Northeast - Where are the MD people's

So what is their pace like? I am working up to doing some of their training rides over the winter this year.

-D

The pace depends on who you feel comfortable riding with. A couple of weeks ago, during the Coxey Brown century ride, me and another gentleman by the name of Neil pushed the pace for most of the ride. The average speed was lower than usual due to the 8,869 ft of climbing.

Last weekend's century ride, I decided not to chase Neil and I stayed with the tandem/ride leaders most of the time. I don't have access to the ride information at this moment, but I think we averaged 15-17MPH (just guessing) w/about 7,700ft of climbing.

So what is their pace like? I am working up to doing some of their training rides over the winter this year.
If you are interested in doing something like this at a slower pace let me know. For 100+ mile rides I average 13-14mph on my own and should go up a notch with a little competition.

If you are interested in doing something like this at a slower pace let me know. For 100+ mile rides I average 13-14mph on my own and should go up a notch with a little competition.

Well part of this is that I am going to do some riding with a tri buddy of mine. He is training for the Lake Placid IM next year so he is getting into longer distances. But as a tri guy he is working on long distances in such a way so he will have the energy for a marathon afterwards. So he is not a speed demon. Much more your speed than NoRacers.

He actually just joined DCRAND to do some of their training rides. We have also talked about taking some "hookie" days during the week to get in some long rides over the fall/winter.

-D

I fee like finding the guy who is in charge of paving roads for Howard County and dragging him to Race Road. Grab him by the back of the neck and shove his face to the ground until his nose touched the road sruface and say: "See this is what a paved road is supposed to look like!....you cheap *******"


Bill

I don't know about that bill... I'd say if you're going to go that route, try doing it on a bad road first. Don't want the fellow associating that negative experience with a good road, you know?

never ridden this thing before. 6000 riders? really?
jeez. I can't even really comprehend that. what am i in for?

-Bob


BTW Barry, put me on your short list of 100+ ride buddies. I'd be interested in year round riding too. (I'm not fast, but I'm weather resilient)

Sorry. No subject line...
I am wondering about the Seagull Century this weekend BTW



never ridden this thing before. 6000 riders? really?
jeez. I can't even really comprehend that. what am i in for?

-Bob


BTW Barry, put me on your short list of 100+ ride buddies. I'd be interested in year round riding too. (I'm not fast, but I'm weather resilient)

never ridden this thing before. 6000 riders? really?
jeez. I can't even really comprehend that. what am i in for?

-Bob


BTW Barry, put me on your short list of 100+ ride buddies. I'd be interested in year round riding too. (I'm not fast, but I'm weather resilient)

If you can get a parking space in the same town (get there early) and don't end up in a big pile up before the first rest stop, you're home free. It can be a bit dicey for the first 20 miles then it begins to thin out. Many actually skip the first rest stop because its so crowded.

Bill
#479

Tour du Port is short on volunteers so they really can use your help:
http://www.onelesscar.org/support/volunteer_waiver.php

But if you really want to ride:
http://onelesscar.org/TDP/2007/index.php

Owings mills to the Inner Harbor area? Any ideas on some decent routes?

-D

Owings mills to the Inner Harbor area? Any ideas on some decent routes?
Does this help?
http://www.baltimorespokes.org/staticpages/index.php?page=20070815081612328
I still have tons of routes to add but some sense of a network is just starting to take shape.

If you need me to patch in the gaps, just let me know.

I ride: http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/Owings-Mills-to-Hampden almost daily.
Once in Hampden, I'd continue south on Falls Rd until it ends on Maryland.
Right on Maryland Ave and south to Conway. (just after the convention cntr) Make a left on Conway.
continue straight until you feel wet. then back up a few feet :p
Best.




Owings mills to the Inner Harbor area? Any ideas on some decent routes?

-D

I ride: http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/Owings-Mills-to-Hampden almost daily.
Once in Hampden, I'd continue south on Falls Rd until it ends on Maryland.
Right on Maryland Ave and south to Conway. (just after the convention cntr) Make a left on Conway.
continue straight until you feel wet. then back up a few feet :p
Best.

