Derath, you still alive or did you expire on your epic wedding ride? Tell us!!!!

Since I started racing, I've had to work back up to including commuting with race training. This past week was the first week of both, except that Wednesday's Greenbelt race got rained out.

Anyway, I went to the Towson Courthouse for Bike2Work. It was a little chilly from the winds out of the northeast once one cooled down from the trip. They had free bananas, bagles, and coffee, as well as the t-shirts, bags, and ankle/wrist reflectors for those who registered.

Ah Man! I was hoping the lack of ride report would go unnoticed.

The short answer, I wussed out.

The longer answer. I have been burning the candle at both ends lately. Between a very heavy workload (I lost a consultant 6 weeks ago, anyone wanna job?) and a daughter giving me fits about sleeping at night I got to my parents extremely exhausted. I packed everything planning on riding. But by 2pm I was just spent. Mentally I really wanted to ride, but physically I was a mess. I was shaky like too much caffeine but due to fatigue. I decided that instead of riding home I would drive.

So I stopped at the Thai take out, and had dinner and a real conversation with my wife. Then watched a little TV with her and went to bed by 8:30pm. I am still kicking myself for not riding, but I know it was the right choice.

I will have plenty more opportunities to do the ride since I am taking the kids down every friday through the summer.

-D

What do you do w/ your daughter once you get to work? I can never go downtown on BTWD since I have to head towards DC. If I ever buy a folder I will go downtown, then hop on the train. I want to meet that lady Eva. Give me advanced warning on the next bike meeting, I've got lots to ask her.

I try not to go fast since I commute everyday. When I ride hard I pay for it on the next day. Yesterday I rode hard and today I woke up with a stiff knee and dead legs. Because of this I did not ride all the way to work but did my bike-train-bike commute. I didn't get a t-shirt either :( About that rain on weds. It lasted 20 minutes but rained really hard. It started when I rode to the train and stopped when I arrived at the station, squish, squish, squish. I left a wet seat on the train. Looked like I peed myself.

On B2WD we take a half a day off and ride downtown and then bike home and resume our regular scheduled activities.

The Mayor's Bicycle Advisory Committee meets the third Tuesday of every month at 6PM at Parks HQ, 2600 Madison Ave, Balimer, hon, across from "Droodle" Park. (Subject to change.)

(Directions provided by our delightful chair.) The public group where notices are posted (or if you want to chime in on biking in the city) http://groups.yahoo.com/group/bikehon/

Though it might be best to call or write her outside a meeting: Eva Khoury eva.khoury@baltimorecity.gov, 410-396-7665

BTW My daughter (12) did 18 miles on B2WD (we just eliminated Falls Rd to Roland Ave on the way there.) Not bad for her first big ride of the season. This was our route: http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/Home-City-Hall

Oh if any one wants a B2WD shirt let me know and I might be able to get some (just let me now the size.)

OK critique my route. I am trying to figure out a decent way to get to BikeJam next week. This is what I have come up with so far.

http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/Ride-to-Bikejam

-D

It looks like N. Washington St is one-way and you are mapped in the wrong direction (i.e., against the flow of traffic). You can use Broadway to Baltimore instead.

I can't comment on the westside portion of the route, as I don't travel there usually. I'll defer to Charlie and Barry and Angelo.

Btw, I'm on the waiting list for the Men's CAT 5 race... so, see you there.

There are a few northern sections I would change for weekday rush hour travel or for a less experienced rider but you should be fine but at Park Heights and Falstaff pick up my route http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/Home-City-Hall and take Baltimore St or Pratt St into Paterson Park (If you are comfortable on Baltimore stay there otherwise drop down to Pratt as there is very little traffic as you near the park.) Note: Use hybrid mode and look closely at the route between Falls and University as it is a bit convoluted but since you are climbing out of the stream valley the residential streets are nice (and a bit less of a slope) and there is a cut through the Rolland Water Tower Park (looks more like a castle turret) a left and a right turn that is almost a u turn onto University.

Cool. I am going to come with the toys of my other hobby. See if I can get some good photos.

-D

Great! We're going to have some pink jerseys in the CAT 4, 5, and 50+ races for sure. Looks like Dr.Pete will be there, too.

That reminds me... I need to pick up my new jersey!

Cool. That seems fitting (BBC Racing colors) considering you roll on a TCR. Now all you need to do is upgrade to a T-Mobile version and you will match :D

I am probably going to wear my BF.net jersey. Either that or the Seagull Century one.

But I will probably be more noticable by the Canon DSLR with the big honking white lens on the front.

-D

Yea that looks better. I am not a huge fan of Swann Road around the zoo anyhow

Derath, you are literally riding by my house. If I was going to be in town, I'd try to join you. Instead, I'll be carousing with friends at the Indy 500. (Plus, I'm not sure I could ride downtown and make it back home the same day. I guess I could always have my brother drive me home, he lives near the park!:D )

Well I ride right past your house at least once a week.

This is my route that I ride to church on sundays

http://www.routeslip.com/routes/11523

We should plan sometime to hook up for a ride on my way home from church one sunday. Now is a good time too. I have had a nasty run of family and work so my fitness has been knocked back down to the beginning again.

And actually I am probably not coming back per se. My parents have offered again to watch the kids next friday. So this time I am going to bike home friday night and then head out from the park back down to pick them up on saturday.


-D

That would work for me. Of course, we've been trying to do this for over a year and the schedules never seem to sync. School's winding down, but we're going to Disney last week of June.

