Queen Anne's County here :-)

Welcome to the club. Nice to see another eastern shore rider.

And I must say, as I type this from beautiful downtown Queen Anne, it sure is nice out. Shame I'm working until 6. 8)

Thanks!

I just got back in from a quick ride through the 'suburbs' of Centreville! Hey -- it doesn't get dark until 8..

Looks like there will be a break in the weather Saturday. If anyone is interested in a hilly century, folks from the DC Randonnuers (www.dcrand.org) will be holding the following "training ride":

[Another press release that may be of interest:]
ORIOLES REACH AND JEREMY GUTHRIE TO HOST BIKE TO THE BALLPARK DAY ON SUNDAY, MAY 18

Event held in conjunction with National Bike to Work Day

In conjunction with National Bike to Work Day, OriolesREACH and JEREMY GUTHRIE will celebrate Bike to the Ballpark Day next Sunday, May 18. Fans that bike to that afternoon’s 1:35 p.m. game against the Washington Nationals may purchase upper reserve seats for only $6, a savings of 60% off the regular price.

Bike parking will be available outside of Gate C. Vouchers for the discounted tickets will be available in the bike parking lot. Participants are encouraged to bring their own bike locks.

Guthrie’s support of the program is rooted in his upbringing in the state of Oregon, where cycling is extremely popular. An avid cyclist, Guthrie bikes from his home in the Inner Harbor to Oriole Park at Camden Yards for each home game. Guthrie will also participate in a ceremony for Bike to Work Day at City Hall on Friday, May 16.

National Bike to Work Day is a nationally celebrated day that promotes bicycling as a healthy and safe option for commuting to work.

MEDIA ADVISORY

GUTHRIE TO JOIN BALTIMORE MAYOR SHEILA DIXON FOR

NATIONAL BIKE TO WORK DAY CELEBRATION ON FRIDAY, MAY 16

Jeremy Guthrie will join Baltimore City Mayor Sheila Dixon in celebrating National Bike to Work Day by cycling from the Light Street pavilion to City Hall on Friday, May 16.

Guthrie and Mayor Dixon will begin their commute at 6:45 a.m. at the Light Street pavilion. A ceremony at City Hall will follow at 7:00 a.m.

Guthrie will address attendees at the event, sign autographs and distribute vouchers for an $8 discounted ticket to the Orioles’ game on Sunday for individuals who participate in Bike to Work Day.

Hey all,

I am planning a move from Boston to Maryland. We're looking in the Reisterstown-to-Hampstead corridor.

I've done some cycling there, as we have family in Hanover PA and Reisterstown, but I'm wondering if there are any groups, routes, or other types stuff a guy might want to know about.

Thanks in advance,

Mass

Check out the Baltimore Bike Club at http://www.baltobikeclub.org/

They hold many rides in that area.

You can search for route maps by using one of the following:

www.bikely.com
www.mapmyride.com

For anyone who gave a thought about doing this ride, but got scared off due to the rain, you missed a good one. It was a little soggy at the beginning and we were tentative/cautious on all of the descents while the roads were wet. By the time we stopped for lunch at the Blue Moon Cafe in Shepherstown (WV), the sun started peaking out of the clouds.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...c/DSC00770.jpg I rode my commuter for this ride.

The average amount of climbing on this ride is reported at 7,500ft and my bike computer registered a couple of climbs in the 15-17% range.

The highlight of the day, other than the sun coming out, was the crossing of the railroad bridge in Harper's Ferry descending down the "spiral staircase" (carrying our bikes) to get off of the bridge and down to the C&O Canal towpath (hence, the name of the ride, "Century of the Spiral Staircase).

Attached are pics of the map--the red line is the century route:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...r/DSC00765.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...r/DSC00766.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...r/DSC00767.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...r/DSC00768.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...r/DSC00769.jpg

Gaithersburg MD, in Kentlands

Middletown, MD, between Frederick & Hagerstown.

Welcome.

I live right in between Reisterstown and Hampstead. Great riding in this area (IMO). Both for Road and off. Some of the best mountain bike trails are within 20min.

As Noracer said, the Baltimore Bike club is the best bet. They are a pretty sizable club and hold lots of rides in the Northern Baltimore Co area. I should really join them one of these days...

