balto charlie

@Harry: hey guy, did you ride it? How was it?
@GB: eatin' southern fried turkey for the holidays?
@everybody: Seems like a new city bike 'club' is forming for local rides, all invited. I just joined and saw NRs has also joined. here's the link. I believe Penny T(Light cycles) is organizing it. GB might be another place to advertise your rando rides.
https://www.meetup.com/Biking-in-Bmore/
Everyone have a safe and happy T-day, eat lots, ride more

maxine

Huh. The BBC has of late been engaged in some head-scratching about BBC membership renewal rates and how (if at all) to approach people who let their memberships lapse; and generally, how (and whether) to make membership attractive by restricting certain info only to members, charging members less for certain events, etc.

I haven't weighed in on this conversation -- I'm not a Board member -- but in my realistic (cynical? HA!) heart of hearts, I wonder if this is the beginning of a "buggy whip" kind of moment. Not only has the trend been that the BBC is contracting in numbers, but a lot of people also believe that the average age of the remaining members is increasing. (I'm not sure we've ever done any hard analysis on this, although it's been discussed; certainly, when I went to last year's awards dinner, I carefully scanned the crowd for the express purpose of discerning the relative number of gray heads . . . and it was A LOT. )

People nowadays (and younger people perhaps even more so) are very busy, and very electronically connected, and much more socialized to the concept of short-notice, ad-hoc get-togethers. That's a general thing, I think, certainly not just restricted to bicycling -- you can "use the Google" to find articles about the mildly famous "bowling alone" syndrome (Americans still bowl, but they are far less likely to belong to organized bowling leagues than they were years ago.)

Things like this Meetup group, Facebook, and even our little band here on BikeForums, certainly play into that. Are they the future for most riders, as opposed to big, formal, organized corporate clubs? The BBC, whether consciously or not (I think the latter) has recognized a small facet of the problem, and has responded by (finally!) eliminating the ride schedule from the printed newsletter, allowing ride leaders to post rides on the club's calendars whenever the spirit moves them, without having to schedule them three months in advance.

But still, I wonder . . . Even I, who can just about grab onto my looming AARP discounts with my fingertips sometimes get just a tiny bit mentally aggravated with the whole structure thing. It's not the Normandy landing. It's just a bike ride. With friends. I do that all the time, without waivers and liability forms, without mandatory helmet lectures, without a membership that I have to remember to renew.

I think the BBC, and other clubs, may have to accept that as time marches on, their roles may change. They will no longer be -- if they even are now -- the primary provider of regular rides. Maybe they become more focused on advocacy, on teaching brand-new riders how to negotiate city streets on two wheels, on special-event type rides. I don't know, I'm just blowing some smoke here, and I acknowledge that it's hard for me, as a fairly independent cyclist (pre-tested cue sheets? ride leaders? hey, just let me print out some sketchy Google "walking" directions and I'm good to go, LOL! and some of you all don't even bother with those! ), to relate to the mindset of riders who genuinely need/enjoy the structure and support of a formal group.

NoRacer

@Max - ^^^^^^ Your post - Like.

greaterbrown

Gotta agree with Max as well. Last year, I seriously considered whether it was worthwhile using the BBC as a "hosting" organization for the Rando Rambles. I'm still unsure. The BBC is changing, but it may be too little too late. I went to the dinner. It was certainly very friendly. There are many members who do great work for creating and maintaining event bike rides like Flatlands and CWC and there is a lot of great bicycling history still in the club. None the less, there was a distinct "flatness" IMO about the whole get-together. The dinner and the seating seemed unnecessarily stuffy and the whole affair felt very self-congratulatory. There is definitely some vision for change, but it's not very dynamic or progressive and I think that this club needs a lot of dynamic progressive action to stay relevant in the coming decade. Doing things like limiting access to the cuesheet library and the online newsletter, not allowing a full ride schedule to be displayed on other sites like Facebook, having all of the major club events more than an hours drive from Baltimore and holding a membership dinner that puts a hold on attendees after a specific number is the kind of action that just manages to flatten the tires of an already flat club. I wish I had the answers and the energy to institute them for the club. The best I can sustain is to run a nice series of rides under the BBC umbrella and hope that they support me in doing so. Time will tell.

balto charlie

Hey Max: You're right but I feel the BBC rides will go on as always. Perhaps not as many, nor as large but they will always carry on. Like you said there are many people that like an organized cue sheeted, sign-up ride. I have never been a club joiner myself. I joined the BBC to ride with you folks and because I am starting to do some bicycle advocacy. I seldom go on BBC rides, GB's rides are the exception. Bob's ride are really well organized and folks actually ride with each other. Many BBC rides are not like this. So I always ask, why go on a group ride if the group ain't a group. More trouble than benefit. I think clubs have always been a place for similar minded people to meet and do their thing. Since many people meet via forums, facebook etc the need for organized clubs diminishes.
I like the new meetup group because it's in the city. Few BBC rides venture inside the city limits. Seems most of my riding is in the 'burbs so this offers a nice change in pace. I hope to make some of their rides but as is often the case, when I will realize I have a few free hours, I'll just jump on the bike and roll.....alone.

