Wow Harry, sorry to hear about the Madone. That is typically a sweet bike.

I hope the century goes well for ya...

Bob, is this still your plan?, cuz I'd like to meet you along the way if it is.

Harry, Wow, that sucks. If I spent 3k on a bike they better be taking care of me. Even before I bought my CF bike I was always afraid something might once I had one. When I wash it I inspect the BB for cracks and what not, so far so good.

If they don't give you a new one or credit...there is always calfee.

Anyway no riding for me saturday as I got 2 all expense paid(bus,club suite,pitpasses,food) to the nascar race tommorow, Darn.

Ewwww... traffic's going to be hell in Dover.

Looks like the DC RAND folks are doing Monument to Monument Attempt Deux 2morrow:

http://dccenturyrides.blogspot.com/2...2-13-2009.html

Don't take this the wrong way, just curious- I was wondering if there is an aversion to organized centuries from people who do 100+ mile rides on a regular basis like GB and yourself, DC Rand folks. Like "hey what's the big deal? it's just a century"-"and you pay for it? and somebody helps you if you have a mechanical? -totally un-hardcore"

Just wondering. These are the only long rides I do, need to put them on the calendar in advance to give my wife advance notice. Hard for me to take off all day on a bike ride on a regular basis. The twenty mile lunch rides and 5 mile lunch runs are more conducive to my lifestyle. Naybody want to buy some panniers?:D

Taking the 520, replaced the rear brake cable and realized you really can't adjust brakes if the pads are totally worn down, at least I can't. Cannibalized some fresh ones from my mtb. The 520 tends to eat pads and I'm wondering if I'm traveling with all that weight in the panniers the brake pads wear accordingly, makes sense.

I'm going to do the original version of this ride in hopes of bumping into DC RAND along the way, then I'll turn around and ride into B'more with them, stop for lunch, then head home so the contractor can put on the finishing touches to my bathroom.

Misinterpretation. I won't pay for it because of the cap. I do value the amenities.

As I stated, I understand the reason behind the cap, safety, but imho it was a reactive move to the accident that occurred during the event ~3 years ago.

Bicycling is a hazardous/dangerous activity. We all know this, so why put a cap on an event that was nearly as popular as the Seagull that has way more people and no cap. Instead, make a very stern suggestion that this century not be an applicant's first. The disclaimer should state that they acknowledge that this event is not their first century.

Regardless, accidents happen.


That's ok and my situation--polar opposite; my rides are usually spontaneous--is ok. As I stated, above, I appreciate the amenities and would pay for them.

What I am finding more difficult to do is have to drive two hours to an event, so I ride long from my front porch instead.

Bump and back.

Hey folks: Crazy week at work. I am there now and will be here tomorrow:( Hope those of you riding have dry weather today. Trying to help a few scientist get their "publish or perish" papers done before end of "science year"

NR: You'll be so close to me today when riding w/ DC rand. So close yet so far

Harry: Bummer about your bikes. I gotta say riding a trek 520 for a century, while not your fastest way to go, certainly the most comfortable. If I had to choose a bike for a century ride it would be a tourer like yours. I think you are not serious about selling your panniers but if you are I'm interested. What are they. Also: I want to compare panniers to trailer, mind if I borrow them for a day. I am going to ride College ave(steep rollers) with a loaded trailer and with loaded panniers. I kinda think the trailer is creating a lot of drag on my ride. I figure riding the same road with similar weighted setups will give me a better idea about this.

GB: I have the 27th open so I think I can make it. Maybe we can do some of the hills in Catonsville before meeting Max? Home beer selection is at an all time low. I hope to tap a Maerzen Oktoberfest (made last winter and aging gracefully in my cellar) this week. Also have a mediocre Irish red Ale, Pale ale(this is almost gone) and a Belgium Wheat(I hate wheat beer thus this one has not been consumed). That is it, no more kegs waiting to be tapped. No brewing this summer at all. Hope to change that soon as temps drop.
BAck to work....ugh!

Hey, I like that. Maybe meet up at that same south corner of Carroll Park as the Ches Beach ride. We could take the Gwynns Falls trail to Frederick ave. Sounds like Charlie is in the mix now :) so, we can head to his place next. I am hoping he can then lead us to Montgomery rd in Columbia. (Montgomery to Old Montgomery to Waterloo to rt.175 to Gateway park).

Are you still doing one on Monday toward Columbia, PA?

I guess I got my dates mixed up. I thought the "Booty" ride was tomorrow. I see it's the 27th as Charlie reiterated.

Anyway, Carroll Park sounds good to me.

BTW, I took some pix from today's ride. You can see them in the twitpic link in my sig. Haven't got the blogged report together, yet.

