Tentative roll call for Downieville 05/20/18

[GreenMachine]

Canceled due to T-storms.
Work with us here.  Due to regional rainstorms, we've swapped weekends on our ride schedule for 05/13 & 05/20.  Last weekend we were supposed to go to Sierraville.  Well, the weather was far worse up there than it was down south in Markleeville, which was scheduled for this weekend.  But now since we've already ridden Markleeville, we're going to give Downieville a try; swap weekend rides.

This ride is again tentative due to continued atmospheric instability aloft; rain showers & thunderstorms.  We'll just have to see what Mother Nature has in store for this weekend.  If thunderstorms are forecast for that day, I will cancel the ride. ==> Here is why.

North route departure.  Check this thread for updates and have your bike ready to ride!

Planned 9:30 AM kickstands up (KSU).*  This is one of our more fun short rides (less than 190 miles), taking us up into the snow covered Sierras, with vistas, running rivers along side and warm weather to accompany for most of the day.  The group will decide if they want to take in a little more or head back after getting their fill of Downieville's hospitality.



Bring your camera if you can. Gold Lake loop should have some great picture opportunities of Sierra Buttes.

Lunch stop ideas:  Downieville or Sierraville of course.  Sierraville has three choices, the diner at the T, the Mexican restaurant across the street or the deli with home made apple pies for dessert across the street from that.  Downieville has the pizza place and probably many others that we've yet to explore.

RSVP** if you're planning on going.   If you do not RSVP, the ride may be canceled even if you had planned on showing up the day of the ride.  Expect the group to depart on the ride as soon as everyone who has RSVP'ed is ready.

North route ride.  This is a minimum C level ride pace route, so all riders welcome.    Meet at Starbucks or thereabouts (if parking is an issue).

As always, see 2018 SSA Ride Schedule for everything that is expected of you and what you can expect.***  *** Safety is paramount. *** 


* KSU dependent on when everybody is ready.
** RSVP - répondez, s'il vous plaît a.k.a. please reply.
*** Remember, your ride leader was once new to group riding as well.  You are encouraged to speak up about your impressions of the group ride and destinations.  No need to be shy, we aren't.    

[GreenMachine]

The conditions for this weekend's ride, while somewhat unchanged, may facilitate taking an alternative route for the second week in a row.  No big.

As a backup to Downieville, I think it's safe to say we could probably get in a ride to Virginia City that day.  Nothing set in stone as of yet.  Keep your options open .

[PAPASMURF]

CHILI COOK OFF. TRAFFIC. NOT NICE.

[GreenMachine]

Naaa, even at its worst during events, it's rarely a problem.  Just a minor inconvenience riding on that upper street.  Getting out of town towards Reno might be a drag though no matter what.

If the weather continues like today, I think there's a good chance of getting back from Downieville before the showers.  9:30 AM puts us in Downieville, with a break in Sierraville, at about 11:30 AM...if we get off on time.  Doppler shows here at 3:30 PM that 89 & 49 are completely under rain conditions.  We might need to consider riding to Downieville, then immediately turning around and skipping lunch there, in favor of lunch in Reno at around 1:00 PM.

That's if the current weather conditions translate from day to day.