Ride Host for VSBC: Julie Hampton psyclejulz@sbcglobal.net
What: Walt Thomas' 90th Birthday Ride
When: September 9, 2021
Time: meet @ 9am to get pics, etc. Take off is around 9:30 if we get everyone wrangled.
Place: Don Edwards Wildlife Refuge, 1 Marshlands Rd., Fremont, CA
Length: 22.4 miles
TMCR - Walt Turns 90!
Description Length: 22.4 miles; Elevation Gain: 342 feet;Pace: T,M
Today we will celebrate our friend Walt turning 90 years old with our annual rolling bike party! Walt is an amazing person and we are so lucky he continues to drive down to ride with us each Thursday. There will be a few changes this year to due to trail construction, safety, covid, and Walt's comfort. The ride link and route is below. Please download it and pack your cooler.
Here are the plans: New this year - bring a cooler with your lunch and cold drinks as we will get together for a picnic after the ride. Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge is located in Fremont near Highway 84
Use the link above or 2 Marshlands Road, Fremont and ensure your directions are not sending you to the Alviso location.
Please park in the MAIN Upper Parking Lot (left at the stop sign). First, sign in (non-FFBC guests fill out and sign the back of the FFBC form), grab a provided route sheet, receive your helmet decor/bling, sign a birthday card, then ride to the restrooms (located at the Visitor Center, passed on the way in before the stop sign). Hurry back so we can take a picture for posterity and roll out together.
If you are a VSBC member please register online via the website or use the members application on your phone. You will check mark your agreement to VSBC rules and COVID restrictions when registering.
We will do a 22.4mile ride.
First we head to and clockwise around Coyote Hills, which will NOT include Nike this year. Comfort of Walt, remember?
After a regroup at the Coyote Hills Visitor Center, we will exit the park and loop around Fremont with a stop at Quarry Lakes regional Park before heading back to the start. Unfortunately, since we are such a big group, there will be no coffee stop on this ride so please bring enough water and a snack if you like. There will be lots of regroups and no one will be left behind and there will be CAKE at the end.
After the ride, grab your lunch/drink and walk/ride down to the Newark Slough Learning Center (no cars allowed). The easiest way to access the location is to go to the stop sign, make a left down Marshlands Road, pass a couple of parking spaces on the left side and on the left, you'll see the paved path down to the outdoor amphitheater and covered pavilion. We will sing happy birthday to Walt, have some cake, eat our lunch and socialize.
If you aren't riding, we'd still love to have you join us for the celebration. I'm estimating we would get back to the park at 11:30AM but that is just a guess! You never know what can happen on a ride.
Please let me know you are coming and you can request to follow me using Find My app on the Apple phone; just send me a text the night before or before 8AM.
This ride is being co-listed with Valley Spokesmen and Grizzly Peak.Lori Sommer lorimsommer@gmail.com 510-693-8624
Extreme temperatures, park closure, construction, rain, poor air quality or the whim of the ride leader may modify or cancel the route. Check here for updates: info@ffbc.groups.ioRiders must follow California and County mask and distancing guidelines (https://www.cdph. ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/ Pages/COVID-19/guidance-for- face-coverings.aspx). Ride leaders are not responsible for enforcing these guidelines. It is incumbent on riders to follow these guidelines to keep our cycling community safe.
