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This will be the inaugural ride for the Portland area mentor-mentee match-up. "Nails" suggested this and I agree that it would be the best way to get everyone together to meet, get familiar with each other, and discover what the program is hoping to produce (safe riders). I would like to schedule regular coach-newb rides so everyone can see how they are progressing and just for the fun of it.

After thinking about it, the best way for coaches and trainees to match-up, besides direct contact from one to the other, is a random match-up according to level of experience and location.

So, I will take the names from the two groups (coach and trainee) and divide them by skill level and geography, then randomly match up the names. If there prove to be more trainees than coaches, then I'll give the coaches the option of choosing an additional trainee.

[Once again, taking part in this training does not mean that anyone is liable for anyone else. Both mentor and mentee take full responsibility for their own actions.]

Here is the proposed route. These roads should make a very good training base, as they are nicely maintained, twisty, not too high speed, and beautiful. There is a gas station for topping off in Welches, but please come gassed up prior to the ride. There is a store at the station and we'll take a short break to chat and get some refreshment.

I was thinking we could meet at Shari's for breakfast or coffee before the ride. They can accommodate all of us and it would give us a place to sit down and discuss the program and the day's ride.

If I've forgotten anything or you just want to add anything, feel free. I want this to be productive for everyone involved.

Time: 9:00 a.m.
Date: August 23
Meet: Shari's Restaurant
Address: 11335 NE Airport Way, Portland
Exit 24B off of 205 North
Route: Airport Way to Welches and Back

*Map and route courtesy Lena.

"Nails"

I'm not familiar with the route but it looks great. My only suggestion would be that we add in additional stops, so that we can give tips, advice, and critique along the way, rather than go 50 miles or so without any potentially necessary safety corrections. I think both parties would benefit rather than trying to take in too much at the end of the ride, what do you think?

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There are a few intersections where we can regroup and discuss. Good suggestion.

I've been on this section three or four times and it is a joy to ride in both directions. It is even scenic enough that I've stopped for photos along the way. It's the twisty, fun back way to get to Mt. Hood.

Turnfour

I know the route well, count me in.

Saki.Girl

looks great thanks again for putting this together Vaun .
I will be there

recr8ton

Will be there should the plans I have for that week fall through.

MMAGuy1970

I run/tie this route into others quite a bit… a couple of suggestions that may or may not be helpful :

a) Head up to Corbett and take Evans Rd. down to Gordon Creek Rd.
b) By-pass Shipley Rd. and start on Marmot Rd. (Mar. starts 1 mile south of Ship.)
c) Aims and Marmot Rd. areas would be good places to stop prior to your Welches destination. You basically get done hitting some good twisties and then you have some nice straight spots to pull over and discuss how things are going.

A and B will get you some good/more turns but they’re also a little more difficult which could be why they’re being by-passed?


Route would look like the following: http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&sadd...,0.834961&z=11

uuu

I'll plan on being there.

galenernest

I'd like to come as a trainee, but that's the sportbike NW weekend in Stevenson and I'll probably be there... I'll try to hit the next one, though!

SnowBunny

I'm really looking forward to this, I plan on making it!See you all there

BlueZZR

i'm in.

mfrankpdx

I'm in

polvo2

see you all soon -Brian

Lee650

Good choice, thats a fun route.

Desvio

Are there any of the Mentors attending this event that might want to hook up there?

RevrdMark

Hi I'd love to be a "Ment-ee" (mm or a Mentos... "the fresh breath mint") for this ride! Been riding for 4 years (rode dirt bikes a bit as a kid, learned to ride a street bike (86' 500 Interceptor) when i was 18 in the late eighties, then started riding again when gas hit 2.50 a gallon... the good ol' days.

I'm In. I'd love some riding advise from someone who knows what they are talking about.


EDIT - Nevermind the post. I'm a dork and just now noticed the 4 pages on the original thread for this

Is it too late to add my name to the Mentee list? Any mentors in Vancouver area need a buddy?? Saturdays are good for me and Mondays are my day off. Sundays are kinda out for me :-)

"Nails"

Too funny!

I live in Washougal and would be happy to ride with you if you like.

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Good suggestions, Grant, based on lots of personal experience. I can add those extra sections into the ride. I didn't bypass them for technical difficulty but because I wasn't aware of them. So, thanks!

A4wheelin

Great idea, sadly I'm gonna be out of town for that weekend. :( Catch you next time!

lena

i am gonna be out of town too, bummer
but plz still put my name in the hat for later.

starkmojo

as long as I get the tune up and oil change done on the 22nd I am in.

holypiston

eww..this looks like a good ride. Unfortunately, don't think i'll be able to get away that early, but i have saved the link, so that i can try this out later on my own.

Keep up the good work!!

TheFactor

Might try to make this one, looks like fun and I like Shari's lol

DGA

Sadly I will be out of town. I really like that route. Barlow Trail is a fun road.

Just a word of caution, as you approach 26 from Lolo Pass, it's really hard to see the Hwy 26 stop sign until you are right on top of it. It can turn scary real fast.

Lee650

on that and it's a very sharp right hand turn just before the stop sign with little warning.

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Lee, as you know the route so well, I think you should lead.

I've got a question about the ride. I don't expect there to be any incidents (i.e., crashes), because each trainee will have a coach looking out for him or her. So, I'm wondering if we can all leave at the same time, or if it would be better to stagger the starts by a few minutes. Or, perhaps even run two or three clusters, with the intermediate/advanced riders going first and the beginners leaving just behind.

I'm thinking the latter would work well. I think of this ride more as "parallel play," where we are all going the same direction at the same time, but we aren't playing with each other as a group but simply interacting with our riding partner and being cognizant of group riding behavior (staggered and one-up formation, hand signals, intersection and gas stops, passing behavior).

Also, if anyone has a list of basics that they intend to use as an instruction sheet, please pass it along to me. I'll try to pare them down and maybe we can use them as an instructor's manual for this and future training rides.

holypiston

I think a good thing on group rides for newbs would be for the leaders to set a truly slower pace for newbs AND guys like myself that have never Been on these roads.

I tend to ride like a little biotch on new roads until i get familiar with them, then when i know the route, i'll get a little more comfortable. This could take awhile.

Check your mirrors often and don't get too far ahead of the posers (me in particular!!).

Let's keep the crashing to a minimum...especially if it's hot. fatboys like myself don't take to sitting in a rotissierie very well....eye chee wa wa ,it's friggin' hot!

Hand signals for the dangers that lie ahead...like the stop sign from nowhere, should be like a "wave" through the ride group. Everyone should understand this and pass the signal on down the line. I usually use a closed fist to indicate a tight turn to my girlfriend. Maybe a slow down sign for the unseen quick stop or light ahead would help also and then passed down from rider to rider.

every rider should do this. In case your thinking it's not cool to be the safety geek, here's something to think about. So you don't pass the sign and say , i'm not worried about it, i know the road, Well Mr. RD400 may well not, and i'll pack your ass like bubba in san quentin if you don't (meaning i'll ride up on you...you don't want that)...it's for your safety as well as evveryone elses. EWWWW....me SO hown-ee.

Psychotichaos

Count me in so long as the rain holds off...

Sirenita

Got company that day - sorry to miss y'all, but save some mentors for later, kay?

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