Tri-Valley Moto's R.A.T. Rides
R.A.T. Ride
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Destination: Napa Valley Wine Country and north to Middletown.
Departure: 9:30am from Tri-Valley Moto in Livermore.
R.A.T. Ride Protocols |
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Ride notes: This is an informal ride, and as always, remember that this is a social ride; your safety and the safety of your fellow riders is paramount. As a reminder here are some basic group ride protocols which you may also find useful for your own rides. Safe speed: The safe speed for road conditions will differ from rider to rider. You are responsible to pick a pace that is comfortable and within your ability. There will be plenty of opportunities to regroup. Never ride beyond your limits in an attempt to keep up with another rider! Safe distance: Do not follow closely; leave a safe distance between you and the next rider. It is especially important to avoid following closely on secondary roads where you can't see around the next corner and circumstances can change without warning. Passing: If you must ride faster than the rider in front of you, put your blinker on and pass. If you see a rider behind you preparing to pass, move over. There is little point to passing when riding in a group, however. We all get there about the same time... Lane discipline: Never cross the double yellow line! Always stay in your lane, and pick your line accordingly. Passing: If you are prepared to ride faster than the rider in front, put your blinker on and pass. If you see a rider behind you preparing to pass, move over and give plenty of room. Don't speed up! Stopping: If the group stops, pull off the road completely. When the group starts, be sure to look over your shoulder for approaching traffic before you pull out after the person in front of you. Don't assume it is clear just because they pulled out... Breakdowns: The sweeps and riding friends may stop and provide assistance. It is not safe for then entire group to stop for one rider unless there is plenty of room to pull off the road. Taking off early: It is fine to head home early, but it is appreciated if you let the others in the group or the sweeps know so we don't wait around or go looking for you. |
Welcome riders to the first 2009 MOTO RAT ride. This will be a ride suitable for beginners to experienced riders, on paved roads only. We'll be taking a ride up to the Napa Valley Wine Country and north to Middletown. We will be riding on some curvy roads and some country roads. There will be some highway riding and one toll crossing at the Benicia Bridge.
Departure time is 9:30am from Tri-Valley Moto (see website), coffee will be ready by 9:00. Be gassed up and ready to leave by 9:30am sharp.
We'll have a short rider/safety meeting at 9:20. It is important that all riders know to earnestly ride within your comfort zones. Stay within the safe limits of your riding ability, and work on being the smoothest rider on the ride, not the fastest rider. True riding skill is built on a sense of smoothness, control and a sense of line, not in trying to go fast. Practice performing the smoothest possible upshifts and downshifts by good throttle control and matching engine and road speed, and experiment with slight changes in body position and weight transfer to help control the bike in the corners. For this Sunday's ride we are going to set an easy pace, and anyone who exceeds that pace and passes the leader is on his or her own.
The route is rather complicated, so anyone who wants to enter it in his or her GPS should do so. Please contact Lisa, our ride leader, beforehand to get details so you can be as accurate as possible. Lisa has pre-ridden this ride and has a route in Microsoft Streets and Trips which she can send you if you request it. Send her an email to get it.
- Start at Tri-Valley Moto.
- Take Collier Canyon Road to Highland Road to Tassajara.
- Take 680 north and follow it onto the Benicia Bridge (pay toll before crossing the bridge).
- Cross the bridge and proceed on 780 to Vallejo.
- Proceed up 80 to 37 and through American Canyon.
- Before Napa we'll find our way over to the Silverado Trail for the first portion of the scenic ride.
- Near St. Helena, we'll leave the Silverado Trail for the twisties: Howell Mountain Road.
- Taking Howell Mountain to Pope Valley we'll wind our way through the countryside Pope Valley and Howell lead us to Butts Canyon Road and Middletown.
- In Middletown we'll stop for gas and lunch at Mount St. Helena Brewing Company.
- After lunch, we'll head down into Calistoga via Route 29.
- We'll follow the Silverado Trail back to the Yountville Cross Road and then go South on 29.
- From there, we'll split and those who want to will follow Lisa to Infineon and see our race team's performances ($10 entry fee).
- The rest of the riders can make their way home as desired.
Have fun & BE SAFE! Although this is a RAT ride, all brands welcome.