Ride Mar 12th – Mental Mentougou Back Roads
This Saturdays ride is in the Mentougou region. Another new series of loops that make the most of quiet back roads. Not many cars so you’ll just have the sounds of freewheels and friendly chatter as a soundtrack for at least half of the ride. There are some concrete roads again but we think the solitude more than makes up for the inconvenience of a few extra bumps. 53km for the Beginner Ride with 1 climb, the Intermediate do the same route with an extra 15km and the Elite do more than double the climbing and 108km. That will wear them down nicely.
The start for this weeks ride is a little bit further from the city so we will leave at 7.00am. If you are in a hurry to get back do the Beginner or Intermediate Ride. Once there are enough rides back to fill a van it can leave immediately to get back to Beijing early afternoon.
All riders are required to fill the form below (including self drive) by Friday morning.
Departure Time :
07.00 Serk. Arrive at 06.45 am to load bikes
Return Time : 15:00 – 16:00 Serk
1. Beginner – 53km 748m Climbing
10km more than last week but with about the same amount of climbing. From the meeting point we will drive you 10km up the road (self drive included) to give you a headstart on the other two groups. The route starts out flat for 9km along the G109. Once you pass Yanhizhen you make right turn onto a smaller back road and the main climb of the day begins. Its a steady 5km with a few switchbacks. You’ll soon reach 606 Country Road – you turn right here and start your descent all the way back to the G109.
Ride leader : Liman
Average Speed : 15 km/h – 20 km/h
This ride is recommended for all new beginner riders. If you find the pace too slow next week you can move to the Intermediate Group. Its much better to start out on the easier ride and then move up rather than start on the faster ride and find yourself getting dropped and left behind.
2. Intermediate – 67 km 890m Climbing
The Intermediate Ride will start out with the Elite Ride. The first 10km will be a steady pace so everyone can enjoy some light conversation. The route is the same as the Beginner Route with the addition of 10 extra kilometres at the start. Those that would like a longer ride can extend the first climb by an additional 15km and 300m ascent by continuing climbing all the way to the top of the main climb and turning back (instead of turning right immediately into the 606 Country Road. The Elite Ride will also climb this way.