^^^^^^^
Yeah... sorry about that.

I don't know if I want to invest in Spot either. You have to buy the hardware, basic service, and then, the live tracking is extra $$.

Did I read your BBC post correctly that you're riding the Back Roads Century, carpooling with JG?

That's the plan at the moment.

I'm in. Carpooling with Tim Marshallsey.
Also, still planning on riding Indian Head on Sept. 12th.
And, still planning on riding down to pep up Max in Columbia next sunday morning, Aug 29th and then (If possible) connecting with Carl's ride to Sandy point later that same day. -GB

Barring complications with my sister (she's having surgery tomorrow and will need chemo once recovered), I may do Indian Head, since I haven't done it before and I'd like to go with you to Columbia for Max, too. Perhaps, I'll try to hook up with Carl's ride, also, if you want the company.

NR, I've been thinking a lot about your sister since you told me -- she'll be in my thoughts and prayers again tomorrow. Please let us know how the surgery goes, and if there's anything you or your family need, please don't hesitate to call me.

I'm occupied both of those Sundays, so I can't do either Indian Head or Back Roads. :mad: On the :thumb: side, though, I think my plans for a late summer mini-bike camping tour are shaping up. Here's the rough big-picture outline:

Evening of Thursday, September 23rd: Arrive at Trap Pond State Park, Laurel, DE (about 2:40 from Baltimore). Camp the night, leave cars for weekend (will confirm that park is okay with that.)

Friday, September 24th: Ride to Janes Island State Park, Crisfield, MD, about 52 miles. Probably stop in Princess Anne (about mile 31) for some lunch and looking around.

Saturday, September 25th: Morning -- kayak some of the park water trails for 3-4 hours. Afternoon/early evening -- ride into Crisfield (3 miles) for late lunch/early dinner, some touristing about.

Sunday, September 26th: Ride back to cars at Trap Pond, about 62 miles, via Furnace Town historic site (about mile 34), and Pittsville MD (about mile 51) for what looks to be a good meal at a fun restaurant -- Station 7.

I'm figuring on rolling along at around 10 mph. Judging by my pace on my weekend tour last year to Gifford Pinchot State Park, that may be a bit pessimistic, but hey, it's vacation, I'm gonna relax . . . if it kills me! :lol: And who knows, a good old Eastern Shore headwind, and that pace may end up seeming fantastically optimistic.

Anyone interested in coming along for the ride? If so, let me know, I can PM or e-mail more details. I'm going to book the campsites soon, probably August 31st. Total cost, if you're splitting a site with someone, would be about $40 for the weekend.

I'm here for you as well. I wish your family strength, resiliency and of course, a quick recovery.

Max, Your trip looks so enticing. I wish I could make it fit into my schedule, but it's not to be. You seem to be routing yourself through some beautiful eastern shore territory. I don't need to say enjoy yourself.

BTW. I have been trying to make a new long ride route that will have four distinct stages to it. The part I'm clonking my head over is in your area. Here's a google map of the basic loop I'm trying to make work.
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&sour...,0.268478&z=12

I need to keep the loop to 35 miles or less.
It can go in either CW or CCW direction.
Start/Stop must be at Race and Hanover.
It must be basically a teardrop towards the southwest. (can't extend too much further east or north)

No matter what I'm doing, it looks like Death Race 2000 down there.
Any suggestions?

Charlie, chime in if you've got ideas too.

You ain't kiddin'! (as my PA relatives would say. ;))

Fort Meade Road (a/k/a MD 198) through Laurel to the Fort and Annapolis Road (a/k/a MD 175) alongside the Fort and across the B/W Parkway are probably the two spots in Anne Arundel County that would be near the top of my my "Find Some Other Way Around!" list. (Especially that piece of 198; your section of 175 isn't *really* nasty until the part that's around the B/W Parkway ramps.) I won't be home tonight, but I'll try to poke around some on the eastern half of your route tomorrow night. A re-route might involve some twisty/turny neighborhood back roads, though, which might be aggravating for a Ramble ride.

Oh, by the way . . . if you guys are planning on another intercept on the Booty course :) be advised that they've changed the schedule for this year. Last year, the ride started (and ended) at 4:00 p.m. This year it's been pushed up to 1:00 p.m.

I'm shooting for a dawn patrol.

Max, I don't mind some "twisty/turny neighborhood back roads" as long as they don't contain too many traffic lights and stops.

I just rode from Crofton to Laurel on Saturday afternoon and that stretch of 198 is perfectly fine. The exits for 295 can get a little busy but with a group of riders I don't see it being much of an issue.

Suppose I should do a quick introduction while I'm here! Name's Jeremy and I just started riding last month... A few foot and ankle injuries are keeping me from playing Football and Soccer so I've picked up cycling to stay in shape and I'm absolutely loving it. I live in Crofton so I've pretty much just stuck with the back roads here but I'm looking to start branching out.

?? You rode from Crofton to Laurel via 198? That seems odd; 197 would have been my first thought for a route for that ride.

Sorry to hear aboout your injuries :( but welcome to cycling! (And BikeForums.) There are a lot of wounded runners and such among the cycling ranks.

Crofton is a great jumping-off point for some really nice southern AA Co / southern Maryland riding. The Baltimore Bicycling Club's group rides wander down that way every now and again.

Recap of yesterday:

I took the day off, but drove to work so that I could meet my mother at Radio Park in Towson. We planned to take her car to GBMC. My sister and brother-in-law (BIL) had to be at GBMC by 4:30am, so she was already in surgery by the time my mother and I had arrived. We met my BIL in the Main Lobby and followed him to the waiting room.

