Wed Aug 1st - Logging rd cross bike epic

[Josh.E]

I'm planning on heading out on a long full day ride on wed, aug 1st, and i'm kicking around the idea of planning a single day 160-180km logging road ride on cross bikes.

Wondering if that would interest anyone here? (I'm looking at you, Glenowyn) My wife and a couple of the pro city race team guys have showed interest so far. The pace would be pretty manageable, but it would be a long day in the saddle in the middle of nowhere with few options to bail out. No idea about the terrain or steepness of the roads either, so probably not the best idea if you have no mountain bike experience.
I've mapped out a potential route. it's 162km with 2800m of ascent, some of which looks pretty intense going out of sooke. http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/lo ... ic-shorter#
go to "show-> elevation profile" to check out the climbs
Starts on the goose out to sooke, and then climbing almost 600m up into the hills on logging roads and coming out at the north end of shawnigan lake, then heading south and riding logging roads west of the malahat to goldstream. If we're looking good for time when we get to shawnigan, we'd take a coffee and food detour up to drumroaster in cobble hill.
I don't know what a realistic travelling speed is as I don't know the roads, but I imagine that it could be as low as 15-20km/h if the roads are rough, so it could be up to 10 hours riding time, which would easily be a 12 hour day with stops.

Should be epic though

Josh

[wonger]

I LOVE this! Currently seeking a pass. Will update soon.

[glenowyn]

In, only if it is epic

[sylvan]

Sounds risky

[Josh.E]

Sounds risky

[Josh.E]

Hey Geoff.

Are you in? Looks like me, you, Jamie, Glenowyn and Jeff Doyle from pro city right now. I'm trying to rustle up some more victims. My wife still wants to go as well, we're still finalizing childcare stuff to make it happen.
I'm even going to buy a Garmin GPSMap so we don't get lost. I'm hoping to do quite a bit of logging road stuff this fall.

Anybody else?

[wonger]

I have a meeting in Vancouver maybe Wednesday, maybe Thursday. Should know for sure tomorrow. What is the proposed departure time? I have child care issues too...

[Josh.E]

6:30 at downtown discovery coffee on discovery st, Wednesday Aug 1st. We'll try to be rolling by 6:45.
I figure around 8-10 hours riding time, 10-12 hours actual time with stops. Home 4:45-6:45pm?

hope you can make it Geoff.

[Josh.E]

Some advice Glenowyn forwarded to me from Simon Norris.
"I asked Simon Norris if he could take a look at your route because I couldn't figure out what roads were being taken.
He has not done Butler Main and it could be good if it is in good shape, he used Boneyard Main. One year was fine, the 2nd year surveying it for BCBR he got 7 flats and would have been screwed if he didn't have a vehicle waiting for him. He was suggesting strong rims and even a 29'er"

SO, if you're planning on meeting us make sure you bring several spare tubes. We have patch kits, and I'm carrying some vittoria pit stop goo as well.

[wonger]

I'm out Josh, sorry. Too much to do. Have an awesome day!

[sylvan]

I'm hoping to do quite a bit of logging road stuff this fall.

Hmm, this could be monstrous. I have a 'cross bike in Ottawa but I'm planning on spending most of September in Vic and will bring the unit out here.

[Josh.E]

I'm hoping to do quite a bit of logging road stuff this fall.

Hmm, this could be monstrous. I have a 'cross bike in Ottawa but I'm planning on spending most of September in Vic and will bring the unit out here.

Very good call.
We need to up the ante on all our long winter rides from previous seasons.