Road Cycling - Attention DC/MD/VA Area Riders

After chatting with Arsbars, it was suggested that we form a team to participate in some of the DC area charity rides next year. Sort of like a team BikeForums for MD/VA/DC and others who want to drive, ride or fly to participate. I have already started looking into some of the rides for next year and the two that have caught my eye are:

Tour de Friends (June 19 - 22, 2003; Raleigh to DC): http://www.kintera.org/htmlcontent.asp?cid=21118

Tour de Cure (June 8, 2003; Reston, VA): http://www.diabetes.org/tourdecure/

Information sesessions have already started for Tour de Friends and registration opens up for the Tour de Cure in January. In addition, Arsbars in participating in a cross country ride for the American Cancer Society(http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?s=&threadid=18027).

I am planning on registering for the Tour de Cure ride in Reston, and would like to form a team. I think this would be a good way to meet each other and help the community. Arsbars is willing to do the graphics for a webpage and I think I can get some free web space. Any thoughts?

Hey thats kinda cool? Why didn't I think of that ??? :D :D

Well I helped think about it atleast...If anything it can be you and I cyclo

That sounds like a great idea. I'm all for it. I can probably do those two rides you mentioned.

I'm already on a team for the MS 150 bike tour ride in May. But other than that, I'm all for it.

PBW

PBW do you have a link or anything for the MS tour? If its before the end of may I'm intrested

Ok PB, I have you down as our first victim,:D As I get info I'll keep you posted. Any other takers?

Ok here's the deal so far.
First here's a page with alot of charity rides in the DC area
http://www.goodcyclist.org/States/DE-MD-DC.htm

Second, Joy (Cyclo) and I are going to start up an MS team for the ride in May. The link http://www.msandyou.org/ So far there is Joy and I... meaning we need atleast one more person to make a team.
Don't worry we aren't going to through you on the course with out training. I'm thinking that whoever decides they want to join, we can figure out some type of riding schedule. One weekend here where I am (annapolis), one weekend where you are, one weekend somewhere else... so that you don't feel like you're doing all the driving:) I also will help with training schedules as much as I can. This will be my 5th year on the racing circuit.. thou the past 4 have been junior (first year in the cats) I'm sure my coach will be happy to help too.

So what do you guys think??

Sounds good. I see you found the link to the MS 150 Bike Tour. I've already registered with my team. This will be my 3rd MS Bike ride.

Also, you should look into the non-charity rides. Those are fun too. I just did the Seagull Century out in Salisbury, MD in October. Great ride. Almost complete flat. 6000 riders. Only costs like $35, not including gas and hotel and food. There are some other good rides throughout the year.

If I can find a link to a list of rides, I'll post it.

PBW

Man - somehow I almost missed this post.

I was REALLY interested in getting information from the Peloton Project that Lance runs through www.laf.org. If you don't know about it, I think its a really cool idea, and getting help with airfare to Austin or some of the other prizes couldn't hurt.

Could I do both ? Peloton project is an individual project, but if everyone contributed individually, we could still ride as a team.

Or, do these events have seperate sponsorship ?

I am definitely excited about doing some charity rides, just let me stress that I am still mondo-rookie. I also don't have a ton of time for group rides, maybe 1-2 a month, maybe more, we will have to see.

Yikes, I really need to get into shape........

RollingGeek- Don't worry, cyclo just got her first road bike so we'll be working you guys up. You're in my area so if you don't have time for a group ride I'm sure I could meet up with you whenever you have time.. Also, I have extra lights if you wanna ride after it gets dark... which is very early these days.. We have a few months before the season starts and this is mainly to get a group of people together that are committed on improving and doing some either charity rides, or just plan rides like the Seagull Century that was mentioned.
I think it will be fun, and good inspiration for those of us that find it hard to get out in this cold cold weather.

Originally posted by RollingGeek
Man - somehow I almost missed this post.

I was REALLY interested in getting information from the Peloton Project that Lance runs through www.laf.org. If you don't know about it, I think its a really cool idea, and getting help with airfare to Austin or some of the other prizes couldn't hurt.

Could I do both ? Peloton project is an individual project, but if everyone contributed individually, we could still ride as a team.

Or, do these events have seperate sponsorship ?

I am definitely excited about doing some charity rides, just let me stress that I am still mondo-rookie. I also don't have a ton of time for group rides, maybe 1-2 a month, maybe more, we will have to see.

Yikes, I really need to get into shape........

Does this mean I can add you to our list of victims? We promise not to pack your schedule any more than it already is.:D

I might be interested in joining you. I'm also considering joining the Peloton Project, and going to Austin for the Ride for the Roses next year.

I've trained for events before (did the Seagull as well), but my last big fundraising ride was an AIDS Vaccine ride in Alaska in 2000. I don't really want to be responsible for a huge fundraising minimum as was required by the aidsride, but it seems like these other rides have more realistic fundraising goals.