Perfect!

http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/Home-to-Inner-Harbor

Helmet cam? Pretty nice, though keep it in the posted speed limit please!

Edit - on second thought, I'd guess a handlebar cam.

Helmet cam? Pretty nice, though keep it in the posted speed limit please!

Actually, cell phone cam. I need a better way to do this though. Photobucket isn't the way.

Hey all, just saw this thread.

I am a md person.
Bel Air to be specific.

I ride out of beautiful Derwood, MD. I have a 2005 Fuji Roubaix Pro.

Hey Nick and RC--welcome.

For your viewing pleasure, video from last Sunday's century ride with the DC Randonnuers:

Clip 1 (http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v285/NoRacer/HornetsNest100/?action=view&current=d6c96254.flv)
Clip 2 (http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v285/NoRacer/HornetsNest100/?action=view&current=f1da0883.flv)
Clip 3 (http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v285/NoRacer/HornetsNest100/?action=view&current=b55d9018.flv)
Clip 4 (http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v285/NoRacer/HornetsNest100/?action=view&current=b2ad9fdf.flv)
Clip 5 (http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v285/NoRacer/HornetsNest100/?action=view&current=1b0f8098.flv)
Clip 6 (http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v285/NoRacer/HornetsNest100/?action=view&current=2e109d25.flv)
Clip 7 (http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v285/NoRacer/HornetsNest100/?action=view&current=b10b8088.flv)

I'm using the Oregon Scientific ATC 2000 Action Cam, w/2G of memory, for the video. It's self-contained (i.e., the recorder is built in) and it is waterproof down to 3 meters (like many wrist watches these days). It does OK, but if the sky is bright, it causes everything else to be very dark. Also, the sound sucks, probably due to the waterproofing. The way I have it mounted, the mic picks up my bike frame's vibrations, so I turn the sound off on the cam, or edit it out in post-production.

Most of this video came from the first half of the ride. It is missing a major climb on Frosttown Rd. Apparently, the files became corrupted somehow. The length of the clips is 5 minutes each, except Clip 7--it's shorter.

The second half, I tried to wear the vidcam on my helmet, but was disappointed to find that it was flopping around too much--over 30 minutes of useless video.

Enjoy.

Argh! My Bianchi one-speed is no more..
Locked it up for jury duty downtown at Fayette and St. Paul and when I came out for lunch she was gone.

If you hear/see any sign of an '07 Bianchi San Jose, please give a yell.
Some bike details: Set up as single speed freewheel with threading on the opposite side for fixed. Also may still have my beloved Nitto M-12 front rack bolted directly to the canti bosses. Pedals have clips and straps.

-Bob

Argh! My Bianchi one-speed is no more..
Locked it up for jury duty downtown at Fayette and St. Paul and when I came out for lunch she was gone.

If you hear/see any sign of an '07 Bianchi San Jose, please give a yell.
Some bike details: Set up as single speed freewheel with threading on the opposite side for fixed. Also may still have my beloved Nitto M-12 front rack bolted directly to the canti bosses. Pedals have clips and straps.

-Bob

Sorry to hear, Bob. Do you have a picture of it that you can post on here?

Man that hurts. I posted the info on Baltimore Spokes, a picture would help.

I don't have any decent pics of my '07 but here's the 06 from bianchi
thanks for keeping a look-out

Tues.- Sat. can be quickly reached at 410.356.2300

Man, do your civic duty and your bike gets stolen - that stinks! Good luck!

Argh! My Bianchi one-speed is no more..
Locked it up for jury duty downtown at Fayette and St. Paul and when I came out for lunch she was gone.

If you hear/see any sign of an '07 Bianchi San Jose, please give a yell.
Some bike details: Set up as single speed freewheel with threading on the opposite side for fixed. Also may still have my beloved Nitto M-12 front rack bolted directly to the canti bosses. Pedals have clips and straps.

-Bob

I was worried about that a few months back when I had to show up as a witness. Thankfully nothing happened (but it was my three speed, not cool enough to steal I guess). Now I know about the secret bike parking at the health dept (where I work) and don't worry.

