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Saturday Step-Up

Step-Up Ride for March 7th - 8:00 AM Start
By Jeffrey Totaro
Posted: 2020-03-05T22:08:00Z
Weather forecast for Saturday, Mar 7th, shows 8:00 AM temps are predicted to be 47F with a 43F wind chill and winds out of the south-east at 8 mph with a 0% chance of rain, so we're good for an 8:00 AM start, (sign-in at 7:45 AM).  With the rain that has hit the area the last few weeks, we will again take the "bypass-the-park" route.  If the weather early Saturday morning is much worse than the current predicted levels, I'll post a delay or cancellation for the Step-Up Ride in this space and on the PBA Facebook page.  I'll post any needed update by 5:45 AM Saturday.  If there is no need to post an update, we'll go as now scheduled at 8:00 AM.  As always, when on Facebook, any posts addressing all developmental rides -- of which Step-Up is one -- put out by Michael Gacki, the PBA Ride Coordinator, supersedes whatever Step-Up ride leaders are posting, so look for anything from him as well. 

The Step-Up Ride start area is at the Gulledge Elementary School (west side Preston Meadow just south of Legacy). Please sign-in 15 minutes prior to the announced start for the pre-ride safety briefing so we'll be able to start as planned.   Please have checked and aired up your bike prior to the pre-ride briefing and remember helmet, water, and tire repair kit and dress for the expected conditions. 

The Step-Up 31.3 mile normal route can be viewed at this link:    https://ridewithgps.com/routes/28626042
There is also a route we use if the path through Oak Point Park is questionable. That 31.2 mile park-bypass Step-Up route is at this link:  https://ridewithgps.com/routes/30852469
The actual route that Step-Up takes, between these two choices, on any particular day will be announced before the ride start. Step-Up pace is a 13-14 mph avg speed over the route (last week we came in at an average of 13.5 mph).  Rolling speed at any one point might be anywhere from 9 to 25 mph due to hills.  There is one rest stop planned at the 17.5 mile mark.  This is a no-drop ride.