Northeast - Where are the MD people's

I too went tthrough the construction area at about 5:45. There was a rather attractive woman holding a big sign that said SLOW so when I passed I said "SLOW !?! are you making fun of me?" She just laughed and said "Of course not."

Funny how many of use ride the same area and I'm sure wave at each other all the time, but don't know who we are. Maybe we should all wear our screen names on our jersey's. Use electrical tape to make the letters, that should stand out.

Bill

...I guess you could make it bigger and possibly bright neon yellow so a numbskull like me won't miss it ;)
LOL I totally agree that putting bike route sign info on a green signs against a green background of trees is not exactly the best way to get attention to those signs.

One of the things I am looking into is trying to get bike specific signage on the pavement in addition to those signs, much like what you see for a big bike ride.

Way to go Barry on rebuilding those bikes. Folks here's a recapped of recent Balto happenings. Barry was one of the guys that rebuilt/tuned up the donated bikes, so the ride could go on.
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/baltimore_city/bal-md.ci.bicycles01aug01,0,4531518.story

Kudos also goes to the Department of Planning who loaned us Gary Letteron, to help with repair as well as Beth Wacks of Velocipede and lets not forget the Police department who helped get us the bikes in the first place. I only did two of the ten bikes so most of the credit goes to the other folks, I was too busy goofing off by giving camera men rides on the back of my bike. I hear channel 13's report (all while riding the loop) was real good.

I will also mention if anyone is interested on fixing up one of these beater bikes for use on the trail from the comfort of their own home PM me. The more bikes we have and the more often we can say they were all rented out the more attention to general bike issues we can generate in the city. And the more the city is into bikes the more the surrounding counties will be into bikes.

Also three of the ten beach cruiser bikes have been returned so far.

Funny how many of use ride the same area and I'm sure wave at each other all the time, but don't know who we are. Maybe we should all wear our screen names on our jersey's. Use electrical tape to make the letters, that should stand out.

Bill

I thought about doing that, but I was afraid that if I pi$$ed someone local off on here, I could become an "accident". :eek:

Well, if any of you see a guy in a red jersey on a blue bike sweating his ass off and going about 5 miles per hour up hill....that's probably me.

Well, if any of you see a guy in a red jersey on a blue bike sweating his ass off and going about 5 miles per hour up hill....that's probably me.

As not to be confused with the guy on the gray bike in the white jersey doing the same speed.


Bill

I’m easy to spot, a bike with big honking panniers (Xtracycle) and I am tall and skinny, that description should narrow it down to me or my son. If you’re interested here is a recent pic http://www.flickr.com/photos/doug_retzler/615343523/in/set-72157600470977852/

Plinkey: If you pass someone going up hill, it might be me. :D

Anyone ever do the informal Bike Doctor ride in Easton on Sunday mornings? Sounds like a fun 40'ish mile trip and it'd be even more fun to meet some forum folks in person.

Anyone ever do the informal Bike Doctor ride in Easton on Sunday mornings? Sounds like a fun 40'ish mile trip and it'd be even more fun to meet some forum folks in person.

I've not heard of that... got a link or something with info? I guess not if it's informal...

I've not heard of that... got a link or something with info? I guess not if it's informal...

I don't believe it's posted anywhere. The guys in the shop said they start a double paceline ride around 8 AM on Sunday mornings until it gets pretty cold, which hopefully means they'll be doing it for quite a few more months. One said they had between 5-10 riders and went anywhere from their shop to Easton, St. Michaels and Trappe, generally riding until 11 AM'ish and doing 20-50 miles depending on how many want to keep rolling. Even said they did it no drop-style. He also said they were looking for more folks so they could do bigger rides

I just started riding a few months ago and it still takes me around 1:40 to do 30 miles solo, so I'm trying to decide if I should give it a go and just play slow-guy-at-the-back-of-the-pack. It'd definitely be more fun if I could meet some BF folks at the same time, hence my original post. 8)

New record for me today, though, and I'm darn proud of it: 32 minutes to go 10 miles, including a rear tire tube change. Man, my tire went KA-POW like it's never done before. I really hate having to ride on shoulders. 8(

On saturday I did that patapsco to BWI loop I was asking about last week. At the end, my numbers were:

34.15 mi
2:31:35 time of riding
13.5 mph avg. speed.

