Northeast - Where are the MD people's

Cool.

I notice your route goes though a wooded area starting at Martin State Airport that goes from Eastern blvd to rt 40. Is there a trail of some kind in there?

That's where I'm guessing that MD-43 East runs. It doesn't show up on any of the Google maps yet.

Dang NoRacer you a tough dude! I ride through Rock State Park all the time but have never ridden up the hill to the King & Queen Seat.

Thanks galen. Believe me... I was reduced to a walking pace of 3 MPH on the steepest portions.

BTW, I used an iBike to measure the incline. One of the set-up parameters is to do a tilt test so that the iBike "knows" what is 0 percent grade in relation to how it's mounted on the handlebars. I'm pretty confident that the incline reading that I saw were correct (11-13 percent).

happy b-day, I rock climb there as well. Was the guy riding the bike named Steve?? I've climbed RSP w/ a BF member that also bikes up there. That ride to the PL is a steep one. Did you watch them climb? Climbing and biking are excellent sports to combine. One works the upper muscles the other the lower muscles.
Most of the relatives are gone(2 sons still home for the rest of the week) so back on the bike. Cold but felt good today. Back into the daily commute. As I grow old, routine feels right. Charlie

No, Charlie, I didn't want to distract them. So, I didn't even speak to them. But, one guy seemed puzzled at seeing a road cyclist up on the hill. :D

Looks like NoRacer is riding the shoulder of newly opened MD Rt 43.

Exactly!

There is a bike path on the south side of MD-43 East, but it doesn't go all of the way to Route 40/Pulaski Hwy, so I ride the shoulder instead.

Time to head to BWI for another easy excursion to Annapolis. Later!

Here is the route me and my buds take to do Rock State Park

http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/Rocks-Tour

Here is the route me and my buds take to do Rock State Park

http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/Rocks-Tour

Cool. Yeah, I thought about going up Madonna and coming in around from the other way, but I decided not to this time.

Cromwell Bridge? I hate the guard rails and traffic on that road. Too many motorists taking chances with more than just their lives.

Cromwell Bridge? I hate the guard rails and traffic on that road. Too many motorists taking chances with more than just their lives.
Since I live close to there I ride it on pretty much every ride that I start from home. It's really not that bad, except during peak traffic times.


I'm pretty confident that the incline reading that I saw were correct (11-13 percent).
I would have thought it was steeper than that. I haven't ridden it in years, but I thought Morgan Mill Road was somewhere around 12% and remember the climb at Rocks being quite a bit steeper. I guess I am wrong on one count or the other.

I imagine Morgan Mill must not be as steep as I thought. Anyone know what percent the steepest portion is?

BTW: I have enjoyed reading about your rides.

Rock State Park – Cool, It looks like I have a new place to try and get to that I haven’t been to before.

Cromwell Bridge – It’s sad that road used to be very bike friendly country road, I really hate it when we lose roads to traffic like that.

NoRacer excursion to Annapolis – I would not mind joining you.

NoRacer excursion to Annapolis – I would not mind joining you.

I'll keep you in mind, next time, Barry. Other things in life conspired against me and I didn't get on the trail until 2 o'clock. In other words, I drove to the Dorsey Rd airport observation parking lot and started from there.

The next time that I ride the entire distance, I'll "drop you a line" first, ok?

----
Well, this morning, I'm back at work. The time off went so fast. But, it was sort of comforting being back on my bike commute route this morning. Nothing new. Nothing seemed to have changed.

If y'all are looking for some steep stuff come to Catonsville. There's 25-30 mile route that goes up all the really steep stuff in the patapsco river valley. Illchester is the killer...18%, bring your granny gear.

Don' ride it westbound on a weekday morning or eastbound on a weekday afternoon. Other than that, it's fine...and fast going east due to the slight average descent.




Cromwell Bridge? I hate the guard rails and traffic on that road. Too many motorists taking chances with more than just their lives.