The Human Car

Saturday I am thinking of doing the Cranksgiving ride: https://www.facebook.com/?tid=1480987...16198691766599

Last year was a blast of a trek. so lets do it again, more people more fun, more crankin and thankin!

Annapolis it is! here is last years trip route and i see no reason in changing it? for those of you who want to meet half way again at the BWI airport park we can definitely do that. no worries, it was a good break.

https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?hl=en...016fe&t=h&z=11

ATTENTION:
Old EC parking lot by 7:30am to be on bikes by 8am for the longer ride

BWI parking lot by 9:00 to be on bikes by the time we get there from EC approximately 9:15

MEETING POINTS:
https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?sourc...8029c8809944fa

Please Call me with any concerns.
443.690.1818
I will be at Race Pace for a while tomorrow so if anyone needs any bike help. come by and see me.

SO EXCITED!!!

invite your cycling friends!

balto charlie

How was the cranksgiving ride Barry? I was immersed with family stuff this weekend.

NoRacer

I don't think he made Cranksgiving according to his Facebook post, but he made it out with Penny Troutner on Friday for Critical Mass.

This morning's ride was a little chilly--28 degrees on the GPS:

https://connect.garmin.com/activity/58314607

The odometer is ready to turn over to 14,000 miles! I'm seeing the light at the end of the 15,000 mile long tunnel.

greaterbrown

I'm a slouch. I rode 124 miles less than my monthly goal this month. (726/850) Subconsciously, I must be cashing in some of my extra mileage. Although, the family reunion in NC didn't give me enough bike time as I would've liked. (less than 100 miles for Thanksgiving week) So I've got to make 600 for December to hit my goal.

Today's ride was a checkout ride for this sunday's ramble. Nice route. https://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/473508
A bit trafficky on the way home, but that's to be expected on a Monday. A couple of miles of one of the trails I have us on is unpaved, but smooth. Stupidly, I didn't write down the street address of the Irish pub I'd like to go to for lunch and when I got down there, I couldn't locate it. So, I'll have to trust the internet reviews. It's called Fado. There's lots of food around there if Irish isn't your bag.
I'll finish up cuesheets in the next couple days.

balto charlie

1000 miles seems like a lot especially for December; however I'm sure(weather permitting) you'll have your numbers by Christmas. Good luck, we're all watching.
What is Penny's page. I don't do/get facebook pages but I can access hers as well as post to it. They have some nice short rides that don't take up an entire day which is nice, plus she ride rides very early on Sundays for 3 hours which essentially gives you the rest of the day for other stuff like raking leaves
I haven't bike commuted this week as I have a cold/sore throat. Today would have been a decent commute. Not certain about the return though. Hopefully tomorrow I'll mount up again.

HC203

Hey GB-Why don't you start a new small cycling club? This rather large group of Stoneleigh folks have this BRCC club, they seem to be pretty well organized. They don't list open rides or anything but they are organized. A few of the key members are now involved in a yoga studio, Yoga on York, where they have cycling specific yoga classes. May not be for everybody but it shows organization.
Also Baltimore doesn't have a long distance cycling club like DC Rand, I find their ride starts are way too far out for me to do 100 and get back for family crap.
I think your style of riding merits its own group. I for one never ride the BBC rides they all start too late in the morning, I have kids. That's why those BRCC guys leave early.
I don't think there is anything wrong with a city having more than one club, despite lengthy history of BBC.

What's doing for the Dec 5th Rando?

greaterbrown

Even though my respect for the BBC might not be the highest, I believe my criticisms come from what they do, not what they don't do and the BBC does far more than any other social biking group in town. I don't see any downside to leaving the Ramble under the umbrella of the BBC. I can use the resources of the club as I see fit and still have the freedom to present and promote my rides as I like. Good so far.

"Good Craic", a Baltimore to DC ride in search of Guinness and boxty. 107 miles. Begins at 7:30AM (sharp!) from Carroll Park. This is a double loop route based on Barry's loop ride. Goes out west of town and rolls into DC via beautiful Beach ave. Lunch at Fado Irish pub (7th and H st.) The route home is along the Capitol Crescent trail eventually hooking up with the traditional Brock Bridge/Race rd. approach into Baltimore. I will be attempting to push the pace and minimize the rests for this ride, but I am sure we will end up riding after dark. Bring lights!

NoRacer

You got my attention... mmmmmmm, Guinness!