However, my avg speed and total time would've been a little better had I been alone (also the total mileage would've been a little lower too). My brother in law went with me, and he was on his wife's walmart-esque mountain bike with knobby tires. Essentially I was either riding slower to talk, or I rode on ahead to the next major turn, and then went back to grab him, riding slower until the next major turn. In fact, after we were about half done with the loop (by the observation park on the south side of the loop) we took a little snack break and he said that I should just ride up ahead and wait for him where we joined the trail. I did that and then rode back to him. By the time I met him again I had back-tracked about two miles.

I think next weekend, time allowing, I'm going to do the same route, possibly adding the B&A trail to the mix... not sure my legs are ready for that yet. But, just in case I do, can somebody tell me where the B&A meets up with the BWI loop?

But, just in case I do, can somebody tell me where the B&A meets up with the BWI loop?

The link between the two trails is kind of odd. If you start out at the Dixon Observation Area, and ride down the hill, through that curvy, tree-covered section that puts you right under the landing planes, and then when you emerge from the trees, you go up a very short, very shallow hill and continue on down to the traffic light that lets your cross Dorsey Road. Well, instead of going straight toward the light, at the top of that short shallow hill, make a very sharp, steep right turn, which puts you onto the sidewalk. (I think there are actually some trail signs right there, but as I recall, they're not very clear.) Follow the sidewalk over an overpass, down to the bottom of the small hill, where there's a crosswalk over . . . I think it's Stewart Road, but I'm not sure. I think there's another trail sign. Cross the road, and then (and this is kind of weird) you go through this little cul-de-sac of people's houses, and then you'll be back on the macadam trail again. It gets very curvy and woody again, and you'll pass by some ball fields and a senior citizen's center, and you'll emerge to find yourself riding alongside Dorsey Road again, right by the Fifth Regiment Armory. Right before you get to B&A Boulevard, the trail turns right, and it becomes the B&A Trail at that point.

If you've never ridden the extreme north end of the B&A, there is another, even more squirrelly section just before Crain Highway where it can be easy to lose where the "trail" is if you don't know . . . I can't remember if there are trail signs or not.

gurana:

Sure..here you go.

Per you map when you get onto the BWI trail head counterclockwise towards Observation Park (I think that is what its colled the one off Dorsey Rd).

Pass through the park and about 1 mile past the park you come out onto Stewart Ave. You would make a left to stay on the BWI trail but make a right to go over RT97. There is a sign but I know how you are about spotting signs. At the bottom of the overpass make a left onto the connecting trail. This is easy to miss but again there is a sign and I think a painted cross walk.

Follow that trail through a park, keep to the right as to not go into the park.

You will come out on to a sidewalk. Cross over Central Ave and go about 3/4 block. The trail head is on your right right across from the end of the light rail tracks. The trail was made out the unused tracks.

If you not sure about the distance you may want to drive to Observation park (get there early it fills up fast). Or go the Marley Station Mall and park behind JC Penny you can get on the trail there.

After you feel comfortable with the distance you next goal will be to go to Annapolis.

Bill

Having just a little bit of local knowledge goes along way. I used to live in Glen Burnie. I avoid the small connector trail thru Sawmill Creek Park like the plaugue.

Heres a quicker over the road link between the two trails.

Once you make the r/t to go over the I-97 overpass as described above, stay off the sidewalk and just get on the road. At the bottom of the hill (just past the crosswalk), brake hard and turn right on Thelma Ave. Stay on Thelma to cross over Donaldson Ave and a short distance to cross Crain Highway too. Road is now Aquahart Rd. Stay on Aquahart all the way to the B&A trail @ the Bill Batemans Bistro. Theres a Brewsters Ice Cream stand in the parking lot. Doing this avoids the sketchiest parts of the B&A.

