Northeast - Where are the MD people's

Maybe I should just start doing 3-4 10-15min sessions in a day rather than trying to do one longer session.



-D

That's the secret.

If you are only putting in base miles at a sub-FTP or LT pace, then split the workbouts up into smaller chunks and take short breaks (no more than a minute rest) between the workbouts.

Getting used to the rollers, I started with 15 minute workbouts with > than a minute rest between. But once I became more comfortable, I needed only a minute to 30 seconds to just towel off or drink something. Now, I'm doing 20 minutes with 1 minute to 30 seconds between plus throwing in some high speed seated sprints at the end and fast spinning w/low force throughout the session.

Also, you can work on your neuromuscular coordination by learning to smooth out your spin where you can do it with no hands.

That's the secret.

If you are only putting in base miles at a sub-FTP or LT pace, then split the workbouts up into smaller chunks and take short breaks (no more than a minute rest) between the workbouts.

Getting used to the rollers, I started with 15 minute workbouts with > than a minute rest between. But once I became more comfortable, I needed only a minute to 30 seconds to just towel off or drink something. Now, I'm doing 20 minutes with 1 minute to 30 seconds between plus throwing in some high speed seated sprints at the end and fast spinning w/low force throughout the session.

Also, you can work on your neuromuscular coordination by learning to smooth out your spin where you can do it with no hands.

Yea, I just need more practice. The basic problem is I don't feel I can spin under a certain amount without feeling wobbly. So I am hammering pretty hard the whole time.

Part of the problem too, is a buddy talked me into doing a triathlon this spring, so I bought some aerobars, which I have found I really don't use much. But having them on means I lose the tops of my handlebars. I think being able to hold the tops would make the rollers a bit easier to get used to. Maybe I will rip those things off this afternoon and put em up on ebay or something.

-D

I couldn't hold the tops comfortably at first. I started on the hoods.

Anyone up for a saturday morning ride? My wife will be out of town this weekend, and it is my birthday weekend. So I am gonna head down to my parents (they live in Cape St. Claire, near annapolis) friday night with the kids. That way I can get out on the bike nice and early for a decent ride. Have to be back by 2pm for my b'day dinner.

-D

so are you looking to ride in Annapolis then?

so are you looking to ride in Annapolis then?

This weekend? Dunno exactly. I could head west from my parents house towards annapolis. Or head north towards baltimore/BWI area.

Can't ride over the bay bridge so east is pretty much out.

I have a buddy north near BWI. I need to see if he is interested.

Usually I ride with my dad, who pretty much likes the B&A trail. Personally I find the trail a bit boring. Plus I dunno if it would be plowed. And if it never got plowed, there are areas shady enough that it still could have snow this weekend I suppose.

Honestly I haven't thought that far ahead yet in that much detail. I'm kinda hoping someone in that area wants to ride and already knows a good route :D

-D

This weekend? Dunno exactly. I could head west from my parents house towards annapolis. Or head north towards baltimore/BWI area.

Can't ride over the bay bridge so east is pretty much out.

I have a buddy north near BWI. I need to see if he is interested.

Usually I ride with my dad, who pretty much likes the B&A trail. Personally I find the trail a bit boring. Plus I dunno if it would be plowed. And if it never got plowed, there are areas shady enough that it still could have snow this weekend I suppose.

Honestly I haven't thought that far ahead yet in that much detail. I'm kinda hoping someone in that area wants to ride and already knows a good route :D

-D

You could always go south into St. Mary's. I attempted this once, but got lost--it was ill planned. I need to spend some time in Google Maps before I try it again.

I'm up for another epic journey--quantified as a Training Stress Score (TSS) of 400 or better by Coggan. As a reference, the 145 miler I did not too long back, had a TSS of 800+. I'm not looking for another one of those (yet), but something in the 500 range would be ok.

I'll get back with you, -D, on this. I definitely will ride with you Saturday, but it's just a matter of do I want to bike to Annapolis from Essex and meet you, drive to BWI and start from there and meet you, or just drive to a meeting place in Annapolis and ride from there.

Anyone up for a saturday morning ride? My wife will be out of town this weekend, and it is my birthday weekend. So I am gonna head down to my parents (they live in Cape St. Claire, near annapolis) friday night with the kids. That way I can get out on the bike nice and early for a decent ride. Have to be back by 2pm for my b'day dinner.

