GPC Double/Brevet Prep Rides
2010

Last updated 31 Jan 2010

In the early months of 2010 — January through mid April — the Grizzly Peak Cyclists will put on an informal series of rides intended to help prepare cyclists for double centuries and brevets. Rides are typically 100-plus miles and will be offered at MB, M, and TM paces. However it is unlikely than any long M- or MB-pace rides will be listed for the weekends of the SF Randonneurs 200K, 300K, or 400K brevets nor the weekends of the Cal Triple Crown Stage Race Doubles nor certain other nearby doubles.

Here is a calendar which lists the GPC rides and also the organized brevets and doubles mentioned above. '?' means a ride could be listed. '—' means no ride is likely to be listed. Below the calendar are additional explanations and links.

GPC 2010 DOUBLE/BREVET PREP RIDE CALENDAR For details on any GPC ride, see the current month's ride schedule.
Date	GPC 'MB' Ride	GPC 'M' Ride	GPC 'TM' Ride	Organized Double or Brevet
Jan 01 (Fri)	—	Mt. Diablo Extended (Mark Abrahams)	Mt. Diablo (Nancy Yu)	—
Jan 03 (Sun)	—	Berkeley-Davis (Mark Abrahams)	Berkeley-Davis (Phil Morton)	—
Jan 09 (Sat)	SSR - MB group?	SSR - M group	SSR - TM group	—
Jan 16 (Sat)	—	Del Puerto Loop (Bruce Berg)	Del Puerto Climb (Phil Morton)	—
Jan 23 (Sat)	—	?	?	SF Randonneurs 200K Brevet
Jan 30 (Sat)	(MB)^*	?	?	—
Feb 06 (Sat)	—	?	?	SF Randonneurs 200K Brevet
Feb 13 (Sat)	SSR - MB group?	SSR - M group	SSR - TM group	—
Feb 21 (Sat)	(MB)^*	?	?	—
Feb 27 (Sat)	—	?	?	SF Randonneurs 300K Brevet
Mar 06 (Sat)	(MB)^*	?	?	—
Mar 13 (Sat)	SSR - MB group?	SSR - M group	SSR - TM group	—
Mar 20 (Sat)	(MB)^*	?	?	—
Mar 27 (Sat)	—	?	?	Solvang Spring Double SF Randonneurs 400K Brevet
Apr 03 (Sat)	(MB)^*	?	?	SF Randonneurs Fleche
Apr 10 (Sat)	SSR - MB group?	SSR - M group	SSR - TM group	Mulholland Double (Stage Race #1)
Apr 17 (Sat)	(MB)^*	?	?	Hemet Double
Apr 24 (Sat)	—	?	?	Devil Mtn Double (Stage Race #2)
Apr 25 (Sun)	—	?	?	SF Randonneurs 200K Brevet
May 02 (Sun)	Grizzly Peak Century — ride to eat, eat to ride — and don't forget to volunteer			—
May 08 (Sat)	—	GPC Worker's Century - M	GPC Worker's Century - TM	Central Coast Double
May 15 (Sat)	—	?	?	Davis Double — let's party!
May 22 (Sat)	?	?	?	SF Randonneurs 600K Brevet
May 29 (Sat)	?	?	?	—
Jun 05 (Sat)	?	?	?	Eastern Sierra Double
Jun 12 (Sat)	?	?	?	Alta Alpina Double SF Randonneurs 200K Night Brevet
Jun 19 (Sat)	—	—	?	Terrible Two (Stage Race #3)
Aug 07 (Sat)	—	—	?	Mt Tam Double
'—' means no ride is likely to be listed. '?' means a ride could be listed.

Background

This year the double-prep series is even less formal than in the past. This is due to, if anything, increased club interest in double centuries and (relatedly) brevet riding. More people are listing and leading appropriate prep rides. In past years, there was a single leader who tried to maintain a consistent format and style (such as: ride locally, consistent start time and regroup rhythm, etc). As one would expect, with a variety of leaders there will be a wider variety of styles.

MB Rides

MB-pace double-prep rides were new for GPC in 2008, and were also run in 2009. They differ from traditional GPC M-pace rides not only in the faster pace but also by having very short stops. Among other things, off-the-bike time will be minimized and most eating will be done while riding. Check the ride descriptions and contact the leader(s) for more information. As of this writing (December 2009) MB rides for 2010 may occur differently.

M Rides

There have been 100-mile M rides listed nearly every weekend since October. They will continue throughout the spring, as indicated above. Generally they are not designated "double-prep", but that doesn't matter. Come ride them anyway.

TM Rides

In past years, we also had a number of TM pace double-prep rides. The situation for 2010 is not yet known.

Impromptu Rides

Occasionally, impromptu rides are posted on the GPC club maillist. Typically these are from people whose schedule doesn't allow time do an "away" ride and therefore want to ride locally. They may also be for TM versions or other variations of formally-listed rides. Impromptu rides are generally quite informal indeed: no route sheet, no specified lunch stop, and far lower turnout than an official listed ride. Nonetheless, if that's what your schedule allows, it may be ideal. So, it helps to join GPC and get on the club maillist.