There is another shortcut thru Olde Glen Burnie, but try this one first.

. . .

Pass through the park and about 1 mile past the park you come out onto Stewart Ave. You would make a left to stay on the BWI trail but make a right to go over RT97. There is a sign but I know how you are about spotting signs. At the bottom of the overpass make a left onto the connecting trail. This is easy to miss but again there is a sign and I think a painted cross walk.

. . .

hey...

I'll have you know that when I did that route I did see the sign I previously missed... before I got out there on saturday, I assumed that the sign I missed was the one off of furnace ave. It turns out the one I missed was the one at the T intersection at the end of Race Rd, because as I was riding it on saturday, it all looked familiar. The sign at the end of Race Rd though WAS STRAIGHT AHEAD AND IN PLAIN SIGHT!!! I honestly don't know what I was on when I missed it that time in my car.

Many thanks though to you and everyone with the info. I'll map it out later this afternoon.

My ride to the BBC Corn Roast ride: http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/Balto-Westminster

Having just a little bit of local knowledge goes along way. I used to live in Glen Burnie. I avoid the small connector trail thru Sawmill Creek Park like the plaugue.


I never minded the Sawmill Creek part so much (especially if it were early enough in the day), but I've always disliked that whole section around Crain Highway and the courthouse, so I too would often just stay on Stewart Avenue and take some back roads to get back to the trail -- I don't think I ever went quite the way you mention, and I can't even remember the road names now, but I think I used to end up getting back on at . . . what is that, 5th Avenue or something? I think that's it, just a bit north of Aquahart.

I almost never go the way i mention since i know the way thru Olde Glen Burnie. I just mentioned it since its easier to follow. There are also traffic lights at Donaldson and Crain where they intersect with Thelma. It's a little safer, but not by much. As always, YMMV.

I dont like the crossing at the light at Post 40 road either. It takes forever to go green even when you push the crosswalk button. When i cut thru Olde G.B. I cut across the next intesection over to the south. Theres a stop sign there and that road parallels the trail and bounds the plot of land with the trail where they do the annual GB Carnival. Oh, they were starting to set up for it yesterday BTW. I pick up the trail there where the roads come together to from a Y.

To get there my way - after the going down the overpass, stay on Stewart all the way to the end and make a r/t on 4th Ave, than a quick 100' or so to a l/t on C Street (if you time it right with traffic, you never have to hit the brakes). Follow C street a couple blocks to a r/t on 1st Ave. Then take 1st Ave across Crain Highway like i mention above.

I take this same route backward if im heading toward BWI from the B&A. Which lately is almost never.

Yesterday i did a little more than a metric from my house in Crownsville to Patapsco to the BWI to the B&A thru and to Annapolis and back to Crownsville. I stopped for lunch at the halfway point at the Subway on Avation Blvd.

I needed that Subway Club right about then.

FYI: Patapsco to BWI Loop to B&A Trail (http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/united-states/md/ellicott-city/689984634)

I'm posting this so that others may have some sort of reference when looking at either the BWI Loop trail or the B&A trail. Certainly, it seems that I'm the only guy here that doesn't know the area that well. I did it on mapmyride.com because I thought it was more accurate than routeslip or bikely. However, I've come to learn that perhaps this is incorrect...

oh well... I guess if I always use mapmyride then I'll be able to guage a routes difficulty in a relative fashion... Although, looking at the elevation profile for this route, it says that the ascent is like 418ft. Maybe that's just the difference between the highest and lowest point of the ride, as opposed to the sum of all the ascents over the course of the route? I thought that it was giving me total climbing, like routeslip does.

Because I have no life, I did this same route on routeslip (http://www.routeslip.com/routes/57141)to see the elevation differences...