Today's ride home was a little faster than I intended, especially since I'm running CST ISO 40-622 tires (about 1.3 pounds a piece):

https://connect.garmin.com/activity/58453057

I need to rest, so that I can sustain the new commute.

greaterbrown

I had a pretty soggy ride in this morning. I didn't mind the wetness so much cause it's warm, but it had me re-thinking whether I'm ready for wet winter temps.
My feet were soaked. Gotta figure out how to keep them dry. Probably better baggie usage will work. Winter riders have been talking about using Tyvek booties
My lower pants were soaked. Not too worrisome for heat loss, but dry legs would be much more comfortable. BTW I was not using a fendered bike.
My new cheapie jacket, the Rainsheild Tyvek jacket ($30) did me well this morning, but it is not that durable and might not stay in good shape.

Ironically, I was checking out the snazzy new Showers Pass outerwear at Race Pace owings mills. They've got some really nice clothing. Great water proof pants with articulated knee vents and zip-off lowers.
They've got a stylish gray jacket that has a great cut and looks like something I'd wear to a new wave club in the early 80's. Their standard "century" jacket is damn nice too.
All of the Showers Pass stuff seems really well made, but none of it is cheap. Pants- $120, jackets- $195.

Damn, I sound like a sales rep.

NoRacer

I didn't ride today. I stayed home in the morning to make sure that my basement wouldn't get flooded, again, since my sump pump is still not operating automatically--broken float. Once the rain settled, I drove in to work.

Looks like studded tire season is starting... tomorrow? ... sheesh! The temps are predicted to be in the freeze zone. I already have the tires mounted on a set of Topolino wheels, but I was hoping not to have to use them so soon.

greaterbrown

Got my 650B studs in hand for the Kogswell. (they were only a 1 year back order fr. Peter White )

One really annoying thing happened on this AM's commute. I got another flat on my Kevlar belted Paselas. That's two flats in only a few hundred miles. Sheesh! What's the point of running these things if they don't work?

This morning's flat was a chunk of glass right through the center of the tire.

HC203

You guys are hardcore. How about winter boots? expensive yes. I have SIDI winter boots, found them to be warm if I wear wool or neoprene but not if I just wear regular cotton cycling socks. Seems like a time limit issue, 1 to 2 hours okay with reg socks, any longer and wool is necessary. Find my PI lobster mitts to be almost too warm.

Not sure about Rando ride, party night before.

Planning ascent of Mt Washington in Feb so better get used to some chill. Mountaineering class and summit attempt with a few other crazy middle aged men.

The Human Car

Man I want to come out for that ride but it looks like this weekend is moving day.

balto charlie

roads look pretty dry with all the wind today. I don't think studs are needed. I would look out for any wet spots tomorrow.
GB: Bummer to change a tire in todays rain. I would have cried...
Barry good luck, keep in touch, we'll again.
Isaias: I was thinking about you today. I wondered if you got all wet and no where to dry everything. Day started @ 60F then dropped 20 degrees. Wet clothes would have made for a nasty commute home
Me: I drove, still hacking from my cold and hearing the rain fall hard @ 6AM I waved the white flag and drove in.

NoRacer

There were some wet/beginning to ice spots along RT 40--mostly to the far right of the shoulder. I saw a couple of areas where water crossed the shoulder and made note of those for future reference.

I rode studded--Schwalbe Marathon Winter tires:

https://connect.garmin.com/activity/58570272

On the flats, the studded tires did not slow me down much.

greaterbrown

I saw small areas of icing up here in Owings Mills too. I stayed late here at work, not leaving till almost 9PM and whoa did I get cold. My morning commute clothing was dry thanks to my newly purchased ceramic heater, but I was dressed for rainy 60 degrees. I had on thin single-layer knit gloves and my fingers were screaming by the time I got home.

The bigger issue is that now I don't trust the tire to avoid flats when it's 20 degrees, which I why I bought them.

greaterbrown

All the details for this sunday's century ride to DC are up on the Rando Ramble blog
https://randoramble.posterous.com/nex...dc-for-guinnes

balto charlie

hmmm, I wonder what tires almost never flats.....I wonder

Your Rando ride looks delicious. I am tempted but my 'diseased' body will have the final say. I drove again today...4 in a row Might be the most I have driven in 10 years. I didn't drive this much even during the big snow. I won't decide on the Rando until Saturday. Right now I'm thinking 100 might too much for me.
Later, 'phlegm ball' charlie

HC203

Phlem? Yah, in winter you don't want to ride behind me. I get bronchial crap every winter, I just have to deal. Getting over my annual cold now, but it will be the holiday party on Sat night that keeps from Rando-ing.

greaterbrown

I can't recommend the practice, but I frequently am out far too late and drinking far too much the nights before Rambles.