PLEASE READ ENTIRE NOTES FOR RIDE INFORMATION (Facebook or Strava RSVP):
It’s hard to pinpoint exactly how long since Gravel Bike California met for their last ride since it fell on the rare date of February 29th, but after two years our meet-up is back on Sunday, March 27th.
We’ll be covering our Gold Creek loop starting out of San Fernando Recreation Park taking us into the Angeles National Forest covering 31.6 miles with a deceptive 3,288 feet of gain.
Elevation wise, this route is either feast of famine as you gain two thousand feet over four and a half miles on the dirt climb averaging 7.9% even with a couple of dips built in.
After a fun descent that needs attention, the ride will take Big Tujunga Canyon down into the Tujunga Wash before returning to the San Fernando Brewing Company.
Here’s a some information, tips, and updated rules to abide by:
- The first rule is that this is an unsupported ride and everyone rolls at their own risk.
- Make sure to bring your own tubes and a couple of water bottles. We’ll be stopping at one spot along the way for refills.
- I’d say riding tires 38mm and above will do the trick for most, as the climbs are steep and there’s some soft patches on the descent.
- This will not be race pace. At the same time, you have to be in very good to great shape to do this ride even in the Party Pace group. If you’re just getting back into riding, I suggest you read Rule #1 again.
Seeing how spread out our previous ride became across the Verdugos, we’ll be adjusting to have two starting times.
We’ll have the Party Pacers (aimed for riders still learning gravel or riding at a more comfortable speed) meet at 8am, where not only will you enjoy better parking, but also a bit more time to get through the route.
An hour later, we’ll have our Potent Pace (the faster group, but not a race) leaving from the same starting spot at 9am.
I’ll be leading out the first group, but returning to the second where we’ll likely meet up near the end.
Afterward, we’ll be holding our post-ride festivities at the San Fernando Brewing Company with a food truck from Soledads Sopes parked within.
Of course, please on our Facebook or Strava Page we hope to see you out there Sunday, March 27!