Southeast - Charlotte NC area riders

I would be interested in meeting up for dinner if we can't make it for the rides. Will you keep us posted, Vega on the dinner plans for the 30th? Thanks!

Will do! :)

Update on CLT area ride and dinner with jschen here (http://www.bikeforums.net/showpost.php?p=5887109&postcount=76http://). :)

Ok, Charlotte-area folks. Let's start sortin' out where the local rides are as we move into 2008. I know a number of you are students, and probably won't be back in the area for another week, but who's ridin' where?

I'm usually in the H'burg area, and look forward to gettin' out on a few Sunday afternoon Gaston County rides, and possibly ridin' again with serotta and his crew some Wednesday afternoon, that is, if they're even ridin' in this cold. ;)

Are there any organized weekly group rides, on any day of the week, in the greater CLT area right now besides those in Gaston County? And when do the spring ride schedules start? :)

Every Weds. at 4pm from the church in Mineral Springs! Bring lights at this time of the year, we don't make it back before dark.

Oh, just an FYI

Here are the averages from the last 8 Weds. night rides:

17.6, 18.2, 16.8, 21, 19.2, 17.7, 18.1, 17.4

note: The blip in the average was the night VVshowed up.

Every Weds. at 4pm from the church in Mineral Springs! Bring lights at this time of the year, we don't make it back before dark.

Oh, just an FYI

Here are the averages from the last 8 Weds. night rides:

17.6, 18.2, 16.8, 21, 19.2, 17.7, 18.1, 17.4

note: The blip in the average was the night VVshowed up.

Because men are so insecure they have to drope the hammer when a woman shows up for the ride. :rolleyes:

Because men are so insecure they have to drope the hammer when a woman shows up for the ride. :rolleyes:

I wish! Actually because VV talked to us in a normal speaking voice the whole way around. I don't think her heart rate climbed enough to keep her warm.:o

I wish! Actually because VV talked to us in a normal speaking voice the whole way around. I don't think her heart rate climbed enough to keep her warm.:o

Y'all were skeered of me, so you all sprinted for it! :cry: [And, yes, I was cold, especially my feet, but that won't happen again now that I have Grabber ToeWarmers :) ]


Nah, seriously, how is it that your averages show 21mph, and mine shows 18.5mph, and we started and stopped all together? <scratchin' head> And I even have my timer set to pause when I drop below 5mph (for stopsigns and stoplights, of which there are plenty on the only two routes I usually ride).

<bumpity-bump>

Ok, I'm gonna try to make it out for next Wednesday's ride. Can't get the extended forecast to load, but weather looks very cooperative through next Tuesday. :)

And Sunday looks like a fine day for a ride in Gaston County! :beer: Who else is interested in the Sunday afternoon ride? Heh, I have to ask, 'cause that's a long way for me to drive just to ride alone.... :o

Sorry VV, but I rode hard today and will do the same for tomorrow. Sunday will be my rest day. If something else takes place I'll PM you.

Thanks, sub! And glad to see you out ridin'! :beer: Great weather on tap this week. Tuesday's high is projected to be 70F! :)

Where do you ride in Gaston County? It seems Gastonia gets in the way. Are there good long, quiet rides to be had?

PM sent. :)

<bumpity-bump>

Ok, I'm gonna try to make it out for next Wednesday's ride. Can't get the extended forecast to load, but weather looks very cooperative through next Tuesday. :)

And Sunday looks like a fine day for a ride in Gaston County! :beer: Who else is interested in the Sunday afternoon ride? Heh, I have to ask, 'cause that's a long way for me to drive just to ride alone.... :o



I'll keep you posted on developments for Weds. (the 9th). Right now we are go!

Yikes! I just saw that thundershowers are expected on Wednesday! :eek: :(

Let's keep our fingers crossed that they come on Thursday instead. :o

Egad! I found this thread lying around lazily on page two! :eek: Let's start bein' a little more active here with the nicer weather, shall we? :)

Ok, so, who else is comin' out for the ride out in Harrisburg on February 16 (http://www.charlottesportscycling.com/trainridebroch2008.pdf)? <lookin' around>

I thought it was the 9th?

