NoRacer

+1000 Blog it, dude!

greaterbrown

Done. Thank you.
also added Beer and Toast counters for 2010.

greaterbrown

Barry, et al.,
What are you doing on the evening of the 23rd? Specifically, after the BBC meeting? I was thinking that might be a nice night to get you smashed before leaving us.
What are others schedules?

The Human Car

Who is going to the BBC meeting? I'm not planing on attending.

Any date is good as long as there is not much ice on the road (still freaking out a bit because of last years spill.) Any thoughts about meeting at The Diz (Remington and 30th) we could possibly reserve the upstairs and invite the BBC and some of my other friends.

balto charlie

GB: Say it ain't so, 20 laps!!!! I think you are an official roadie now. Your complicated counting system should be swapped out w/ an abacus. I think they have some in CF. Probably some in steel if you want to keep your Fred image in good standing. You are already on thin ice with the rando standing by going around in circles.

Future schedule: last weekend in January I will be out of town. As of now the 23rd is opened. Not going to BBC. I think Isaias is going to be driving his car to the BCC meeting:-)

greaterbrown

I think Isaias is driving his car through the BBC meeting.

I like Barry's idea of getting the upstairs of Dizzy Issies in Hampden. (it's close enough to me)
I still am planning on schmoozing the BBC meeting, but could leave on the early side and meet you all at the bar. (you can get Barry started)
Max? Harry?

maxine

What GB said. I'll be at the BBC Social (yeah, by car), but I am totally up for ducking out to begin the serious beer consumption in Barry's honor!

The Human Car

You missed the point, cheep beer.
I don't want to interfere with the BBC meeting, the club really needs your feedback on things. (Like the club should encourage bicycles as transportation. )

Question do you guys want to have a separate BF party, all my friends party or both?

I will also note since Bob Moore passed away my tolerance for beer has really dropped. I got a six pack last month to celebrate my frustration and it lasted me 5 days. But I did manage 3 beers in one night.

Last note I am applying for a job in DC that just came up. I'm still not sure about formatting a resume for a job that relies on your volunteer efforts but my work history looks like some sort of dot com geek (but lasted 20 years.)

maxine

The BBC thing on the 23rd is mostly just a social gathering -- no significant decisions will be made there. But, hey, Barry, as far as I'm concerned -- it's your party, you say where/when/who! (Keeping my fingers crossed for the DC gig.)

HC203

Just tell me when and where.

GB-Great post. A lot of what you said resonates with me. When i first discovered riding there I was thrilled because I could just zone out, go really fast, or really slow, and somehow just having people around was kind of nice, strolling in the park so to speak. No hills of course but on a fixie you get a great even spin, or you can do sprints, and what you say about eying other cyclists across the lake is dead on. Be careful on the left side where the curb hems you in, cyclists ***** about that because it's a choke point and dangerous. Also, in warmer weather there are more peds coming at you in the bike lane so you have to watch. I doubt you will make a habit of this but maybe we can meet next Monday.
Sorry I couldn't make it, seems once I sit in my chair for work I am hooked.

I may try to get out today, supposed to be 40+

NoRacer

This looks like a cross race that would be worth the ride to Philly for (check out the video at the end--F U N ! ):

https://surlyrider.wordpress.com/2009...-racers-later/

greaterbrown

Yes, yes, yes. I'll drive the '64 Nova Wagon up there.
Too bad we need to wait till next Dec.
Good beer too- Yards.

HC203

We should def do that next year. I saw this race on another post. A lot of my illustrator friends in NY and Philly are cyclists. The guy who posted about this race also does or has tried those two 100 mile mtb races, the Wilderness and the Shenandoah 100.

Took my Madone off the hook for the first time in weeks, possibly months, rode to Mbello, did twenty there with Bob and others, rode home after dark, total 30. Winter is treacherous, water main break on the way over, almost lost it. Hope to get out today and tomorrow as temps are rising.

BTW-Now that we have the Prius, the minivan is becoming my unofficial event vehicle, sag wagon, tour vehicle. Hitch rack holds four.

BandanaMan

More Time than Money - The Ultimate Ramble Fantasy
Hey I just celebrated my 56th birthday yesterday (yeah thanks!) That means if all goes per plan I now have less than 10 years until retirement, and counting down. If the health holds out and I then switch into more-time-than-money mode (and etc, etc) here's my fantasy for the ultimate 2 wheeled ramble.
The vision for this first installment would be to ramble throughout the farmlands of the US and perhaps Canada. Since time would not be an issue but money probably would be, the idea is to "live off the land" as much as possible to extend the ramble. If I perfect the process it could be extended indefinitely. First build up the bike to be as nice a distance mount as possible but paint it up to look like a real low end "beater" bike. Kind of like Bob's Kogswell but with different tires that don't go flat every 40 miles. Then pack up the essentials in duffel bags and bungie cords so you really look the part of a drifter. Not a dirty drifter, but "seasoned". Then we'll need sustenance for the trip, which is the key part of the plan. For this my plan is to stop at small family owned farms and look for work as I travel. Just small odd jobs for the most part. The theory here is that there is ALWAYS work to do on a farm. Human nature being what it is, there would be some resistance to giving work to a stranger. But I think if I said I wasn't looking for money, but rather just a meal or two, this would be the ice breaker I'd need.
Certainly before I planned an extended trip it would be something I'd have to try out for a week or two to see if I could make it work. If it did and I could make the system self sustaining, it seems to me that I could ramble pretty much anywhere on the north American continent where working family farms are still extant. Would also have the benefit of getting to meet and know a lot of people along the way. That's an experience I treasure in any trip I make, and something that's hard to make happen in our current fast moving age. The whole plan sounds a bit 19th or early 20th century retro I know. Gotta have something to dream about tho.
Andy