Argh! My Bianchi one-speed is no more..
Locked it up for jury duty downtown at Fayette and St. Paul and when I came out for lunch she was gone.

If you hear/see any sign of an '07 Bianchi San Jose, please give a yell.
Some bike details: Set up as single speed freewheel with threading on the opposite side for fixed. Also may still have my beloved Nitto M-12 front rack bolted directly to the canti bosses. Pedals have clips and straps.

-Bob

I just received an email (http://www.bikeforums.net/showpost.php?p=5566645&postcount=1) concerning a stolen Bianchi found in Memphis. I doubt there is any connection but.....

For your viewing pleasure, some pix from the 107 miler this past Saturday - North Mountain Nirvana by the DC Randonneurs:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/8193389@N06/sets/72157602923730391/

I didn't take these, but I just had to share them up. The Fall colors stand out well.

Hey Barry,

You ride those shimano sandals year-round don't you?
What's your system as the weather gets colder? If you can, give me your 40 deg. , 30 deg and 20 degree systems. And then what's your set up for wet weather.

I'm thinking about going for the sandals, but I'm not really a sandal wearer. however, they do seem like a great option winter riding. If anyone else wants to chime in with winter footwear suggestions, please do.

-Bob
-Bob

For your viewing pleasure, some pix from the 107 miler this past Saturday - North Mountain Nirvana by the DC Randonneurs:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/8193389@N06/sets/72157602923730391/

I didn't take these, but I just had to share them up. The Fall colors stand out well.

Nice shots. So what camelback is that? Do you like it? Do you use it for extra water or just storage? I have several but they are all backpack size. That small one looks less obtrusive.

-D

For 40 deg. weather I use Smart Wool socks (1) and polyester microfiber socks (1). I really like polyester microfiber for cold weather as the density of the fabric does seem to shift from being very dense when it is cold and gets a tad breezy when you warm up. It also helps keep your feet dry in damp conditions.

For 30 deg. weather it will be two pairs of Smart Wool socks plus the polyester microfiber sock.

For 20 deg weather same as above but with a down booties (found at REI at a great price, but they have got caught on my front shifter a few times so my right foot currently has a duct tape patch but they still have held up for three seasons so I got my money out of them.)

I go totally high tech for rain. After an extensive research to find the lightest most compact water proof material I could find, I settled on plastic grocery bags. Not to mention you can generally get a free pair at just about any store with a minimal purchase in case you left your pair at home. These also work like a wind breaker so if your feet need a bit of warming up on a cold winter morning these work great.

I will note on some of my longer cold weather rides I will sometimes switch my inner and outer pair of smart wool socks so the dryer pair is against my skin and the damp pair gets a chance to dry out. (I do this ~ every 40 miles.)

I hope this helps.

Nice shots. So what camelback is that? Do you like it? Do you use it for extra water or just storage? I have several but they are all backpack size. That small one looks less obtrusive.

-D

-D, the CamelBak is a FLASHFLO. I used to use it while running and decided to try it for a ride. It's really good for extra storage after taking out the bladder. My problem with it, on that ride, was it seemed to restrict my breathing. During the most extreme climb on that ride, I had to stop because I couldn't get enough air. I'm sure between the FLASHFLO and my HRM chest strap that I was restriced and that caused the problem. I had neither on the following Sunday when we did 7500ft of climbing and had no issues with breathing.

A while back I reported how my front wheel got stuck in a crack on the trail between BWI and B&A Trail. Well Mr. Klutz has done it again and get his front wheel stuck in a crack in the road here:
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&time=&date=&ttype=&q=39.4617,-76.6431&ie=UTF8&ll=39.4617,-76.6431&spn=0.002249,0.004989&t=h&z=18&om=1

Basically the roadway has separated from the rubber mats that line the tracks so after I crossed the tracks at a 90 deg angle and did my swoop along the curb this crack garbed my tire and I came to a complete stop (I was going slow.) The significant results are a palm sized bruise on my thigh and a bent front wheel. So the current score of road vs. trail for tire catching cracks is now tied 1:1.

