoma County pavement repair hasn’t been invented yet.

For FF-The Solano roads are well paved, some Yolo roads are a tiny bit rough (tractor indentations in the blacktop)—Good

Traffic/ Controlled Intersections-Are you seemingly cycling on the shoulder of a freeway, or a freeway with NO shoulder, or is there just sporadic traffic? Additionally, are you grinding to a halt every mile due to stop signs/ traffic lights, crossing main roads, or are there limited intersections with limited traffic controls?

For FF-Good-Little early morning traffic to Winters, picked up a little in Wooden Valley. Back toward Davis traffic picked up again but most cars around Davis give cyclists 6’ when passing.

Oh Wow Views/ Hill/ Ambiance-When you are riding around are you really “in a different place?” Riding along the ocean, in a pine forest, surrounded by a snowcapped mountains, rolling vineyards or strange architecture? Of are you in subdivision hell or on the side of main roads or industrial parks.

Additionally are there certain spots on the course that have that “oh wow” view that you’ll remember for a few years and be po'd that you didn't bring a camera (and the first time you do the ride and see the “oh wow” view you are almost knocked off your feet.)

For FF- Fair-Ride starts out doing flat ag roads between Davis and Winters. Significant section on service road next to freeway and then suburbia (luckily the Knoxville double goes through this stretch—in the dark.) Wooden Valley has some nice rollers among vineyards. Only attention getting climb near the end of the ride before back in the ag fields surrounding Davis. Service road/ suburban portion is not a big part of the ride, but No OH WOW sections either.

Challenge- Is this a ride you have to do some serious training to do? Is it a ride that most people have to do some serious training to do? Do most people have this incredible feeling of accomplishment when it is over? Usually this is directly related to elevation gain, which has a byproduct of putting one on lightly traveled roads with incredible views.

For FF-poor-With only some rollers and one mediocre climb, no one is confusing this route with the Death Ride. Very good beginner century.

With this in mind;

4) Pre registration for the ride cost $45.
5) After deciding to do this ride only option was (if still open) $60

After deciding to NOT register, I was NOT going to sneak food. But I did get some benefit of the David Bike Club organizing the ride;

6) During the ride this is what I used that was provided (reminder: the roads and the park one of the rest stops is in are public entities.)
-whizz at outhouse at the start—no one waiting before or after at them
-water from a hose (that goes into one of those multi pvc contraptions) at the first rest stop.
-water from a water truck that Chairman Ward got from me from the guarded lunch area.

-quarter slice of watermelon Ward left over (he wasn’t going to return it)
-obviously followed the arrows on the road, though I could have done the ride using a route sheet from a few years ago.
-a chair in the Hall where the end o ride meal is (I brought my own food)

I did make a donation to the Davis Bike Club for accessing their water along the way.

At first rest stop Don inspects Doug's exploding spokes with Brian looking on (Ward photo)

Doug joins up with me when we ride through some suburban neighborhood that looks familiar (Ward photo)

I'm not attired properly to eat at this 5 star restaurant (though note long food lines) so I contemplate life outside the fence while there was no waiting on my Peanut Butter & Pumpkin Butter Sandwich. (Ward O photo)

Food
As I brought my own food I know exactly what I consumed. I always bring a full Hammergel grenade but only use a significant portion if it (1/2) on a double. I tried to get all the remnants of a mega bottle of gel in a grenade, which was then totally ful and I had to cart around for the whole ride—smart wife then asked me why I just don’t take 1-2 goo packets for shorter century rides. Duh.

Food brought along worked out perfectly. (Ballpark for carb intake per hour of solid riding is 60-80 per hour, Burke & Pavelka, Long-Distance Cycling, p. 99. If it was HOT out with lots of climbing, and my solid food digestion suffers, I'd be downing more HEED & PETPETUEM & SHOT BLOCKS)

Ward got these two photos near the bridge between Davis & Winters and I like each for a different reason. I like the top one as a riding photo, Jeanne and I turning onto the bridge. I like the bottom one for the bridge itself (Ward-o-photo)

End o ride meal with Sacto Doug I (same Triple Crown Rookie Class as I was in.) I had another Pumpkin Butter/ Peanut Butter Sandwich, Rice Puddings, and a Protein Shake, but Doug put me to shame by eating a heaping pile of vegetable treats. (Ward photo with some creative licence by Pumpkincycle Still Life Artists.)