-D

I'm riding with my TNT group this weekend out of the Davidsonville P&R. I'm not sure where we are headed though. This will be my first ride with this group outdoors. Should be fun.

-D,

Since it's your birthday, I'll forgo the "epic" journey thing. I'll just look forward to meeting you somewhere and riding out from there. Maybe we can just roam around Annapolis proper and then wind our way to Bay Ridge Rd following that to the Highland Beach peninsula area

or

we could try to meet up with Don's group.

It's up to you.

So, besides me and -D, where's everyone else and have you been riding?

crazy busy at work. I broke my string of 4 weeks of bike commuting last Thursday so I could pick up my van! The last couple of days commuting have been sketchy because of no shoulder, regular car traffic and black ice. My van is home from the shop but is on the trading block. Needs too much work for 140,000 mile vehicle. I am slowing becoming Barry...the human car. I ain't that tough. It feels rather balmy this week. Could winter be over?

It feels rather balmy this week. Could winter be over?

Not likely, but I hope so, too.

I've been commuting to work on the bike, again, since yesterday. It was a little sketchy, yesterday morning. I gave myself a little more time and took it slow in the areas that I reconn'ed for black ice Monday in my motor vehicle. Nevertheless, my time was faster than some of the most recent commutes to work.

Yesterday afternoon's ride back home was wet, salty, and muddy, but it was one of my fastest trips home since the latest cold snap. I averaged just under 18 MPH on wet, grimey, muddy roads that are still lined with aged snow.

This morning, I was a little more reckless, because I knew it was relatively warm over night. My time was about the same as yesterday, but I felt some latent fatigue from yesterday's activity.

I think I'm seeing some benefit from my time on the rollers. I need to continue doing roller rides even if the weather gets better.

You could always go south into St. Mary's. I attempted this once, but got lost--it was ill planned. I need to spend some time in Google Maps before I try it again.

I'm up for another epic journey--quantified as a Training Stress Score (TSS) of 400 or better by Coggan. As a reference, the 145 miler I did not too long back, had a TSS of 800+. I'm not looking for another one of those (yet), but something in the 500 range would be ok.

I'll get back with you, -D, on this. I definitely will ride with you Saturday, but it's just a matter of do I want to bike to Annapolis from Essex and meet you, drive to BWI and start from there and meet you, or just drive to a meeting place in Annapolis and ride from there.

Stop in at the Md welcome center and ask. They have bicycle orented road maps.

Joe

So, besides me and -D, where's everyone else and have you been riding?
I have been trepidatious about leaving the city since the snow fall so I have been doing mostly short 10-20 mile rides around the city. Any way this is where I have been since my last post here:
37562

Stop in at the Md welcome center and ask. They have bicycle orented road maps.

Joe

Thanks for the info.

I've already acquired a Maryland State Bicycle map from the State Hiway Administration which states which roads and bridges that are fully or partially prohibited. So, usually I just go to www.bikely.com or some other Google Maps derivative to map a route if I don't already have one.

Well we are having a baby shower this Saturday so I don't think going to Annapolis beforehand is going to happen for me.

Hey guys. I have been busy down here at a client in Tysons Corner today. Working like crazy so I can get back on the road before the afternoon rush. I will get back to you later tonight.

-D

I am slowing becoming Barry...the human car. I ain't that tough.

:roflmao: Exactly, once you survive not having a car for a short time you really start to question whether it is really worth keeping/replacing the thing or just use taxies and car rentals for the few times you really need a car, that’s what I did for my first car free year and it worked out fine. And as you said it's not that tough.

FWIW The state should have a new bike map out in March and I had a look at it during the bike symposium and it is a lot better then the old one. They even have BikeWashington.org’s Balto-Washington bike route marked (though I wished they would have done some more invasion routes not just for DC but other areas as well but that’s the price we pay for the state not wanting me on that committee.) But as I said it is better so that's not a bad thing.

^^^^^^ Barry, do you know when the new map will be available? Mine is in very bad repair.

^^^ I’ll at least post something on Baltimore Spokes when it is available and possibly on BF as well. I hear it will be available in March sometime (it was supposed to be available at the bike symposium but the time table slipped.) I assume if you email bikes@sha.state.md.us they will send you one when it comes off the press.