HC203

https://www.crazyguyonabike.com/

NoRacer

Well, I found out yesterday that my employer will not support the Bicycle Commuter Act Benefit. According to my Human Resources department, Raytheon has the right not to participate:

https://bicycling.about.com/od/advoca...er_benefit.htm

...And I won't feel one bit of guilt not participating in anything they want.

balto charlie

I have spent toooo much time fantasizing over some of the trips on CBOAB. I particularly like the trips through central and south America. My daughter saved her pennies and is now traveling through Nicaragua. Everyone but me told her she was nuts. She is living on $10.00 a day(if she has a beer or 2) plus bus fare.
bandanaman: happy b-day. I am also near retirement and have had similar thought as you. I prefer the idea of being a ranch hand in the west though and bike the Rockies. I also want to bike from Alaska to Argentina....wife isn't too keen on this idea though. I figure she can bus and I'll meet her down the road. Traveling is very cheap in less developed nations if you camp a lot and bike.

The Human Car

Do they participate in any other commuter benefits (parking, mass transit)? If so, do they use a third party to handle the disbursements? If yes then I believe there is something that can be done but I have to confirm that.

HC203

I just got done lecturing a few guys at the gym about getting around by bike. They were talking about all the traffic on Roland during "pick up" times, and all the ways they go to get around it. I waited, wasn't going to say anything, then chimed in that if you were on a bike you would roll right by that traffic. The first response is "oh but you'll get killed, housewives on cell phones etc." I said yah there is risk involved but if Roland was filled with bike commuters then it would be much safer as drivers wouldn't be able to avoid them. Sometimes I just get so pissed at this town and the stogy old fart, old boys club mentality. Somebody get me to Boulder or Portland. We did begin to discuss the proposed bike lane on teh Charles St. Bridge over 695. Is that still happening?

I did 20 miles the other day at Mbello plus 10 to get there and back, 10 yesterday as the rear cog on my fixie is way to small for flat riding, pretty boring at Mbello in the first place but spinning with hardly any resistance is really boring. Rode a 20 mile loop to the gym today by way of Mays Chapel, did weights, swam, then climbed up Bellemore, felt pretty good. I'd rather climb than go around flat circles, maybe once a week at Mbello. Not sure how Janet and Bob do it.

Tomorrow-I now some BBC racers are riding out of O Ridge but I may join a neighborhood group at 2pm, it will be warmer.

NoRacer

Janet asked about a century ride. I sort of told her that I'd meet her at Meadowood at 8am tomorrow. That was before I saw the ride for DCRAND--sounds like a great ride with lots of climbing (twice over South Mountain), but I've already committed to riding with Janet. I won't renege on my commitment with her.

So, anyone see some crazy dude in pink riding north on Falls Rd with this strapped to his back?

HC203

I saw one ride listed out of Meadowood but not a century. I think I need to run this morning and ride in the afternoon. Where did you get the wheel, one of the shops on Falls/ Joe's, Princeton?

I saw the DCRand ride, looks good, just can't disappear all day.

Kineticycle

Hi Baltimore Cyclists...I'm moving back to MD to work at Hopkins and want to be able to cycle-commute within the city. Anyone have a place to lease short term (March, April, May) until the rest of my family arrives? Would like to be in the Harbor East / Fells Point / Canton area. Thanks! Looking forward to being a part of the local cycle-friendly-community.

NoRacer

The century was just a ride Janet threw together--not an official BBC ride.

Here's the ride stats for today (for me, since Janet headed back to Meadowood and I headed east to Essex. We split at York Rd just below Hereford):



Not very fast, but look at the climbing stat! Yikes!

The wheel: It was one of my wheels that I had rebuilt. I bent the axle in the hub, so I had them lace the wheel to a HED hub from my HED wheel that has a boogered up hoop.

Blog update will have to wait--bushed. I need a nap.

HC203

I had my but kicked by the Stoneleigh group. A 33 miler out to Dover and Tufton, climbing up Dover south, they call it the ride to Ripkins Hill, something like that. I just couldn't keep up. Maybe by spring. 90 miles for the week aint so bad for me though, rain tomorrow but Monday looks ridable.

138 miles and 6000 calories, man you must be hungry!!

NoRacer

Actually, this is one of those rides that I was more tired than hungry. It stayed like that even after I woke up from my nap. It probably wasn't until way later in the evening that I had a bowel of cereal. 6,000 calories--not even. Definitely inflated somewhat.

Anyway, I updated the blog.

Bob, sorry that I didn't get any pictures of you when you were with us (I actually remembered to bring a "real" camera this time):

https://bimactive.com/ba/journal/post/10783/29416 - Part 1
https://bimactive.com/ba/journal/post/10783/29417 - Part 2