Northeast - Where are the MD people's

Over half of Baltimore bike crashes happen on quiet residential streets, for you and I these streets are a “no brainier” to safely navigate but the stats say that there is a real safety issue here for on-road cycling

I believe you! Just a this afternoon I stopped for coffee at the 4bucks in Dulaney Valley shopping center. Walking across the parking lot I was almost nailed by a cyclist cutting through (I assume) the shopping center. He was not a 'sidewalk' cyclist and was riding a drop-bar road bike (he looked like he should know what he was doing) but non the less while rolling down hill at about 20 MPH cut between parked cars and proceeded down one of the shopping center one-way 'lanes' the wrong way (cars have to back out of angled parking spaces and would naturally look to their left for traffic and the cyclist was coming from the right). I watched for a while to see if he would get nailed by a car backing out but luckily for him, he didn't.

My observation is that stupidity knows no bounds.....

NoRacer: Ok, fine I was on the BWI trail but not on the loop portion. Blowing the stop sign is hardly descriptive of anyone coming up that hill. I think one problem is the acute angle that the trails merge here, had the other cyclists been able to make their right turn and stay on their half of the trail things would have been fine but as you said had he stopped things would have been ok as well but then again who would really stop on that hill and who yields to traffic going the other way, that’s just another poor design of this section (requiring a wide turn for cyclists going the other way.) But all in all no accident would have happened if it was not for that crack in the pavement.

+1. I'm just as guilty. Knowing that the trail continues on, literally on the sidewalk, and due to the steepness at that stop sign, I [usually] don't stop.

I’m in DC right now. I had a blast riding in rush hour traffic to get here yesterday. It was real fun playing DC bike commuter in the snow this morning.

I’m in DC right now. I had a blast riding in rush hour traffic to get here yesterday. It was real fun playing DC bike commuter in the snow this morning.

We need to get you a camera like noisebeam has on his bike...

I’m in DC right now. I had a blast riding in rush hour traffic to get here yesterday. It was real fun playing DC bike commuter in the snow this morning.

Did you ride from baltimore?

Did you ride from baltimore?
Of course!

Of course!

they do have MARC ya know:D
this year I am making 'bikes on MARC' my priority. W/ Flanagan no longer head of transportation we might have a shot. Do you have any feel for the new head?

they do have MARC ya know:D
this year I am making 'bikes on MARC' my priority. W/ Flanagan no longer head of transportation we might have a shot. Do you have any feel for the new head?

The new Secretary of Transportation is great, a potential problem is the shortage of money in the budget, we need to start building a case of supporting bikes not by (primary) mode share but by the traffic fatalities share (~0.4% vs 1.9% state wide or 3.3% Balto Metro area) and the fact that kids are overrepresented in these numbers.

From what I hear MARC is an ongoing uphill battle, they are fighting (or more accurately have a long list of excuses) why they can’t even increase capacity (by adding more cars because of station constraints, to name one) let alone accommodate bikes. If you summarize all their complex arguments it comes down to they are not interested in increasing capacity or ridership.

The new Secretary of Transportation is great, a potential problem is the shortage of money in the budget, we need to start building a case of supporting bikes not by (primary) mode share but by the traffic fatalities share (~0.4% vs 1.9% state wide or 3.3% Balto Metro area) and the fact that kids are overrepresented in these numbers.

From what I hear MARC is an ongoing uphill battle, they are fighting (or more accurately have a long list of excuses) why they can’t even increase capacity (by adding more cars because of station constraints, to name one) let alone accommodate bikes. If you summarize all their complex arguments it comes down to they are not interested in increasing capacity or ridership.

MARCs problem is CSX They are all about moving freight, making $$. I just read in Spokes email that Mdot is widening BWparkway. I always thought that it was a scenic hwy so widening was not allowed. I guess I'm wrong.

there's talk on craigs of a guy selling stolen bikes in DC/MD. The guy removed his CL add and is now on ebay. Here's a link for it.
http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/nva/bik/290305208.html

Mods: I don't know where it would do best to post this, feel free to move it. I hate thieves. Charlie

someones going to jail

Any good rides in the morning?

Any good rides in the morning?

