Yah, get some knobbies on there. I haven't ridden mt.bike in years so my log hopping and stream crossing nerve is probably a bit off. I used to ride at Loch Raven which seems to have a variety of trails. I know the old Cdale needs some brake work but I can probably get it trail ready in a few days. Let me know how your schedule looks. My day got taken up by dad duty, kids to the movies, no riding, bummer. Need to get creative with my schedule this week.

Noracer-That looks like an epic ride. How many riders? Pretty far out there, you must have been up at 4am.

The ride started at 7:45am. I was up at 4:45am, left the house at 5:55am, arrived in Marshall at 7:30am.

Riders: Chuck & Crista leading on the tandem, Kelly Smith (creditted as the author of the ride), Keith, and me. Keith rides on his own most of the time and Kelly shot ahead--we regrouped at the first rest stop and at lunch. I stayed with the tandem, because I wanted a relatively easy ride, plus I just like riding behind the tandem.

It was a great ride. The climbing wasn't the sharp Northern Baltimore stuff. At the beginning, it was about 10 miles of easy rollers followed by the climbing up the Blue Ridge. These were long climbs at about 6-8 percent average. The climb up to Mount Weather was on paved roads for about 10 miles, but Blue Mountain Rd became a dirt road for about 2 miles, I think. All descents were on paved roads, but after Blue Mountain Rd (well actually Freezetown Rd) there's some switchbacks that you have to watch out for.

It was a cool ride, but it would have been nicer on a warmer day.

I've been mnt biking since the mid 80's, I know I'm old. I still ride but not as much. My legs are usually spent from all of the commuting miles. I usually ride Patapsco(Avalon) as it is 2 miles from home. Patapsco is no longer a real hard ride. They have tamed a lot of the downhills but have done some excellent trail building. Still a lot of fun and I know the area well. Riding frozen ground is great in winter so I would be up to some riding if you and Josh get something going. Patapsco, Loch R, Shaffer Farms are all w/in my skill level. I use to ride Gambrills and Frederick Watershed but don't think I can handle them right now. Very technical riding out there, lots and lots of rock. Also it is not a good place to be right now, as it is hunting season.

NR cold temps to be petting in those miles. I went Xcountry skiing in the mnts.

[QUOTE=

NR cold temps to be petting in those miles. I went Xcountry skiing in the mnts.[/QUOTE]

What mountains? I did some x country skiing up in Vermont quite a few years ago, snow shoeing as well. Do we get enough snow in nearby mountains to justify going?

I would definitely be up for getting back into mt. biking. Never been to Avalon but heard it's great. Been to McKeldin area years ago.

How long is your commute? I thought when we were on the brew pub ride you pointed out the Marc station that you use. Do you ride bike to train?

Hey, I have a Mtn. Bike! :)

Of course it has had slicks on it for the past 5 years doing kiddie trailer hauling duty. But I could throw some knobbies back on.

-D

I'm here, I'm here! (Last night I got a nervous voice mail message from Craig Martin of the BBC, asking, basically, whether I was still alive -- I hadn't responded to some e-mails that had come in over the weekend, and somebody tried to call my old landline number, which I had disconnected ages ago.)

Work has still been chewing me up and spitting me out, but I think things should ease up in the next few weeks. However, because of the work situation, I will be staying in town over the T-Day break. I have to work Friday noon to 4, and Saturday morning from 9 to ? -- probably just an hour or so. I'll be squeezing in some rides.

Weekend rides
 

Here are my tentative plans for the weekend. I've only been on my bike maybe five days this month, two of those being the brew and monument rides. All other days have been gym or running.

I'm hoping to do these.

Friday-Mt. biking at Patapsco/Avalon. Been a while so I'll probably stop at every log and rock so I don't break my ass.

Saturday-Not sure yet.

Sunday-I plan on riding from O-ridge up to Taneytown to watch the Cyclocross races, then ride back. Probably O-Ridge to Butler to Dover etc. up through Hampstead. I know how to get to Hampstead but if anybody knows best way to get through Westminster let me know.

thats makes four of us for MTB,

Harry,
what time friday are you thinking? I can see about getting a sitter.

I'm thinking maybe 8am. Haven't checked the extended forecast, but cold is fine for mtb. Hey Charlie, is it best to park at the P&R on Rolling Rd? I've never been to Avalon before. Looks easy enough to get to either through the city or around beltway. Anybody else interested?