By about 10:45AM (surgery started at 6:30AM) she was wheeled into ICU for recovery. Doc said that everything went very well. They pulled a mass out of her about the size of a handball. It needs to be tested to see exactly what is being dealt with.

We were able to visit with her for a little while, but she was very sleepy from lack of sleep the night before and from the sedation, so my mother and I left the hospital by about 1:30PM(?)

She'll be in ICU for today, then they'll move her to another room. She will be there until Friday.

Anyway, that the status for now. Thanks, everyone, for your support.

Well I did Waugh Chapel > Piney Orchard > 175 > 32 > 198. That route was pretty quiet until I got to the 295 exits... well besides that hill on 198. That got the breathing up a little bit.

There seem to be a good deal of group rides in my area. I think both of the Crofton LBS' do rides and on occasion I'll see a very large group of riders on Davidsonville near the park and ride. Is that the Baltimore Bicycling Club?

Bike Doctor Crofton has weekend rides and the Severna Park Peloton (http://www.severnaparkpeloton.org) ride in that area periodically (as well as join the Bike Doctor rides). Last Sunday, there was a ride being led from one of the Crofton shopping centers by the DC Randonneurs, but their rides from there are few.

Thanks for the info NoRacer. I'll try to catch up with a Bike Doctor ride in the coming weeks.

Hey all: I'm back. 2 1/2 weeks of NO computer and NO cell phones. Try it, you'll like it.
@ Isaias: Sorry to hear about your sister, hope all goes well with the biopsy. Been there with a few of my family members.
@Max: checking my schedule but looks iffy. I have a wedding, 60th b-day, 80 B-day parties and a 4 day weekend in OC that month. not certain of the dates. Will get back to ya. thanks for the invite.
@GB: I'll look over your map later but at a quick glance I see that you are mapping out area that has some major drawbacks(Ft. Meade, Columbia and Laurel). Also Rt 32: Are bikes allowed on it?? Kinda doubt it but am uncertain. Was the guy that got his bike stolen Elk? He posted here a few time earlier this summer? Was he the guy we saw at the meet and greet downtown?
@Barry: Moonlight ride would be nice but just getting back has stalled my "to do list". If things work out I'll try and join y'all. Seems like a big turnout is expected.
Welcome to all the new folks
Maine: Great lobsters, beer, riding and a scenic coastline that is unrivaled on the east coast. The weather, 75f and only 1 day of misty rain.
Later, Charlie
PS: Hang in there Isaias

The stretch between 198 and 175 allows bikes on the shoulder. I only rode on the west bound side and it's full of rocks, gravel and and a bit of glass so be cautious while riding on it.

I guess Ive been AWOL.

Noracer-Godspeed on a quick recovery for your sister. GBMC is a good place to be though.

Moonlight Madness tonight!!-Who's going?

And I understand that some of you will be doing Indian Head and Backroads. Pretty sure I'm doing Indian Head day after CWC- and that area for the Backroads is some of the most beautiful around, so could be convinced to do that as well. I have a minivan with four bike rack on back. Keep me posted.

Think I'm doing this flat century on Saturday out in Delaware, Shorefire Century. Anybody ever done it. Also, the Baycountry is the following Saturday.

Don't forget about the Larry Bensky ride on Sept 25th. Would be great to get a huge turnout to raise funds for his kids.

Info on Larry's ride.

http://larrysride.com/ridedetails.html

I haven't posted here for a long time but the guys you see leaving out of Davidsonville Park & Ride are from a variety of clubs and groups, most notably Annapolis Bike Club. Many small groups also ride from there as well as the roads going south of there are just great riding roads. I used to live in Severn/Odenton and rode down through Crownsvill to Davidsonville to meet a group there. I moved to Chesapeake Beach and now I live in a great riding area too that I can just wheel away from the house.

I used to do that Waugh Chapel > Piney Orchard > 175 > 32 > 198 route a lot and it can get congested at rush hours.

I'm so glad that Nate took over this ride. I felt like the city riders needed it to happen, but I wasn't the right man for the job. I guess I kept it alive for 3 years trying to keep the ride similar to what Bob Moore had designed.
Nate has smartly redesigned the route making it shorter and clearer for riders. Ironically, I won't ride tonight. (got my 8th anniversary with my squeeze) Hopefully we'll run into the group somewhere downtown.

I'm def. in for Indianhead and Backroads. I'm pampering myself with supported rides and also taking the month off for the Rando Ramble. I plan on riding a couple check out rides of new Ramble routes. (very excited about morphing the Mason Dixon ride into a 200k from Mt. Washington to PA line to Emmittsburg and back with lots of unpaved. and actually not too hilly either)

I hadn't heard about the Bensky ride. Glad you posted about it. I'll give a donation and ride up to the start, but since it's a work day won't be able to ride it.

This sunday, I'm planning on scooting out of B'more via Carroll Park as early as I can (7AM?) to visit the super trooper, Max. I'll see how the timing works out, but if possible I'd like to intercept Carl Boyd's ride after the visit.
Max, do you think we can lure you out for another fancy brunch? Whatever you want.

-GB

Looks like I will be skipping MMadness ride as well in favor of taking my "squeeze" down to F Point for dinner and maybe outdoor movie on pier.

GB-Congrats!!!! We just celebrated 20!!! Eeegahds!

Charlie-Sounds like a great trip to Maine. May actually be planning a bike ride up along the coast next summer with the guys I did ADK with (and anybody else) so may want to pick your brain. You were hiking though, right?
I've become such Crackberry addict that I cant imagine a week without. We lost signal in ADK for a day or two, everybody else was freaking.

I've already been softening her up to the idea, not that it's taking much arm twisting... haha.

GB--see you at 7am with my new toy mounted on the stem of my bike. :D