Yep - I got down there too! Since I'm just getting my "sea-legs" back, I just did the shortie ride. I was out and back pretty quick before the heat got to us. It was still ugly humidity!! Some of the sections were a bit cobbled but navigable. I would like to have seen the historic places identified a little better as well. It seems when I'm on my bike, I'm more concerned with moving forward than sight-seeing, but I'd love to for once just ride and stop when there is something cool to check out!!

Glad to see someone else made it out!

Also - NORACER, sorry to hear about your cramping experience. Happened to me last year on the B&A trail in Severna Park. I lost both legs coming over one of those wooden bridges. I thought it was over. the left one cramped first and then while tring to stay upright, I lost the other. I wound up putting the bike down in a grassy area just past the bridge. I know that sucks big time!

Take Care
Don

Hey guys: Been awhile for me. Computer problems at home and really busy at work.
NoRacer and Josh: Both having problems!! Josh lucky to get such quick service, NR: cramps are tough. Perhaps you're riding too hard. I think you can't drink enough in that weather. I feel better drinking only water these days and eating real food vs. power bar stuff. One thing I did on my recent tour(read below) was to wrap a dripping wet towel(the real absorbent ones from REI) around my neck for the entire ride. I would wipe the sweat off my face which felt like a cool bath. It really helped to cool me down. It won't help your legs but it felt great. It stopped the sweat from stinging my eyes as well.
I just got back from a massive ride, Pitt to DC on the Great Allegheny trail and C&O towpath. 330 miles in 3.5 days. 2.5 of the days were in the high heat and humidity:eek: I took it slow and was in the saddle for long stretches. I pulled a 2 wheel Burly with camping gear. it worked great for the GAP but suck on the muddy C&O with its narrow 'wagon wheel like' path. All in all it was a great experience going solo unsupported. Here's a link for a full trip report if you are bored.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/BikeWa.../message/11290
Later Charlie

Hey GB What time are they expected to finish? I just took off a bunch of time for my recent trip but am very tempted. I'll touch base w/ you later to let you know.

How did Tour de parks go. I read in the paper turnout was 500ish! Sounds like a good number considering the temps.

TDP; I still don't have the final numbers. Every year we nail some of the previous years problems and get a new problem or two. The final BBQ went really well and most comments were positive so I think it went really well.

I finally figured out where the arrival stats were on the RAAM sight. (not the easiest to navigate!)
and it looks as if the 1st solo riders are due in monday evening. So, it might not be smart for me to leave in the morning unless they're really moving. 3-time winner Jure Robic is way out in front and if he stays that way I doubt he'll be trying to set any time records.

So... I might consider coming down later in the day. Of course, I could easily get caught up in the excitement, stay too long and be riding after dark.

Still reviving my plan. What options do you have Charlie? I'd love to have the company on the ride down.

-GB

Some people are planning to hang out at Mt Airy (the "penalty" box) to mingle with the RAAM riders. I heard ~3pm Monday when the first of the RAAM is expected to go through Mt Airy. Next week I guess we will be hearing about the teams coming through.

Yeah. I could take a jaunt out there instead.

I had trouble with the RAAM site. I gave up quickly though.
My options are unknown as of know but will figure out by tonight or tomorrow. I will also keep an eye on the weather. So are you thinking Mt Airy instead. The ride is decent, good shoulder on Old Fred., just rode it a few weeks ago. Very hilly but not outrageous. It's probably 35 or so miles from Catonsville(I think)
It would be nice to know when the riders will be getting there(or Annapolis). I don't know how they can figure that out when I couldn't figure out where I was sleeping on the C&O everyday. AND they are coming from CA! If we ride at night I have 4 hr(or so) of burn time on my light. Should be more than enough time to get home from Anna.
My internet access will be sketchy this weekend so I'll pM you my phone. Charlie
PS I f we go to Mt Airy we will HAVE to pass my house(on the return) where there just happens to be a few kegs of brew!! If they survive Fathers days that is;-)

Bike to Work Day Pics

Here's the Towson group who stuck around:

http://www.baltometro.org/images/sto...8/B2W08_07.jpg

Hey,

Just gotta throw props out to RacerMike. Thanks for planning a nice group ride today. I had a blast. Unfortunately it will have to be dubbed "the bad luck ride" After his third flat Mike was too frustrated to keep going. Then another guy had 2 flats. 5 people and 5 flats total. I actually ran out of spare tubes...and I didn't even get a flat (which reminds me I hope I have another tube in the basement for tomorrow's ride)

Anyhow, thanks Mike. Great ride. And I learned a good lesson. If there is a guy in the group who rides up every hill in the big ring, DO NOT race him for the KOM. Even if you win you lose.