Parking at the PNR is the way to go, better yet we can go in off Landing road, doesn't matter to me.

Waiting for a call back to confirm but I think I can be a go.

sunday Mid Forties, figure high 30's when we start.

I was near Herrington Manor, White grasss was better though. More snow and better mnts. WG is near Canaan Valley and BlackwaterFalls St pak in WVa. The best local skiing is New GErmany(2.5hrs away) It's OK but WVa gets a lot more snow Avg is 200+ " per year. last year sucked.
I commute to the train then from the train to work, 1 bike at each end. It's a little over 20 miles per day. Plus a few nooner rides during decent weather. I'll answer mnt biking in next post.

All work and no play......

Hey Derath, your still alive

Weather looks good for Friday. Saturday looks like rain. I'll see If I can swing it for Friday. My kids will be home for the T-days but they sleep in. An early ride is good. Generally 3-4 hours of mnt biking and I'm toast. PNR is good for parking as well as the shoulder at the top of the trail.

Here's a link for White grass ski area. They have a webcam, daily snow condition reports, restaraunt, microbrews and great chili. Real nice friendly place. I usually buy a season pass.
http://www.whitegrass.com/

Didn't ride today. I used the rain as an excuse so I can bring in fresh clothes and towel dragging home the old stuff. Also, since I drove to work, I'll use this as an occassion to run some longer distance errands.

I'll be "back on the horse" tomorrow.

I thought Marc had a restriction on bikes, or are you taking the metro? or foldable?

Noracer-You must put but a couple hundred miles on your car a year. Do you ever get sick and have to stay off the bike, or are you so fit that doesn't happen?

I've been laid low by whatever god awful bug my four year old brought home. Joys of having kids in nursery school, they bring home every plague that passes through. With that said, Josh and Charlie, I'm still shooting for Friday if I can get my head and chest clear. Not even sure if I'll be running my 5k on Thanksgiving, might have to just drag myself there and do what I can.

One bike at each station and a folder if I have to use a different station. That's not often though.

I drove today as well. For some unknown reason MARC canceled my train. Luckily I drove to the station this AM (going to the climbing gym after work) so I decided not to wait for 45 minutes for the next train. If I had my bike I would have been bummed. No option but waiting.
Wasn't yesterdays commute strange!! I was well dressed in the AM but it was cold. On the evening return I only wore a poly top and light jacket. AND i was still hot. I think the temps were in the mid 50's. My pannier was full of all my layers from the morning.

You guys are serious commuters, more should know about your day to day routine and be inspired. How many fellow commuters do you see on the road each morning? Hate to be cynical, but probably just a handful. I used to commute by bike to train in NJ, but that was just about a mile, more reason not to use a car. I also used to ride most days down to my studio in Hampden, five miles each way, loved it. Now I work in my garage and have to find time to ride, which I usually don't.
Last February, I rode down to the MD bike symposium in Annapolis, only a few cyclist there as it was during the week and in February! Barry was there, gave his presentation. Maybe this year we can plan ahead and show up in force.

Charlie-Thanks for the ski info. I did some indoor climbing for a while, took a class with my son, lots of fun. Still have all the stuff in my closet.

I don't think it's a fitness thing. When a virus gets you, it'll have it's way with you no matter what.

I haven't been sick for a couple of years, at least, not anything that got me down. I get a cough and sometimes the sniffles once in awhile, but it doesn't last long.

Yah, I think you're right. I'm thinking about carrying around a bottle of hand disinfectant for the duration of the winter. I do the gym now too, weights, etc. and god knows what's crawling around there. Feeling better today so I'm running on T-day and mtb on Friday. Anybody interested in Sat or Sun let me know. I'm still planning on riding up to Taneytown to check out the races.

I don't see anyone on a consistent basis on my way to and from work.

LOL, Everyone misses you! I do hope your work will get better so it does not interfere too much with your play time. At the last board meeting we had a who's seen Maxine discussion while they did seem impressed that you were last seen riding your bike, the other activity we engaged in raised a few eyebrows ;), we really should do that beer ride as a club ride/event.

Just to note about the Patapsco Park and the Park and Ride, make sure nothing is left (or visible) in your car, tis the season to get broken into so be careful.

I do unofficial bike counts when I ride into the city and during the peek riding season I was counting 20-30 bicyclists over 10 miles up from an average of 3 last year.