Grasschopper

Ok so I am going to DC for Thanksgiving with the outlaws and am thinking of bringing my bike if the forecast looks good.

Anyone up for a couple hour ride on Black Friday?

I have never cycled in the area so you will have to show me the ropes.

MRGolfo

are you crazy? people will be driving up and down the streets that day in a rush to get a the best deal. if they will run over a 5 year old with their grocery carts to save a couple of bucks...well, you know the rest.

Grasschopper

Hey it is the only day I have fairly free while we are down there. We are going down Wed afternoon, Thursday is Turkey day and we are coming home on Sat. Plus the roads will be empty because everyone will be at the malls by 5am right?

mscycler

Well...I guess that's a no from you

mscycler

StanSeven

I should be around and I live just off Telegraph Road near the Ft Belvoir gate. Send me a PM or email.

rsty2fan

I live close by to Lorton. If you do bring your bike, try to go on the Mount Vernon trail. It's really nice. Most of it is along the Potomac River and through Old Town ALexandria. Another good trail is the WO&D trail. The MV trail is about 36 miles roundtrip if you go from MV to Roosevelt Island. The WO&D trail is about 90 miles round trip from Shirlington (Arlington, Va.) to Purceville, Va. If the weather is anything like it is today, better bundle up! It's frickin' cold today with blustery winds.

Kuma

This is a beautiful ride outside of the city a little ways in the Maryland countryside. The route in the map is 25 miles, but there are lots of sparsely-traveled country roads around there if you want to extend it. I wish I could go -- going to be out of town...

https://www.bikewashington.org/routes...tree/index.htm

jfmckenna

I used to live in a place called Cross Point (I think it's been awhile) Right off of Rt 123 and Silverbrook which used to go by the prison which I understand is not there anymore. Anyway this was like 1991-92 and my god it was the worst most dangerous place in the world outside of Mexico City maybe (no definitelly) to be on a bike. I used to sneak my way up to Ft Belvoir it wasn't so bad up there. But today I imagin the population disease has spread even worse. So anyway good luck

Guest

I have to work.

Koffee

mporter410

I live in Woodbridge which is real close to Lorton. Unfortunatly I will be working on Black Friday. However, I am off on Monday and am planning to ride. Will you be in the area then?

Grasschopper

No we are leaving on Sat. What is with all you people that have to work?

cydewaze

If you like that route, you should try mine.

https://spokes.cydewaze.org/poolsville57.html

Same basic area.

bobby c

I more than second this route - since I got it a month ago I've done it every weekend (I'll be out there again this weekend). Beautiful, few cars and some nice challenges. I'm experimenting with different starting places, I think I'll be starting near Germantown at Burdette Lane. Plenty of parking there plus bathrooms (running warm water!). By the time I get to Sugarloaf (about 35 miles, I believe), I'm on my last dregs of water so filling up at the fountain at the base is timely.

BTW Cydewaze, I've created a nice map of the area but haven't posted it - let me know if you want it to post on your site.

Bob

cc_rider

Working Friday. Riding Saturday (or Sunday)
Otherwise I might be up for it.

Route 123 has a side path from Lorton north (south one is not finished yet) If you wanted to keep it simple, just take it up and back.

A better ride is to take your bike to one of the many parking lots off the Mount Vernon Trail. Mount Venon, Fort Hunt and Belle Haven have big parking areas. Being a weekday, even a holiday weekday, the trail may not be crowded. Takes you through Old Town Alexandria, past National Airport and into DC. Easy trail to follow, although Old Town has a couple of twists that can get you lost. If you stay near the river, you'll be ok.

Too bad you're leaving Saturday. There is a club ride out of Belle Haven every Saturday morning, 10:15 am.

Have fun. Hope the weather cooperates.

Kuma

It looks great. Weather permitting, I will try it -- thanks very much!

Kuma

meb

Potomac Pedalers Touring Club has a pair of black Friday rides scheduled up north of DC on Fri if you are looking for a group ride that day:

https://www.bikepptc.org/ride_schedul....html#Nov25Fri

If you schroll up to Thursday, there are several Thursday rides in the morning.

cc_rider

Sounds like Grasschopper has only a couple of hours of ride time available. The driving to and from Laytonsville would be a couple hours, assuming you miss the mall traffic.
Better to stay near Lorton / Fairfax / Alexandria and maximize ride time.

cydewaze

Different starting position is sometimes a must. We used to do this loop in the opposite direction, but had the water problem too, so we reversed it. And yes, I'd like the map of the route. Glad you're enjoying it. We'll all have to hook up and do it together sometime.

Grasschopper

Very true. Still trying to figure out if I will be able to bring the bike or not...it means driving my car rather than my wife's which is our "trip" car (automatic and more comfortable).

StanSeven

What size bike do you ride and what kind of pedals?

Grasschopper

Well my Salsa is a 56cm but has a 100mm stem and a non setback post. I am looking at getting a 54cm Specialized currently. Basically I need about a 55 cm TT.

As for pedals I can bring my pedals, that isn't hard....SPD-SL to answer the question though.

In other news how is the stock at the nearest Performance store (I assume that would be the Springfiels store?)? I hear they are clearing out Giant at pretty stupid low prices. An OCR1 composite might also be on the list, but only if the deal is killer.

meb

I heard that rumor and inquired at the Baileys Crossroad Performance last month and the only clearing was the annual clearing of current model years.

FWIW, the Baileys Crossroad and Tysons Corners Performance stores are fairly close to W&OD rail-trail and the Rockville store is fairly close to the Beach Drive bike trail. The weather forecast is favorable for Thursday and Friday here, it's been raining yesterday and today although it looks like it just stopped.

Grasschopper

Well I know one thing...I wont be riding my bike. The Salsa is spending the holliday at the LBS.

cydewaze

What's wrong with it?

Grasschopper

Just doesn't shift quite right when in the large ring...and since I spend all of my time in the big ring <looks around> I can't have that. Clearly there is something wrong and the thought is that the cable housings may be too short (I was accused of that in another post when I posted photos). Another thought is that the RD is bent slightly, not the hanger, the derailleur.

I am sure they will get it figured out before mid Feb which is the next time it will get much time...the weather here is turning crappy fast.