I'm going - it's my team's training ride.

I've been in the market for a road bike for a while now it's time to bite the bullet.

'. . . Where in Charlotte can I go to find a road bike in the $700 - $1000 range (hopefully with at least Tiagra components) but will also "fit" the bike?


What bikes should I look for in this range?

Thanks

The guys at _Bicycles East_ (http://www.bikeseast.com/2006/) will take care of you, Mike is my contact, tell him Charlie (ca2nc) sez, Hi!

-bd

I thought it was the 9th?

I'm going - it's my team's training ride.

Yikes! My bad! You are correct! I've been looking at so many upcoming races/events that I had my dates confused. The 16th is the date for the RR of the Wolfpack Classic. :rolleyes:

But, yes, I'll be at the training ride, and, hopefully, at the RR the following weekend. :)

hey guys! can any of you tell me about the crowder's mtn metric route? i just want to ride the route and get some climbing training in for the burnsville metric. i was thinking about driving out that way for a day trip in march or april and riding the route. are there stores along the way for refueling? what's traffic like?

thanks - wp.

This could be it...

http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/united-states/nc/gastonia/372082036

i think that's it. thanks.

Good ole' Bob, always finding the "easy" rides. That Crowder's Mt. loop can be a killer if you ride with a fast group.

Yeah - the profile for the last half of that Crowders Mtn Metric ride looks killer!

I was thinking about maybe doing the abovementioned Harrisburg ride this Saturday. The weather should be nice, and I remember dragging the tandem up some nice, rolling hills up there in Stanley County. I wonder if they go through Big Lick, or even Booger Hollar? I'd go for sure if the ride went through Booger Hollar!

hey guys! can any of you tell me about the crowder's mtn metric route? i just want to ride the route and get some climbing training in for the burnsville metric. i was thinking about driving out that way for a day trip in march or april and riding the route. are there stores along the way for refueling? what's traffic like?

thanks - wp.

There are stores scattered around. When you get to the top of Pinnacle Rd look for the "OUCH!" and "CRAP MY LEGS HURT" signs painted on the road.

Oh and traffic is iffy. Some places are real good, but then you will run into section where you have to be cautious.

anyone from this area going to ride the Crowder's Mtn metric ride on 4/13? I'm going to be coming out there to ride it then...maybe I can meet up with some of you guys from that area.

Add me to the list as well. I live in Greenville, SC but I visit my girl who lives in Huntersville often. Looking to find a group or 2 to ride with on the weekends I'm there.

wolfpack,
I am riding this event. Going to do a pre-ride recon to check it out. :) The route runs close to my house in York, so I will have all my fans there! (you know.....wife and dog!) Hope to meet you at the ride.

Barry

I've done this ride a few times. I plan to be there. As for the route, there is one stretch that is on a busy highway. It's near the end, but most of it is back roads, if I remember correctly.

What's up guys? I just moved to the Charlotte area from Southern California yesterday. My fiancee and I are in corporate housing in Davidson for a bit. Went for a good ride today. Looped up through Cleavland for 60ish miles at an average of 20ish mph (found the route on MapMyRide). I'm looking for some strong guys (or gals) to ride with. Saturday and Sunday mornings for 60+ on Sat and 40+ on Sunday. Tue/Thurs mornings (early) for an hour or so. Any recommendations? Thanks! ~Chris

What's up guys? I just moved to the Charlotte area from Southern California yesterday. My fiancee and I are in corporate housing in Davidson for a bit. Went for a good ride today. Looped up through Cleavland for 60ish miles at an average of 20ish mph (found the route on MapMyRide). I'm looking for some strong guys (or gals) to ride with. Saturday and Sunday mornings for 60+ on Sat and 40+ on Sunday. Tue/Thurs mornings (early) for an hour or so. Any recommendations? Thanks! ~Chris

Try the rides that leave from the bike shop in Davidson on Saturdays.