I am having lots of fun saving routes on the Bikely site. Here is a route out of Joe's (Mt. Washington) Bike Shop the club did last year.

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

Lots of climbing and Jolly Acres is gravel...way fun!

Lots of climbing and Jolly Acres is gravel...way fun!

Now -that's- a ride! I'll have to give it a go some time.

Here's one that I'm planning, but haven't done, yet, because I'd have to drive to it first, if I want to do it in a day--~5,500+ ft of climbing:

Catoctin-Mountain-Ride-Unattempted (http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/Cantoctin-Mountain-Ride-Unattempted)

If y'all are looking for some steep stuff come to Catonsville. There's 25-30 mile route that goes up all the really steep stuff in the patapsco river valley. Illchester is the killer...18%, bring your granny gear.


Yeah, that's a good one! Here's (http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/Ellicot-City-Hill-repeat) a red-faced hill-repeat session on that hill if anyone's interested.

Over the total elevation change, it averages out to something like 7%, but there is quite steep part on there. 18% is what the sign says! Nice place, low traffic, no one will see you pant.

I have done a similar ride both on a BBC tour and on my tandem. Passed a motorcycle going down Catoctin Hollow Rd. Boy, was he surprised.....



Now -that's- a ride! I'll have to give it a go some time.

Here's one that I'm planning, but haven't done, yet, because I'd have to drive to it first, if I want to do it in a day--~5,500+ ft of climbing:

Catoctin-Mountain-Ride-Unattempted (http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/Cantoctin-Mountain-Ride-Unattempted)

Part of your route was in a 3-stage race held in Ellicott City back in the early 90's put on by well -know area racer Ramon Benitez (sp). The time trial started in Ellicott City at College Ave. and Main Street then picked up your route and finished at the park on Landing Rd. Talk about a ball-buster....


Yeah, that's a good one! Here's (http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/Ellicot-City-Hill-repeat) a red-faced hill-repeat session on that hill if anyone's interested.

Over the total elevation change, it averages out to something like 7%, but there is quite steep part on there. 18% is what the sign says! Nice place, low traffic, no one will see you pant.

Yeah, that's a good one! Here's (http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/Ellicot-City-Hill-repeat) a red-faced hill-repeat session on that hill if anyone's interested.

Over the total elevation change, it averages out to something like 7%, but there is quite steep part on there. 18% is what the sign says! Nice place, low traffic, no one will see you pant.

That's the hill. No one will see you pant nor see you walk. I mapped out my ride
http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/12359
Might be a little confusing as you cross paths a few times. I usually start on the balto side of Patapsco river. I however set this up to start on the hoco side at Our lady of Perpetual Help(since we will need all the help in the world to complete this ride). Also I take the trolley trail towards Ellicott city from Edmonston ave. The biggest/steepest hills are: Illchester, Hilltop, College(towards Ellicott City), Westchester and Gun. Ride down Lawyers, Thistle, Oella Who's gonna ride a fixie on this bad boy:eek: Charlie

Just a note that I think I will be doing the BBC ride from Oregon Ridge Park on Sat starting at 10:30 – 40-45 miles. See http://www.baltobikeclub.org/index.pl/scheduled for more info. All are welcome to join me or the club.

PS. Charlie, that’s one killer of a route. And I thought I was good being able to tackle just one of those hills but all of them? :eek:

this thread is great. If the runs get to Annapolis or the if any of you want to join us in Easton for our 40-50 mile Sunday morning ride, just drop me a line. Usually 6-12 riders all various levels.

Hey Angelo...I hit that hill quite a bit. It does give you a break as you start to round the bend but it looks godawful as your staring at the hill from the bottom. I try to incorporate a bunch of routes in that area to form a loop to and from my home. The new foot bridge from the park (Gristmill trail) opens a world of great riding in the area. Like... Lawyers Hill Rd., Gun road, etc.

