balto charlie

Didn't a chance to ride this wknd at all. I am riding the Nov 11th Ramble. I insist on running sweep for this one. I haven't done 100 in many months. May? or April?

CycleRail

On Sunday, I rode with Balto Charlie to the Schooley Mill Cross race. Charlie had designed a route to the race making use of the Columbia trial system. I rode the CrossCheck and packed it with a u-lock, cable lock, and a bunch of other supplies that I didn’t need. Hey, ya never know. I have platform pedals on the CrossCheck now. I knew I would be walking around the park and didn’t want to do that with Speedplay cleats.

I woke up at 6 and was out the door by 7:00. I meet Charlie at his house at 7:45 and we’re off to Schooley Mill by 8:00. It was about 45 degrees outside and the wool ramble jerseys were a perfect fit. It was a peaceful ride down Thistle and up Bonnie Branch. Most of the leaves were gone, but there was a good bit of color left on the younger trees.

On Columbia Road, we encountered the 36[SUP]th[/SUP] annual Howard County Striders Metric Running Festival. The runners were coming toward us on the right; we were riding with the car traffic on the left. We didn’t expect to see them, and they probably didn’t expect to see us.

Before long we reached the Columbia trail system. It was difficult to spot where the trail began in some places. It is narrower than the BWI or Annapolis trails. The curves are sharp and one can be easily taken aback by short steep inclines. No switchbacks here. There was little pedestrian traffic on Sunday morning, but I imagine that later in the day more people would have been using the trails which would have made navigation more difficult, if not impossible. We lost a good bit of time on the trial. We made frequent stops to make sure that we were heading in the right direction. The trail forks in many places; if you know which side of the lake you’re supposed to be on you’ll be ok, but the constant route checking became tedious.

We reached the Columbia town center and decided to forgo the trail riding for the surface streets. The trail was taking too much time and we wanted to see the races and meet up with GB and Dave2. We put on our game faces and hit the road. Little Patuxent to Broken Land Pkwy to Guilford Rd. The traffic was very light. The shops at the mall must not have been open yet.

We made it to Schooley Mill Park in time for the 11:00 a.m. race, where we met up with GB and Dave2. By this point the temps were in the 60s and the sun was shining. I actually got a little sunburn. Natty Bos were selling for $2 and I couldn’t resist, even if it was before noon. I had a couple. Great hanging out with those guys, as always. Charlie and I were starving, so we headed off the crepe stand for much needed food. We had to wait a bit, but the crepes hit the spot, at least mine did. I did wonder whether it would be enough to carry through the rest of the ride. Water was surprisingly difficult to find, but we made do, and after saying good-bye to GB and Dave2, we headed off back to Catonsville. My iPhone battery was already dead, which was really annoying because I couldn’t take anymore pictures. I was glad Charlie had a phone just in case we ran into trouble.

Charlie charted our course home, which took us on Triadelphia Road through Glen Elg. Charlie was setting a very brisk pace at this point and I had to work hard to catch up. Traffic was again very light, which Charlie suspected was due to the Ravens game. He had planned a longer route, but I was getting tired and starting to feel the effects of a) my 2 Natty Bos b) too little food and c) my ride up Falls Road on Saturday. Also, I wanted to make sure I was home before dark. We ended up taking Triadelphia Road to Frederick Road, which we followed all the way back to Catonsville. Once through Ellicott City, Charlie gave me the option of continuing along Frederick Road or using Trolley Line #9. I now know why Trolley Line #9 is such a popular choice. When we arrived in Catonsville, Charlie invited me in for some much needed snacks and a couple of his home brews. Great conversation, too. I was also able to charge up the iPhone. Thank you Charlie for designing the route and for the hospitality. Much appreciated. It was a great adventure.