Well to be honest, we haven't tried too hard either :D

But most sundays these days I am biking to and from church. And so on the ride home it is no problem to make a "detour" to do a loop with you.

-D

18 miles for a 12yo is very good. I'll take a shirt since I rode, L. Thanks for all the info on Balto Biking. Do you always go to the meetings?

That is true, but blame my surgeon. I sure wouldn't have taken six months off without him.;) I'm thinking June 10 might be good. (Hopefully, I'll get enough miles in to not slow you down too much, or you won't get enough miles in to crush me.:rolleyes: )

Ha! you're riding _literally_ to my house (I live on Baltimore street in front of Patterson park, 2nd door after milton!).

For a scenic route I would recommend getting to other side of Druid Hill park, then to falls rd via clipper mill rd, south on falls all the way, across the maryland ave bridge, cross mt royal, left on biddle, right on st paul, take left fork in road after center street, left on lexington go past city hall and veterans building, right @ T, then left on Fayette at police station, right on president, left on Baltimore.

I actually live in Towson, and work in Forest Hill so my daily commute is about 22 miles. I have considered doing half or maybe a little over half by car and riding the rest. As for the hills I will just have to pace myself and keep hammering away.

New MTB rider in the Catonsville area. All of my time has been spent at Patapsco Avalon, and that is in no way depressing.

Hey, my brother lives in the 2000 block of Baltimore. I'd do Bike Jam as well, but I will be out of town.

That's my hood. Spend lots of time in Pat. less lately as commuting has been wearing down my legs. Hope to get there this wknd tho' welcome

Do you ride falls? Too keep away from hills ride over 41st bridge. Easiest way over the jones falls.

I was just there a few weeks ago. I think that area has become one of the best areas in the city. Far enough from the bars to get away from crowds yet close enough to grab an quick beer.

Where the F@#% did y'all go. Ain't nobody riding? I rode a 40 miler over the wknd to a party. Failed to ride home. There was a pretty freaky thunder/lightning storm Sunday evening as I arrived. For those of you that ride N Balto Co: What's the best East/West route. I took Papermilll and Sweet air...not impressed. I was 'buzzed' often. Not a lot of traffic but they didn't give me much room either. Hyde rd was nice including the wineries music festival. Would have stopped if it were not for the party I was en route to. I am close to buying a folder. I want to be able to ride different trains and I can't park a bike at each station so... Anyone here ride one?

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5/23/2007

Greenbelt Training Race

I felt and did much better than the past 2 weeks at Greenbelt, but initially, I felt apathetic about the race. That changed after a thorough warm-up.

I finished high up in the front pack (maybe top 10--don't know for sure, because the referee stopped counting after 3 people crossed the finish line and then a crash ensued, distracting her from counting any more finishers.

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5/24/2007

Easy recovery ride during my commute to work.

Hard ride during my commute home.

Ride to and from Patterson Park in Baltimore City--The park is where Bike Jam 2007 is to be held. I rode to the park to meet 4 other race team members. We rode the race route many times before I had to leave.

The race is Saturday. I'm on the CAT 5 waiting list.

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5/25/2007

This is the combined ride file for the commute to and from work including a false start where I forgot my helmet and returned home for it.

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5/26/2007

Did not race at Bike Jam 2007. re: the officials would not let CAT 5s on the Wait List into the race even though there were only about 30 CAT 5 racers that actually made it to the start line.

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5/27/2007

BBC Club Ride - Mt Airy to Poolesville and back - 72 miles

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5/28/2007

Social ride with Dr. Pete of Capitol Hills Velo and other folks from BikeForums.net.

I had to quit early due to a mechanical problem (self-induced) where I accidentally, while in a hurry fixing a flat, broke the aluminum valve stem off of my wheel. I wound up having to call a cab to take me back to my car. :-(

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5/29/2007

Easy recovery ride during my commute to work.

Commute home w/some hard accelerations to "open" the legs in preparation for the Greenbelt Training Race tomorrow evening.

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5/30/2007

Greenbelt Training Race, Wednesday 5/30/2007.

DNF; mechanical problems--stuck shifter.

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Saturday I road 26 miles out to Glenelg for a 26 mile 10/12 BBC ride, in hopes that the slower pace would be easer on my knee that has been giving me trouble off and on. Well I ended up with 3-4 14mph cyclists but they took the hills gently so that really saved my knee and I had a great time.

Then after the ride I decided to head off to Bike Jam. I took Fredrick Road in to the city and about 8 miles out I noticed a car with the bike in the back so I waved as he passed, waved again as I passed and so on all the way to the park. We got there about the same time and talked a bit (I think I might have another convert to commuter biking.) I got to the park around 1ish, had fun listening to the bands, running into various people I know (including noracer who looks good in his racing jersey.) I played Frisbee with a guy named Nick for about an hour. And I think I spent $20 just on drinks (mostly soda and Gatorade) while I was there (it was hot!)

Sunday I had a mission to get a friend back on a bike so we road 10 miles down to a street festival on the west side of town. Not a bad for a first time in a long time ride.

A good east/west route for north BaltoCo? Seminary, Providence, Lock Raven, Dulaney Valley, Manor, Carroll Manor, Sweat Air. The BBC still does rides on these roads so they are used to seeing us out there. Paper Mill has sort of become a no man’s land for cyclists. There is supposed to be a cut through the golf course the locals use instead of Paper Mill but I have not looked into it.

It was good seeing and talking with you, Barry. Best wishes for the knee problem.