Galen, we were riding home from a party Dec 26 in that neighborhood and my husband was lamenting that time trial up Ilchester..... We then took another road (in the car) on our way to route 40 and that hill looked even steeper but not as long. i think he was riding for Cycle Libre at the time - pink jerseys.....
Heading to NCR with my 5 year old now - 70 degrees in JANUARY!!!

Well, I didn't see Human Car's post until now, but I saw Barry at the start of the BBC Oregon Ridge ride.

I rode from Essex to Oregon Ridge (~26 miles) and did the club ride (~44 miles), then I headed home after a short break back at Oregon Ridge. Being a glutton for punishment, on the way home, I hit the climb up Bosley Road just off of Warren Rd, and later, after going through Loch Raven, I popped out at Cromwell Bridge Rd (yes, Galen, I tried it again and it wasn't too bad, as you stated) and made the climb up Saytr Hill. Whoof! After that, my glycogen and glucose level hit rock bottom, so I stopped at the Checkers on Joppa Rd (next to Giant grocers) and had a meal (large Coca-Cola, bacon double-cheese burger & large curly fries). Once that I felt better, it was back on the bike and returning to Saytr Hill Rd; right on Old Harford; left on Putty Hill; bear right to Rossville Blvd, taking it all of the way back to Essex. Once in Essex, I did a few more miles just to get over 100!

All in all, it was a great day for a ride and a good day's riding.

Stats:

Mileage = 102.8 miles
Time = 6:27:27 (lots of wind today, that my story and I'm sticking with it)
Avg Speed = 15.9 MPH
Max Speed = 45.8 MPH
Elevation Gain = 8,524 Feet

Tomorrow, I'll probably drive to BWI and ride the trails to Annapolis and back as a "recovery" ride. We'll have to see what the weatherman has to say, first.

So, Barry, what happened to you? I didn't see you on the way back.

What a great day today! I think I got a bit of color from all that sun.

I road from Mt Washington to Oregon Ridge (16.1 miles) and did the club ride (45 miles, I messed up on a couple of turns.) I was barley hanging on to the lead pack (and NoRacer who was near the front) for the first 6 miles when I finally lost sight of them. To understand the next bit I should explain my set up; I have an Xtracycle with too much junk in the panniers mainly for those odd emergencies that come up while touring, which really slows me down on the up hills but ~50% of the time I can make this up on the down hill. Now if you are thinking why don’t I leave all that junk at home the reason is two fold; one, it makes it harder on me when I do go touring and two, I experience a weird phenomena similar to muscle atrophy that astronauts experience and after a couple of weeks of going lighter I am back to riding the pace I would be doing with the weight, so now I ride almost all the time with the weight and slowly I am getting a bit faster even with the weight especially when I try and chase people like NoRacer. Anyway back to the story, we had a large turn out of 24 riders and about 20 were in the lead pack and they were riding in a fairly tight formation of 2-3 abreast. So on the down hills when I would normally leap frog a group like this I would have had to cross the double yellow line and not have any room to merge back in case of on oncoming car, so I had to hit the brakes and stay in the rear. But after I lost sight of the group I should be back to normal, right? Wrong, the wind started to pick up and I was getting some serious cross wind buffeting which made it really hard to keep control of my bike over 30mph, so I essentially lost my gravity assisted down hill speed advantage on this ride. But I do think next time I ride with NoRacer when he is not doing a recovery ride, I’m dropping the weight.

(Aren’t you glad you asked? ;) )

My stats:
Mileage: 68.1 (met a friend in Timonium and got a lift back home.)
Average speed on the club ride 13.1mph and 12.2 over all (I like riding easy and looking at the scenery when riding solo.)
Total ascent: 4999ft

Tomorrow I think I’m doing the “Pancake ride” (with weight.)

the wind started to pick up and I was getting some serious cross wind buffeting which made it really hard to keep control of my bike over 30mph, so I essentially lost my gravity assisted down hill speed advantage on this ride. But I do think next time I ride with NoRacer when he is not doing a recovery ride, I’m dropping the weight.