My wife had emailed me and asked that I pick up some Crisco for apple pie. At first I resisted, but the thought of homemade apple pie had me racing to the Giant in Hampden. I headed out Frederick and then north up Fulton Ave., onto Parkwood past the shiny Jesus house, through the alleys and Druid Hill Park and up to Hampden. As I was heading out the store I noticed a familiar bicycle, turned around and saw Dave2. What were the chances of that? Anyway, I had a great day in the saddle. About 82 miles. My Cyclemeter recorded 3179 of climbing feet through 56 miles before it stopped recording.

balto charlie

Nice riding with you Peter. Great wknd in general but Sunday was the best....maybe because I was on the bike. I had a few leg cramps in the evening so it must have been a god day. You went Fulton!! good for you. I gotta try that way, fastest way for sure. Let's do it again soon. c

greaterbrown

Hell yeah. Great report, Peter.
Glad I got in a bit of bike time with you guys.

balto charlie

Bob, when do you think you'll saddle up again.

pmt

Be sure to ride over to Rockburn Park this coming Sunday for another 'cross race. After that they are in Taneytown, Reston, and then at Lilypons near Frederick.

maxine

Sunday *was* a gorgeous day! NoRacer and I started off with a "let's ride to breakfast" (at the little local diner that is 5 miles away) and that turned into "it's too nice out, let's ride more!" and a trip down to the end of the B&A Trail and back to my place -- 35 miles.

I'm really having trouble, though, digging up my "get out in the cold and dark" motivation. Not just for biking, but for, like, life -- for some reason, this year I have an overwhelming urge to just hibernate until April.

CycleRail

Cold but clear morning. I had a great ride up around Loch Raven on the Gunnar. I left the house around 6:45 a.m. It was business as usual until a fox raced across Charlesmead right in front of me. There were runners out along the reservoir but no cyclists. Leaving the park, I made a right onto Dulaney Valley, then a left onto Dance Mill, then a right on Blenheim. Dance Mill and Blenheim were recently paved. It was like riding on glass. The farm animals were out which was fun. The sheep were making themselves known, but the horses just stared at me. Left on Sweet Air, right on Old York and then a left on Corbett which I followed all the way to York Road. What a great road. The farms looked spectacular against the clear blue sky and the morning sun. Left on York and then a right on Cold Bottom. As I approached Yeoho Road, I could hear some cows lowing madly. There must have been ten of them mooing at the top of their lungs. I don't know what there were so excited about. I then took Duncan Hill and found my way to Cuba Rd. The cars were considerate. The next thing I knew I was climbing Jerome Jay. That climb seems to go on forever. One more climb up Bellona and I was almost home. Cyclemeter recorded 55 miles at 15.51 mph and 3,888 ft of climbing (which seems high). Great weather out there; I hope everyone gets to enjoy it.

balto charlie

Don't give in to the cold, you must persevere. You will build up cold resistance sooner than you think. The weather got rather cold early this year. Things have settled down and riding has been great. This morning riding to work I had 5, yes 5 cyclist heading to work, 3 of us actually went to my work campus. So refreshing. 11 years ago when I starting commuting via bike, I never saw another cyclist. Now it is rare that I don't pass at least 2 on every commute...and I have 4 separate commutes. Plus many cyclist taking MARC trains as well. This movement has really grown.

balto charlie

Sounds like a nice ride. I drove there about 2 weeks ago as my brother in law lives off Dance Mill. I also noticed the repaving of the roads. Made a mental note to ride them soon. They looked really sweet. Stimulus money being put to good use.

balto charlie

I did a last minute post Turkey day ride to Annapolis on Friday. Had lots of unspent calories to get rid of. I think I rode ~ 65 rt. I forgot my wallet so couldn't do lunch and a beer. Totally starved by the time I made it home as 2 Gus and a protein bar were all I ate. Great day for a bike ride though.
After this AMs cold damp air commute, I think Fridays ride might have been the last good weather ride for '12. Get out the mittens, scarves, balaclavas, winter coats, wool longjohns....winter is here. Tomorrows AM commute looks miserable. 40 and rain, worse combos for riding.

maxine

Friday was gorgeous -- I also did a last-minute ride. Just 20 miles moseying around the airport, but it was nice to get out and enjoy what looks like was the last gasp of relatively warm weather.

I was a total slug on Saturday and Sunday was heading that way (looking out the window with depression at the gray, chilly sky . . . ) but then I forced myself up and ran around at great speed getting dressed and getting stuff ready (so I wouldn't have time for second thoughts!) and headed out for a 23 mile ride over to Patapsco Valley State Park. As soon as I was actually outside rolling on the bike, I was glad to be there, and I even got a bit of sun and blue sky on the return trip.

