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Drift Unit SC
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The time has come. We've lost our Founder and Mentor, but most of all we lost our longest and dearest friend. Rolf Soltau started this challenge in the early years of Vespa Club Los Gatos. Let's honor his memory and keep the tradition going strong.

Vespa Club Los Gatos continues tradition with the annual challenge to climb all three Bay Area peaks in a single day.

Mount Hamilton.
Mount Diablo.
Mount Tamalpais.

We will push our scooters and ourselves to ride around the SF Bay (literally), surviving the hours in the saddle.

This is not a race, but you do have to keep moving to complete the challenge before nightfall. We will pause to regroup from time to time, but each rider should be prepared to navigate the course without aid from others.

Saturday August 6th 2016.

As always, we will start in San Jose and finish atop Mount Tamalpais.

Be prepared for a VERY early morning meet-up, and to depart 1hr later.

MEET-UP IS AT ZAMORAS OMELETTE HOUSE AT 7AM
2920 Alum Rock Avenue
San Jose, CA 95127-2805
(408) 926-2628

KICKSTART AND KICKSTANDS-UP AT 8AM

As tradition goes, we will break for lunch between 12p and 2p, at Genova Delicatessen & Ravioli in Walnut Creek (S. California Blvd. & Olympic Blvd.).

Route information will be available for those who feel they may lag and/or fall behind, both in print form and online. There will *NOT* be a support truck for this ride, so you will more-or-less be on your own should you encounter issues or a breakdown (mechanical or otherwise).

We expect this to be an all-day event. Riders will be of all experience levels, so some will push their machines and themselves harder than others. This does not mean you are expected to "keep-up". Just make sure you finish if you can.

PATCHES

They will be available for $10 at the finish. We are having year rocker patches to surround the patch for each year you complete the challenge. We will get your info and send you the rocker for 2016. For 2015 and other past years, we should have these available by then as well.

REMINDERS

1) If we've said it already, we'll say it again - THIS IS NOT A RACE! Each individual is to ride at his/her own pace, and just get to the checkpoints when you can. We will be printing X amount of directions so you may need to pair-up with others if you don't know the route.

2) It helps to have cash readily available to you when you do this ride. It's $10 to get into Mount Diablo State Park, but that $10 charge will also allow you access to Mount Tamalpais (if the Rangers enforce the entry fee). There is a toll when crossing the 580 Richmond-San Rafael Bridge. The Golden Gate bridge no longer has attendants to take your money, they just capture a photo of your license plate and send you a bill.

3) If you feel you've had enough of the challenge before completing the ride, no hard feelings. Just pull someone over for directions to the nearest freeway and you can ride home on your own accord.

4) There are no winners or losers in the Three Peaks Challenge - only those who can finish a very tough ride. These are backroads we'll be taking, where riders on 50cc have made it through the entire thing - though they didn't get to rest as frequently as the rest, they toughed it out.

5) Be prepared for rapidly changing weather. Often we start with an overcast morning, are roasting by the time we get to Diablo/Walnut Creek, and then encounter wet roads and drizzle around Mount Tam. This has got to be one of the more odd-ball rides for weather, from start to finish.

6) Don't try to be a hero and ride with the faster riders if you can't handle sharp turns at high speeds. Ride according to your own style, and traffic rules. Some of us are crazier/more stupid than others when we ride; others just call it experience.

Check back here frequently for updates as we get closer to August.

Don't trust us? Need to see the route beforehand so you can decide if you want/can do it? Here are JPEG versions of the printed map available on Flickr. If you get lost, link these images in your mobile device for quick reference (or just copy them directly).