Few interesting notes on routslip:

First of all, the route I linked above is actually the second time I tried to make it (like I said, no life :rolleyes: ). The first time it was unable to save, probably because I had like 3000+ points on it. Why so many points? Well, it seems that routeslip determines total climbing by examining each pair of adjacent points. When you go from one point to another, it simply adds the positive elevation change to the total. In fact, if you were to click on two separate points, paying no attention to whether or not they were on a road, and looked at the elevation profile, it would be a straight line. This tells me that routeslip doesn't take any sample data between the points you plot... so if you want an accurate elevation profile, you need as many points, and as close together, as possible. For instance, if you map out a long straight road over rolling terrain, and the starting/ending points are at the same elevation, you won't tally any climbing for that portion of the ride.

Does any of that make a difference? It seems to. Like I said, the first time I tried to map this, I put in as many points as I could... I was zoomed in pretty much all the way, and I was putting the points very very close together. I wasn't able to save it (there is an entry for it under my routeslip profile, but the map won't actually load) but the totals it gives me are: 57.59 mi, 3247.9 ft climbing. The second time I did this route, I used as few points as possible. The totals it returns are: 57.49 mi, 2441.5 ft climbing. That's a difference of 806 ft.

Your elavation gain for that route seems a bit high. I'll have to check my rides on MotionBased.com, as I log them with my Garmin. It's a good route for my weekday rides though.

PM me if you are intereseted in helping or taking a bike home to work on. TIA

-=Barry=-

Fwd:


I am putting out a call to folks who might be interested in helping us "tune up" some of the bicycles we received from the Police Department this week as replacements for those that were stolen last week. Velocipede has agreed to host a work time so that we can use their tools. I am also suggesting that some of you might want to take a bike home with you and work on it on your own time. 30 bikes were stolen and right now we have about 14 working bikes. We had a line of folks last Wednesday evening waiting to ride.

Please let me know if anyone is interested either in meeting at Velocipede (on Lanvale near the Charles Theater) or taking a bike home. And, please send this out to anyone not on this list who might be interested.

Students can use this as community service hours.

Thanks
Anne

Anne Draddy
Baltimore City Recreation and Parks

If anyone is interested in the Illchester TT here's the link.

http://www.chesapeakewheelmen.org/HiwayToHeavenTT.pdf

I didn't ride for two weeks and I felt like a ton of bricks the other day when I went out. I rode two days in a row at a slow to moderate pace and then didn't ride at all yesterday. Today I went out after the rain passed and wound up doing 45 miles around the neighborhood. I felt much better today, and think I'll be fine up in Lancaster in two weeks.

Link to today's ride around Northern Anne Arundel County (http://maps.google.com/maps?q=http:%2F%2Ftrail.motionbased.com%2Ftrail%2Fkml%2Fepisode.kml%3FepisodePkValues%3D3603650&ie=UTF8&z=12&om=1)

... and think I'll be fine up in Lancaster in two weeks.


Who's going to the Covered Bridge ride in Lancaster? Is this the one you're referring to, Don?

If anyone is interested in the Illchester TT here's the link.

http://www.chesapeakewheelmen.org/HiwayToHeavenTT.pdf

You can register here:

http://www.bikereg.com/events/register.asp?eventid=5023

If you do not have a "permanent" USAC license, you'll have to purchase one for the day at an added cost beyond the entry fee of $10.

No Covered Bridge for me, but I'll be at the following:

Aug. 26: Blue Ridge Extreme - http://www.blueridgeextreme.com/
Sept. 1: Bay Country Century - http://www.teamsnowvalley.com/events/BCC/default.php
Sept. 8: Civil War Century - http://www.baltobikeclub.org/index.pl/cwc

Im out for the BRE now. My wife asked me to bail since that weekend is the first anniversery of her mothers death. She was going with me to Afton to support me, but she's worried about her father who's still struggling with it all. The reminds me, i'd better cancel my reservations at the Afton Inn.

I'll be working the BCC. I'll probably go back on Sunday and do it myself unsagged.

I'd love to do the Civil War Century but it's the day before the clubs recently added Church Creek TT.
I might come out and ride one of the shorter options that skip all the big hills. I really wanna do a good TT. Since my goal is a return to racing full time in 2008, a good result here will let me know if my training is on the right track.