-D

Ummmm... you can join online paying the yearly membership fee via Paypal--in case you didn't know.

Grrr... NoRacer, you are such a tease with these DCRand ride reports. That one looks like a ton of fun. I'm always working saturdays when it seems they have the best rides. I could have done sunday's ride, but it looked pretty slap-dash. (an up/back piece of a 400K fleche). So, I've yet to meet the legendary Chuck and Crista, but I'm sure it will happen soon enough. Nor have I met you either. Keep in touch if you happen to head out for one of their sunday rides. I'd happily carpool.
Meantime, keep the ride reports comin'
-GB

BTW do you have any of the DC Rand centuries mapped online? or as gpx files? I'm always looking for future routes.

Looking forward to meeting you as well, GB.

Cue sheets and some maps, I have, but all in hard copy. I've asked Chuck for some .GPX files of rides that we've ridden together, but he never seems to rememeber to send them.

So, this Sunday afternoon, after some trial and error involving a few "bonus miles" in Patapsco State Park, I *finally* figured out how to get myself on the correct side of the river and U.S. 1 without major white-knuckling . . . so I'm going to start commuting at least a few days a week to Fort Meade. It will be 18 miles one-way, starting from the I-195 Park & Ride, and I'm slow, so there is going to be at least one day a week that, because of early-evening commitments, I just won't have time to bike. (Particularly given how long it's gonna take me to climb up Gun Road, or pass out trying . . . 12%, 15%, 17%, 18% . . :eek:)

I'm really looking forward to it! It will be more of a logistical challenge than it was back in the day, now that I have to actually wear nice clothes and look (somewhat) "professional" at work, but I'm sure I'll figure it out.

You go girl! You know about South Rd that lets you avoid Gun Road right?

Ummmm . . . no? I just checked my Streets & Trips software, I don't see a South Road anywhere near Gun Road. Do you mean South Rolling Road, maybe? The software shows it ending abruptly in the middle of nowhere, but S&T doesn't show paved surfaces that aren't accessible to cars.

I might not want to avoid the Gun Road climb, anyway. It will be my arch-nemesis, my white whale . . . :lol:

Excellent Maxine perhaps you'll see me on day. I ride by the park and ride everyday around 645AM. Another option might be to park @ the Grist Mill Trail entrance to the park. It's located near the intersections of Illchester rd, River rd and Hilltop rd, HOCO side of the river but immediately crosses the river to the Balto side. Flat as a pancake. Think about that option on those tired days, beautiful ride. You can avoid Gun by riding south rolling(turns into Selford), right on francis, left on Rolling (it curves hard right then hard left). This will put you on Rt1. You can avoid Rt1 by turning into Patapsco park, turn left over the river then left again back to rt1. I always ride on 1 because it is much faster than riding back through the park.....unless time and weather say to go for it. Enjoy the commute, this AM was great....yesterday not so good:) Charlie

Thanks, Charlie, I'll check out the other options, too -- always good to have alternatives for those tired/sore/bad mood etc. days.

I'm going to shoot for still getting to work by my usual 7:00 to 7:30 arrival time, so I'll be out there pretty early.

So riding on that section of Route 1 isn't too bad? I'm not traffic-shy, and originally I was looking at staying on South Rolling to Francis to South Street to 1, but when I drove the reverse on the way home one day, I turned right on Main from Furnace and got on Route 1 from there, and it wasn't pretty . . . blind turn curving back to the left, heavy high-speed traffic, and I had to get over to the left quickly so I could turn left onto South Street. Even gunning my little sports car across, it scared the bejeebers out of me -- I couldn't imagine doing the same thing on a bike. The Levering Avenue crossing of US 1 has a traffic light, which makes me feel *much* better. :)