Other news on the home front, my knee is doing a lot better. The only metric on my GPS that I can use to measure my progress is the average rate of assent. Before I hurt my knee I was doing 36-38 feet/minute. Taking it easy I was doing 25 feet/minute and recently I was doing about 32 feet/minute. On the day of the accident I was doing 35 feet/minute but now the bruise is interfering a bit so I am back to 32 feet/minute. And if you are interested my YTD mileage is 6245.

On the Advocacy front it looks like we might have bike racks on all the MTA buses by next year and we may have a Baltimore City Bike map. Details are still being worked out but things look promising.

A while back I reported how my front wheel got stuck in a crack on the trail between BWI and B&A Trail. Well Mr. Klutz has done it again and get his front wheel stuck in a crack in the road here:
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&time=&date=&ttype=&q=39.4617,-76.6431&ie=UTF8&ll=39.4617,-76.6431&spn=0.002249,0.004989&t=h&z=18&om=1

Basically the roadway has separated from the rubber mats that line the tracks so after I crossed the tracks at a 90 deg angle and did my swoop along the curb this crack garbed my tire and I came to a complete stop (I was going slow.) The significant results are a palm sized bruise on my thigh and a bent front wheel. So the current score of road vs. trail for tire catching cracks is now tied 1:1.

Other news on the home front, my knee is doing a lot better. The only metric on my GPS that I can use to measure my progress is the average rate of assent. Before I hurt my knee I was doing 36-38 feet/minute. Taking it easy I was doing 25 feet/minute and recently I was doing about 32 feet/minute. On the day of the accident I was doing 35 feet/minute but now the bruise is interfering a bit so I am back to 32 feet/minute. And if you are interested my YTD mileage is 6245.

On the Advocacy front it looks like we might have bike racks on all the MTA buses by next year and we may have a Baltimore City Bike map. Details are still being worked out but things look promising.


<shaking head> Barry, crack kills. </shaking head> ;)

The curse of Route 40 continues to haunt me. Today, on a 60 miler out and back to Havre de Grace, I picked up a tack in the front tire. :mad: There goes another perfectly good Tufo tire. Prior to this incident, I've ridden hundreds of miles without an incident.

As you can see, I'm nearing 10,000 miles for the year. The back-to-back century rides on Saturday & Sunday with the DC Randonneurs has helped boost my mileage.

Speaking of rides with the DC RAND folks, here's some video and pix of last Saturday's century:

NoRacer Video - http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v285/NoRacer/DCRAND20071117/
Wabeck Pix - http://www.flickr.com/photos/wabeck/sets/72157603218529602/

And, here is Sunday's century pix:

Wabeck Pix - http://www.flickr.com/photos/wabeck/sets/72157603232100601/
NoRacer Pix - http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v285/NoRacer/DCRAND20071118/

Barry, hope you feel 100% soon. Take care.

Back to back centuries. I am truly jealous. Looks like some nice rides too.

-D

You are right I do have to quit my crack habit. ;)

Well the sort of good news about this is Joe’s did not have my wheel in stock so I decided to go up a notch in quality with my front wheel. So I’ve got a real nice wheel with bladed spokes, yah it kind’a looks funny on my truck bike but so far I like it.

Man major bummer with your Route 40 curse and the Tufo. If you want that route swept email Stephanie Yanovitz syanovitz@sha.state.md.us and cc me. Also if there are conditions that exist along the route that should require routine sweeping let her know that as well. Currently I am pushing the state to include routine sweeping (where appropriate) into its policies. (SHA currently does no routine sweeping even in counties where the county roads are routinely swept.)

Right now I am avoiding the extra hilly rides but I have been doing some longer rides on my own. I went out on a ride to Harpers Ferry recently and that was very nice.