Part 1 of 4
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8153/7495515406_0178205659_b.jpg

Part 2 of 4
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8148/7495515004_c49c656d5d_b.jpg

Part 3 of 4
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8021/7495514716_769dbcec2a_b.jpg

Part 4 of 4
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7252/7495515646_42573b5034_b.jpg

GPX with waypoints and tracks (You will need to build your own route with your own maps)
http://members.modernvespa.net/oopsclunkthud/uploads/3pc_139.gpx

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram for updates as they happen.

www.VespaClubLosGatos.com
www.Facebook.com/VespaClubLosGatos
Instagram : @vespaclublosgatos
Twitter : @ VCLG_Events
VespaClubLosGatos@yahoo.com
VespaClubLosGatos@gmail.com

edited to include date in title - jimc
Forum member supplied image with no explanatory text
@phaskins avatar
UTC

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2006 250ie
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UTC quote
Will there be an "after party" this year?
OP
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UTC

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Drift Unit SC
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UTC quote
After party has yet to be discussed among Club Members, but I do feel it would be a good way to say "Thank You" to Rolf for creating this event.
@bill_dog avatar
UTC

eeeee bip
BMW R1100RT The Problem Child Kymco Downtown 300 - I'm not the Uber Honda Cub - Scorched Earth Policy
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eeeee bip
@bill_dog avatar
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UTC quote
Bong
Dammit.

I've missed it by a month as I'll be there in Sept.

Put me down for 2017 will you ?

Really annoyed.

Bill xxx
OP
@thatbloodystig avatar
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Drift Unit SC
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UTC quote
Re: Bong
Bill Dog wrote:
Dammit.

I've missed it by a month as I'll be there in Sept.

Put me down for 2017 will you ?

Really annoyed.

Bill xxx
First Saturday in August. Mark your calendars.
August 5th 2017
@jhop avatar
UTC

Hooked
'16 BV350 '01 ET4
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Hooked
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UTC quote
I do think I will finally make this ride. Tires crossed. Also, thank you for the gpx file.
@phaskins avatar
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UTC quote
See you cats at Zamora's
New belt, rollers, sliders, tires and liquids. Looking forward to the trip down and meeting you all.
@osteopath avatar
UTC

Molto Verboso
'07 GTS 250ie, '09 MP3 500, '06 Harley Sportster '14 Ural Gear Up
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Molto Verboso
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UTC quote
I've ridden that event before but I have a huge exam and can't make it. If I remember right, watch out for those metal grates in the ground for cattle. Nearly slid out since it was wet and misty on top of Mt. Hamilton. The group didn't make it to Tamalpais that year but we did finish it off by going up to twin peaks!
OP
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UTC quote
It's been a long time coming but we're one week away from this year's 3 Peaks Challenge. And Challenge is barely enough to describe it for this year.

Two updates that we must apologize for not providing long in advance.

According to VCLG Member David, a section of Bolinas-Fairfax (just before Mt Tam) has been closed-off for repairs due to landslides. Upon further review, Google Maps has confirmed a slight Redirect for this year.

If you're one of the few who stick to the traditions of the Three Peaks Challenge, keeping off Highways as much as possible, there is a change once you hit Sir Francis Drake Blvd. Instead of going deep into San Anselmo and Fairfax, make a LEFT AT BON AIR RD in Greenbrae. Continue with a LEFT ON MAGNOLIA AVE, which BECOMES CAMINO ALTO. Make a RIGHT ON SYCAMORE AVE (against Mill Valley Middle School), make a SLIGHT LEFT ON LA GOMA ST, cross Miller St, CONTINUE ON MONTFORD AVE with a SLIGHT RIGHT ON MONTFORD AVE. A RIGHT ON MOLINO AVE then STRAIGHT ON EDGEWOOD AVE, and a LEFT ON SEQUOIA VALLEY RD. Make the SHARP RIGHT ON PANORAMIC HIGHWAY. A nice long ride of twisties before you make the RIGHT ON PAN TOLL RD, and the final RIGHT ON RIDGECREST BLVD. to the end.

This is the modified route from Genova's Delicatessen (Walnut Creek), where we will pause for lunch - https://goo.gl/maps/uJKbqeQgYcG2

Only the last of four pages to the route is affected, so the printed versions will reflect this. Get your copy if you need the reminder.

Lastly, a handful of VCLG Members will convene at The Homestead after Mt Tam for a post-ride memorial drink, to honor our beloved Founder, Rolf Soltau. We invite you to join us afterwards, as this was the initial place the Three Peaks Challenge ended after Tam, when it was Dylan's Pub. https://goo.gl/maps/9LABf5fttKA2

Remember : it's NOT a race, your bike needs to be in proper running form, and Rolf always wanted for "everyone to have a good time."