Montgomery County here... soon to be Howard County come April (First House!). BTW, I haven't read the entire thread to see if this has already been done yet, but if someone can link me some nice routes in the ellicot city/columbia area, I'd appreciate it.

Montgomery County here... soon to be Howard County come April (First House!). BTW, I haven't read the entire thread to see if this has already been done yet, but if someone can link me some nice routes in the ellicot city/columbia area, I'd appreciate it.

You can check these sites for something:

www.bikely.com
www.routeslip.com

Montgomery County here... soon to be Howard County come April (First House!). BTW, I haven't read the entire thread to see if this has already been done yet, but if someone can link me some nice routes in the ellicot city/columbia area, I'd appreciate it.


Where in HoCo? Pretty much the question is "where isn't it nice to ride" Pretty much all of the country roads are awesome to ride on IMO. I work in Columbia so I often take long lunch rides where i just pick a road and head out.

-D

-D,

Since it's your birthday, I'll forgo the "epic" journey thing. I'll just look forward to meeting you somewhere and riding out from there. Maybe we can just roam around Annapolis proper and then wind our way to Bay Ridge Rd following that to the Highland Beach peninsula area

or

we could try to meet up with Don's group.

It's up to you.


Hey if you want epic that is plenty cool. I haven't gotten in nearly the miles I have wanted to so far this year. So you will definitely be riding circles around me anyhow.

Anyhow. I was goofing around a little on Routeslip. Here is the Route from my parents house up the B&A to BWI. We could both ride from our respective homes and meet at BWI, and then tool around up there. The only problem is I don't know of many decent roads to ride on up that way. We could do a couple loops of the BWI trail or something.

http://www.routeslip.com/routes/22602

I was also playing around with getting around Annapolis. This isn't a complete out and back route, but one that goes to Thomas point. Ya know I grew up in the area and I don't think I have ever been to Thomas Point park. Plenty of places to tool around in that area. And I am sure the homes and the views are grand. Hopefully saturday morning the roads wouldn't be too crazy.

http://www.routeslip.com/routes/22605


I probably will start from the house. It increases the amount of cycling time vs driving in the car time.

The ride with Don could be fun too. Although it makes me a bit nervous. What kind of ride is it Don? Are we talking an A/B class ride or something a bit more relaxed?

Either way, I figure those routes also give you a good idea of my start location. It is a pretty easy shot down the B&A etc.

Overall, I just wanna get on the bike and ride darnit! Don't really care that much where.


-D

^^^^^^^
-D,

Let's plan on meeting at BWI. If you don't mind, the "Observation Parking Lot" on Dorsey Rd is right on the BWI Trail. We could meet there, then head south to Annapolis and the point. I still have your cell phone number and you likely still have mine, so if we get crossed up we can contact each other.

What time do you want to meet?

Anyone else want to join us?

^^^^^^^
-D,

Let's plan on meeting at BWI. If you don't mind, the "Observation Parking Lot" on Dorsey Rd is right on the BWI Trail. We could meet there, then head south to Annapolis and the point. I still have your cell phone number and you likely still have mine, so if we get crossed up we can contact each other.

What time do you want to meet?

Anyone else want to join us?

The Observation parking lot is perfect.

I mapped out this route. Let me know what you think

http://www.routeslip.com/routes/22625

It gives us some good scenery through annapolis. Right past the Naval academy (shame it isn't as easy as it used to be to get through the gates, cause biking around the academy grounds would be fun). St. Margarets road on the way back should give us some of the only small climbs we will likely see on this flat run.

If we are ahead of schedule we can tack on this detour out to Sandy Point St. Park for an extra 5 miles or so

http://www.routeslip.com/routes/22628

And then we can end up at my parents' house. You can use the bathroom, refill bottles there if needed. I will make you a cue sheet and print up a map to get you from there back to the B&A Trail. It is pretty easy.

That should give me a nice 55-60 mile ride and maybe 80 or so for you? Be a fun day.

How would 9:30am be? That should easily get me back to my parents house sometime between noon and 1pm. It will give me some time to visit (don't want to seem totally anti social). And plenty of time before our afternoon dinner.

