Sufferfest Metchosin Edition?

[mfarnham]

This may be heresy.

The standard Sufferfest route is the full peninsula, starting 6am on Saturdays (when people show up). About 95km.

Since some Sufferfesters may be toying with the idea of racing Masters Nationals, I'm wondering if people would be interested in shifting the Sufferfest Route to Metchosin for the next few months. We could ride together to the Nationals course, then heat things up a bit for a couple loops, and then regroup and ride back into town together.

It would be a different style of ride, as the Metchosin route would be significantly hillier. Tougher to hold the group together, given different climbing skills and less ability to hide in the group. It's also likelier to be wet out west. Those are potential downsides.

For those wedded to the full peninsula route, there's the OBB ride at 9 on Saturdays. We'd start at the usual 6am. Possibly at a different location. Thoughts?

Martin

[Stéphane Tran]

I would be into this, once this nasty weather is over.

[Marc]

I am into this too when it gets going

[Claire]

+1

[Kevin L]

yes

[sskrobek]

Is anyone going out this Saturday (March 10). Metchosin edition or the usual sufferfest route for that matter. Forecast looking good at this time.

[mfarnham]

I'm a tentative yes.

Martin

[Claire]

Ditto Martin's reply. But less tentative than his. I'm not afraid to (almost) commit.

[sskrobek]

Ok. I will commit to Saturday!! If we do the Metchosin edition, where do we want to meet?

[mfarnham]

Alpha St. Starbucks would make sense.

Martin

[Claire]

Ok then. Alpha SBux at 0600 tomorrow. How about head there via Goose/Burnside/Goose, Esq Lagoon, Metchosin, Duke, Metchosin... masters course (x 1 or 2) then finish with the E. Sooke/Gillespie/Sooke Hwy return? Many hills. Regroup at significant summits/intersections as needed.

Other route suggestions welcome. If anyone wants to debate it, maybe meet at SBux at 0555, otherwise just go with the flow.

[sskrobek]

see everyone at alpha street. big bucks at 6. hopefully we can get a few more riders. Weather looks good enough for summer bikes

[mfarnham]

I'm happy to go with Claire's route. See you in the morning.

Martin

[Kevin L]

I plan to be there. If I'm not at Alpha St I'll meet at switch bridge (or else I went back to bed), so don't wait for me.

[mfarnham]

Looks like I'll be out this week. Alpha Street Starbucks a few minutes for 6 for coffee, rollout at 6?

Martin

[POC]

Who is riding tomorrow? I am planning on riding early.

[Kevin L]

I think I'll be there too. Last week I waited at switch bridge until 6:15 then left thinking that I had missed the group, only to find out that the group was moments away from passing me. So, enjoy your morning coffee, but don't enjoy it too much

[sskrobek]

Off to Mexico tomorrow. Enjoy the ride!!

[Ddallin]

6AM Alpha Starbucks, wearing my most green jersey!!! I’m in!

[mfarnham]

Damn. I should have had less beer tonight. Will be there. We'll see how long I hang in.

Martin