The BBC is offering the following for Saturday:



Saturday - March 10
================
CASUAL - 10 am - 6 or 10 or 15 miles
START: CMP - Carroll Manor Park
THE THRILLS AND SKILLS OF HILLS - Tips and strategies for riding hills (both up and down) with opportunity to practice on residential roads prior to the ride. Call me before March 7 to guarantee receiving a packet of ideas from the experts.

10/12 MPH - 10 am - 36 miles
START: MSM - Marley Station Mall
Flat to rolling ride to Sandy Point State Park w/lunch @Red, Hot, & Blue. 1/2 paved trail, 1/2 road.

13/15 MPH - 9 am - 35 miles
START: ORR - Oregon Ridge Park
A new ride leader with a Boring ride. Wait, the ride's not boring, the town is. Uh, we don't mean the town is boring even though it is Boring.....Oh, you'll know what we mean when you get there. Let's show Bruce our support.

15/17 MPH - 10 am - 40 miles
START: SPK - Sparks Elem. School
Northern Baltimore County to Harford County Loop. Moderately hilly ride with rest stop in Hampstead.



And DC RAND is offering:



"GETTYSBURG GLORY," starting from Watkins Park in Mt. Airy, Maryland.
MEETING TIME 7:30 A.M. The terrtain is very hilly at the beginning and
end and fairly mellow in the middle. It includes a very nice tour of
the Gettysburg battlefields that we haven't done in many years. There
are two short unpaved stretches near the end of the ride, but I have
cued a paved option in case we find the dirt roads covered with ice
and/or snow or just a muddy mess. Lunch at Dino's in Gettysburg. 103
miles, with a 57-mile short option that turns around at the first rest
stop in Taneytown.

Directions to the ride start:
WATKINS PARK, 615 CENTER STREET, MT. AIRY, MARYLAND
From DC Beltway, take I-270 north to exit 16, Father Hurley Blvd
(MD27).

Follow MD27 north for 8 miles to Damascus, then BL tro MD27 north.
Pass under I-70 in another 6-1/2 mi. (you are now in Mt. Airy).
In 1.7 mi., after passing thru 3 traffic lights, turn L into Watkins
Park, followed by a quick right.

Head past tennis courts to next small parking lot on L (next to small
restroom building).

I'm riding the Columbia Triathlon route today with a friend.

-D

Probably a little late, but HoCoCyclists are doing 25-35 miles from Folly Quarter Middle School at 10am; that's what I'm planning on doing.

Hope everyone had fun on their rides today.

Me, I'm trying to keep my cardiovascular system quiet in hopes of shaking this upper respitory crud once and for all. I haven't been on the bike since last Saturday's ride in the mountains. It sucks, 'cuz I'd really liked to have been out today in the great weather, but until this upper respitory and sinus crud goes away (or I finally resign myself to the fact that the body isn't going to be able to do it on it's own any time soon and I see a doctor), I'm staying off of the bike, taking Vicks Day & NyQuil, and getting plenty of sleep.

Hope everyone had fun on their rides today.

Me, I'm trying to keep my cardiovascular system quiet in hopes of shaking this upper respitory crud once and for all. I haven't been on the bike since last Saturday's ride in the mountains. It sucks, 'cuz I'd really liked to have been out today in the great weather, but until this upper respitory and sinus crud goes away (or I finally resign myself to the fact that the body isn't going to be able to do it on it's own any time soon and I see a doctor), I'm staying off of the bike, taking Vicks Day & NyQuil, and getting plenty of sleep.


Dude that sucks because today was FREAKIN BEAUTIFUL. I rode the Columbia Triathlon route with a friend of mine. It was his time out on the road since last fall. I had to wait for him a bit but it was all good.

I am really annoyed though. I am getting a nasty creak-click in my cranks when I pedal hard. Just started today. I am gonna tear it apart tonight and check everything out.

-D

Dude that sucks because today was FREAKIN BEAUTIFUL.

:(




I am really annoyed though. I am getting a nasty creak-click in my cranks when I pedal hard. Just started today. I am gonna tear it apart tonight and check everything out.

-D

Check the pedals first.

Check the pedals first.