Sheesh! Yeah, my bike was listing quite a bit when I hit some of the open farmland where there is no windbreak from trees.

Glad you made it ok, Barry.

Folks, Barry is one seriously strong dude to be riding the bike that he does--everywhere. It's got to weigh nearly 40 pounds! :eek:

For those who are interested, here's a map of the ride that I did yesterday:

http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/Long-Ride-20070106

I'm a little fuzzy about the second half of the ride after Shiloh Rd and I threw my cue sheet away at Checkers, because it was soaked with sweat after I stuck it under my jersey, so I'm going by memory.

It's interesting that Bikely reports the climbing as 4,439 feet and the baro on my bike stated almost twice that amount. Hmmm.

Dude,

You came within 4 miles of my house! Next time stop on by and I will at the very least treat you to a nice lunch or something :)


Seriously though. I wanna know where you guys are in your life that you have the time to get so much riding in. I am a little bit jealous.

Between work and family, it is tough to find a decent block of time in the week to ride.

Small world...the old 'pink puffy cloud' jersey. I remember it well. Luckily, I was racing for the Wheelmen at the time. I did ride for Cycle Libre in 1991 though and have the even older 'white with big chainring' jersey.

Cycle Libre has since morphed into the Kelly/LSV club of which I am currently a member.

http://temp15asp2.aquesthosting.com/lateralstressvelocom/Default.aspx



i think he was riding for Cycle Libre at the time - pink jerseys.....

I should have done the BBC ride yesterday or just stuck with my regular buds. Instead I did the club ride out of Mt. Washington that was a complete clusterfluck on so many levels.....

Had at least 30 riders, maybe 40

"leaderless" ride even though most agreed on the route beforehand, some folks did not know the route and took wrong turns at the front.

several riders along who had no idea where they were and did not have a 'buddy' on the ride

one guy had two flats. Pack could not decide to wait or keep going. Half waited, half went back to check on the guy. We ended up waiting 20 minutes and then left on our own.

got my arse handed to me on the windy flats along Wiseburg Rd. and Rt. 23 and again got dropped on Old York. But, that worked out for the best as there was a crash in the pack which taco'ed a wheel so bad the rider had to get driven home in a car (wait another 15 minutes).

Got dropped for the last time up Providence road out of Loch Raven.... I was so sore after the ride I could barely walk...!

Dude,

You came within 4 miles of my house! Next time stop on by and I will at the very least treat you to a nice lunch or something :)


Seriously though. I wanna know where you guys are in your life that you have the time to get so much riding in. I am a little bit jealous.

Between work and family, it is tough to find a decent block of time in the week to ride.

Well, I'm buying my house, but haven't done much with it for awhile; have a girlfriend who is sometimes NOT too understanding about my time on the bike, but can see the health benefits, especially compared to hers (she's a little on the "chunky" side and seems to be bothered [mentally] by everything she has no control over). She does stuff with the house, which is ok by me; have a decent job--just got my 20 year service pin; no kids (that I know of ;) ), except for the three cats (hers--she calls them her kids :rolleyes: --but, she's been hinting at having human kids :eek: ). I just turned 49 years old, so you can guess how I might feel about that.

Well, I'm buying my house, but haven't done much with it for awhile; have a girlfriend who is sometimes NOT too understanding about my time on the bike, but can see the health benefits, especially compared to hers (she's a little on the "chunky" side and seems to be bothered [mentally] by everything she has no control over). She does stuff with the house, which is ok by me; have a decent job--just got my 20 year service pin; no kids (that I know of ;) ), except for the three cats (hers--she calls them her kids :rolleyes: --but, she's been hinting at having human kids :eek: ). I just turned 49 years old, so you can guess how I might feel about that.