Ok, Charlotte-area folks. Let's start sortin' out where the local rides are as we move into 2008. I know a number of you are students, and probably won't be back in the area for another week, but who's ridin' where?

I'm usually in the H'burg area, and look forward to gettin' out on a few Sunday afternoon Gaston County rides, and possibly ridin' again with serotta and his crew some Wednesday afternoon, that is, if they're even ridin' in this cold. ;)

Are there any organized weekly group rides, on any day of the week, in the greater CLT area right now besides those in Gaston County? And when do the spring ride schedules start? :)

Last year there was weekly ride that left Harrisburg elementary around 6:30. I went out for this last week and only one other person showed so I'm unsure if it just not ramped up because it is spring or if the ride fell apart. I live in Harrisburg and would be interested if we wanted to organize a ride that left from the university area/Harrisburg for a ride on Saturdays.

On Saturdays, I know the Mint Hill ride is still up and running. Their distances vary but they leave at 8 am from the park on 218 just of off 485 exit 44. I think they typically average between 15 and 17. There is also a ride leaving Bicycles east in Matthews on Satruday mornings that does 30 or 35 miles and averages 19-20. This is a very orgazined ride.

On Sunday, I've been going out for the ride that leaves Ultimate Bicycles in Matthews at 9 am. The crowd has varied quite a bit over the past few weeks, but we typically have a group that completes the 30 mile loop averaging 19-20 and other groups that average between 15 and 17. It's a no drop ride.

was riding up Rea Rd today just past 7 Mile Creek and damn coyote crosses the road. Didn't even know we had them in the area

FYI...myself and a few others have been meeting at the Ballantyne post office (ballantyne commons & elm ln) at 6:15am M W F for 15 or so miles...check it out...email me if you have any q's brianprovince@gmail.com

My wife and I are considering relocating to Charlotte from Rockland County, NY. I'm considering a job in the south Charlotte area, in fact the company is flying us down next week to check out the area.

Obviously I'm a cyclist - a racer - what's the racing scene in the area. Any racing series? I saw th TT series at the Lowes speedway - anything else? What are some of the raving teams down there?

Thanks -DH

check this (http://www.charlottesportscycling.com/) out...

i do the tt @ lowes and I have to say that south clt is the best area of this town in my opinion...i live in the ballantyne/blakeney area...the only negative thing is the traffic and all the big box retailers are popping up around here...when they are only 10-15 minutes away...

we are very close to some great cycling in waxhaw in union county...

charlotte is becoming like florida, where i grew up, nobody is from here anymore...

good luck

Thanks for the link darthcheese - the job is actually in the Ballantyne area.

Hey Charlotte gang...Grasschopper is coming to town and my BIL is taking me out with his club on Sunday morning. Err I didn't catch the name of the club but they live south of the city and will be riding at 7:30 Sunday. Sounded like a pretty big group ride.

Anyway if anyone knows Tim Waite or sees a roundish guy in a red and yellow Salsa Taquila jersey with red Specialized lid on a borrowed bike that is probably me. :D

Maybe we will meet one of you out on the road.

Mojo maybe? Is there a club with a name similar to that?

yah it's Team Mojo. Good ride and great group, if they do the Waxhaw loop I'll probably see ya out there.

Hey Charlotte gang...Grasschopper is coming to town and my BIL is taking me out with his club on Sunday morning. Err I didn't catch the name of the club but they live south of the city and will be riding at 7:30 Sunday. Sounded like a pretty big group ride.

Anyway if anyone knows Tim Waite or sees a roundish guy in a red and yellow Salsa Taquila jersey with red Specialized lid on a borrowed bike that is probably me. :D

Maybe we will meet one of you out on the road.

Mojo maybe? Is there a club with a name similar to that?

