Porzana, your route seems fine, but it does have a lot of turns in it and it will most certainly slow you down.

IMHO Osler is not bad at all. I use it as my usual route across Towson. It is true- there aren't shoulders, but there are 2 lanes each direction plus a center turn lane for cars. I just hog the right lane. There's ample room for passing.

On second thought I would say just stick with GB's route over to Osler. You're going to be on there for less than a mile and if you're a sizable group you'll have more presence. My route goes down one ways streets the wrong way and alleys etc.

I'll second this comment.

Is there any interest in a wrench-o-thon? I need to true my rear wheel and it might be fun to do so with company.

Mostly, I'm interested in riding down to give Maxine some ride support and check out the scene at the 24hr ride Sunday morning. So, mileage isn't really my priority. I'll probably just ride from my place down to Columbia, stopping at your house on the way if you want to ride down with me. Then check out Gastro Pub afterwards. -GB

I am trying to get one organized...

Been off of the bike since Saturday.

- Sunday = recovering from Saturday's fiasco
- Monday = felt like laying around for another day; leg still sore, but better
- Tuesday = home waiting on the remodellers; two voice mail left; no response until 4pm; argh!
- Wednesday = home; bathroom has been started (twitpic), meanwhile I'm futzing around online. Starting to get antsy about riding, but taking the rest of the week off is a good idea, then maybe ride easy on the weekend.

Damn. If I had been knocking off double centuries each day this week I'd be within only 4,000 miles of NR's total.

Quick sunday ride report:
I was miffed at Mark T. when he posted a BBC ride (same speed, same mileage, same start time, similar start location and route direction) 2 days before the start. Nothing to worry about though as a crowd of 15 riders showed up for my sunday metric. I ran out of cue sheets. I had met up with John, a strong rider, in Charles Village and rode out to Oregon ridge with him. The ride out to the park was brisk and it only occurred to me later that I should've taken it easier.

Once the riders were signed in we took off and very soon were in a quick pace. Again, I kept up with the front all the while thinking that I couldn't keep it up for long. The weather was perfect, the scenery was lush and the company was friendly. (although I did hear some talk of investments and almost scolded those riders). Sure enough, as we neared Rocks State Park at the 40 mile mark the fast boys were pulling ahead (or, rather, I was dropping off the back.) There was still a small group further back, but I didn't see them behind me. I pulled into the lunch stop alone in the middle.
The front group took off after a very brief stop and I took off a few minutes later with John, Carl (the ellusive Carl!) and another rider. I was fresh and in the front for only a few miles and then started really loosing steam. John very nicely hung back with me, but I was rolling too slow for him. I felt comfortable, but just didn't have the power for anything more than 13-15mph effort. John took off and I plowed through the final 10 miles to ORR. I expected to see the last riders pull up behind me at some point, but I guess I had put enough miles on them from the first half of the ride. Miles that I was now paying for.

I took a longish break along Beaver Dam rd., ate some more, drank a coke and took off for the ride home feeling refreshed. I was pleased to find a nice groove at about 15 mph with good, steady energy. The experience helped me realize that I can't roll out at 17+ in B'more Co. and make it much past 100k. However, it's nice to know, I can take a break and then back off to 14-15mph and be nearly recovered. Good info for much longer rides- like perhaps, a 300k on sept. 19th.

96 total miles. 7hrs from start-stop.

Hello, MD peeps. No, I have not retired to a nunnery. (As if they'd have me . . . ) I was on vacation in the Outer Banks, and as soon as I returned, my laptop promptly crashed. It's in Computer Hospital right now, so just a quick note from work during my (late) lunch break.

So, you all had much nicer weather here than I did in OBX. The wind is always blowing down there, but it was truly howling for much of our week, and we had quite a bit of rain also. I brought a bike, but didn't ride much -- 10 miles up to the Wright Brothers Memorial, some sightseeing there, 10 miles back; and 25-ish miles another day. I personally think the riding in OBX is dull as dirt, unless you go over to Roanoke Island and then to the mainland, which I didn't get a chance to do this trip.

My left knee was also plaguing me while I was away; it's been bugging me off and on for a few months now. It never actually hurts, and I can't really see much when I look at it, but sometimes it feels weirdly swollen/puffy, and I can't bend my leg all the way. Since I got home Friday night, I've been doing 25-35 mile rides in my 'hood (around the airport, mostly), and I commuted in today (first day back at work), and my knee seems much better. I'm really on the fence about the Civil War Century this Saturday, though; my knee still feels odd when I'm slooooowly grinding a big gear (which is the equivalent of what I'll spend all day in Thurmont doing. ) I'm going to have to wait until very early Saturday morning to decide what to do.

Bob, a visit from the BF gang to the "24 Hours of Booty" ride would be very cool! (I'm jealous that I won't get to go to that Columbia pub with you all, though. ) 24 HOB is a "no alcohol" event, but if someone should happen to sneak me some IPA in an opaque bike water bottle, I'll invoke the "don't ask, don't tell" policy.

Or bake a cake with a bottle inside.

GB-I should have been on that ride with you, the only time i feel fast is when I'm passing the bonked.

It's sometimes hard to predict power vs nutrition etc. On the Bay Country century we averaged 17+ but I felt pretty dead throughout, until mile 80 or so when I felt great. Maybe it takes me 80 miles to warm up.

What's the plan for riding down to the Booty?

This weekend I'm riding the CWC and then Sunday I hope to run or attempt to run the Falls Rd 15k. I was going to do the Indian Head on Sunday but that drive is a drag, especially compared to an easy ride down to Druid Hill.