I am pretty certain it is in the crank. I could feel it clicking hard in the bottom bracket. And I did some pedaling tests unclipped, one legged etc. When I got off the bike and looked I think I have a little flex, like the BB is a little loose. Hard to tell on the road though.

-D

Wow - We did a 33mile training ride in Howard County today. Nice hills there!! It was good for me to get in those hills that I normally would not get. I should ride them two times a week to get my climbing skills better!
Here is our route (http://trail.motionbased.com/trail/invitation/email/accept.mb?senderPk.pkValue=109527&unitSystemPkValue=2&episodePk.pkValue=2221665)

Hope everyone had fun on their rides today.



No biking for me, went climbing at rock state park and saw a bunch of riders. Still some snow in that part of the county. I should have done my taxes......

No Racer hope you heal up.

derath: I had a annoying creak, thought pedal(ruled it out) then assumed bb. It turned out to be my RD. It was gunked up w/ *****. Cleaned lubed and now silence.

I am actually thinking it may be pedals. The pedals have a noticable amount of play in the pedal axle. Moreso than the pedals on my mtn bike. So I swapped them out and it "seems" better on the rollers. I will give them a road test today.

-D

I am actually thinking it may be pedals. The pedals have a noticable amount of play in the pedal axle. Moreso than the pedals on my mtn bike. So I swapped them out and it "seems" better on the rollers. I will give them a road test today.

-D

If it is the pedal, then you may be able to temporarily band-aid the problem by propping the pedal with spindle up and then apply some thick oil (i.e., like 30 weight motor oil) to an opening between the spindle housing and the spindle that leads to the bearings. Spin the spindle and apply some more oil. Let the pedals sit for awhile with the spindles still pointing up so that the oil has a good chance of migrating to the bearings. Sometime later, check them to see if they feel smoother when you spin the spindles. If they still have a noticeable grinding feeling, then the bearings are probably bad.

For Look and Time pedals that use cartridge bearings, you may be able to service the pedal (i.e., replace the cartridge bearings).

If it is the pedal, then you may be able to temporarily band-aid the problem by propping the pedal with spindle up and then apply some thick oil (i.e., like 30 weight motor oil) to an opening between the spindle housing and the spindle that leads to the bearings. Spin the spindle and apply some more oil. Let the pedals sit for awhile with the spindles still pointing up so that the oil has a good chance of migrating to the bearings. Sometime later, check them to see if they feel smoother when you spin the spindles. If they still have a noticeable grinding feeling, then the bearings are probably bad.

For Look and Time pedals that use cartridge bearings, you may be able to service the pedal (i.e., replace the cartridge bearings).

Yea these are the low end SPD pedals that came on the Giant.

-D

Okay, so they are calling for 70s tomorrow and Wednesday...70s PEOPLE!!!! Anyone want to get together for a ride either day? Tomorrow I can ride anytime after 3pm and Wednesday is open. At this time, I probably can only muster 14/15mph and will probably die on any longer hills. Now if that doesn't motivate you to ride with me, what will? :D

Okay, so they are calling for 70s tomorrow and Wednesday...70s PEOPLE!!!! Anyone want to get together for a ride either day? Tomorrow I can ride anytime after 3pm and Wednesday is open. At this time, I probably can only muster 14/15mph and will probably die on any longer hills. Now if that doesn't motivate you to ride with me, what will? :D


Ah bummer. I am busy with work tomorrow. Up in the air so far with wednesday.

I rode today though. Shoulda called you, sorry.

-D

meh, no worries. I tried to ride today, but forgot my inhaler so had to cut it short. You ever gonna post up the ride data from your Saturday ride?

meh, no worries. I tried to ride today, but forgot my inhaler so had to cut it short. You ever gonna post up the ride data from your Saturday ride?

That's ok. My whole ride was only 9 miles.


I was gonna, but I was a little embarrassed to post something with such low averages in the presence of those like noracer :D

Here you go: http://trail.motionbased.com/trail/activity/2209415

-D

That's ok. My whole ride was only 9 miles.