Well, I hope everyone here had a great Turkey Day Ride. During a BBC ride yesterday, I "enjoyed" destroying a perfectly great pair of bib shorts using the road:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v285/NoRacer/BBC20071122/1122071026.jpg

Here's a link to the slideshow of all pix taken by me for yesterday's ride:

http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v285/NoRacer/BBC20071122/?action=view&slideshow=true

Well, I hope everyone here had a great Turkey Day Ride. During a BBC ride yesterday, I "enjoyed" destroying a perfectly great pair of bib shorts using the road:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v285/NoRacer/BBC20071122/1122071026.jpg

Here's a link to the slideshow of all pix taken by me for yesterday's ride:

http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v285/NoRacer/BBC20071122/?action=view&slideshow=true

Ouch,

no details? I assume the bike is ok too?

I didn't get many miles in, but it was a great ride. Put Little Bennett on the back of the bike and rode around a bit. Going up 5-10% grades on the Mtn bike with Knobbies and an extra 30lbs is a good workout.

Imagine this cutie riding in the back saying hi to everyone we pass

http://www.holoski.com/gallery/d/2147-1/20070901_2117.JPG

Man - my heart sunk when I saw that picture. The hell with the bibs, did the TCR make it through unharmed? I have the same year/model, seeing it anywhere near carnage makes my heart skip a beat.:eek:

The TCR has seen better days:

- Frame is fine
- Missing chrome plastic cover on the left shifter
- Right shifter is rotated inward a little
- Right handlebar tape is sliced open about 2 inches long
- RD has seen too many crashes--shifting like crap

Also, I just tried to adjust the FD--it was riding too low--and I over-torqued the bolt stripping it.

So, I just got back from the LBS with new bar tape, shifter cables, Ultegra FD, and DuraAce RD. I just finished eating lunch, so it's time to get the bike back in order--perhaps for tomorrow's DC RAND ride.

EDIT--how I did it? ...descending at about 20 MPH and hit the wet wooden deck of a bridge.

Noracer,

I imagine you are thinking the same thing I have (since i busted my fork last month).

I need a second bike.

Now if only I could afford to buy one...

-D

Noracer,

I imagine you are thinking the same thing I have (since i busted my fork last month).

I need a second bike.

Now if only I could afford to buy one...

-D

Nah. No second bike here. All funding goes to keeping the "go fast" bike fast whether it be for commuting or racing.

Nah. No second bike here. All funding goes to keeping the "go fast" bike fast whether it be for commuting or racing.

Well yea, it probably feeds into the same issue between the two of us. I wish I could do a century every weekend, but family obligations etc make that difficult. At the same time when my fork broke, between ordering time and finding time to install, my bike was out of commission for almost 2 weeks.

I am seriously considering at some point picking up a BD Fantom Cross. In the winter a cross bike might be kinda fun. Probably not until next year. Of course next year I will have more time to ride anyhow.

Still sucks about the bike and your leg. I thought about you this afternoon as I was riding. At the bottom of one hill there is a wooden bridge. But it was dry so no worries.

-D

@ NoRacer: We need to work out a better arrangement; You inspire me to ride further and faster and I’ll inspire you to have less accidents. Otay? Seriously, heal fast and well.

@ Derath: That is a real cute resistance training device you got there. ;)

I am seriously considering at some point picking up a BD Fantom Cross. In the winter a cross bike might be kinda fun. Probably not until next year. Of course next year I will have more time to ride anyhow.

Still sucks about the bike and your leg. I thought about you this afternoon as I was riding. At the bottom of one hill there is a wooden bridge. But it was dry so no worries.

-D

I've always felt the same about a cross bike, because you can use fatter tires and probably could fit fenders if needed. It seems like a better configuration for year-round commuting.

My bike is doing very well, now that it has new derailluers, but I've given up on the iBike for awhile. The speed sensor cable split and is non functional. I don't feel like futzing with it, so I uninstalled it and went back to my Cateye Double-Wireless w/cadence computer. It's sort of nice not worrying about tire pressures, tilt, and wind offset before each ride. I do have the wireless stuff coming, but I called John Hamann today to find out when it'll be shipped. He said Velocomp is waiting on parts. so it could be a couple more weeks. I ordered the wireless mount on the 15th of this month.

My road rash is doing ok--starting to itch as it heals. I still have to watch what I wear. The pressure of some clothing, especially on my hip's road rash, can become very uncomfortable. So, I wear pants that are a little bigger than what I usually wear.

