Is anyone going to a spring training camp this year, or heading to warmer climates for some self organized riding ? I would love to go to some sort of organized camp and get 4 to 7 days of riding in in Feb or March, though budget may possibly knock that one out. I am going to a two part wedding in Arizona (11am Friday March 30th in Prescott, 6pm Saturday March 31st in Phoenix). I was thinking of going early and extending this into a week of riding in and around Phoenix and\or Tuscon (go ride Mt Lemon). Two "trips", one round trip flight. Would anyone be up for some AZ riding some time from Saturday March 24th till Thursday March 29th ? We could split rental cars \ hotel rooms \ etc. -Joshua

Josh,

I'm heading to California at the end of February and will lead some rides. A few have already expressed interest. I'll post details on the board in the coming days.

Posted By: Ryan JJosh,

I'm heading to California at the end of February and will lead some rides. A few have already expressed interest. I'll post details on the board in the coming days.

Where in cali? I'm going to San Fran Feb 20-26. Going to fly my bike out and probably also take in at least one session at the Hellyer velodrome.

I've spoken with a few of the guys I ride with most regularly, and since there seem to be at least a couple of takers, I want now to open it up to the whole club.

"It" is a Kissena training camp in the Los Angeles area over the weekend of February 25-26. My preference would be for this to be a 4 day thing with the first rides on Thursday 2-23 and the last on Sunday 2-26. This means, ideally, flying in on Wednesday 2-22 and probably out on Monday unless you can get a late flight Sunday.

I lived in Los Angeles for seven years, so I'm closely familiar with the Santa Monica Mountains - truly some of the greatest riding in the country. I will lead some epic rides with long, solitary mountain climbs and sweeping, fast descents with glorious, shimmering ocean views. I might even find us a local crit to crash.

I should be clear, however, that I will not play organizer or chaperone except to a very limited extent. So, while I'm happy to make suggestions as to where to stay, maybe help find a team house, answer questions, and so on, guys will have to get themselves there, make their own arrangements, keep themselves fed, and show up at the ride jump off points at the scheduled times.

Last year when I "wintered" in LA I saw a team camp with guys from Velocity, TeaNY, as well as riders from BH. It would be great to have Kissena out there doing something like this.

So. Who's interested?

By the way, flights to LA are cheap right now. I just booked on Virgin America for $300, and bikes are free.

Ryan, you read my mind. I would be very interested if enough guys would be game. Dates work well for me as well.

Ryan,
I paid $50 to take my bike on Virgin America. That was a week ago. Maybe they've cut the fee.

Hmmmm

It looks like you're right, that is officially the policy. But I've checked my bike as regular baggage on Virgin many times. Still, $50 is a lot better than the others.

I believe Southwest, JetBlue, and Frontier have bikes fly free.

One other thing I should add - while all are welcome, everyone should know that this will be a very challenging long weekend. Lots of miles, lots of mountains, and we probably will not have a no drop policy except on climbs.

HOWEVER

If you are new or not in great shape, do not be deterred. I will create cue sheets and ride maps so no one has to worry about getting lost. And really, its not hard to find your way around with a fancy cell phone and/or a decent sense of direction. It's basically North to South on PCH, and either up a mountain or down it back towards the ocean.

Bottom line: even if you're worried about being able to stay with the group, we'll get you back safe and there will be lots of team hanging out and learning time.

from the virgin atlantic web site:
http://www.virgin-atlantic.com/us/en/travel-information/baggage/sports-equipment.html


If you’re planning a cycling trip and only your own ride will do, you’ll be glad to know you can bring your bicycle with you at no extra charge - as long as it doesn’t weigh more than 23kg.

That’s in addition to your free baggage allowance.

I'm going to try really hard to make this. Depending on where I am (possibly NY) I will most likely hitchhike back out west. Anyone is welcomed to join me. (it would be best to have your bike shipped out though)

It'll be fun! 50 bucks should get you there.

(:

I wuz robbed! (by a virgin) Ouch.

I read the terms and it said extra bags cost $50 a bag. I didn't check out this page. Wish I had. I flew Jet Blue on the way out and they charged $50 for the bike. Maybe that fee wasn't necessary as well.

People, people, people - Virgin Atlantic is NOT Virgin AMERICA. America charges $50.

Hey guys, so is the camp definitely going to happen? What's the final roster looking like for this? Is 2/23/12 - 2/26/12 is set in stone? I'm still up for it.

I'm definitely in, as in tickets bought. Jules is as well.

I want to go are we renting a house or what?

Everyone is pretty much responsible for themselves, Nosson. It's only very loosely organized. So far everyone is either staying with friends or renting hotel rooms.

I would also like to hook-up with peeps & arrange something together regarding living arrangements. Would be a lot more fun than finding a lonesome random hotel & just meeting up for rides there. The guys that would like to set something up together with that, let me know. We should get that setup sooner rather than later (ros@antiantinyc.com)

So what's the official headcount for this unofficial camp? JP, Ryan, Jules, Jeffrey, David, Eric? Who else? I'm planning on making a decision this coming week.

Also, is it me or is nobody really that interested in renting some kind of accommodations/house all together? Seems like all you peeps have your own thing setup already.

R

If JP's coming that would be sweet! But unfortunately I believe he was only advising on luggage.

The committed include: David Stokes, Ragot, Wojciech, Whitey, and Jules. Would love to have more!

(list presented in order of sexiness but I'm not telling if its most to least or least to most)

Anybody got plans that could include Ros?

R.

I'm going to be in California that week as well, with bike in tow. I'm going to be up in San Fran though.

I'm thinking of making it. my cousin just gave birth not long ago, so this might be a good opportunity to see the newborn as well! She lives in Koreatown but a buddy of mine is in Santa Monica and I would be staying w/ him.

That would be sweet Aly. C'mon....

so I found a cheap option: frontier airlines (classic option).
summary: $360 roundtrip with 1h (going) and 2h (back) layovers in denver.
2 checked bags including bicycle fly for free, each bag must be under 50 lbs. oversize charges do not apply.

the economy option is $300 roundtrip but each bag is $20 and weight limit also applies.

I dunno if this is better considering that there is a layover. the virgin option is $40 more but the flight is direct and no risk of luggage not making it onto the next flight. im still debating. otherwise, it's a go!!!

bought my ticket for $228 roundtrip all fees included. got 20% off with this:
http://www.virginamerica.com/vx/booking/visanfl.html

it's official. flying out on Wed Feb 22nd at 4:55pm from JFK...bike in tow!

SO, if I would be staying at a Hotel, anyone have recommendations what area is most convenient/closest to where we will be meeting up for the daily rides? Once again, I am not familiar with the greater L.A area. thnx.

@Ros,

Anywhere in Santa Monica is good. Ryan might know of additional possibilities with respect to our starting points for the rides. In addition to Kayak/Travelocity/Hotwire/Etc for hotels, you could also check AirBnb and even craigslist for apartments. I'm staying with an old friend from college who lives right in the middle of Santa Monica.

Ros anything in Santa Monica/Venice will be perfect. There's some swanky stuff around there but there's also more affordable stuff.

Its official booked my flight LA hear I com!!!

I have miss-aphobia already.

dont worry joe

we can have our own training weekend

your bathtub or mine?

Why don't you sallies man up and find a way to make it happen