I was gonna, but I was a little embarrassed to post something with such low averages in the presence of those like noracer :D

Here you go: http://trail.motionbased.com/trail/activity/2209415

-D

C'mon. It's all good.

there's talk on craigs of a guy selling stolen bikes in DC/MD. The guy removed his CL add and is now on ebay. Here's a link for it.
http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/nva/bik/290305208.html

Mods: I don't know where it would do best to post this, feel free to move it. I hate thieves. Charlie

Seems the poster was a pawn shop selling on ebay and CL. A Bianchi Pista was a stolen bike and recovered here's a cl link
http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/doc/bik/293517930.html

C'mon. It's all good.


Of course it's all good. Hence the :D

Hope you are healing up. I had a chest cold like that for most of January. Sucked.

-D

Of course it's all good. Hence the :D

Hope you are healing up. I had a chest cold like that for most of January. Sucked.

-D

Thanks. I'm better. Maybe 99.1%.

I did start bike commuting to and from work as of Monday, trying to keep the intensity down, so that it's part of the healing process versus hammering to and from work and breaking myself down again. It's hard for me to do that. I like riding at my threshold all of the time. I even set the HRM up so that it would beep at me when I reached a particular level of effort--I just ignore it. :rolleyes:

I'm looking forward to a nice warm ride home today. Hopefully the rain will hold off, but just in case, I carried my rain coat and wore my neoprene booties.

Hee! My mind is already on Saturday:

Here's the BBC rides for Saturday, March 17th:

Saturday - March 17
CASUAL - 10 am - 12/18 miles
START: ELK - Old Elkridge MARC Train Lot
Flat to gently rolling ride through Patapsco State Park (paved trail) and surrounding roads. Call Mary if you need directions to the ride start.

10/12 MPH - 10 am - 26 miles
START: HCV - Harpers Choice Village Center - Park far end of Safeway parking lot.
"Villages and Country" - Easy ride connecting four Columbia village centers to south-central Howard County. Quiet roads; no paths. Only 3 or 4 short climbs. Opportunities for snacks/ lunch at Hickory Ridge or Harpers Choice Village Centers.

13/15 MPH - 10 am - 45 miles
START: MLP - Maryland Line Park & Ride
Ellen's Whinery Tour. Southern PA ride passing Naylor and Seven Valleys vineyards. Enough hills to make you whine and enough wine to ease the hills. Naylor is usually open for business and sometimes tastings.

18 MPH - 9:30 am - 64 miles
START: CMP - Carol Manor Park
Dusted off the Ride to the Top of The Bay. Lunch in Havre De Grace. I recall this as rolling, but it's been a while...

I'll likely do the 18 MPH ride, except that I'll add another 40 miles to it by riding to and from the ride START location.

Yeah, I probably won't ride Saturday; instructing at a driving school all day. Like to get out Sunday, but I'll see what the weather is like and how drained I am after Saturday.

There's a group ride being organized for upper MoCo this coming Saturday - see post in the 50+ forum. Not going to be a hammer ride, just a nice & easy 47 miler. See: http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=277655

Yeah, I probably won't ride Saturday; instructing at a driving school all day. Like to get out Sunday, but I'll see what the weather is like and how drained I am after Saturday.


Lemme know if you want to ride sunday. My inlaws are visiting and I GOTTA GET OUT!

Probably ride saturday again down in Columbia.

-D

Oh, and WHAT A BEAUTIFUL DAY. Of course I had a total crap day. Just for fun I mapped out my work route. Of course this was all in the car, mostly crappy traffic. Got stuck by 4 accidents and a train crossing on my way home.

Some days work just plain sucks.


http://www.routeslip.com/routes/25206

-D

Saturday HoCoCyclists have an all pace ride from Princeton Sport in Columbia...wish I could go. I'll let you know about Sunday.

Saturday HoCoCyclists have an all pace ride from Princeton Sport in Columbia...wish I could go. I'll let you know about Sunday.

Yea I think they do part of the Columbia triathlon route.

-D

Yea I think they do part of the Columbia triathlon route.

-D

That ride was posted on BBC Talk. It has 3 options that include a portion of the "Irongirl" route, the Columbia Triathlon route, and a modified version of the Columbia Triathlon route.

