Thanks...

I'd really like to do the Saturday ride, but I'm still not 100%. Decisions, decisions.

I'd really like to do the Saturday ride, but I know I am not ready yet :D

Later this season...

-D

I'm envisioning that this ride is somewhat like the BBC's Civil War Century but perhaps kicked up a couple notches.

I guess I won't know until I try. I have a day to decide.

I'm definitely not ready...I learned the following from a 15 mile ride with Derath today:

1. I suck. No, literally, at one point I was sucking air just trying not to die.
2. I need to invest in a compact crank.
3. I'm way out of shape.
4. I suck.

I have a long way to go before I'm doing a century this year.

Mike

I was thinking the same thing, but I'm way not ready yet!! I'm only doing my 25 miler this weekend so I have a long way to 100. I have a good base already, but not long hours in the seat yet,
After I complete the Tahoe Century in June, I plan on doing a couple more this summer and fall.

Did -D tell you that I'm running a compact? It's the Shimano R-700. If you have the Shimano BB with outboard bearings, you can change the crank out in about 15 minutes, including adjusting the FD, checking and adjusting the RD (if necessary). If you have to shorten the chain, it may take an additional 5 minutes.

What's the number of teeth on those rings? I have been toying with this too. I was trying to decide if I wanted a compact or just change to a 12-27 rear casette?

I'm running 50/34 chainrings and 11x25 in the rear.

Does your TCR C2 have the same BB as my 2006 TCR C1? I'm looking at several on eBay now for just under $200. Is it the FC-R700?

I'm running the BB for an Ultegra 6600 crankset. According to Giant's website, the 2006 TCR C1 comes with the same drivetrain that my C2 originally had.

CORRECTION: The 2005 TCR C2 has an Ultegra RD where the 2006 TCR C1 has a DuraAce RD. But, I corrected for that a couple of months ago. :)

Yes, that's the FC-R700.

I don't recall if I got to mentioning that (aside from my praises of NoRacer's near god like riding abilities). But we did talk about some other guys we ride with who do have compacts.

You know this area some, especially from that last century you did. Carroll county is compact country. Mike is being too hard on himself IMO. As I told him, my engine isn't all that much better than his right now. I just have better gearing.

I gots a triple and I'm not afraid to use it!!

This was our ride.

http://trail.motionbased.com/trail/activity/2157046

Not as long as originally intended, but it has some decent climbing anyhow.

-D

-D

I'm going to bed, the s*it is getting deep. :rolleyes:

BTW, nice ride. Those 14%'ers will keep ya honest that's for sure.

HAHA, I thought that might get ya. In all honesty, I told him you were a cool riding partner. but anyone that breaks 10k a year on their bike is basically pretty darn good.

Nite MD'ers

-D

I’m thinking of doing this wimpy ride on Saturday:
13/15 MPH - 9 am - 42 miles
START: HFP -Hammonds Ferry Park & Ride
John's Tri-County Loop visits Anne Arundel, Baltimore and Howard counties. Mostly rolling on lightly traveled roads with a couple good hills thrown in to make it interesting. Some of this ride is on the BWI trail.

Charley can you come out and play? And of course anyone else is welcome to join in as well.

Directions: HFP Hammonds Ferry Park & Ride
I-695 Exit 8. Go Straight at Traffic Light at end of ramp to P & R.

I would like to but my son(marine) is in for his last visit before deploying to Iraq. He leaves sunday night. Next week should have some open time slots if the weather cooperates.

Weather says it's going to be ridable tomorrow!

I will most likely do the Kelly/LSV house ride out of Mt. Washington Bike shop. Could be a good ride, could be a clusterflukc. But it's close to home!

I'll be riding out of the Davidsonville P&R with my TNT group at 10am - this is a short 20miler.

However, I'm looking for 30-35 on sunday, any suggestions?
Also next weekend there are no training rides planned so I'm open then too.

Woo hoo!! 50-couple degrees is going to feel downright tropical.

I need some route help. I have tentative plans to meet up with some friends at the Baltimore Zoo at noon tomorrow (it's opening day, free admission!) So I'll have to get my ride done early, and while I was pondering that, I thought maybe I could just ride to the zoo as part of the day. I live in Hunt Valley, just north of the mall, right off York Road. It seems like the most likely route is to just head down Falls Road the whole way to Druid Hill -- ?

If anyone has a better suggestion, I'd love to hear it. I have to confess, I am mystified as to why so many cyclists in my neck of the woods seem to love riding on Falls Road; the sections I have been on, at least, are two lanes, winding, heavily trafficked, with ZERO shoulder. There are so many nicer roads to choose from, I usually avoid it whenever possible.

Now wait a minute. The last time I rode from Essex to Mt. Carmel Rd using Falls Rd, I clearly remember there being a whole 6 inches of shoulder! ;)

The bike shop is on Falls Rd. and rides have been leaving that shop for...oh...30 years. Falls Road is the standard route out of Baltimore.

We don't car about cars. We don't care about traffic. We don't care about shoulders. We are legal users of the road and freely exercise our use of this public accommodation, alone or in groups. If motorists or others don't like it, that....would be their problem.

Oh, I totally agree with you, and when I lived in northern Anne Arundel, I was jockeying with heavy traffic during at least some of every single ride I did. It doesn't really bother me. But, still, having been spoiled now by these tiny, pretty, quiet north-central Balto Co back roads :) they would certainly be my preference, if I had a choice!

I have to work tomorrow (sat) :(

But I am going to take my bike and try for a ride when I am done (hopefully by noon).

Sunday I usually bike home from Church.

Starting next weekend, a friend of mine and I are going to be riding the Columbia triathlon route. We haven't determined exactly what day/time yet though.

-D

HAHAHA...I'm bailing on this ride because I'M too wimpy! I had John email me a cue sheet and there is a 2 mile climb on this ride! Walking 2 miles in road shoes isn't fun; also I don't think I can walk at 15mph :D

Mike

If I overreacted, please accept my apology. Your earlier post sounded to me like you were taking issue with cyclists using Falls Road when in fact, Falls Road from Hillside south most likely gets more bikes/hours of use than any other road in Metro Baltimore.

Since Charley can’t make I was sort of hoping you could as NoRacer drops me like a rock. Besides I can ride walking pace up hills (or should say I do ride walking pace up hills.;) )