What is a Grasshopper?

What it is: Fun, hard, non-supported, open roads, no road markings,training ride
What it isn't: Boring, easy, supported, closed/marshaled roads,marked route, sanctioned race

Read Yuri Hauswald's article to get a taste. And here's Dario Fredrick's take on his Hoppers.

When: All rides start at 10:00 A.M.
Where: We will roll out of the Occidental Community Center, Corner of Graton Rd./Bohemian Hwy
Who: One and All
Why: Why not?

The Union Hotel has graciously allowed us to park in their overflow lot behind the restaurant. There is also some parking near the Community Center. We will be renting Port o potties so please use them. All the Union asks in return is to come have a bite to eat. Grasshopper lunch special: $15 Pizza or Pasta and salad.

Please use Portables (i.e. blue/green rooms)

All riders are required to sign a waiver and pay $10 for the event. You must have a current USACycling license or purchase a one day for $5. No exceptions.
If you have a USAC license, you can download and print the waiver in advance, and bring it with you completed. be sure to write legibly! http://www.dowhouse.com/USAC_Waiver.pdf

If you need to buy a 1-day license at registration, you'll fill out your waiver on-site.

You can do the same loop for nothing on Friday or Sunday. Poachers suck and will be excluded from results and will be ex-communicated from West County Church of Bike.You will receive the collectors edition laminated map so you don't get lost, and as much fun or pain as you hope to self inflict.
That's it. There will be no water or food available on the course. If you're taking a casual approach then there's the store in Cazadero and killer bakery in Duncan's Mills.

DO NOT CROSS THE YELLOW LINE

Be safe. Make sure your bike is in excellent working order before coming out and have fresh rubber. A poorly cared for bike is a hazard for everyone. Do not cross the yellow line. At times early on the pace may slow and the group will swell, stay in one lane.

DON'T RIDE OR PASS LIKE A MORON

Make sure you are riding in the group that fits your fitness. There will be a lot of pros in the group. Look around, is this the group of buddies who you usually hang with? This years Old Caz Hopper will be neutral to Monte Rio. Once we get to Moscow road it's on!

ALWAYS EXPECT CARS AROUND TIGHT CORNERS, THEY WILL BE THERE. MOST PEOPLE DRIVE FORD F250 AND CARRY HORSE TRAILERS.

What bike to ride, what tires? I won't attempt to answer this. Here's a link to the video Geoff Kabush filmed last year to get a sense of the roads. I did ride my roadbike last year though so anything goes.

See ya Sat.
Mig