Well that makes me feel better. :D

Yea it's the kids that kill ya. Take today for example. Granted I am getting over a nasty cold anyhow. But my wife took our daughter (3) to a play date this afternoon. I stayed home with our son (8months) who has a cold and needed to nap. So I tried a bit of the rollers.

This spring though. He is gonna be my training ballast :D

-D

Saturday was a wonderful day around balto for riding. I did "some" of the hills in Catonsville(40 miles). I read your post about riding in huge packs of riders. 20 riders, 3 abreast sounds slightly dangerous to me. I am not chastising just observing. I don't know how y'all do it. I tend to ride alone most of the time....mostly due to scheduling conflicts. When I ride with others, I get to talking and not paying attention. Can cause a bit of trouble. I never ride in packs. I don't even know how? I am sure there are 'rules of the road' but am clueless. The idea of crashing because someone else FU bothers me. I see huge packs of riders and am always in awe.

Derath: I was there for many years and am only now coming out of the cloud. Enjoy them now as they will be gone. I just sent the oldest back to college this wknd and the middle off to camp Pendleton, CA. My youngest is headed to college next year. I took up mnt biking when my kids were born because it was the one sport that exhausted me quickly. I live next to patapsco st. pk. so I woke very early, rode like crazy for 2-3 hrs then came home and made them pancakes for the kids.

I never ride in packs. I don't even know how? I am sure there are 'rules of the road' but am clueless. The idea of crashing because someone else FU bothers me. I see huge packs of riders and am always in awe.

Riding in a pack is not hard, but you do have to stay attentive to your surroundings at all times, so that you don't cross wheels, brake too quickly when someone is right on your wheel, blow snot (or other bodily expulsions) in someone's face or be a "squirrel", just to name a few. On BBC rides, if we are two abreast and someone calls "car back", then [usually] the riders have enough common sense to move into single-file.

But, there's nothing like being in the draft of a rider(s) in front of you, or taking a pull at the front and then drifting back to the end of a paceline. You'll hold speeds that you'd never be able to hold on your own, whether in a paceline or a mini-peloton. It's great fun! (and less dangerous than drafting motor traffic, imho)

No matter what, you have to be aware of what's going on around you at all times.

This spring though. He is gonna be my training ballast :D

I am a firm believer in resistance training. :D Hauling kids was an early factor in doing what I do. The weees I got while riding around with the little ones really helped spur me on to faster speeds with them in tow. My street is slightly offset when crossing one road and one time while riding with the kids I sped up to make the light and I got some glorious weees as I made the quick left and then right and I looked back and the trailer was up on one wheel. :eek: Ok, maybe faster is not always a good thing.

One factor that has lead me to be doing what I do is that I am divorced and the X would drop off the kids almost every weekend so she could do the things she wanted to do solo. So I asserted my right to have every other weekend off. One thing lead to the other and it was just easer not to be available the whole weekend or at least for a whole day. Once you are out for the day or weekend on bike, gaining mileage is an inevitable result.

I was surprised to hear that NoRacer is near the same age as me (50.) But then again he would probably say the same about me if I was not sporting a grey beard.

Vitamin J: I would love to meet you some time at the Annapolis B&A parking lot and we could do the B&A trail or whatever. I have tried making a case that the State should lower the fee for bikes to cross the Bay Bridge since they saved a ton of money by not accommodating us on the bridge so its only fair that they spend some of that money they saved in ferrying us across (right now it seems that there is not enough traction to get this done.) Currently it’s cheaper to drive down to Easton then it is to bike :( and since I don’t have a car it means I don’t get there much, but I should be around there during CAM.

I was surprised to hear that NoRacer is near the same age as me (50.) But then again he would probably say the same about me if I was not sporting a grey beard.

I have good genes. My mother doesn't look her age.

Barry, does your bike have a long wheelbase and an oval wooden 'rack' that looks like a skateboard deck in the back? If so, I am sure I have seen you out on the road in Baltimore County!