All my training for the next two months will be TT. I wish to set a new PR at the Seagull this year.

Who's going to the Covered Bridge ride in Lancaster? Is this the one you're referring to, Don?
Yep, I'll be there 8/17 through 8/19. We are staying at the Hampton Inn both Friday and Saturday night. I have some of my Team in Training Friends hooking up there too. Seems like this is going to be a huge ride. I'm really looking forward to it. I wish it was 100 miles, but still it should be a great day. Anyone else here should check out the thread here on Northeast forum if you haven't already.

NoRacer, you changed your Avatar! It will take me a few days but I'll get accustomed to it.

NoRacer, you changed your Avatar! It will take me a few days but I'll get accustomed to it.

The new avatar is from the only race pic of me that I know of.

Hopefully, there will be more to choose from in the future.

Who's going to the Covered Bridge ride in Lancaster? Is this the one you're referring to, Don?

I'll be there. Probably only showing up for the Sunday ride and not the Sat. social ride. I don't think that my gf would appreciate it if I bailed on her on Sat night when she is driving from Erie to see me for the weekend...ha.

Who's going to the Covered Bridge ride in Lancaster? Is this the one you're referring to, Don?

i'm planning on doing the covered bridge ride. I'll know more certainly after I attempt a longer 57 mile ride this saturday.

BTW, where are some good places to stop and replenish water along the B&A trail and/or BWI loop? I'd prefer not to have to go into a store or anything... wouldn't know what to do with my bike, and the thought of waiting in line in my gear kinda freaks me out :p

There are two that I can think of on the B&A. The ranger station that is about 3 miles south of Marley Station Mall. There are also some outside vending machines across the street. They also have clean bathrooms. Then there is a water fountain at one of the intersections towards the end but I can't remember which one. Its easy to spot.

There is also a snow ball stand about half way in a parking lot right off the trail, they also sell water for $1 That too is easy to find because I'm sure there will be some cyclists there taking a break.

Bill

There are two that I can think of on the B&A. The ranger station that is about 3 miles south of Marley Station Mall. There are also some outside vending machines across the street. They also have clean bathrooms. Then there is a water fountain at one of the intersections towards the end but I can't remember which one. Its easy to spot.

There is also a snow ball stand about half way in a parking lot right off the trail, they also sell water for $1 That too is easy to find because I'm sure there will be some cyclists there taking a break.

Bill

Thanks bill. As always, you've been a great help :beer:

I'm looking to move to Maryland (this will probably jinx that opportunity), but you guys have Sno ball stands? I live in CT and we have nothing like that (damn Yankees).

Just for clarification - have any of you had a Snoball in New Orleans and if so, is it similar?

Sorry to go OT - but I may have to expand my job search if you've got SnoWizard snoballs.

;)

Hey guys,

Critique my ride please. I am dropping the kiddies at my folks saturday/night and picking them back up sunday. I am good on the ride home sat. But sunday I will be going a different way.

http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/63855

I am mostly interested in the section between 795 and the BWI trail. most of these roads I have never ridden so I don't know if I picked a decent route or a "Holy crap I hope I don't die" one.

-D

http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/63855

I am mostly interested in the section between 795 and the BWI trail. most of these roads I have never ridden so I don't know if I picked a decent route or a "Holy crap I hope I don't die" one.
I think the only "Holy crap I hope I don't die" bit is on Washington Blvd. I would turn on South St (Patapsco Park Entrance but staying to the right) Rolling Rd, Cedar Ave. Or if you are into some hill climbing fun you can avoid Washington Blvd all together by going up Levering Ave, River Rd, Gun Rd.

I'm looking to move to Maryland (this will probably jinx that opportunity), but you guys have Sno ball stands? I live in CT and we have nothing like that (damn Yankees).

Yeah, we have those stands all over the place. There's a place in Linthicum that used to have three of them within a few blocks of each other.

Me, personally, I like the Aquafina-flavored crushed ice treats.