We'll see you at Zamora's for breakfast!
@jimc avatar
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UTC quote
Thanks for the heads-up on the diversion!

See you on Saturday.
OP
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UTC quote
Hey Kids!!! We're less than 24-hours away from our latest installment of the Vespa Club Los Gatos Three Peaks Challenge. By this time tomorrow, we'll be in the Mt Diablo area and making our way towards Genova's Delicatessen in Walnut Creek.

A reminder to all of you, whether you're a 3PC Veteran or you're pushing yourself into this for the first time :

- Bring CASH, both for entrance into Mt Diablo (and technically Mt Tam) and for the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge, total of $15.

- Golden Gate NO LONGER has Toll Takers so you have to either pay ahead, use your FasTRAK (if you have one), or get billed in the mail later (possibly with HIGHER fees tacked-on). We recommend going to http://www.goldengate.org/tolls/helpmechoose.php and see what option works best for you.

- The Designated/Mapped route from from the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge and SIR FRANCIS DRAKE BLVD is :
* LEFT AT BON AIR RD
* LEFT ON MAGNOLIA AVE BECOMES CAMINO ALTO
* RIGHT ON SYCAMORE AVE
* SLIGHT LEFT ON LA GOMA ST
* CONTINUE ON MONTFORD AVE
* SLIGHT RIGHT ON MONTFORD AVE
* RIGHT ON MOLINO AVE
* STRAIGHT ON EDGEWOOD AVE
* LEFT ON SEQUOIA VALLEY RD
* SHARP RIGHT ON PANORAMIC HIGHWAY
* RIGHT ON PAN TOLL RD
* RIGHT ON RIDGECREST BLVD.

- After Mt Tam, a number of us will be at the Homestead to toast to our Founder, Rolf Soltau. Please join us if you would like to continue the celebration of Rolf's life and thank him for creating such a wonderfully challenging ride.
https://goo.gl/maps/9LABf5fttKA2

We'll see you tomorrow morning for breakfast!!!
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UTC

Molto Verboso
MP3 500 (2) MotoGuzzi California 1400
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Molto Verboso
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UTC quote
Stig,
Thanks for the breakdown of the streets on the last leg.
I did this ride in 2013 and it was a blast. Looking forward to doing it again tomorrow.

Let's all have lots of fun!

-Steve H/B
@ks7877 avatar
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UTC quote
Sure wish I was going on the ride with y'all! Have fun, be safe and post lots of pics, please.
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UTC quote
Pictures from the day.
Mount Hamilton
Mount Hamilton
Mount Diablo
Mount Diablo
Mount Tamalpais
Mount Tamalpais
The Homestead
The Homestead
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UTC quote
We at Vespa Club Los Gatos would like to thank everyone who showed-up to ride this year's Three Peaks Challenge! As far as we can tell, only one bike broke down but nobody WENT down (not even Glasseye *lol), so that's considered a GREAT year!

A big thanks goes to the crew of Zamora's Omelette House for hosting us year-after-year and with the speed and great fuel they provide for our riders. For our newest and shortest participant, Odie, we're glad to see you make it to Mt Tam and hope to see you all smiles again next year!

Mark your calendars for Saturday August 5th 2017.

A few pics taken from Mt Tam :
Forum member supplied image with no explanatory text
Forum member supplied image with no explanatory text
Forum member supplied image with no explanatory text
Forum member supplied image with no explanatory text
Forum member supplied image with no explanatory text
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UTC quote
For those who haven't met Odie....
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@jimc avatar
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The Hornet (GT200, aka Love Bug) and 'Dimples' - a GTS 300
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UTC quote
Odie was fun - he and Freddo got on famously at Genovas.

Another very good ride, my fifth. It was great as always to meet friends old and new. Rolf was there in spirit.

T'was also good to see Rich had managed to glue most of himself together and complete the ride without losing any bits. Razz emoticon
@glasseye avatar
UTC

Ossessionato
GTS, LX, VSD, VSX, VNX, LD 125, Chucky, LI125
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Ossessionato
@glasseye avatar
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UTC quote
Little victories Jim.
Little victories...
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