FOXY'S FALL CENTURY-2009

(October 17, 2009) Foxy’s Fall Century, 106 miles, 18.4 average, 3,500’ climbing, w/ Ward. Jim, Jeanne, started with Don (on fixed gear), Brian and Karin who were going to eventually turn onto a shorter/flatter alternative.

We are in for a treat--we have a guest ride report, Chairman Ward of Ward Industries. If you rather see his nice sharp ride analysis on Doubles instead of my long winded diatribe, write to Chairman Ward and tell him to do Doubles. Send your cards and letters to:

Chairman Ward

Ward Industries World Headquarters

Heritage USA

PO Box 666

Fort Mill, South Carolina

THE WARD REPORT

The opinions expressed by Chairman Ward are his alone and not necessarily endorsed by Pumpkincycle, our affiliates, or little round orange cyclists anywhere

The Chairman at an early morning regroup. Note the balloons in the distance--one was off course and landed near us.

Foxy's fall Century

October 17, 2009

Ward's Century (and general ride) Guidelines.

1. Hold your line and don't do anything stupid.
2. When you get passed on the road, don't repass everyone at the next traffic control (stop sign/red light) so you get repassed as soon as everyone gets rolling again.
2a. Don't try to use the shoulder to sneak past faster riders who are stopped at a red light/stop sign (applies double to know-it-all tandems).
3. If you get passed by the paceline, join at the end. Don't try to bust into the middle. It's dangerous and messes up the rhythm. (Applies double if you are going to get gapped and force everyone to work extra hard to come around you to close the gaps).
4. If you are sucking wheel on our paceline for miles, then try to race around without taking a pull or giving a wave you will be chased and sat on until you die.
5. Leave the iPod/MP3 player at home.

(I can't resist and have to add my two cents here--Pumpkincycle)

6. If you wanto to BS, you can really do it without riding side to side (to side) blocking the shoulder or the road.

7. Calling out "on your left" when you pass is courtous and safe. (Zooming past 2 inches from my handlebar is a sure way to get my dander up.)

8. Calling out "on your right" is MANDATORY when passing on the right--no one expects you to pull a racing move on a fun ride and be there.

9. (from Mrs Pumpkincycle) When your paceline passes don't cut in so sharply to cut off the rider you just passed.

Ride Stats
Description

Distance; Climbing; Speed

1) Davis - Elmira School

25.14 miles; 180 ft.; 18.7 mph
2) Elmira School - Wooden Valley School
36.42 miles; 1630 ft.; 18.2 mph
3) Wooden Valley School - Solano Lake Park
22.55 miles; 1440 ft.; 17.4 mph
4) Solano Lake Park - Davis
21.43 miles; 240 ft.; 19.6 mph

TOTAL: 105.5 miles; 3480 ft.; 18.4 mph

A note regarding the statistics. The DC group worked at the front for almost the entire ride. The only times we sat on someone else's wheel were for two short stretches following Rule 2 violations.

Stage 0
We were not really planning on doing this ride since the weather can be iffy this time of year. As a result, we planned our self supported 200k (Solano CC to Middletown) last weekend as a year ending long ride. I was traveling last week and when I got home, the weather looked like it might be good so I emailed Jim and Jay. Jim and Jeanne were registered and Jim guaranteed a wind free day. On Friday the weather still looks good so on Friday evening I call Jay and we decide to go. I make some PB&Js and bag up some drink mix to carry in case we cannot register and need to ride self supported.

So it's Jim, Jeanne, Jay, and Ward in for the century (which one of these is not like the others?).
On Saturday morning I get out of the house late and drive fast.

As I approach the start, I see Jim & Jeanne parked on the side of the street so I pull in behind. I gather my stuff, check the tires, and run off to registration to see if I can do a day of the show. They take my $$ so I dash back to the car to remove the sandwiches and bars from my pockets, 5 pounds lighter already.

Back to the start and we see Sacramento Doug.

We're ready to go but the slackers (100- miles) are not here/ready. No big deal as today's ride should go quickly and it's still early.

At the start we got excited when we thought Dave and Mrs. Dave were on the ride on their tandem recumbent. (Ward Photo)

Stage 1

We start slowly so that we can get the group together (what are they doing back there?). Some guy rides up and tells us he read the part of the DC web site that tells you how to ride a double century (pedal a lot?). It's early and I want quiet but this guy keeps talking. Is it too early to attack?