I ride all the time, and do participate in group rides, though I mostly ride with a few of my riding buddies on weekends.

Good idea!

Originally posted by cyclochica


Does this mean I can add you to our list of victims? We promise not to pack your schedule any more than it already is.:D

That was the intent. 330 miles looks like Mt. Rushmore to me right now, I have yet to even do a metric century.

My only concern is being too slow - I don't want to slow everybodys fun down.

I am going to try to get out for a good ride this morning, I will post my numbers so you can get an idea of my pace.

I recently switched to an road/touring bike from a hybrid, so I am still trying to get used to drop bars and only ten gears ;)

I still am really thinking about the Peloton Project- $50 minimum to join that, and I can raise money for non-charity rides I guess.

Yippeeee!!!! This is coming together nicely. So far we have:

Arsbars
Cyclochica
P.B. Walker
RollingGeek
Mags (potential victim)

The rides we are looking into are:

MS 150
Tour de Cure (Diabetes Association)
Tour de Friends (the new AIDS ride)

I think we should check out the Peloton Project (www.laf.org) RollingGeek mentioned. I know we won't do all the charity rides in the area, but if we could get a nice mix of charity and fun rides I think we can make 2003 a very fun year.

I just want to ask one favor and if no one minds, could everyone interested please send me a private message with your name and email address. I promise no spam or obnoxious chain mail, just information on rides and such. I just think an email distribution list might be helpful. I hope everyone is as excited as me.:D

Geez, I dunno folks, I am having misgivings.

Today I went for a ride, it was roughly 40 degrees or so with a MAJOR wind (which seemed to be against me the whole way).

I did 21 miles in 1.45 hours and averaged 12 mph, which means I must have been flying at some points because a few monster hills really had me crawling, especially against the afore-mentioned head wind.

In my defense, I do have asthma so I have to be careful in the cold, but I did not think about that and immediately tackled the road, hitting two monster hills right away. I think this really caused a problem for me the rest of the way, to be honest, as it both wiped me out and tightened the lungs up quite a bit.

It was the first time I truly hit the road, usually I do trails or the neighborhoods around my house.

I can say this - Rails to Trails are graded much nicer than regular roads - yikes !!

Anyway, I am going to try to get in 12 miles a day during the week (Mon - Thurs- realisticly maybe three times a week), then maybe one or two two hours sessions on Friday - Sunday. My schedule is odd so I work 6am - 4pm sometimes later, Mon - Thurs, and have off Friday - Sunday. At some point I will add in a three hour session, but my body (back and arse) needs to get used to a road bike first !!

Hopefully I can get myself up to speed a bit more before I start tackling group rides, I really do not want to overdue it injure myself, or have a rotten time.

I'll get there, but it will take some time.

Cheers

RG

RG- Don't worry about it !! It's the end of November, and its freezing out. No one goes anywhere near their top speed in the winter. Think of it as seasonal depression for cyclists. Also, biking is so much easier with atleast one other person, you won't have any idea until you get out there and see it for yourself :D Where did you ride?? I can't go to the group ride this weekend cuz of no planning on my part, and it being so far away but I would be happy to go 10 or so miles with you some time this week/weekend


Arleigh

Originally posted by RollingGeek
Geez, I dunno folks, I am having misgivings.

Today I went for a ride, it was roughly 40 degrees or so with a MAJOR wind (which seemed to be against me the whole way).

I did 21 miles in 1.45 hours and averaged 12 mph, which means I must have been flying at some points because a few monster hills really had me crawling, especially against the afore-mentioned head wind.

In my defense, I do have asthma so I have to be careful in the cold, but I did not think about that and immediately tackled the road, hitting two monster hills right away. I think this really caused a problem for me the rest of the way, to be honest, as it both wiped me out and tightened the lungs up quite a bit.

It was the first time I truly hit the road, usually I do trails or the neighborhoods around my house.

I can say this - Rails to Trails are graded much nicer than regular roads - yikes !!

Anyway, I am going to try to get in 12 miles a day during the week (Mon - Thurs- realisticly maybe three times a week), then maybe one or two two hours sessions on Friday - Sunday. My schedule is odd so I work 6am - 4pm sometimes later, Mon - Thurs, and have off Friday - Sunday. At some point I will add in a three hour session, but my body (back and arse) needs to get used to a road bike first !!

Hopefully I can get myself up to speed a bit more before I start tackling group rides, I really do not want to overdue it injure myself, or have a rotten time.

I'll get there, but it will take some time.