-D

Is that GreaterB in there too? I love the racing jersey for bike to work day. ;)

Yup, that's him.

I've been wearing the race kit for commuting to give our sponsors and the team exposure.

Thanks for coming out; glad you had a good time and better luck than me. I'm going to pick up some tubes today and I'll get one to you this week. Some notables on my flats: not a single one was from a puncture through the tire; the first happened at mile 17.4 as I was straddling my bike drinking water and not moving; the third happened at mile 23.6 between the time I filled the tube with air and started to put the wheel back on the bike. It was definitely a suck fest; 3 flats in 6 miles.

Hahahaha...funny thing is, I don't even think he was racing!

We'll do it again soon.

Took a nice ride to Codorus State Park last sunday.
Another century for June.
route: http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path...-SP-NCR-return
pics: http://flickr.com/photos/27976837@N0...7605657061311/

-GB

Yea think he was just making me feel fast.

-D

Noice!

I would love to do that with you some time, as it looks like the hills would not kill me on that route.

+1, Nice route!

Btw, I've taken 23mm tires down the NCR (Glen Rock to Essex) when it was dry--no problem.

Hey NoRacer,

Did you wind up riding to/from the Flatlands tour?
A double century day?

-GB

Charlie,

Here's a couple of photo sets of what we missed.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/wabeck/...7605663760760/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mcn7/se...7605672152301/

Bethesda - right next to the Potomac in Montgomery county. Rode the MS Century in May and looking for new goals - so please pipe up if you know of good group rides in the works! Thanks.
Mark

No, I wasn't feeling it, so I took it easy--Saturday and Sunday were both low stress days on the B&A Trail. It was probably good that I let my muscles heal a bit more after the weekend before last.

I'd be into an up/back to Chesapeake City some sunday. Never been there.
With the conowingo detour it's what, maybe ≤150mi RT?

Starting from where?

From my neighborhood, using Pulaski Hwy, going through Susquehanna State Park, Conowingo Rd (US 1), RT222, RT275, Augustine Herman Hwy = ~140 miles RT:

http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/155363


If you are up to it, on the 3rd, we could do this ride (the one I did last year) coming back on the 6th:

http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path...d-via-Delaware

[I'll be doing this ride, no matter what. Already have reservations for a motel on the boardwalk. :) ]

grrr....want to, want to, want to. can't, can't, can't.

I love OC. My mom's working at the convention center kiosk on the boardwalk answering questions about where to get the best carmel corn, etc. Don't forget to take pictures of fat people in tight bathing suits and over-sexed teens with piercings and postem here. -GB

(want to, want to, want to. can't, can't, can't.)

Well, do you want to ride to Chesapeake City on Sunday (140 miles RT)?

We could cut about 20 miles out each way by getting a ride from Biller's Bike Shop in Havre de Grace making it into a century, unless you -want- to ride the Susquehanna river area--hilliest part of the entire ride.

It's got to be more fun then when I carry a 20 pound backpack to OC, MD.

Anyone else interested?

gonna have to say, no, for tomorrow.
maybe another sunday in July.

-GB

Just wanted to say if any of you guys were in the Sugarloaf Mountain area Saturday and saw a chick hiking her bike up the hills, that was me on my brand new Fuji. Thanks for not falling off your bikes laughing at me. I'll be big and strong one day like you guys!! :)

You planing on riding up their next week by chance? Cause I did it a couple weeks ago with a friend and if you want to tag along with us you are more then welcome to. We normally do the mountain and then on the do a 10 to 15 mile loop around the area at the bottom.

Also is the road down cleaned up? We went after one of the big storms and I could not get any speed down it because their was to much crap on the road.

So Thursday I was adjusting my derailuer in my back yard, (bike upside down) When my boy was nice enough to stick a wrench in my spokes, scared the shiit out of him, wrench went flying. Sure enough a spoke was broke on the drive side, wheel rubbing frame, I tighten the driver side spokes next to the broken one, So it would not rub anymore.

After a light saturday ride, I called around Performace and Bike Doctor couldn't get to it til after Monday. So I called Broadway Cycles, I got same day while you wait service, which was great. People were really nice. One woman came in just want to know how to change a flat tire, they took here back and taught her. Nice place and people. Big selection.