One Month to Go Newsletter

If you can not ride this year…

The ride sold out in February and there are a lot of people wanting to get a registration. They have posted on Craigslist (SF Bay Area) and that is a good place, along with our Facebook page. You collect your money back from the transferee. Please, no scalping. Transferring is free. Go to https://ffbcprimavera.wordpress.com/transfer/ to fill out a transfer form and for the transferee to get a registration form. The transferee can send it in or simply go to the Transfers line at check-in. We accept faxed or scanned transfer forms. On day of, we will even accept looking at the form on your smart phone. There were a few transfers done electronically that morning last year.

The price for all but the fun ride is the same and registration is good for any route. Fun Ride registrations can be upgraded for $45, cash or check.

Get your bike in shape

Speaking of checks, it is a good time to check your bike. We will have professional mechanics at registration and each rest stop, but they should be for emergency repairs. This is a good time to get that new chain, tires, brakes, etc. See our sponsor page for excellent shops. If you join FFBC, they offer a 10% discount on most items.

Join FFBC

Speaking of joining, we have a promotion next month. All people who become a member of Fremont Freewheelers Bicycle Club (FFBC) in April will be entered in a lottery to win a pair of tickets for the Niles Canyon Railway. There are a couple of pairs of tickets to be given away. Visit www.ffbc.org

Niles Canyon Railway

Speaking of Niles Canyon Railway, they will be running the same steam engine pulling excursion cars up and down Niles Canyon on Primavera ride day. So, watch for the train while cruising through the canyon.  We have adjusted the 100 mile and 100K routes one block so the routes go right past the Sunol Train Station. The 65 and 100 K routes go past the Niles station as well. If the 100 milers don’t mind making it 101 miles, then follow the blue and green arrows at the end of Niles Canyon Road into Niles. There will be photo ops of the Robert Dollar engine at Sunol between 10 and 10:30. The train departs Sunol at 10:30, (back in Sunol around 11:50), 12:30, (back in Sunol around 1:50), and 2:30 (back in Sunol around 3:50).

If you have a significant other (or kids), they may want to take the train while you are off riding. Visit http://www.ncry.org/ .

Volunteering

Speaking of significant others, they can also have a good time that day by volunteering. Go to http://ffbcprimavera.wordpress.com/volunteers/ to sign up. They get a t-shirt that features the train at the Sunol Station, food, and a couple surprise gifts. With a little planning, they will see you on your travels.

Bird Watching

Speaking of your travels, the Eagles (the birds, not the group) have been spotted at Calaveras Reservoir. Hopefully you will see them as you ride. There are also red tailed hawks.

Wente Road Race

Speaking of things to see, this year the Wente Road Race will be on the same day. The race course is the same Altamont Loop as the one the 100 milers take from Rios Lovell Winery. This year, for safety, we will be doing the loop in reverse. We will go counterclockwise, while the racers go clockwise. They have a strict centerline rule and must stay on their side of the road. We are asking that people observe the single file rules to provide maximum separation. We also require that our riders obey the Race Marshals. There are three turns where you may be stopped as the peloton comes around the corner. We rode this change and actually prefer doing it in the counterclockwise direction. Your feedback will be requested after the ride to consider making it a permanent change.

Fun Ride

Speaking of changes, the fun ride will now go all the way to the end of the Alameda Creek Trail in Niles. No more turns to look for and no more overpass with no bike lane. We are adding a water stop at the end of the trail. As of this week, the tree roots on the trail are being cut out and paved over, so it should be a nice smooth ride. Who could ask for more?

FAQ

Speaking of asking, check out the FAQ tab at the website. If you still have questions, write primavera@ffbc.org   There will be another set of last minute instructions sent out a week before the ride. If you do not see it, just check the website and a copy will be there.