I think the only "Holy crap I hope I don't die" bit is on Washington Blvd. I would turn on South St (Patapsco Park Entrance but staying to the right) Rolling Rd, Cedar Ave. Or if you are into some hill climbing fun you can avoid Washington Blvd all together by going up Levering Ave, River Rd, Gun Rd.

More like this?

http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/63855

Keep in mind I will be heading south in this scenario. I think your directions were talking in the northernly direction.

-D

That should do it. And I did have the direction mixed up.

That should do it. And I did have the direction mixed up.

Thanks,

Yea this is my ride home tomorrow

http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/Home-from-Parents

[edit: long post w/ pseudo ride report]

I did it! Patapsco valley to bwi loop to b&a trail and back (http://www.routeslip.com/routes/57141)(completing the bwi loop). My final numbers:

58.76 mi
15.6 mph avg
3h:45m:15s

This is my longest solo ride ever. I probably had no business attempting this, but having done so I feel a real sense of accomplishment. I also feel a lot better about doing the Lancaster Covered Bridges Metric Centruy this coming sunday.

All week long I had been planning on starting around 7ish and taking my time. My wife, however, decided to make a hair appt on that day so I needed to be back by 11:15 to take care of the kid. This was a pretty good motivator for me to keep my average speed up. If I had left at the original time I planned and rode 12 mph average, my calculations put me back pretty much exactly at 11:15. So I left about a half hour earlier and tried to push myself as much as I thought was possible to sustain.

A few notes, recollections about the ride:

- I'd done the first portion of this ride through patapsco state park a couple of times this season, and the portion leading up to the BWI loop one other time. I noticed that while there were some hills leading up to the loop, it did seem a lot flatter this time around. Also, I'm using the brakes less and less going down the Ilchester hill... got up to 47mph this time!

-To get to the B&A from the BWI loop I used FatguyRacer's first suggestion (stewart>old stage, becoming Thelma, becoming Aquahart to the trail) because it seemed the most direct and easy to understand. I will note that even though you essentially stay on the sidewalk if you are continuing on the loop, get onto the road if you are turning right at Stewart. I thought perhaps the sidewalk here was apart of the trail too, but I was apparently mistaken. There was a very indignant looking man along the sidewalk here walking two dogs giving me the evil eye as if to say "why the hell aren't you on the road?" He even did that shoulder-shrugh with palm facing upwards as I passed... I apologized when I got close. Though at the time I was thinking, "Screw you buddy. It was a mistake, but it's not like there isn't plenty of room." Now though, he was definitely right and I should have stopped and taken my bike off onto the road once I realised what I did was wrong.

- My first rest stop was the ranger station. I asked about water stops the other day, but once I got to the ranger station I realized that I had stopped there the one other time I did the B&A coming from the other direction. I hadn't gone through my water yet, so I just used the restroom and went on my way. Once I re-entered the trail, a guy in what looked like a BikeDoctor team kit passed. I caught up to him and asked if he minded if I grabbed his wheel for a little while. He said no problem. A little into it I realized that he was in his small ring and I was doing all I could to hang on in my big ring. It must've been his warm up. I was a little torn as to if I should offer to pull, figuring that I'd only slow him down if he was training. I offered anyways and he politely said it wasn't necessary (He didn't explicitly tell me not to, which was nice ;) ) We were cruising along at about 18 to 20mph. I hung on to his wheel for the next 5 or so miles (it may not have even been that long) and he quietly changed to his big ring and went on a head. I said thanks and bye. Before that though we had passed another fellow that was a little back from me. He caught me and we did a kind of clumsy turn taking. Eventually though he passed me one last time, something slowed me down to the point where he dropped me and I just let him go. It was nice to draft, but the pulling was starting to get to me and I needed to conserve my energy for the return trip home.

-At the end of the trail I had a little snack and chatted it up with some guy apparently from my same area, although I forget if he said he rode from Ellicott City or not. He was a nice guy that I would've enjoyed chatting with longer and perhaps even riding a little bit on the way back, except I had to get back for my wifes' hair appointment... damn her! In anycase, I figured I was about half way through, and at 8:30 I was well ahead of the pace I had set for myself.