Barry, does your bike have a long wheelbase and an oval wooden 'rack' that looks like a skateboard deck in the back? If so, I am sure I have seen you out on the road in Baltimore County!

galen, that's him.

I read your post about riding in huge packs of riders. 20 riders, 3 abreast sounds slightly dangerous to me. I am not chastising just observing.

I should mention that technically I have never seen three abreast but what I am referring to is an odd phenomenon when a solo rider gets sandwiched between two sets of riders riding two abreast as they sort of spread out to semi-interlace the solo rider, from the rear it looks like three abreast but in reality it’s 2-1-2. Since some people are reluctant to re-pair and lose their riding bud this situation is semi-permanent but more to the point that this situation prevents others from taking this space when passing.

Safe riding in packs or in pace lines is highly dependent of riders communicating (stopping, slowing, turning or hazard) with one another and too often this is not stressed enough. Another problem is if the leader fails to anticipate that the pace line will be following his path +/- 5 inches so if he passes too close to a roadside hazard and fails to communicate that hazard it could catch an unsuspecting cyclists off guard. I can usually tell in short order if a pack is safe or not and when everyone is watching out for those behind. When everything is done right riding in a pace line can be a real blast. I remember running across something on the net about safe pace line instructions but I did not save the link. BBC riders are generally pretty good but we do have our occasional mess up (but not when I’m around. ;) )

Anyway Charlie you are another person who I am looking forward to riding with one of these days.

It looks I have been spotted by Galen.

I should mention that technically I have never seen three abreast but what I am referring to is an odd phenomenon when a solo rider gets sandwiched between two sets of riders riding two abreast as they sort of spread out to semi-interlace the solo rider, from the rear it looks like three abreast but in reality it’s 2-1-2.

Like this (disregarding the ..) from above:

@ @
..@

Looks like this from the back:

@@@

I did that awhile on Cuba Rd with Billy G to my left front and Janet G to my right front. All three of us were discussing a running joke. Not too long after that is when I took the flyer off the front.

Temperatures for the coming weekend are predicted to be in the mid to upper 60s again for both days. Unfortunately, both days are also predicting "some showers", but its too far out for me to believe them, at least about the rain ;)

Hey Mike,

If the weather holds wanna get together for a ride? I haven't been on the bike for almost a month I think at this point so I promise I won't take you on any monster hills. well at least not on purpose (it is hilly around us).

How was that group ride last weekend?

-D

I started my riding life.....well actually my life in general in Baltimore County, Pikesville to be exact. I spent many a day as a teenager riding with the BBC. Anyone here ride with the BBC back in the early to mid 80's?

That group ride from Glenelg was great. About 50 people I'd estimate, with about 15 of those being female. It was a nice change from the struggling to get 3 people together for a ride up here. It was only the second time I'd been on the bike since mid-October so it was challenging for me, but I made it. There was probably a group riding that was on my level, but after I lost the lead group (about 2 miles into the ride...hahahaha) I waited for my father-in-law and rode the remainder with him at a slower pace than what I could have done. If nothing else comes up for Saturday and the weather holds, I wouldn't mind doing the same ride as last weekend if you are in for a trip to Glenelg.

Mike

That group ride from Glenelg was great. About 50 people I'd estimate, with about 15 of those being female. It was a nice change from the struggling to get 3 people together for a ride up here. It was only the second time I'd been on the bike since mid-October so it was challenging for me, but I made it. There was probably a group riding that was on my level, but after I lost the lead group (about 2 miles into the ride...hahahaha) I waited for my father-in-law and rode the remainder with him at a slower pace than what I could have done. If nothing else comes up for Saturday and the weather holds, I wouldn't mind doing the same ride as last weekend if you are in for a trip to Glenelg.

Mike

I'd be up for it. Do you know the route you took. That area is right around the Columbia Triathlon route (something I gotta keep getting ready for).

