Road Cycling - Maryland Area...

Hey, I'm not a newbie and have talked to several people in the Annapolis,MD area but can't remember their names. I was wondering if anyone was intrested in meeting up for some winter road rides.

Thanks

Welp, I'm not close to you, but if you ever get over to the northern VA area, give us a holler. Unfortunately, I'm not a super fast rider. Most of my rides average in the 13-15 mph range.


PBW

Maybe we could organize a ride for Rock Creek Park. We could meet near the Kennedy Center or by the volley ball area and ride out towards beach drive, it's closed to car traffic on the weekends. There are plenty of places to ride that aren't too far for VA or MD cyclists. WABA has some routes all ready mapped out, we could just choose from one of those. Just my .02. I'd be happy to participate, I just don't ride that fast.

As long as you can get to the brakes your fine, right cyclo?? ;)

Originally posted by Arsbars
As long as you can get to the brakes your fine, right cyclo?? ;)

That's why I should lead the ride, I can use random foliage to stop instead of another cyclist.;)

Originally posted by cyclochica
Maybe we could organize a ride for Rock Creek Park
Nah. Y'all need to come down to central Va. Say, Madison County. Rolling hills? Flat stretches with a few climbs thrown in? Scenery? Even rides with low traffic (relative to NoVa, at least)! We got it all!

Originally posted by roadbuzz

Nah. Y'all need to come down to central Va. Say, Madison County. Rolling hills? Flat stretches with a few climbs thrown in? Scenery? Even rides with low traffic (relative to NoVa, at least)! We got it all!

How far is Madison County from Fairfax? Is it anything like Harrisonburg where the local hang out is Super Walmart? I love road trips, when are you gonna start planning this ride?

I'd like to get together if I can make it, but how about my neck of the woods, Frederick county MD. Lot's of scenic back roads, views of the mountains, rolling terrain, light trafic. This is between Frederick (city) and the PA state line-areas like Thurmont, Emmitsburg etc.
Of course, The Annapolis area is also nice (and flat).
Rich

Originally posted by Coaster
I'd like to get together if I can make it, but how about my neck of the woods, Frederick county MD. Lot's of scenic back roads, views of the mountains, rolling terrain, light trafic. This is between Frederick (city) and the PA state line-areas like Thurmont, Emmitsburg etc.
Of course, The Annapolis area is also nice (and flat).
Rich

How long of a drive is Frederick County from DC? I'm not familiar with the area, so I can't picture where it is in relation to where I am located. The area sounds great for a ride.

I all depends on when you travel. I've made it from the mall to here in an hour, when there was little traffic, but it can be as long as an hour and a half plus, with tie-ups. To get here, take the beltway to 270 north to rte. 15 north. Good riding can be found on the roads out in either direction from rte. 15 after the city of Frederick.
Rich

Hey guys,

I used to live in the DC area. I'd vote for a ride either around Frederick or VA Hunt Country. Frederick probably has a more extensive network of well-paved rural roads. I went for a PPTC ride back in October that started in Frederick, went up Catoctin Mtn, into Woodsville, back across the mountain into Thurmont, and back to Frederick. It was a great ride!

Originally posted by cyclochica

How far is Madison County from Fairfax? Is it anything like Harrisonburg where the local hang out is Super Walmart? I love road trips, when are you gonna start planning this ride?
"Downtown" Madison is about 75 miles from the intersection of I-66 and I-495, on US 29 south of Culpeper. Harrisonburg is a metropolis compared to Madison, and there's not even a regular WalMart. The hang-out is a gas station/store/MacDonalds!

So, I'm up for it! Here, or up near Frederick. Pretty area up around Loudon County, Va. And, I'd love to see Annapolis sometime, too. Wherever! I'm okay with any ride distance, and have gear so I can deal with pretty much any reasonable temp. I'm taking it pretty easy this time of year, averaging around 15mph, slower is okay, but not much faster. Where ever we do it, it'll probably be a couple hours drive for someone, so figure an 11:00 or 12:00 start time? Either week-end day works for me, Sunday is probably better.

If you guys do plan a ride, how about another No. Va rider joining you? All these areas are good for riding! Either day works for me.

Hi everyone,

I'm up in Reston but have been saving cue sheets from all the rides that I did over the summer.

I think it would be great to get some of the folks from the forum together for a ride. Saturday looks like the warmer of the weekend days. Should warm up to almost 50. But Sunday should only be a couple of degrees cooler. No rain is forcast so we should be good to go.

How far is everyone trying to ride? I know of a great 55 miler that starts in Warrenton and makes a big clockwise loop back to Warrenton passing through Marshall and The Plains. It's roller coaster all the way though with a few decent climbs.

It's called The Piedmont Challenge.

Also, check out this site:

Potomac Pedalers (http://www.bikepptc.org)

This is one of the clubs I ride with. Good folks and a bunch of rides for everyones abilities. I'm a B rider but I love to ride at a CC pace this time of year. So, 14-15 mph sounds just my speed.