I wanna go and can't, therefore you guys suck :p

I wanna go and can't, therefore you guys suck :p

Well, we at least know where -you're- priorities lie. ;)

Where in HoCo? Pretty much the question is "where isn't it nice to ride" Pretty much all of the country roads are awesome to ride on IMO. I work in Columbia so I often take long lunch rides where i just pick a road and head out.

-D
Ellicott City, close to Snowden River Pkwy and Rt 100. My sister-in-law lives just down the street and her address reads Columbia, so I guess it's fairly close to the Columbia-Ellicott City border. I checked routeslip.com a little while ago, but that doesn't really give me a feel for 'which roads to avoid', which I guess would've been the better question (which apparently, you agree with).

Where in HoCo? Pretty much the question is "where isn't it nice to ride" Pretty much all of the country roads are awesome to ride on IMO. I work in Columbia so I often take long lunch rides where i just pick a road and head out.

-D

I much prefer Baltimore County to Howard. Other than the proximity, it is much easier to get away from the sprawl development and onto some really really back roads. State roads in Ho. Co. like Rt. 108 and 32 are horrendous though 99 is nice. When I go that far west (not very often) I will take Old Court all the way to 99 which is not too unpleasant. I also think the inhabitants of norther Baltimore County are a little more 'genteel' than folks in Howard County and thus more accommodating of bikes and other slow moving traffic.

PS. Got out yesterday for and hour and a half around Loch Raven Reservoir. The run off was abominable. My feet where freezing and my arse was soaked but I burnt a few killajoules! Don't forget to lube those chains!!!!

That should give me a nice 55-60 mile ride and maybe 80 or so for you? Be a fun day.

How would 9:30am be? That should easily get me back to my parents house sometime between noon and 1pm. It will give me some time to visit (don't want to seem totally anti social). And plenty of time before our afternoon dinner.

Sounds fine to me. I'll leave my house at about 8am to allow for traffic lights.

Ummm... I may wind up with more than 80 miles, as it's 75 miles for the round trip from Essex to Annapolis after just crossing the naval academy bridge, but that's ok. I'll be in the "ball park" for "epic" once I get home.

:And as you said it's not that tough.

FWIW The state should have a new bike map out in March and I had a look at it during the bike symposium and it is a lot better then the old one. They even have BikeWashington.org’s Balto-Washington bike route marked (though I wished they would have done some more invasion routes not just for DC but other areas as well but that’s the price we pay for the state not wanting me on that committee.) But as I said it is better so that's not a bad thing.

I said 'I' was not that tough. I think being car-less has to be tough. I am always impressed by folks like you. It's easy to be car-less in NY, CD, SF but not as easy in B-more. I don't like to buy beer and carry it on a bike.

What map are y'all talking about. Is it map that looks like a regular road map. I guess it's good to tell you which roads to avoid at all cost. It's notthegreatest bike map but i guess it's all we got.
For those of you riding this wknd be careful on rail-trails routes. Any unplowed shaded areas are going to have ice.

I can't make this on Saturday because of my TNT training ride, but I'd love to do this one with you guys on another occasion --- or another route for that matter.

I can't make this on Saturday because of my TNT training ride, but I'd love to do this one with you guys on another occasion --- or another route for that matter.

I go to Annapolis on the B&A Trail fairly often for a low-pressure-low stress recovery type of ride [weather permitting]. BTW, the last time I rode on it, there was a section that is closed. I believe they're doing renovations. It's not hard to by-pass and find your way back on to the trail.

Don, the current map can be found here:

http://www.sha.state.md.us/SHAServices/mapsBrochures/maps/OPPE/maps.asp

http://www.sha.state.md.us/images/map3.jpg

Sounds fine to me. I'll leave my house at about 8am to allow for traffic lights.

Ummm... I may wind up with more than 80 miles, as it's 75 miles for the round trip from Essex to Annapolis after just crossing the naval academy bridge, but that's ok. I'll be in the "ball park" for "epic" once I get home.


That's ok. You can handle epic I'm sure :D

-D

I wanna go and can't, therefore you guys suck :p


Yea well at least are riding this afternoon. I heard on the radio something about chances for up to 50mph wind gusts?

FUN

-D

Yea well at least are riding this afternoon. I heard on the radio something about chances for up to 50mph wind gusts?