CycleRail

Took the Gunnar with me and fam to visit my folks in Hilliard, OH. On Friday morning I rode up to Marysville and back. Temps were in the 30s but so was the wind, which made the ride up there very difficult. It was raining, tooI. t's pretty flat out there and there are few trees to block the wind in the fields. Very little traffic in the country, but the roads were covered with mud and other things from the farms. I made use of the Heritage Rail Trail which runs from Hilliard to the outskirts of Plain City--about 6 miles. The trail is well maintained and great for families. My wife got a Jamis Coda Sport for her birthday and we took a couple of rides on that trail as my folks watched the kids. Terrific! There were snow showers on Saturday, but like a mad man I rode anyway. 20 mile loop (I should have my head examined). Got a few strange looks from the locals, but I had a lot of fun.

balto charlie

Todays commute kinda sucked. Temps were better than yesterday though.

greaterbrown

Two memorable happenings for me this week.

I finally got in a full commute (18mi) this AM.
A scab the size of a silver dollar came off my knee.

Just thought I'd share.

CycleRail

Glad to see you're on the mend.

maxine

Yay!!!! Great news!


Chicks dig scars!

balto charlie

Welcome back Bob. BBC forum post are a hoot. I guess folks must know your rides

Anybody riding in the Balto Bike Party this Friday. I am heading down there. Probably will drive so I can enjoy the end of ride festivities...I assume they are still happening. Midday temps ~50F so shouldn't be too cold. Gotta find some pajamas, since I don't wear any

Lock froze at the station this AM. Coldest commute day of this winter.

CycleRail

There was some ice at Penn Station this morning. A guy in a nice Mercedes brushed very close to me on Falls Road this morning around 8:45 a.m. I think he was trying to steer me onto the path. He was behind a Prius that was giving me plenty of room. He must have been very annoyed and eager to reach the next red light...

greaterbrown

I liked your comment. And, of course Ed's, but it went down hill from there. Janet's comments about restrooms- huh?

I'm a big maybe. Actually, I'm more likely to meet you at the party than riding the ride.

I'm very happy to say I rode the whole way in again this AM. More fatigue than yesterday, but maybe a teensy tiny bit less stress.
Yesterday's commute was fine as far as my crash injuries were concerned, but by the time I got to work I had a blazing headache.

greaterbrown

Is this the lower Falls stretch, heading to BBW?

That section of road is going to start a bike/car war one of these days. Cars are flying through there now and with all the development up stream it's gonna get worse.
I would love to see Falls dead-ended at the bike switchbacks. All cars north of there must escape via Falls rd. north or Chestnut. Then the only traffic along the lower stretch would be Potts and SHA trucks. No cut through traffic would be great.

Another option would be to make that stretch of Falls one way only.

I'd bet my 401k that we won't be seeing any changes down there anytime soon.

CycleRail

Right, I was heading south across from the Streetcar Museum. What made it worse was that there are renovations going on at the mill buildings across from Chestnut. They had flag men directing one way traffic there. They didn't know what to do when they saw a bicycle. Anyway, traffic has been slowed for that construction and I guess Mr. Mercedes got impatient. By the time we reached the Streetcar Museum and the road straightened out, he made his point. I don't like riding on the path adjacent to Falls Road for two reasons. 1. The trucks from P&C can't see you on the sidewalk which crosses their building on the west side of the road. This is right at the end of the hill heading south from the switchbacks. It's better to be in the street and in their line of sight when your doing 20+. 2. I don't like dodging dogwalkers, runners or people out for a stroll.


@Charlie: I'm not sure about the pajama party, because I may have to work late. But with a nickname like "PJ" I almost feel compelled to attend.

balto charlie

Stress from riding or the cold??? bummer if it is stress related.

Tell your wife they named it after you. You should talk to Chris and Nate about Falls rd situation. I'm sure they are aware but offer a few suggestions to improve. When the new JF trail system opens lots of newbies will be taking to this stretch. Falls use to be the best way down, shame the cars have discovered it.

greaterbrown

I'm not sure about the HCMF attitude. True that long distance riding is not a BBC thing, but there are whole bike clubs of people who ride centuries as minimum mileage.
I bet if I designed a ride 100 miles around Lake Montebello, Janet would complain that there weren't restrooms at the far end of the lake.

No need for a cell phone, Charlie, I'll be at home pre-drinking. Gimme a call at the end of the ride and I'll meet you wherever you want.

BTW the cold was fine, I'm pretty sure the headache was from me flinching every time a car passed.

balto charlie

I'll let you know where I end.
The flinching freaks me out. I guess/hope time heals all wounds. I feel for you. Since your accident I think more about passing cars.