There aren't any good rides on Saturday and the December schedule isn't up yet so I can't speak for Sunday. But there is a cool sounding ride just north of Culpeper in Brandy Station. For you Civil War buffs it takes place on and near the site of the biggest calvery battle of the war. Should be a flat to rolling ride. I know the area but have never riden there. The club is also planning to stop at The Inn at Kelly's Ford at the end of the ride for some beers. There is a pub there. I just looked it up. It looks snooty but import drafts are only $2.50. Can't be that bad right? :beer:

I could write a lot more but it's getting late. If everyone is serious about a ride this weekend lets do it. It would be great to put some names to some faces. I can't lead anything in Maryland but if we stay in VA I could put together a ride. I've got the Topo USA mapping software so I could send out a map prior to the ride. I'll try and do that Wednesday.

Cheers,

Sean

ARSBARS

Yo, yo, yo - I'm representin' for MD, but I gotta pass on the group ride. I got a long winter of getting in shape before I can keep up with anybody. Hauling this big old self up a hill is quite a challenge. Especially since I know you are training for races...although, if you want to throw out a tow line.... :)

I am curious if anyone from MD has ever cycled Gettysburg (24 miles of road I think) or Antietam (a measly 8) ? Low mileage, but I used to be a civil war re-enactor and still am a part time civil war buff, so I thought it would be cool (and probably pretty meaningful) to pedal through some of the battlefields. I could cover more ground than walking, yet it would be more intense than in a car.

Originally posted by Homebrew
How far is everyone trying to ride? I know of a great 55 miler that starts in Warrenton and makes a big clockwise loop back to Warrenton passing through Marshall and The Plains. It's roller coaster all the way though with a few decent climbs.

It's called The Piedmont Challenge.


This sounds pretty good to me, particularly in terms of being fairly centrally located. But I'm open to other suggestions. I'll probably still be tied up with Thanksgiving Saturday, but Sunday should be okay, if weather forecasts don't change too much.

So, who's in? Mags, the more the merrier if you ask me. Sean, do you know a good place we could park and meet? Since Warrenton's a little closer than some of the places being discussed, I could start earlier than 11:00 if others would rather.

Are ya'll really planning on riding 55 miles? I think that may be too much for me, and since I don't know the Warrenton area at all I won't be able to bail early if I need to. Oh well I may have to pass on this one, unless we do two rides, one for those of us still in the newbie road cycling stages, and one for you Lance Wannabes (I mean that kindly). If not, I defintely want to ride with ya'll once I have some more miles under my belt.

Hmmm, while 55 miles is fine with me, I hate to see someone discouraged because of distance! Is there a shorter route we could all agree on? I remember some of those loops around Warrenton as being fairly hilly, which would be a challenging 55 miles for someone not conditioned to the distance.

I'm not as familiar with the Virginia countryside (even though I'm from VA), I ride more in southern Maryland. I do have a nice ride out of the Davidsonville, MD park n' ride, which I believe is a 40 miler, though there are no real hills to speak of.

But, I'm up for almost anything, happy to follow the leader!

Rolling Geek, I would be more than happy to go riding with you (seriously) When I started this thread I was looking for people in the Annapolis area, to have pick up rides with. But I love where the thread went, and thou I can't make a 2 hour trip this weekend to ride, let me kno how it goes and I promise I will be there next one.

I'm actually planning on joining a group ride this Saturday (30th) that is a Potomac Pedalers Ride. I haven't joined yet, but a friend of mine who is in the club said to go try a few rides with them and see what I think. If I like them, then join.

It starts at Belle Haven Picnic Area, which is right off the GW Parkway. The rides are 24 mi, 29 mi, 32 mi and 38 miles. The groups are C/CC/B/BB. You can check out what those mean at their website.

Here's the link to the 30th schedule:

http://www.bikepptc.org/ride_schedule/pptc0211.html#Nov30Sat

it's the Charles Cushman Memorial Ride... you'll need to scroll back up to Nov. 2nd to see the detailed description. And if you scroll up past that, you'll see the description of the rider classifications (C/CC/B/BB,etc.). I think I fit into the CC group pretty good, so I'll probably be doing the 29 mile ride. It's got a few hills on it.

This would make a good alternative to the 55 mile ride.

PBW

Well, I'm okay with a shorter ride, I'm really more interested in meeting some of the BF'ers than the mileage! Davidsonville is about a 2.5 hour trip for me and traffic on interstates is probably gonna be pretty hairy Sunday. But it's probably a better location for some of the rest of y'all Like Arsbars, who started the thread, after all! And I can catch up with y'all on the next one.

And actually, sometime I would like to do a ride through Rock Creek Park, and/or maybe one of the WABA routes. That would probably be cool when the cherry blossoms are out.


PB's post came up while I was working on this one. That might work for me... have to see as the week-end gets closer.

I'm game for the Potomac Pedalers Ride. Anyone else?

Saturdays are usually good for me as long as its only a few hours and not an all day deali. How about this, what is everyone info.. example.

Arleigh Jenkins
Annapolis, MD
Available Saturdays (all day) and Sundays (afternoon)
Riding: I can keep a pace up, but right now I just want to get out, have fun, and log some miles.