-The rest of the ride along the two trails went along more or less without incident. Nowhere along the way did I run into another cyclist I could have drafted or talked to or anything, so it was a lot of meditative riding... always keeping an eye on my average speed and the time.

-One thing did happen, possibly, on Aquahart on the way back to the BWI loop... I was coming up on some kind of large orange vehicle on the side of the road in the right hand lane. Just ahead of it was a couple of guys in orange jump suits I guess picking up trash. Just before I got to them, however, I thought I heard one of them say "***!!!"... this kind of thing doesn't phase me, but I did note that he was picking up trash on a saturday, while I was having a great time riding my bike. Besides, I wasn't sure I did actually hear that, and if I did it could also have been from a passing car on my left. It wouldn't have been the first time it happened to me while out on the road.

-The last 10 miles or so were pretty horrible. Like I said, there had been some hills, but pretty much once I got to the BWI loop it was all flat riding. Once off the loop, things started to get hairy. The hill up Stony Run Rd to Ridge rd wasn't bad... Hanover, after you pass race road heading up towards montgomery rd really hurt after 50 miles or so of riding. I did note that my average speed up to this point, just before the train tracks on hanover, was about 17.7 mph

-Finally, not once did I use my granny gear in the entire trip!!! Having accomplished that, it gives me reason to second guess my thoughts on changing to a double. Previously, I always told myself that if I did convert to a double I would go compact... now that I've done this the prospect of simply ditching my safety net doesn't seem so far-fetched.

There are two that I can think of on the B&A. The ranger station that is about 3 miles south of Marley Station Mall. There are also some outside vending machines across the street. They also have clean bathrooms. Then there is a water fountain at one of the intersections towards the end but I can't remember which one. Its easy to spot.

There is also a snow ball stand about half way in a parking lot right off the trail, they also sell water for $1 That too is easy to find because I'm sure there will be some cyclists there taking a break.

Bill

A couple years ago a buddy and I would stop at the coffee shop off the trail @ the McKenzie Rd crossing on our Sunday morning rides.

Theres also another fountain on the trail just past the East-West Bypass overpass as you head toward the Earliegh Heights ranger station.

There is a 7-11 off the trail in Harundale and the Luckys at Jumpers Hole and Elvaton Rd is cyclist friendly and stocks Gatorade. Pretty cheap too at 1.65 for the quart bottle. They also make sammichs too! There is also a for use by B&A trail users PortaJohn on his parking lot. (unless they took it away)

[edit: long post w/ pseudo ride report]

I did it! Patapsco valley to bwi loop to b&a trail and back (http://www.routeslip.com/routes/57141)(completing the bwi loop). My final numbers:

58.76 mi
15.6 mph avg
3h:45m:15s

This is my longest solo ride ever. I probably had no business attempting this, but having done so I feel a real sense of accomplishment. I also feel a lot better about doing the Lancaster Covered Bridges Metric Centruy this coming sunday.


Good job, gurana!

See you in Lancaster Sunday. I'll be the one wearing a pink Team BBC jersey (probably).

BTW, where are some good places to stop and replenish water along the B&A trail and/or BWI loop? I'd prefer not to have to go into a store or anything... wouldn't know what to do with my bike, and the thought of waiting in line in my gear kinda freaks me out :p

There is also the fire station right there after you cross Crain Highway heading toward BWI. They are pretty nice about not minding if you refill your bottles.

I ride from EastWest Blvd with a group up to BWI, around clockwise, out Stony Run, Right on Ridge Rd, left on Hanover Rd, Right on Race Rd, Right on Furnace Ave, then Right up Ridge road back to Stony Run and continuing the BWI loop.

The bit up Ridge Rd adds a nice little climb if you are looking for a little extra.

Must have been the weekend of Lancaster prep. I probably just missed you Gurana. Since it was such a nice weekend I was determined to make up for an overall crappy riding year. My wife and I had a party saturday night so I took the kids to my parents for an overnight with the intention of biking home. I am not going to be too detailed 'cause I'm tired and need to get to sleep.

