I was reading about the LA WolfPack and their night ride, the Hustle, and started thinking (I know, bad idea!). In the grand tradition of promoting cycling in this pretty great state, I say we rip off another good idea...
Below is a proposed route for such a ride. It comes in at 30 miles and contains many local favorite places to ride, pleasant hills to climb followed by bombs, straightaways, etc. Here's a link to an image of the route I made in Google Earth to help with my chaotic description below:
I've placed the start around the 9th and 9th / Liberty Park area (the map starts at the Smith's on 8th and 9th. In the tradition of the Hustle, finding a place that serves coffee and cheap donuts would be cool. Or at least coffee, hot drinks, etc. and then someone can bring cheap donuts. Get fueled up on simple sugars and hot drinks before heading out. The ride starts easy to allow everyone to get their legs warmed up and limber for the climbing and furious bombing to come. First, head to Liberty Park for a lap (perhaps more?). Heads north on 600 East to 300 South and then west to 400 West before going north through the Gateway. Then, it cuts east up North Temple before heading up Memory Grove to Gravity Hill. Then, the bomb down 'B' street before climbing east up 2nd Avenue, weaving through the U campus before joining up on Chipeta Way, Arapeen, and then the long bomb west down Sunnyside Avenue to 1300 East. The ride continues south on 1300 East to 2100 South before heading east to Sugarhouse park for a lap (or more?) before heading north on 1500 East to 1300 South, then east to 2100 East before bombing south past 2100 South to Parley's Canyon Boulevard. Head west to 1700 East, South to East Stratford Avenue, East to Alden Street (just before 1300 East), South to 2700 South, West to 1100 East, South to Elgin Avenue, West to 1000 East, South to jump through a Church parking lot, up Lincoln/Gregson Avenue before rejoining 900 East northbound up to Fairmont Park. The ride then cuts through Fairmont Park up to 1100 East, Simpson Avenue, Highland drive for a short distance to 2100 South. Head west to 900 East again and then North to...
Just like the beginning of the ride, the end is up for grabs. It all depends on when the ride occurs and what everyone is up for afterward. Dinner, drinks, camaraderie, etc. Something to help refuel the mind and soul after all the twists and turns of this ride. As the weather changes and if the ride becomes popular, change things a bit and perhaps extend the distance.
The emphasis on this ride would be speed, safety, and finishing. Not necessarily in that order. As someone once said, I'm not your mommy, so taking responsibility for your actions is a must for this ride. People will be left behind. Some may not finish. But perhaps they will come out more determined to do so the following week? As they say in LA, this is a hustle not a race. Even if it is called something else, I like the concept. This would be an alternative to the usual fun-filled trotting that occurs on most large community rides. A ride to help push new riders to the next level.
For a little background, I first heard of this ride here:
So, any interest? I'll probably just start doing this ride on a regular basis just to have something interesting to do for my regular ride. I have a personal goal for total mileage for the year I'll still be chasing late into December. I'd love to ride with others who wish to push it a little.
I've started a new thread in the 'Other Salt Lake City Events' forum. Come check it out!