FUN

-D

Yeah, if it's coming from the correct direction, I could open up my jacket and use it as a sail. :eek:

I still have your cell phone number and you likely still have mine, so if we get crossed up we can contact each other.




NoRacer,

Actually I can't find your number. Wanna zap it to me again?

-D

Wow WIND. I took a quick spin this afternoon. Sorry you couldn't make it RacerMike. It was seriously windy. I had a headwind all the way back up Deer park.

It worked out kinda nice. My wife had taken the kids to a play date, that actually was also a birthday party. So she forgot the present. So my ride was double duty exercise/Bike Messenger.

But yea, there were times I was leaning over like I was taking a 90deg turn just to counteract the wind.

It also dropped like 10 deg while I was riding.

I gotta remember the raceblades saturday.

-D

^^^^

Yeah, the weather returning to winter by Sunday sux. At least on Saturday, the wind is suppose to subside. I've been riding home in shorts the past two days. I don't think I'll get away with it on Saturday.

-D, did you get my number?

^^^^

Yeah, the weather returning to winter by Sunday sux. At least on Saturday, the wind is suppose to subside. I've been riding home in shorts the past two days. I don't think I'll get away with it on Saturday.

-D, did you get my number?

Yea that's the only thing I am sorta nervous about (aside from keeping up with you). It is gonna be the longest sub 50deg ride I have been on so far. I hate trying to figure out what to wear.

Got your number and plugged it into my phone.

-D

-D,

Here's the route I'll be taking to BWI and how to proceed from there, including your route to Thomas Point Park:

http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/Essex-to-Thomas-Point-Park-outbound-only

I estimate that I'll have about 110 miles by the time I get back home.

-D,

Here's the route I'll be taking to BWI and how to proceed from there, including your route to Thomas Point Park:

http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/Essex-to-Thomas-Point-Park-outbound-only

I estimate that I'll have about 110 miles by the time I get back home.


Wow, is that cool? I hope you wanted to do a century+ on saturday. Otherwise we could modify the route and do something else. At least it will be a mostly flat 110 miles. And you can stay in the recovery zone easily so you don't drop me.

-D

Wow, is that cool? I hope you wanted to do a century+ on saturday. Otherwise we could modify the route and do something else. At least it will be a mostly flat 110 miles. And you can stay in the recovery zone easily so you don't drop me.

-D

No problem. I should be ok as long as we're not fighting wind all of the time.

This is a "no drop" ride. ;)

I had to drive home from the BWI MARC station yesterday, so I took a few road detours to try to get some peeks at the trail. The unshaded spots that I could see appear to be completely free of snow, but with the occasional puddle, which will likely be frozen over Saturday morning. Since most of the BWI Trail is unshaded, it probably wouldn't be a bad ride. Dunno about the B&A Trail, though -- it has a lot more overhanging trees, so I wouldn't be surprised to find more snow/ice there.

The BWI is my favorite weekday, on-the-way-home-from work ride. I don't normally go there on weekends (I live kind of far away) but I had been thinking of heading there this Saturday, just so that if I do fall on some ice, at least I won't be pitched in front of a car.

If the lanterne rouge spot isn't already taken, it would be cool to meet some local bikeforumites, at least for a few minutes, until you all blast off over the horizon . . . :D

^^^^^

Maxine,

derath and I will be at the Dorsey Rd airport observation parking lot at about 9:30AM if you want to try and catch us there. We both ride Giant, so I don't think it'll be hard to find us.

You can also feel free to join us for any or all of our ride

-D

Thanks! I will look for you guys at Dixon. (Car = burgundy Mitsubishi Eclipse, bike = ti Airborne Carpe Diem.)

I Dunno about the B&A Trail, though -- it has a lot more overhanging trees, so I wouldn't be surprised to find more snow/ice there.


Yea I may detour off to the roads for some of that. I will see on my way up in the morning.

-D

Don't forget to lube those chains!!!!

That's on tonight's list of things to do after a short rollers ride.

Yea I may detour off to the roads for some of that. I will see on my way up in the morning.

-D

Well I just got to my parents. I took the back way so I could go past the B&A trail. I saw it in several areas, which are all completely clear and dry. Should be good for a ride.

I wasn't able to find my lube :( but the chain should be good for at least another ride. I will pick some up on the way home.

-D