Ride report from today:

http://bimactive.com/ba/journal/post/10783/26483

Just to note I'm heading down to DC to see my second cousin (Mike DiCosola, Jr.) do a triathlon in honor of my aunt who died of multiple myeloma in 2003. If anyone one wants to connect up my cell # is on this page: http://baltobikeclub.org/index.pl/information

Abut the triathlon: http://www.thenationstriathlon.com/

I'll be leaving here around 8 AM and arriving in DC around noon.

Richmond....and it did take over 1 hour to just get out of the parking lot due to 10 buses being parking in front of us. I did get home by 4am though. (night race)

Good time.

My hearing may take several days to recover.:)

Barry, where were you yesterday. Hoping I was going to see you at the Utica rest stop - Bob C. was there - said you weren't there this year.
How was the tri - a friend of ours did it. What a beautiful day.

I got up very early Saturday morning to make a decision about the Civil War Century -- and decided not to go. My knee seems almost back to normal (although prolonged standing seems to make it swell slightly again, but it goes away by morning), and I didn't want to chance things two weeks before my 24-hour ride. So I just rolled around in the 'hood, and up at the airport.

And speaking of the 24-hour ride . . . Team V-LO (a/k/a my friend Stoney and I) went out today to scope out the 24 Hours of Booty route, which Stoney confirmed would be done clockwise. I've never ridden that Columbia Gateway loop. (I understand it's quite popular with local cyclists as a weekend training spot; since the entire thing is nothing but white-color-type businesses, they're all shut down on the weekends, and car traffic is minimal.) Anyway, I was pleasantly surprised; yeah, it's short, just a little over 2 miles, but it does have at least some variation -- a short 5% uphill, and a nice swooping downhill right turn, heading into a slight uphill, that's lots of fun. The camping/"Bootyville" area, next to the Merkle building, looks quite spacious and nicely grassy and level.

It will be quite cool to have a visit from the BF crew! I'm not sure what the exact deal is with visitors, except that family/friends are encouraged to come out and support riders. I'll make sure my phone is turned on and in my pocket Sunday.

Cool, Barry! I didn't know you were a closet tri-guy. :thumb:


How could I forget Richmond? Hope your hearing has returned to normal.


That's the same loop that Team BBC used during our last team training session when I rode to Columbia (http://bimactive.com/ba/journal/archives/10783/20090425 - using this Google route: http://bimactive.com/ba/ui/route_det..._routeID=22357) and then -tried- to do the session--mistake. I definitely wasn't fresh enough to keep up.

I could not make it to the CWC this year, besides I would not have enjoyed riding out Friday in all that rain. The Tri was good and I made another attempt at making the Monument to Monument ride a loop. http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/Balto-DC-Loop which worked out really good except the last two miles going out to the National Mall (Starting at the National Zoological Park, the Rock Creek Trail really stinks for road bikes.) You guys will love Beach Drive however as it's a nice gentle slope down into DC.

I cut out my wondering around the Tri so I had a 120 mile day and I feel good.

Far and away my favorite NR photo


http://thumb9.webshots.net/t/75/175/...9phWEgh_th.jpg

LOL! Somebody in the group shouted, "Aflac!" I had to remind them this was not a duck.

That was on the trail where you can see a portion of I-395.

The climbing gym is on Columbia Gateway. Does have a lot of cyclist. Seems very car busy @ 5-6 but very quite before and after. You could ride it after work but since you'll be riding it for 24 hrs. I doubt you would want to do any more rides. How does the 24 hr work. In mnt bike races you often have a team of 4 riders switching every 4th ride. I believe 1-2 hours on bike 3-6 off. How will yours work. If you have to switch every 1-2 hours i think you're gonna be hurtin' come Monday. You're going to need something more than an IPA....I think this is a job for Irish whiskey:roflmao2:

24 Hours of Booty isn't a race, so teams/individuals are free to ride as little or as much as they like. My friend and teammate, Stoney, doesn't ride anywhere near as much as I do; his goal for the 24-hour period is 122 miles, with minimal night riding.

(He is a hard-core, old-bike, Campy fanatic, though; GB, if you do stop by, you and he can totally geek out. He's bringing -- and riding -- all three of his vintage bikes, which he restored/built up himself: a Team Bottecchia, a Claude Butler, and a 3-speed Raleigh nicknamed "Christine," festooned with mirrors and bullet-shaped lights that would look at home on a '57 Chevy, and weighing in at, like, 500 pounds. :lol:)

We both want to be able to enjoy some of the festivities associated with the ride, so I'll be playing it by ear. I don't have a specific mileage goal.