^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
No help here, other than my opinion about the roads. Hopefully they are nothing like Hollins Ferry Rd which is the worst I've ridden AFAIK other than pure gravel roads up by Conowingo Rd (RT 1).

Max,
Teresa and I visited NOLA many years back (pre Katrina). We did quite a bit of leisurely riding and it was a great way to see the city.
As I remember we rented a couple hybrids that shifted poorly, but that didn't matter because there's no need for shifting. I don't remember the roads being too terrible.
I can't speak to what they are now.
Riding to the zoo, outlying cemeteries and music clubs in the university area was great. I was well entertained just looking at the local environment. Houses, trees, people are very otherworldly to a Baltimoron.

I don't remember where we rented from, but there must be a serious bike store near the univ.

Thanks, GB! Given scheduling issues (the wedding is at 6:00 on Saturday, so I don't have a ton of time) and the fact that I know next to nothing about New Orleans, I'm leaning toward doing a short bike tour or two. This outfit http://confederacyofcruisers.com/ looks promising -- locals who know and love the city and biking in the city, and who take you out of the standard tourist locales (which is where I will largely be -- the hotel I'm at is right on Bourbon Street).

Now I have to decide . . . I'm intrigued by both the Creole neighborhood tour, and the Lower 9th Ward tour. Maybe the 9th Ward ride on Saturday, since that's the only day while I'm there that it goes, and I think I would really enjoy it. (I was listening to Fats Domino in the womb. :)) I might be able to sneak in the Creole tour on Sunday; there is some talk of us all going to the Saints-Colts game :thumb: but it's an evening game, starts at 7:20.

def. 9th Ward tour

NR, I just (properly)read the endomondo challenge. The rules are strange.
I guess you get bragging rights for finishing first, but NO guarantee for winning! The winners are picked at random from lots earned by each mile ridden.
So, even though you're first, you only have a slightly better chance of winning than the 2nd place rider AND you have a not very good chance of winning when thrown in with all other riders.

I don't like it.

I'm mulling over a late in the season attempt at the 185 mile Monument to Monument to Monument. (Baltimore-DC-Boonsboro)
I've got this thursday off work and I might just blow outa B'more at 5AM. Waiting on weather.

Dang, that looks fun.

As in, Thursday the 29th? 'Cause today's Thursday . . . (right? I've been kinda losing my mind lately . . . :twitchy:)

I've decided I need another mini bike-camping trip. Being a slug of a government worker :thumb: I have off on Columbus Day (Monday, 10 October) so I'm plotting a trip for 8-10 October to Codorus State Park in Hanover, PA.

http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/statepar...orus/index.htm

I've never been there, but it looks nice -- there are hiking trails, and a big lake where you can rent canoes and kayaks. And disc golf, but I don't know anything about that. :)

Anyone want to go? My occasional bike/hike bud Dave (who did the Trap Pond to Janes Island trip with me last year) is in, so our two tents will take up one site. I'll probably make the site reservations in the next few days, and if anyone else is interested, I'll reserve more than one site.

I haven't picked a route yet (I just came up with this brainstorm a few days ago) but I will probably end up going up the NCR and York Trails to Glen Rock or Seven Valleys and then jumping on the road. That would be at least (about) 25 miles of trail, 14 of road.

We don't get time off for Columbus Day. :mad: We don't get many of the "government/federal" holidays.

Yeah, I think most of our contractors are in similar boats. I seem to recall some rule about how our contractors can't be in the buildings doing work if the govvies aren't there, but even so I think a lot of the contracting companies have them go . . . somewhere, and do some sort of work.

But hey, Codorus is only maybe 60-ish miles from Essex, via the trails. That's a stroll in the park for you! :lol: You could ride up Saturday, back home Sunday, without breaking a sweat. I have a 3-person tent, you could fit -- we'd just have to figure a way to strap a sleeping bag and pad onto the Ridley ;) and you'll be set!

I would ride M2M2M next Thursday, the 29th. Weather's looking nice for now. (that jinxes it). NR, if you're looking for some late in the month miles, take off work and tag along.

Hopefully, Teresa and I will be stuffing our feet into the sand down in OC that weekend. (my work schedule screwed up our first attempt earlier this summer)

Several years back, I rode up to meet a couple buddies who were camping at Codorus. It was early summer and there were a lot of rec vehicles and too many people, but the area was pretty. I rode up via roads Sunday AM and back using the NCR/Heritage route with my friend Trevor. pics from that ride: http://www.flickr.com/photos/2797683...th/2586050358/

Nice pictures! I may have to get that road route from you. I think Dave lives in Hampden (he's somewhere in Baltimore, I'm pretty sure), so I was thinking the NCR Trail would be a more neutral starting spot than making him schlep down to AA County. (Plus I think the distance/hilliness from my house might be an issue.) But when I did the trip to Gifford Pinchot State Park 2 years ago, I was surprised at how much the trails really wore me down -- even with all the 8% hills :p I was very happy to get back on the road after York. Although it was mostly the PA side that was killing me, and we wouldn't be on it for as long on this ride.

Have fun in OC! And on the M-M-M ride, that looks awesome!

Ditto, for the OC trip!

3M? M-cubed? Needs some kind of catchy acronym.

Max: http://ridewithgps.com/routes/729814 and cue at: http://www.bikely.com/cuesheet/route...-SP-NCR-return
NR: M2MX3

M2mx3
 

one:
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6151/...57c865f5a8.jpg

two:
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6178/...d12660a20f.jpg

and three:
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6167/...72804dba64.jpg

185 miles total.
getting to the Boonsboro Monument is a grueling ordeal on a bike. (especially after 100 miles completed) four major summits and a lot of big rollers in the foothills. I left at 5AM and didn't get back till after dark. No mechanicals, no flats, no bonking, some rain and a tailwind home. :)

route: http://ridewithgps.com/routes/715876

Did NR win?

Bueller?... Bueller?

He did!! :thumb:

long too!

My favorite things about this ride were riding to DC almost entirely in the dark and being so familiar with the route that I never needed to look at the cuesheet,
then riding against the bike traffic on the Capitol Crescent Trail at 8AM was an amazing view of DC's huge bike commuting base,
and lastly, this ride was a great test for me learning how to successfully manage food/water consumption and energy output on a hilly ride- something I was NOT able to do earlier this year.

That's great, GB -- to be able to make progress against a goal while having an enjoyable time = :thumb: I love the picture of your bike by the Baltimore Monument; the lighting is so cool.

I'm starting to get psyched for my bike camping trip to PA next weekend. If the weather forecasts can be believed, it's going to warm up and be sunny and just perfect -- low 70's during the days, low 50's at night.

Good job, Bob! Love the pics at each monument. How did the other riders fair?

Nice
 

That 3x monument ride is epic. You should make that an official double century.
I need to be in NYC early November, maybe I'll finally do the Balt to NYC ride.

This one was a solo ride. The route was clean and nice and I'd def. consider giving it another go with more riders next year

Sunday's Ramble managed to attract eight crazies.
http://randoramble.posterous.com/a-g...er-a-few-miles

i just joined over the weekend. mostly looking for rides and knowledge. currently in the mt washington area. lots of hills, hoping gets my legs in shape. would like to try my hand at touring. did a nice ride sat to fort mchenry and back 24miles round trip. nice quiet sat morning ride