Pics up for Artscape Bike Parking: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?ai...5&l=94b9eb1e04

Barry, good job on the pics, now thats a lot of bikes.

That is funny, and it looks like the law of lemmings. Someone started parking that way and others followed. I have to admit that I have come across strange bike racks that have taken me a minute or two to decide whether to use them or just tie it to a road sign.

The bike parking was sweet, but I had a little issue that they gave out a ton of plastic packaging to us for riding our bikes there. Free lemonade rules but tons of trash dont. People need to think of better ways to promote riding

The bike "racks" were barricades and no way a bike fits in the slots, front or rear tire, we managed the best we could with what we had.

Rick I hear ya but what we got for free for promotion was what we got. Even if we got free lemonade people would complain about the cups. By biking more we are leaders in saving the planet and if you want to do more then don't take what you don't support. I don't mean to be harsh but years of doing stuff like this and trying to be environmentally friendly people always complain no matter what. Anyway this was our first year at Artscape hopefully next year will be better and we'll have more of a say on what's given away.

Hey Folks: The weary traveler returns. West Virginia put a hurtin' on this old man. Hills like I've never seen, storms that dropped gallons of water on me in seconds yet a scenery that made it all worth it. I was unable to bike my entire route. I ended the trip a day early due to severe thunderstorms and (more realistically) no more legs. I threw in the towel and hitch a ride back to Seneca Rocks(~23 miles) near the crest of the longest uphill I have ever ridden, in one of the hardest rains I've ever been in. I didn't know it but was less than 3 miles from the crest with a 9-10 mile downhill after. Didn't really matter I had nothing left. Rest days are essential when pulling a load and climbing serious hills.
All in all it was an excellent trip. Got in some hiking, hung out with a bunch of motorcyclist (apparently there was a convention of them at Canaan Valley this weekend), saw some wildlife, ate lots of blueberries, views that take your breath away, even saw an old dear friend backpacking at Dolly Sods and another climber friend at "the Front Porch" at Seneca Rocks. I hope to post up a full report on crazyguyonabike with a lot of pictures. Here are a few to enjoy. notice the clouds in some of these...and these didn't drop any water on me.

top of a huge steep climb to Dolly sods
http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/a...e/DSCN0010.jpg

attempting to get into a picture at the Sods
http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/a...e/DSCN0031.jpg

sometimes the trail wasn't very good (Blackwater falls)
http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/a...e/DSCN0064.jpg

after a very long day in the saddle(80-90 miles). I was glad to finally see this trail
http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/a...e/DSCN0087.jpg

cool cemetery with windmills in the distant.
http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/a...e/DSCN0073.jpg

I have lots more pictures, stay tuned. Good to be back. I hope the pictures work.

Barry: like the bike parking at artscape. A year or 2 years ago I had to park in front of a parking garage and asked the parking attendant to keep an eye on it.

Riding this weekend was great. I live near Prettyboy Reservoir so a friend and I drove to Towson and rode to artscape from there saturday morning. In all my years in baltimore county Ive never ridden downtown and have only owned mountain bikes til now - what a freakin blast!
Thinking it was probably the easiest route we took York/Greenmount down to 31st to Howard which would have been fine if it was smooth pavement. Still couldnt have taken longer than 30 minutes. I'm always amazed how easy it is to get around on a bike. Cars are just so oversized sometimes, especially when theres a few big ol streets in the city which are shut down for weeekend.

Having the bike parking area was a great surprise. We were going to the UB student center and rolled up right in front of a well supervised bunch of barricades dedicated to bikes and some helpful information about riding in and around baltimore. Barry if that was you, thanks for getting it all together - I was excited to see everybody who rode and what they brought..

Rick, Nice comment! University of Baltimore and Mark Counselman deserve most of the credit for Artscape bike parking, I just filled in the gaps.

Nice pictures! See, I was waiting for you to put something up first, so that I won't be tempted to whine too much about the (far mellower) hills on my trip. :lol:

I put pics on Facebook, but I'll try to post something here tomorrow night. Getting ready for a camping trip this weekend starting Thursday evening (*not* via bike this time!) so things are kind of hectic.