My Info:

Joy
Have no life, so I am available Saturday and Sundays
Fairfax, VA
Riding- according to various sources can move at a moderate pace.

Info:

Mike
Mclean, VA
Available most Sat and Suns
Pace: depending on the terrain, but usually in the 13-16 mph range, unless it's totally flat and then it's a bit faster.

PBW

I rode through part of the Gettysburg battle field in Sept. during the Civil War Century. It was great. I only cycled through a small part but after reading The Killer Angels it was really neat to ride through the land where all that took place.

I would make the trip if I were you. You'll enjoy it. It's mostly flat but there are a couple of short steep hills.

CIVIL WAR CENTURY --- ooh my, hook me with a link on that one !!!

I am pretty familiar with the battlefield, that was pretty much mecca to re-enactors, especially since our unit was the 20th Maine. The Gingerbread Man in town was the watering hole of choice.

It's neat to hear about what it was like to cycle it, I am definitely going to have to schedule some time out there.

Go here:

Civil War Century (http://www.baltobikeclub.org/2002_Civil_War_Century.htm)

This year's ride has passed but I'd be willing to ride it again on a nice warm day if we get one. And we will.

I have the cue sheet if anyone is interested. But it's a hard copy. Would have to mail it.

Sean

PS - anyone thought anymore about a ride this weekend?

Name-Rich
Location-Frederick, MD
Available-Some Saturdays, some Sundays (after 12:00)
Riding pace-B
This Saturday is NG, Sunday, probably not. Will stay in touch for another weekend.

Geez, I guess I missed some of the posts cause when I last replied I hadn't seen the one about the PP ride on Satuday at Bell Haven.

That sounds good to me. Like Road Buzz said I'm more interested in meeting y'all and having fun then going on an epic ride. Although I do love the long rides in new territory. But we have all winter for that. Unless it's snowing then I'll be skiing but don't get me started on that.

So, I'm in Reston and will be riding probably Thrus, Fri, Sat and Sun if the weather holds.

Sounds like everyone is set on the Saturday ride at Bell Haven and it's pretty central except for Road Buzz. Hope you can make it though RB.

I'm in the Potomac Pedalers club and they are a good bunch of people. They always have tons of rides in MD and VA on the weekends for every ability.

So unless anyone really wants to venture out into the Warrenton area we'll meet at Bell Haven Marina for the Potomac Pedalers (http://www.bikepptc.org) ride which meets in the picnic area of Bell Haven Marina off the GW Parkway in Alexandria, VA.

I drive a black Rodeo with an Alta sticker on the back. My bike is red, helmet red and depending on my jersey my beer belly could be read or yellow.

Hope to see everyone this weekend one day or another.

Cheers,

Sean

I hope to see you all there as well. I'll be in a small silver volvo with roof rack and purple/dark blue roadbike, white helmet, and brown ponytail.

Anyone know the route? I'm kinda curious where it's heading from there!

Mags,

I think it heads south and then turns back to the west and then north making a loop through southern Fairfax county.

Not sure of the details though.

Sean

I am gonna try to make too. Female with light brown hair. I drive a silver RAV4, have a black peugeot road bike, and a silver helmet. I will probably be wearing a grey/yellow adidas windbreaker.

Hopefully my kitty watching duties will go as planned and I can get out on Saturday morning.

I'm definitely going to try and be there too. I have a white Lemond Poprad bike. Red/white/blue helmet.

PBW

Y'all better dress warmly cause it's going to be a chilly one.

You aren't kidding... if the forecast turns out correct, this'll be the coldest weather I've ridden in since I started commuting this year. I'm thinking I might need that extra sock... <winks>

PBW

BF 411:
Name: Bob
Location: "Greater" Charlottesville, Va (http://www.mapquest.com/maps/map.adp?country=US&addtohistory=&address=&city=burnley&state=va&zipcode=&homesubmit.x=53&homesubmit.y=10)
Ride days: Saturdays and Sundays (preferable)
Pace: Nothing but easy miles for now, and enjoy a social ride anytime.
Bike: Silver Litespeed
Helmet: Yellow

It's really cool the way this has come together. Saturday's looking pretty iffy for me, but you never know. In any case, I'm thinkin' this won't be the last DC/Md/Va BF ride.

:( I can't make it guys, its just too far of a trip for me with out having a week advanced notice... yeh yeh I'm a busy bee.... :( I'll help plan the next one and I'll be there :D

Damn, I can't make it tomorrow morning. I was really looking forward to meeting you guys. These holidays do wreak havoc with my riding schedule. I can ride, but later in the day, so I'd miss the start.

I still would like to aim for a group ride with you all. The weather forecast still looks decent for next weekend, with this much advance warning, do you think we could get something together for next week?

I forgot to list my stats...
available to ride saturdays or sundays or both... if the weather is good, I abandon all responsibilities.
pace: depends on terrain. average 14-17mph depending on conditions, or my condition. On the flats, 17-19+ mph.
Live in McLean, Va.

Next time... please? I'm looking forward to finding out how your ride goes.