I want to pee. The orchards look good but there is too much mud. Where is that rest stop?

Lots of 90 degree turns through the fields. A moderate pace so we can keep the group together with everyone from the DC group taking longish pulls. On a couple of stretches of road where we are heading south I take the camera out and try to get shots of everyone in the morning light.
I need to pee. The orchards look good but there is too much mud. Where the hell is that rest stop?

I'm at the front and we're catching some guy on a Rivendell product (obviously not the new Roadeo/Craignago since we can't catch those). As we get close he must hear us chatting because he's watching us in his mirror. He speeds up to try and stay in front and keeps glancing back to make sure we are not catching. I stay back about 20 feet and whenever he accelerates I match his speed and make sure I'm on his left so that I am easily visible in his mirror. He starts wobbling more that usual and slows as we approach an overpass. Off we go.

I really need to pee. The orchards look good but there is too much mud. Where the hell is that rest stop?

The sun is coming up and the light good. Lot's of green in the fields, maybe from last weeks rain.
I really really need to pee. The orchards look good but there is too much mud. Where the hell is that damn rest stop?

At Elmira school we see Doug again. He's still riding with the explosive spokes. I need to remember not to ride behind him.

Special Davis Bike Club Sag Wagon (Ward Photo)

Stage 2

On Vaca Valley, we get passed by a gaggle of riders. It looks like one guy doing all the work with a dozen hangers on. As soon as the guy at the front eases off. the paceline turns into a clot with no one else willing to work. When we turn south on Pleasants Valley, Jay goes around them and takes a dig just to stir things up. What a troublemaker.

Along Lyon Road (next to I-80) Jay and I stop for a nature. While we're stopped Doug rolls past and slows while we catch him so we can ride together.

Coming down the hill on Vista Grande (tract house heaven) for the right turn onto Waterman Blvd, some guy ignores the stop sign and passes the group by swinging to the left then out onto Waterman where he would have been crunched if there was any oncoming traffic. A woman with a unicorn (?) on her jersey rolls through the stop sign behind him. We quickly catch these two and I sit on the woman and let the guy work. And work. And work. When he started to look shaky I start my Phil & Paul commentary, "And they are really starting to suffer at the front of the peloton, will the sprinters teams come to the front to help?". The woman started to laugh, but she did not go to the front so she must not have been on a sprinters team. The guy visibly slows, so off we go. As I pass he says something like, "help at last". Well, if you had not violated Rule 2 then help would have arrived much sooner.

We're trading pulls on Wooden Valley Cross and Wooden Valley proper. Jim is powering along in the big ring while lot's of folks are trying to jump on but nobody sticks. After we ease off a bit some guy in a white jersey gets on the train. He's back there for a long long time.

I'm thinking we're on Wooden Valley Road when we're really on Wooden Valley Cross Road so I miss the approach of the county line and there is no Stephen Herrick memorial sprint. I later notice that the county lines are marked on the route sheet, maybe I should look at that once in a while?

I'm taking a pull when I get stung by a bee in the little opening at the top of my left glove. I got stung a couple of weeks ago (Amy's Ranch Ride) and had a severe reaction which required lying down (since I could not stand up). The group was worried that I was going to have problems but I figured I had at least 20 minutes any issues would arise (or sit down). So let's get to Wooden Valley School before then. When we slow down to discuss things the white jersey guy passes without saying a word and without looking over. I see that he's wearing ear buds.

So sorry, that's a rule 2 violation and you will be chased. There is an extra penalty for the Rule 5 iPod violation.

I jump immediately (to the apparent concern of my group) and stick on this guys wheel. He gives a dig or two (and looks back after each) but it's no problem to stay glued on the back. Jay soon appears and shortly afterwards takes a flyer. My guy does not (cannot?) react and I sit on him for a bit longer. I have time to notice he's got the full Assos getup, socks, shorts, & jersey. He takes a few more digs but is starting to wobble a bit. One more wobble and I go and am quickly on Jay's wheel. I look back and Fred is fried (no where to be seen).