That section of rt1 is not very good. There is a shoulder (heading south on 1) for a lot of it but not all of it. Cars are moving very fast. I do it because I am lazy and it's a 150 yard sprint vs. a 1 mile "cut through the park" Heading north on 1 is also tough but has a shoulder to hide but it is full of crap. You also have to worry about the cars entering onto 895 from rt1.
So: parking at the Grist Mill trail head gives you access to Levering and the light, easier ride, more scenic and less traffic. I actually ride this route when time permits(adds 5-6 more miles to commute).
Here are 2 options, similar miles.
http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=1893282
http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=1893295
You also can do Gun but riding up that MF is not a lot of fun, will make you stronger though. I wouldn't do it everyday tho'.
If you are eventually heading towards rt175 try these roads:
Furnace east from rt1 area
Right on Race
right on Hanover(not left to Race)
Left on High Tech
Left on Coca Cola
X Rt100
right on Dorsey rd
left on Forest(turns into Wigley Ave)
You will find larger roads, some with shoulders, no blind curves(like Race) and traffic is just as lite as Race rd.
Good luck in whatever you do, Charlie

Who's going where for Bike-to-Work Day? I'll be at the Towson Courthouse riding this, hopefully sans fenders:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...c/DSC00770.jpg

hmm... I'm firmly on the fence
I've been thinking about going up to the Towson meet-up for a change.
Last couple of years I went downtown then back out to Owings Mills. It's probably just as easy to ride up to Towson and out from there.

And then there's the weather... more rain for friday. :notamused: , so I'd be less wet using the metro from downtown.

But then again the Kogswell's got full fenders.
(not those little paperclippy things it looks like NoRacers got on the TCR ;))

LOL I ask, I receive:
DCRand ride this sunday. Including me, I could take 2 bikes/riders(maybe 3?) leaving from the city if anyone is interested in going with. -GB

SUNDAY, MAY 18, 2008
"E-I-E-I-O," starting from Old MacDonald's Farm in Emmitsburg, Maryland.
MEETING TIME 8:00 a.m. (cuz Rocco's doesn't open til Noon on Sunday).
This ride was washed out on April 20, so we are rescheduling it for this
Sunday:

Old MacDonald went for a bike ride, and on that ride he set out from his
farm in EMMITSBURG, danced a jig in IRISHTOWN, dined like a king at
Rocco's in EAST BERLIN, picked a few apples in IDAVILLE, and crossed the
railroad tracks in ORRTANNA. We will attempt to find at least one of
each of Old MacDonald's farm animals. The first half of the ride is
fairly mellow. The second half is moderately hilly and very scenic.
100 miles, with a 79-mile short option that includes the lunch stop and
still eliminates all the afternoon hills! Estimated elevation 5,000
feet or so.

Directions to the ride start:
OLD MacDONALD'S FARM (aka McDonald's), Emmitsburg, Maryland From DC
Beltway go North on I-270 about 31 miles to Frederick. Continue north
on US15 for about 25 miles, then exit onto MD140 West (AFTER the Seton
Ave/Bus.15 exit). In about a quarter mile turn right onto Silo Hill Rd
at the traffic light (McDonald's on R). Make your 1st right onto Silo
Hill Parkway (just after McDonald's) and park beyond the car wash.

Lol! At least they keep my butt a little drier.

If you come to Towson, I'll be at the courthouse early (~7am)--see ya there.

I'm on the fence for the weekend. The 180 miler on Saturday by DC Rand looks tempting, but the Silo Hill ride does, too. Maybe, I'll have to do both! :eek:

I am going to miss this years BTWD. My first miss in many years. I have to pick up my daughter. Her University is finished this Friday.
There's a rider looking for others to ride with on BTWD. He will be going from S. Balto to DC, helluva BTWD ride. Look for his post on bikewashingtondc yahoo group. Ride safe everyone. Charlie
PS Noracer A true commuter is NEVER sans fenders.

True. It was wishful thinking in regard to the weather. Yesterday, the fenders were off. Today, they are back on, probably for quite awhile.

Btw, how many "true commuter" set-ups include all carbon wheelsets and 54x42 time trial chainrings? :D

Only the ones that can't wait to get to work and have to get there fast...:)

+1...

...or the habitually late.

Hey guys, I live in Damascus MD and was wondering if any of you guys around here mnt. bike

You needed the fenders this AM. Carbon wheelset and East Balto Rds:eek:
Hope y'all have good BTWD rides. I gotta say you earned 'badass' status after this mornings deluge. I drove in very early today to avoid traffic and it was raining really hard.