Anyhow, my ride home was great. I got started a bit later than I wanted, and there was more climbing than I expected, sorta. But the scenery was great.

Ride data here (http://trail.motionbased.com/trail/activity/3630574)

Items of note:

1. I didn't bring enough water. I refilled at a Highs, but still ran out of water about an hour before the end.
2. I cramped up really bad about 8 miles from home. I literally kinda just had to fall over. Both quads tightened up to the point I couldn't walk. I just had to sit on the side of the road for 5-10 minutes and work them out. I attribute this mostly to #1.
3. College Ave is STEEP. After turning off Illchester it was like hitting a wall. I am not embarrassed to say I DID use my granny gear. Heck my front wheel was coming off the ground as I pedaled.

I got home, cleaned up and went out with my wife for a nice evening.

Sunday morning, I had to work in the Nursery at Church (every volunteers from time to time). So I biked to church (http://trail.motionbased.com/trail/activity/3641384)

After that I continued on (http://trail.motionbased.com/trail/activity/3641383)to pick the kiddies back up. Towards the end my dad called. He had just dropped his bike off at the shop and was a few minutes from where I was so he picked me up. I could have finished the ride but I also missed my kids.

Overall it was a great bunch of riding. Final stats

103 miles
6900 feet of climbing.

BEST WEEKEND EVAR!

-D

Must have been the weekend of Lancaster prep. I probably just missed you Gurana. Since it was such a nice weekend I was determined to make up for an overall crappy riding year. My wife and I had a party saturday night so I took the kids to my parents for an overnight with the intention of biking home. I am not going to be too detailed 'cause I'm tired and need to get to sleep.

Anyhow, my ride home was great. I got started a bit later than I wanted, and there was more climbing than I expected, sorta. But the scenery was great.

Ride data here (http://trail.motionbased.com/trail/activity/3630574)

Items of note:

1. I didn't bring enough water. I refilled at a Highs, but still ran out of water about an hour before the end.
2. I cramped up really bad about 8 miles from home. I literally kinda just had to fall over. Both quads tightened up to the point I couldn't walk. I just had to sit on the side of the road for 5-10 minutes and work them out. I attribute this mostly to #1.
3. College Ave is STEEP. After turning off Illchester it was like hitting a wall. I am not embarrassed to say I DID use my granny gear. Heck my front wheel was coming off the ground as I pedaled.I got home, cleaned up and went out with my wife for a nice evening.

Sunday morning, I had to work in the Nursery at Church (every volunteers from time to time). So I biked to church (http://trail.motionbased.com/trail/activity/3641384)

After that I continued on (http://trail.motionbased.com/trail/activity/3641383)to pick the kiddies back up. Towards the end my dad called. He had just dropped his bike off at the shop and was a few minutes from where I was so he picked me up. I could have finished the ride but I also missed my kids.

Overall it was a great bunch of riding. Final stats

103 miles
6900 feet of climbing.

BEST WEEKEND EVAR!

-D

Hats off to you derath.

I live by Ilchester and ride around there a lot. I always see people going up and down Ilchester but I don't think I've ever seen anyone attempting to go up College Ave. I wonder what the stats are for that hill? I'm sure its steeper than 18%.

Bill

Overall it was a great bunch of riding. Final stats

103 miles
6900 feet of climbing.

BEST WEEKEND EVAR!

-D


Whoohoo! Good job, -D!

I'll have to check out College Ave one of these days.

I always see people going up and down Ilchester but I don't think I've ever seen anyone attempting to go up College Ave. I wonder what the stats are for that hill? I'm sure its steeper than 18%

It is steep. Also the worst part is I ran into a couple Kelly team riders right at that intersection so I missed the turn. I only figured it out halfway down the hill on Illchester.


Whoohoo! Good job, -D!

I'll have to check out College Ave one of these days.

You should. I mashed up in my granny gear and ended up walking the second half cause my heart exploded.

-D