-D

This was yesterday's report and I sent it to the Baltimore Metropolitan Council as well ( http://www.baltometro.org/content/view/289/239/ ):



On my bike commute to work this morning, I encountered
ice in the following locations (please, be cautious):

- Bucks School House Rd (1/4 mile after Rose Haven Rd)
- Hiss Ave (about .1 miles from Avondale going toward
Harford Rd)
- Taylor Ave (in the area where there is always water
after a rain--between Bon Air Rd and Hillendale Rd)
- Putty Hill Rd (0.1 miles from Drumwood Rd heading to
LaSalle Rd)

- Rossville Blvd (that fire hydrant is still
leaking--apparently they didn't fix it or the fix was
half-@ssed)

You would think that after a rain and seeing that the
temps are to drop below freezing, that Baltimore would
have salted, but no. It's no longer an election year,
right? [rolleyes]



This morning wasn't as icy--just windy. These two spots were the only ones that were inconvenient:

- Bucks School House Rd (1/4 mile after Rose Haven Rd)
- Hiss Ave (about .1 miles from Avondale going toward
Harford Rd)

The Bucks School House Rd leak is also caused by a leaking fire hydrant. I'm sure the one on Rossville Blvd is still a big problem as well.

--
Isaias

Anyway Charlie you are another person who I am looking forward to riding with one of these days.


We should get together for ride. Charlie

This morning wasn't as icy--just windy. These two spots were the only ones that were inconvenient:

- Bucks School House Rd (1/4 mile after Rose Haven Rd)
- Hiss Ave (about .1 miles from Avondale going toward
Harford Rd)

The Bucks School House Rd leak is also caused by a leaking fire hydrant. I'm sure the one on Rossville Blvd is still a big problem as well.

--
Isaias


I always have a few spots that are icy. I've learned to avoid them at high speeds, especially when cars are nearby. When I call the local govs for help with road conditions I always ask the employees for their names. Seems to get their attention more. I also ask them when can I expect to see results. good luck with those areas. I think winter has finally arrived!! Charlie

If you are not familiar with Baltimore Metropolitan Council (BMC) 311 service for cyclists you have to check it out! (Though they don’t call it that.) It saves a lot of the hassle of getting names and the personal follow up. Government being what it still may not do an adequate job but the service BMC provides really does help getting a bit more attention focused on the needs of cyclists. Again the link is: http://www.baltometro.org/content/view/289/239/

FWIW This was part of my adventure in riding out to Columbia:

http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/N-Balto-Columbia

And another part:
http://www.baltimorespokes.org/article.php/20070110180544326
(Note any cyclists living in Howard County should read the above.)

FWIW This was part of my adventure in riding out to Columbia:

http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/N-Balto-Columbia

And another part:
http://www.baltimorespokes.org/article.php/20070110180544326
(Note any cyclists living in Howard County should read the above.)

Part of the problem with Columbia is that the roads are so convoluted. Unlike other places, you can't just make a hunch and go with it in Columbia-- that will just get you lost and probably dump you out on an inhospitable road. I really wish there were more options other than rt108 between 32 and 175.

However, I do like Centennial ln, it is a good way to get from frederick rd to columbia.

I once mapped out a crazy route from Baltimore to Rockville (http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/Rockville-Baltimore). I'll try it sometime when there is more daylight available. The main trick is to use Brighton Dam Road instead of 108. Amazingly, its not that much different from the straight-line distance. NB, the segment on windswept lane probably won't work, it appears that is a private road.

Grab a bike trail map of Columbia, there are a ton (almost 100 miles) of paved trails through the area. I ride them to work fairly often and they are well maintained (my exorbitant Howard County tax dollars at work). Great way to get from one end of town to another.

Agreed about not being able to just wing it in the area though if you aren't local, and even then it gets dicey. The whole 'planned community' idea goes so far as to drastically limit signage and it gets ugly.

Anyone looking for a barely out of shape riding buddy? I need to put some more miles on the bike this year, only put a little over 500 last year.