Cheers

RG


RG,

Don't worry about committing to group rides. There is plenty of time between now and the MS ride. So don't stress. You can join us for rides when you are ready, and I promise not give your spot on the "team" away.:D

So far this weekend looks bad - I am putting down a hardwood floor, and that may take a couple of days - especially laden with excess turkey. My rides will have to be pretty 'hostile early' in the morning.

This ride I took was on 197 - headed west into Laurel, hooked through Old Bowie, then meandered around until at some point I ended back up on the WB & A trail.

I am being hard on myself, yes, and I will chill out.

Hi, folks. I actually found out about this forum from the folks who rode the Belle Haven ride on Saturday (Nov 30).

I would be interested in training for and joining up on the forum's MS-150 team. I'll e-mail as requested.

For the record, I live in Springfield, VA area.

Cheers,
Redbeard

I was one of the three that did the ride. It was a good ride. A 32 mile loop around Alexandria. Went down to Mount Vernon, then spent alot of time in neighborhoods. Saved the hills for the end. Short, but dang, super steep hills. I had to drop into the granny gear at least twice. This was my second ride with this bike club (Potomac Pedalers Touring Club) and I really enjoyed it. I'm pretty sure I'm going to go ahead and join the club.

I talked to the ride leader afterward, and they have rides scheduled all thru the winter. So hopefully we'll see some more of ya out there. They have rides in VA/DC/MD.

PBW

Hey RedBeard.
I also live in springfield, VA! Maybe we can ride together sometime, im usually pedaling around the city trying not to get side-swiped by cars :crash: If you see a young brown kid on a black giant TCR composite...that'll be me :D

cheers
-omesh

I'm in Springfield too. I was at the PP ride today, the 24 mile route was fun. Even though my back hurt really bad afterward, I am still looking forward to the next ride.

wow, didnt realize there were so many people on BF that lived in N. VA!

Rolling, are we still doing a ride this weekend sometime? :D

For more information on Potomac Pedalers, go to their website. Here's the URL: http://www.bikepptc.org/

You can find all of their ride listings here as well as a membership form. They are a great club with lots of scheduled rides. I would urge you to join. If I lived in the DC-metro area I would still be a member.

I used to lead quite a few rides out of the Cardinal Forest S.C. in Springfield, VA back in the early to mid '80s. Most of the rides are starting further out from the city these days as a result of suburban sprawl. I imagine you can still get a nice ride from Glen Echo out toward Poolesville via Potomac, though.

Thanks steve for the link, some of us are looking at joining. But I really can't (being a part of snowvalley already)

-Arleigh

Arleigh,

Unless there's a clause in the Snow Valley membership about not joining another club, I think you should have no problems joining this one also. It's just a club, not a team or anything like that. Also, I'm sure you can hit a few of their rides without joining. I've tried two of their rides now, and I think I will join, but I was told to try the rides first before joining.

Anyhoo...

PBW

There isn't a clause, but somepoeple on my team and in the club think there should be. I don't wanna be harassed :( I'll ride with ya guys, but can't make it a habit. Sorry. TSV can be stuck up at times, but they also pay my bills at times


-Arleigh

No problemo.... :) If they are paying your bills then I understand totally. hehe.

PBW

Thanks for understanding... I promise I'm not the stuck up one. Just sometimes I get sucked in and can't do anythign about it :(


:D -Arleigh

Well, stuck up or not, let me put in a good word for Snow Valley. I did their century on September 1st. It poured. Not just a sprinkle or a drizzle or a shower. I was wet from the time I left PG Stadium parking lot, and it only stopped raining at mile 80.

There were probably 20 of us doing the route. But, the great folks from Snow Valley set up and manned all the rest stops. (There were no lines, of course.) They were there by the beach in the afternoon with gorp and bread and peanut butter--all dry. I appreciate it when people don't give up on me.

They didn't look very "exclusive" huddled on the wet, windy boardwalk;)

Originally posted by Arsbars
Thanks for understanding... I promise I'm not the stuck up one. Just sometimes I get sucked in and can't do anythign about it :(


:D -Arleigh


:) I wasn't thinking you were the stuck up one. No worries.

PBW

Snow valley kicks butt, i'm not dissing my own team. We are great when it comes to community support, and they are a great club.. But they think at times they are the only club. Well no SOME of them think that

I think my mom may be joining us :D :D:D that would kick major arse

Originally posted by Arsbars
I think my mom may be joining us :D :D:D that would kick major arse

Awesome, more Grrl power.

This is my first time on Bike Forums in months!! But saw the post, and am very interested in hooking up with other DC riders. I am planning on doing the MS 150 ride already in 2003, would love to be part of a team.

For the record, I'm in Centreville, work in Sterling, and ride the W&Od alot.

Tho I haven't ridden lately, I have a 40 degree rule and it's been too darn cold here lately!! Anyway I'd like to go on some group rides sometime if one or more persons wants to one weekend.

Jeff

Yeh:D another rider!