We pull into the Wooden Valley School lunch stop and they have security guards protecting the bananas from the poachers. I take my bottles and Jay's and go in to fill them up, then pass them over the fence. I ask around for antihistamines but there are none to be found. I take a couple of ibuprofen and hope for the best. Grab a bit of ice from a cooler and put on the sting. The food is guarded better on the Foxy's Fall than the Gold in Ft. Knox (Ward photo)

Stage 3
I make a last visit to the little house of blue water so I'm last out of the stop. Then I can't get clicked in as I've gotten mud in my cleats. So that delays me for a minute or two more while I find a stick and try to clean things out. As I start I see Jay circling ahead. He probably thinks I'm passed out in the mud.

The road starts climbing immediately and, even though our legs are stiff from the lunch stop, we are passing lots of folks. We gather up Jim & Jeanne but I'm feeling good and don't want to slow down so Jay and I keep a moderate pace up the climb. We rode this section of road last week so I know what to expect and can enjoy the rolling sections of the down hill. There is no hurry so I coast down most of these. We finish the final descent through Muscowite corner and look for a shady spot to wait for Jim & Jeanne.

After regrouping, we roll along until we reach the start of the climb up to Monticello Dam where J&J fall back a bit. Jay and I ride hard (well I was riding hard anyway) (pumpkinnote: An EZ climb--I brought the speed down so Ward could stay with me up the climb and he returned the favor scrubbing speed on the downhill so I could hang) and we're gathering in lots of folks. (Looking at my data, the first part of this climb only has 450' vertical gain, it seems like more when you're on the bike). One guy in a Death Ride jersey decides to sit on and he's there for a while. He drops off a bit on the descent to the marina but reappears on the rollers along the lake. He tells us we're doing a good job and takes a short pull, then he blows and is gone. We do the last of rollers and Jay takes a pull before the descent; then we're at the bottom and all the climbing is basically done.

We look for shade and wait for Jeanne and Jim. Jeanne arrives first and tells us she cannot stop since her cleats will not release (more mud from the lunch stop). So we roll slow while Jim catches up.

We cruise along Putah Creek in the low 20's. Then the Davis Bike Club racing team zooms by with a big group of dingleberries in tow. In the spirit of keeping together, we stick with our more moderate paceline.

As we get to Pleasants Valley Road, Jay pulls into the store to get an ice cream bar (pumpkincycle correction: iced fruit bar) while we "official" riders head to the park for expensive bananas. Jeanne gets one foot out and is able to stand while she loosens the other shoe and takes her foot out of it so that she can work on the mud issue.

We hang out at the park for a long time. What's the hurry, there are only 20 miles to go and it's not even 2 o'clock.

I hear people talking in hushed tones about some scary climb that is coming up.

Jeanne and Doug at the last rest stop by Lake (large pond) Solano. (Ward-o-photo)

Stage 4

So this scary climb that had lots of folks worried is the rise right outside the park. It's hard only because legs stiffen a bit when you sit around. About 100 feet of vertical and not particularly steep.

A few small rollers but nothing "attention getting" on the run into Davis. We keep our speed in the low 20's and the four of us trade pulls. I'm feeling a bit tired and I think my turns are getting shorter but I don't want to let the speed down.

We have an ever growing parade behind us as we pick up slower riders on the way into town. Everyone is well behaved and there are no rule violations as we roll into Davis. At one stop light some guy (from Grizzly Peak Cyclists?) thanks us for all the work and shakes everyone's hands.

I tell Jeanne that we are a lucky bunch because "even our women will kick your ass."

I check my average speed and the Cateye says 18.3 mph. I don't want to loose any of that so I accelerate fairly hard away from the traffic lights (and try to stop late). Jeanne rolls up and asks me what the heck am I doing.

Fini

The 4 of us eat our Pasta and salad with Doug while war stories are exchanged. We see a couple who got married at one of the rest stops. The story we are told is that they rode in on single bikes and out on a tandem. They have kits made up to look like a Tux (him) and a wedding dress (her) and she has a headpiece thing on her helmet. I wonder if it's been wind tunnel tested.

Final stats are from the Garmin (which was not activated until we started rolling and does not include trips to/from the car at the ride start and trips to the plastic houses).

Epilogue
I iced the bee sting area when I got home and before bed. Two days later and my hand is still noticeably swollen and very itchy. F'ing bee.

A great ride and a good last long ride of the year (unless we do another one next week).

-Ward

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