Btw, thanks for thinking of me and glad to hear that your bridge crossing was uneventful.

@ NoRacer: We need to work out a better arrangement; You inspire me to ride further and faster and I’ll inspire you to have less accidents. Otay? Seriously, heal fast and well.


+1, healing is going well and since I've had a couple other "road rash" occurances previously, I'm well stocked with bandages, guaze, waterproof tape, Neosporin, and Mercuroclear antiseptic/analgesic.

If anyone is interested in a mountain century ride this Saturday, the DC Randonneurs are putting on the following:

http://www.dcrand.org/cgi-bin/weekends/ride.cgi?RIDE=20071201

The ride description infers that the right gearing be used. DON'T come out with 53/39 & 11x23 unless you're King Kong on a bike. The minimum is likely to be 53/39 & 12x27. **Forewarned**

Also, read the sidebar found on the same page if you plan to come out.

If anyone is interested in a mountain century ride this Saturday, the DC Randonneurs are putting on the following:

http://www.dcrand.org/cgi-bin/weekends/ride.cgi?RIDE=20071201

The ride description infers that the right gearing be used. DON'T come out with 53/39 & 11x23 unless you're King Kong on a bike. The minimum is likely to be 53/39 & 12x27. **Forewarned**

Also, read the sidebar found on the same page if you plan to come out.



SATURDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2007

If you're interested in something slightly shorter, Chuck and I will be leading "The Stepmother of All Rides," starting from Monocacy Middle School in Frederick, Maryland. MEETING TIME 7:30 a.m. This is a beautiful, mountainous ride. The ride starts out fairly innocently, noodling north to Emmitsburg and on to Fairfield, Pa. The first climb up Cold Springs Road to South Mountain PA is the longest and most challenging of the day, with many steep pitches and a few false summits. After a fast and swoopy descent to Mont Alto, we'll have lunch at Arturo's Pizzeria in Quincy and then wander around the bucolic Cumberland Valley for a few miles before the next big climb up to Cascade via Old Rt. 16 and Buena Vista. Then we'll head south a bit and ride the length of Park Central "the easy way," followed by Catoctin Hollow, eventually descending along Hunting Creek. There is one more "little molehill" (whose name shall not be mentioned) near the end of the ride. 100 miles, with a few little optional shortcuts. The shortest cued option is 89 miles, and it does not include lunch at Arturo's. Estimated total elevation gain 7000 feet.


Some pix and one of the videos (a portion of the climb up Cold Springs Rd) from this ride:

http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v285/NoRacer/DCRAND20071201/?action=view&slideshow=true

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v285/NoRacer/DCRAND20071201/th_d75177ab.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v285/NoRacer/DCRAND20071201/?action=view&current=d75177ab.flv)

Mmm... nice pics as usual NoRacer. So, you rode up and the others took the helicopter?

I didn't get any riding in this weekend on my new toy- a Trek 1600 (on super sale at Joe's) :)
I am thinking about a 50-60 miler tomorrow. (monday, my day off). Maybe Annapolis. (never been)
Anyone interested in joining me? PM me a phone # if you wanna hook up.

-Bob

Heck I really shouldn't but my ride today got rained out. You have PM.

Mmm... nice pics as usual NoRacer. So, you rode up and the others took the helicopter?

I didn't get any riding in this weekend on my new toy- a Trek 1600 (on super sale at Joe's) :)
I am thinking about a 50-60 miler tomorrow. (monday, my day off). Maybe Annapolis. (never been)
Anyone interested in joining me? PM me a phone # if you wanna hook up.

-Bob

Thanks, Bob, about the pics. I have more video to upload today (Monday).

I made the trip to Annapolis via the B&A Trail, yesterday (Sunday)... in the rain from the Dixon Observation Parking Lot. I waited a little too late in the day. It was scary-dark out on my return trip. It's a good thing I still had my bike dressed up in it's commuter garb and that I had just recharged all batteries just in case.

Here's the full complement of pix and videos from the DC RAND's "Stepmother of All Rides" century held Saturday, 12/1/2007:

http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v285/NoRacer/DCRAND20071201/