Here's the DC RAND (www.dcrand.org) "open" ride for Saturday:

----
"NORTH OF NEWVILLE," starting from The Gettysburg National
MilitaryPark Visitor Center, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. MEETING TIME 7:30 a.m.
This is a new ride that includes a lot of familiar territory but
explores some new stuff, too. We'll head north from Gettysburg into
the orchards of Adams County and then continue over Piney Mountain and Big
Flat Ridge (every DC Raneonneur's favorite "terrible two"). We'll go
into Shippensburg to refuel, then turn in a northeasterly direction
through gentle Amish farm country, gradually creeping closer and closer
to Blue Mountain and enjoying the mountain views, but then turning
south before the terrain becomes too menacing. After a nice lunch at Pino's
(surly service but good subs), we'll enjoy a few lazy miles along the
"enchanting" Big Spring Road before we ascend South Mountain again, via
PA233 over to Pine Grove Furnace. The delicious water available at the
spring on the way up provides a good excuse for a brief rest before
tackling the steeper sections of the climb. The last climb over Piney
Mountain is quite gentle and lushly forested (well, maybe not all that
lush in March). We'll meander a bit on our way to Bendersville, taking
in a dramatic descent down Big Hill (our pay-off for all the times
we've had to grunt UP that hill in the past). After our last rest stop in
Bendersville (assuming the store there is still in operation), we'll
enjoy some more great orchard scenery and a few more hills before the
final fairly flat miles back to Gettysburg. There will be a nice
cruise through the battlefield at the end of the ride. 100 miles, with some
shorter options, i.e., a 15-mile shortcut before lunch, a 3-1/2 mile
shortcut after lunch that omits a few hills, a 5-mile shortcut near the
end that omits the battlefield tour, and lastly a 54-mile ride that
turns on PA233 just before the climb over Big Flat, eliminating the two
biggest climbs of the day. Since it's a new ride I don't know the
elevation gain, but I'm conservatively estimating over 6,000 feet.

Directions to the ride start:
Gettysburg National Military Park Visitor Center, 97 Taneytown Road,
Gettysburg, PA - 717-334-1124
From DC Beltway go North on I-270 about 31 miles to Frederick.
Continue north on US15 for 31 miles, take the exit for Taneytown Rd / PA134, and
turn left onto PA134 North / Taneytown Rd. In about 3 miles, turn
left into the parking lot for the Gettysburg National Military Park Visitor
Center. The Visitor Center doesn't open until 8:00 a.m., so don't
expect restroom facilities. There's a McDonald's and other stuff less
than a mile away on Steinwehr Ave.

----
For more info, contact Crista Borras via the www.dcrand.org website.

Next year maybe. I am gonna get myself into shape so that next year I will be ready for those big rides early in the season.

-D

last nights commute home sucked! Wore shorts for the AM commute but paid dearly on the return, lots of rain. This AM wasn't much better. At least I was dressed for it. Charlie
PS Go Terps!

last nights commute home sucked! Wore shorts for the AM commute but paid dearly on the return, lots of rain. This AM wasn't much better. At least I was dressed for it. Charlie
PS Go Terps!

I got home before it started raining. :)

But, I didn't even try this morning due to the call for a "wintry mix" by afternoon rush hour. When I got up, it looked like the forecast had changed putting off the wintry stuff until late evening, but it was too late for me to hop on the bike and make it to work on time... so, I drove. :(

The DC RAND ride originally scheduled for this Saturday has had a change in venue due to the weather. Following is the information that I have:

SATURDAY, MARCH 17, 2007
"CANNON BALL CENTURY," starting from Hartwood Elementary School in
Hartwood, Virginia. ***MEETING TIME 8:00 a.m.*** Gentle terrain, goes
up to Remington.

Directions to ride start:
HARTWOOD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Go south on I-95 toward Fredericksburg. Take exit 133B, US17 North
towards Warrenton. Go north on US17 for 6 miles, then turn right on
705 Hartwood Rd (TL). Make a quick right turn onto 754 Shackleford Well
Rd., then immediately turn right into the school.

you made the right choice - the wintry mix started around 2ish.

This sucks! I'm supposed to pick up my new bike this weekend!! :(

you made the right choice - the wintry mix started around 2ish.

amen to that!!! sleet in the face at 25 mph really hurts. It wasn't as wet as this ams ride but much more painful

Guess it's Mountain bike day tomorrow.

-D

I may head to Virginia for the "easy" DC RAND century.