Thanks to everyone who made suggestions for the Baltimore segment of the Columbia, PA to Baltimore route that I am making for a group of cyclists from IN/PA/NJ next Monday.

I did take the liberty of approaching the destination (Greenebaum Cancer Center, 622 S. Greene St)
from Fayette instead of Lombard.

Subject to last minute changes, of course, here's the route:
https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UT...cd3b9ee1cf&z=9

May yours always be a tailwind!

dww

Baldwin Mill Rd? Really?

From my last remembrances of that road, closer towards Towson it's two lanes with not much of a shoulder, some traffic--heavier the closer you get to rush hour and has guard rails to box one in (but not fall into the storm drainage area) during some portions of the road. It's do-able, but not very good for relatively new riders who haven't acquired steely nerves.

The alternative could be to pick up Greene Rd to Sweet Air Rd. Greene is much quieter/calmer than Baldwin Mill.

Monday ride: 160 km with the Severna Park Peloton, 31 riders strong with more that met at the half way point. Quite the sight. We took it nice and easy, ended up being just over six hours ride time.

Tuesday and Wednesday: Zero riding so far due to some projects I'm working on and my complete hate for riding indoors.

Going back to my usual routine the rest of this week but my normal weekend riding group will be gone, so anyone know of anything exciting that's happening around the area? Other than the CWC, as I didn't sign up.

hmm... I might agree with NR here. Using Greene is an easy detour although it does not take away too much of Baldwin. I wouldn't worry too much about the upper sections.

BTW when are you leaving Columbia? I have mondays off and might be able to give a personal escort into town.

We won't be on the lower section of Baldwin Mill during rush hour. However, I do like the detour on Greene. Saves us about 1/2 mile

We leave Columbia at about 0900. Will contact you about Monday.

porzana

+1 on the upper sections. I think the bicycling level of comfort is higher the further north you get.

Howz about this as a new cycling phrase: Bump and Back - "bump" into a group of riders and lead them back. Usually performed by someone who is very familiar with the route "back".

Update-The bottom bracket bearings on my Madone failed on Monday, going up Dover, crack, rode a bit, another crack, then realized cannot ride this thing, pretty much walked it to Black Rock on Dark Hollow. My fear was that if I kept riding I would f up the frame. Well, sure enough the LBS calls yesterday and says they have taken pictures of the BB housing and sent them off to Trek, their opinion is that the frame is toast. We're talking a 3k bike here. Some of you know that I've already replaced, or rather Trek has replaced, two rear wheels, and a seat mast. I found a few posts on the BB problems and of course months ago when I had the bad wheel I found multiple posts on the Bontrager failures. So the LBS won't say what they are going to do until they hear back from TREK, and of course have told me that they've sold gazillions of them and I'm the only one that's had such a problem, yah right.
Meanwhile-the CWC is tomorrow and I have no choice but to ride my heavy Trek 520 touring bike. Guess I'll try to strip it down and lighten it up tonight.

Yeah, I sent a tweet your way calling you a "brute", but if I were in your shoes, I'd be pi$$ed due the amount of $ spent on a high quality bike. More the reason I wouldn't buy an uber-expensive bike and race it. The price of replacement is too high, especially if a warranty will not cover it. Is racing considered "abuse" in a bicycle warranty? [rhetorical]

<sigh>
Sorry to hear that Harry. Trek owes you a freebie if they're good for anything.
Take the metric century route tomorrow and enjoy the slo-mo. If the weather's sloppy you'll appreciate being on a more stable bike.

Anyone doing the St. Michael's Century on the Eastern Shore?
I was going to do the Skipjack Ride out of Deal Island Harbour this Saturday - but it looks like it will be washed out by this rain we're getting.

Harry, does your Trek have an integrated BB? (i.e., Trek's version of BB30?)

There was an interesting and lively discussion at the Cirque du Cyclisme show about modern frames and BB shells. The integrated/external bearing design was Cannondale's response to the problem of limited space in the shell. There is room for large/strong bearings OR large/strong spindle, but NOT BOTH. The outboard/integrated bearing design is an attempt at a solution without changing the diameter of the shell. Most of the "experts" at the Cirque agreed that this design was marginally effective and was really a half-assed solution to the problem. They felt that the industry needed to adopt a larger BB shell diameter.

We shall see.

We'll see about the frame, I'm expecting a replacement or a credit towards a new one. I'm sure I'm not the first "brute" that this has happened to. I guess I do tend to mash the pedals sometimes but going up I generally like to gear down and go easy on my knees. Before the ride on Monday I slipped off the pedal whilst mounting my bike and cam down on the seat with my ass and probably on the drive pedal with my left foot. Even with that this kind of thing shouldn't happen. I mean I'm only 189 lbs now.

I'll use my Trek 520 tomorrow, stick to the century, I think. I'm going to strip her down tonight, possibly even use some Mavic wheels I have around.

NR-The bottom bracket is really not at all like a traditional BB. There are two sealed cartridges that actually fit into the frame. As for the BB technology, a rider of my speed I don't think all these things add up to much. The Madone is indeed a joy to ride, though the compact is annoying when I need a bit more torque. I'm getting set to ship off or drop of my Cdale frame at that painter in Va. Never had a problem with that bike, but flaking paint.

Yes, that was my understanding of the Trek BB tech. I've read that many more frame manufacturers are going towards integrated BBs.

Wish I could be doing the CWC, too, but as long as there is a cap [I understand the safety aspect of doing so], I won't pay to ride it.