Never done their ride but I've heard good things. I think there is a 30, 40 and 50 mile option and the group spans all skill levels. I'd be out there this weekend if I weren't heading out of town for vacation.

Well Tim's insulin pump failed so we had to cut off the 50 mile ride. We still wound up doing 40 miles and I got a flat towards the end. What a bike I got to ride...old aqua Trek with friction shifting and 10 speeds (like 10 total not 10 on the back). I used 4 of those so it was a lot like riding a fixie.

Anyone looking for a group to ride with should consider Mojo...if I lived here I would certainly ride with them much more...nice group with a wide ability level. There were like 28 of us today.

II live near the Queens road "booty loop" but I got bored with that within a month. Not nearly enough booty on the loop. Tried to commute to work a few times from Eastover to University area, but North Tryon during rush hour is treacherous.

So where do I go? I notice that most people on this forum head out of the city in search of some country roads. I'd be happy to hear some suggestions of out-of-city routes.

Obviously I'm not competing yet, but hope to be soon. I'm looking for routes of all distances, elevations.

Oh, and does anyone know you can bike alongside the light rail? I've heard that there's a paved path that runs alongside of it, but I've never ridden the thing so I don't know. That might be a good deal if there is a paved path next to it.

That's a lot of questions.

bryroth,

Head out to Waxhaw, and stop by Bolt Brothers. They have que sheets on the local routes in and out of Waxhaw, and always a ton of riders out on the weekend. Most of the shops in Charlotte also have group rides on the weekends just check around.

If you are looking for routes south of Charlotte in Union, Cabarrus and Stanly counties I have some posted on my weblog here: http://www.incidentalcyclist.com/routes/

As mentioned Bolt Brothers has some cue sheets but closer to where you live Ultimate in Pineville has regular Saturday rides as does Bicycles East in Matthews. There are three weekday early morning fast rides in Ballentyne M, W, F. There are also numerous Tuesday and Thursday night rides around town. A few Sunday rides, some fast and some slow in and around Waxhaw and Matthews.

Also do a search on MapMyRide as many of the local routes are posted there.

Another site that just has ride info is http://www.weeklyrides.com/

I accepted the job the Charlotte! I will be moving down in two weeks and my family follow in a couple months.

I'm in south charlotte for the summer until august 20th, i ride mainly in Ballantyne area, booty loop, and on north carolina and south carolina border on Dorman, carmel... etc.

Happy riding =)

Waxhaw area:

Check mapitpronto.com
Do a search for Kensington, there are two routes out there, both low traffic rides.
You can also search for Waxhaw and there are shorter rides.
(Now you can search GFB for a 32 and 60 mile ride beginning at Cane Creek.)

The local Go For Blood ride is fully marked as of this morning. Begin at the Picnic area entrance of Cane Creek Park on Harkey Road. The route is marked in white paint with GFB> 30 and 60 stencils.



EDIT: Here's the GFB 60 route:
http://www.mapitpronto.com/index.cfm?fuseAction=routePlanner.viewDBRide&rideID=2451

Here is the GFB 30 route:
http://www.mapitpronto.com/index.cfm?fuseAction=routePlanner.viewDBRide&rideID=2454

Hey does anyone here know of anyone who paints/restores bikes in the Charlotte area? Any bike shops, motorcycle shops, art students who need $?

Hi all, my first post here :)

I live on the Matthews / Mint Hill border and bike into work, only about 4 miles. For pleasure rides I usually bike into town. At the moment I just have an old beater of a MTB which functions well enough to get me to work, but is in serious need of a tune up.

However, what I'm really excited about is the road bike I recently picked up at the Habitat ReStore - a 1987-89 Centurion Ironman Expert, with a mix of Shimano 105 & 600 components. At the very least it needs new tubes and tires but I can't wait to get going with it. Commuting to work should be much more comfortable and I'd like to start doing the early morning ride leaving from Bicycles East. :)

Anyone ever heard of a place named Bikeadelic in the Charlotte area?