According to the City of Folsom newsletter, folks traveling to Folsom on bike, light rail or other options will have a secure facility to park their bicycles in downtown Folsom.
Folsom continues to make moves to accommodate bicycle infrastructure. These actions are in line with Folsom’s ranking of a Silver level Bicycle Friendly Community by the League of American Bicyclists.
Yet another great ride with the Cycle Folsom Peloton group today. 80 miles didn’t discourage me, but cleaning the bike from all the damned road grime and debris is discouraging. Nothing like getting home, still cold and wet, only to look at your frame and know you need to turn on the hose. By the end of the ride what I thought was a well-oiled chain sounded more like a cheese grater on a chalkboard. Still, I never walk away from a Peloton ride with anything but positive thoughts.
You can read the full details of the ride at the Cycle Folsom Ride Leaders blog.
Part of the lure of the group ride is the friendly (or sometimes not so friendly) competition. Many groups have taken on the racing convention of having marked places along the route for sprint or KOM (King of the Mountain) points.
KOMs are, by definition, at the top of significant climbs. Generally points are awarded for the “category” of the climb, which is determined not only by the steepness and length of the climb, but also where in the route the climb falls. For example, if two climbs follow one right after the other, but are otherwise identical, it may be that the second climb is of a higher category, and thus worth more points.
Sprint points are a little easier to deal with. There’s a line, and the first person to cross it takes the point. Sprint points can also be a little more dynamic and exciting – at least in my opinion. As the group approaches a sprint point, folks will begin to jockey for position within the group, trying to place themselves best. The idea here is to hold of on starting the sprint until just the right time – optimizing the potential to get out in front before your fellow competitors can answer your challenge.
Yesterday I kicked off the year with Cycle Folsom and the “Chickens and a Bridge” ride. As advertised, there were in fact chickens. Many chickens in and around Fair Oaks. And after the chickens? Yup – a bridge.
It was great to get out with the club and thumb our collective noses at the weather. Low 40’s and raining didn’t thwart the group here. The group did get broken up due to a couple of flats though. First one was me, at just a mile or two in, where a piece of green grass managed to work its way into my Continental Gatorskins.
Folsom, California. Home to Folsom Dam and Folsom Prison. And for three days in September, it is also host to an event covering almost all facets of modern cycling – the Folsom Cyclebration.