An awesome memorable ride, baltocharlie. Enjoyed the pics!

Hey, is anyone going to the moonlight madness ride on July 30? Anybody have a cuesheet or know what the approximate route is? My niece wants to go, but I don't think she's done a 20 mile ride before and it would be a good idea to make a mental note of potential bail-out points if we can't finish the ride.

THE MOONLIGHT MADNESS RIDE

Take a night-time bike tour of Baltimore City on a safe, well lit, mostly flat route of about 20 miles. Get an intimate view of the city after dark. Skyline, neighborhoods and waterfront as well as sights ranging from illuminated classical buildings and monuments to the neon of “The Block”, from churches, museums, and City Hall to the enormous “Wizard of Boh”.

Ride Start: in front of the Youth Hostel at the corner of Mulberry and Cathedral. Thursday, July 30th. 8:00pm with an 8:30 push-off.

Ride is casual speed: 10-12mph. length: 20miles. You should have a properly functioning bike, be wearing a helmet, and have safety lights on front and back.


http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/326736

Went down to Baltimore Bicycle Works last night. I bought a bike on Craigslist a few months ago and its WAY too big. Didn't want the aggravation of selling on CL or ebay so traded ii to them - they got a good deal ;-)
Bought a Jamis Coda femme. rode it home - like it so far. Really just wanted a street bike and this fills the bill - I hope. More importantly - it fits!

Maxine. Would love to see the pics. PM me your name - I'll friend you on FB.

PM on the way.

I really wanted to get a trip report and pics up here last night, but work's been kicking my butt, and I just ran out of time again! I'll shoot for getting it done Sunday evening when I'm home from the beach camping trip.

We should start a BFFB group (Bike Forums Face Book) :D

Angelo, I put up what I can remember on the NBBB site under the comments section:
http://nbbb.wordpress.com/2009/07/08...ide-july-30th/
It was so hot last year that my brain might have fried and little, but I think I remember a lot:)

Veloellen, that's awesome! I have the "male" Coda from BBW, and it's a steel dream. My wife was eying up the one you bought. That green was/is really nice.

Thanks Pragmatik. I haven't had a steel bike in a while actually. i gave myself a $500 allowance and this met my needs. It felt great; gave it a nice test climbing up Chesnut. I'm a roadie but like a bike for running errands, riding to the gym, the neighborhood pool, etc. The shop was hoping. I couldn't believe all the cyclists I saw on Roland Ave, etc.!!

Me, neither. I admit that I thought the gushing about how smoothly Chromo rides was romantic largely. But now I'm a believer:)

Thanks Pragmatik and greaterbrown. I can now see some shortcuts for folks that want shorter mileage!

count me in!


Edit:

Count me in on that night time bike ride, anyone have a site for it? or do you have to sign up? Sounds really cool and maybe I could bring some friends since its a casual pace. Thanks for putting that out there

I'll be at the night ride also,
Also Charlie I got your pm, thank you.

Moonlight Madness Ride: http://www.baltimorespokes.org/artic...90710193940358

I will bring lots of cuesheets to the Moonlight Madness ride.
Promote the ride anywhere you wish, but be sure everyone is clear that it is unsupported and at the riders own risk.

yeah that looks pretty cool, tryin to find a buddy to come with me and Im there

I'm there. Might bring the trailer with my son Rowan. Think that's safe? Lots of lights of course.

Just got back from the Jersey shore, near Cape May. Planned to do more riding but only put in like 80, if you don't get out early the traffic is insane. Rode down to Cape May from Wildwood Crest a few times, that flat can be quite boring but I had some clip on bars to make it fun. I ran most days to keep to my loose running schedule.

Maxine and Charlie-Would love to see your detailed reports. Are you both posting to Crazy Guy? I planned on flying up to Montreal or Burlington, VT to continue my abbreviated trip from last summer but may just do some sort of tour from my door. Maybe out to the Shenandoah or something.