HC203

GB-You'll need to organize a "blind" no gizmo ride. When I first started riding years ago I was so dumb to the whole sport -I had a hybrid, didn't care how fast I went, never knew how far, just riding along the Jersey City waterfront with the twin towers and the rest of the manhattan skyline right there. I remember doing the Five Boro Bike Tour on that hybrid, 36 miles and I thought I was superman, then I had a smoke. No computer, wouldn't have known what one was.
Then when I got my first real road bike in 97 I would just take off and then try to find my way home, I had no real interest in increasing my speed and the computer was in essence just an odometer.

Barry-I was planning on getting down to annapolis as I did last year but I'm going to NY on Thurs and Friday so taking off Wednesday is impossible. You gonna represent?
What's up with the trail? ice?

NR-Thanks for the info on the rollers. I had read some blogs and people talked of those 40+ speeds. I'm sure it will take some learning.

I missed out on good riding weather today, planned on a lunch ride, then a 3pm ride, but busy all day, no chance. Gotta make coin!

The Human Car

One thing that has come up for the Symposium, it seems that our state Dictator of Bicycle and Pedestrian Access has recently declared no more curb lanes. (Curb lane def: https://baltobikeclub.org/index.pl/bikelanefaq) While his point that these do not always make for adequate bikeways is valid the State's bicycle advocates support curb lanes for various reasons from traffic calming to my POV which is its not so much what's on the right of the strip (though consistency is appreciated) as on the left. Bicycle and motor vehicle interaction is fairly clear in narrow lanes or in wide lanes where cyclists and motor vehicles can safely share the lane side by side but with lane widths in between bicyclist and motor vehicle interaction can be a real bugaboo as it's not clear if the lane is wide enough to share side by side or not. Curb lanes clarify a travelway as too narrow to share side by side.

Anyway there is going to be lots for us cycling advocates to talk about from this to the mandatory helmet bill, scooter road restrictions and much more.

NoRacer

So, if someone were to show up after cycling to the event, is it better to "represent" in cycling garments or better to have something to change into? [Actually, I would prefer not to have to carry a change of clothing, but I don't want to "offend" anyone if I'm not appropriately attired.]

Hey! It's 2am--where's the snow?

NoRacer

Here's a link to the Daily Randonneur blog regarding Sunday's ride:

https://thedailyrandonneur.wordpress....d-not-so-cold/

There's a link to pictures that Ed took along the way.

balto charlie

You'd be styling in your pink attire,
but do bring a tie.
The snow was there at 6:00am, you ride too early. Very pretty ride I might add.

If the B&A trail is iced over(I'm sure there are patches at least) what is the best way to bike to the symposium?
Not certain I will be going, actually thought it was today. So I may actually make it down if my microscope gets repaired today. If weather sucks I might light rail down and ride back.

Barry: You got a new hip What did I miss. I knew you went down on ice but didn't think you got that FU. Or is it an old problem? Anyway hope you heal well. When is your anticipated return to the bike? Folks that I have know w/ new hips have done really well. In fact I think hips are the best joint to replace
GB: that route looks crazy. There's an island called Carrol Island w/ a bridge and uninhabited(I think) that you might want to include.
electronics: Mine broke and have been meaning to fix it. It was my news years resolution but I never got around to replacing. I can't read the cue sheets w/ out reading glasses so knowing my mileage is meaningless.

balto charlie

Very nice looking ride. Dirt roads, streams, Susq river, food even looked good.

NoRacer

I wasn't riding yet. I woke up and couldn't get back to sleep, so I checked on BF. [Yes, I have no life.]

NoRacer

VZNavigator shows the fastest bicycle route starting from the city as:

St Paul St
Chase St
Martin Luther King Jr Blvd
Wahington Blvd
Patapsco Ave
MD-2 SOUTH
Ritchie Hwy
MD-450
Annapolis St
Taylor Ave
MD-70
Bladen St

maxine

Yeah, there's that . . . and then there's also the me-shaped indentation in the wall as I fly into it! I guess I could prop a mattress up there . . .

Other random musings:

I've always wondered why the bicycle symposium is held in the quite-often-bike-hostile month of February. But I guess with a part-time General Assembly (Jan-Apr), there aren't a lot of better options. I have to work, anyway, so no go for me, motorized or non-motorized.

I'm gadget-light, I guess. I have just a bike computer (no GPS or HRM or other gizmos) that, 9 times out of 10, I pay no attention to. And I have a soft spot for cue sheets and maps . . . I even always take one with me on the Seagull, *and* look at it!

I was sick as a dog this weekend, and so aggravated that I couldn't do anything outside on that lovely Sunday. But the forecast for this weekend looks quite nice, so far. Although I *really* need to get cracking on my move preparations. *sigh*

I have discovered something that I loathe even more than riding a trainer indoors: running on a treadmill indoors. A friend has talked me into doing my first 5K -- the Shamrock, which, because it is held on March 15, means that the weather and the darkness have been keeping me at the gym for my weekday after-work sessions. Even if I'm right in front of one of the TVs, reading the news, I just get so bored I can't stand it.

balto charlie

Can't get back to sleep, need to ride more often

balto charlie

These 2 roads at rush hour with snow....I don't think so. Crain hwy maybe. That doesn't get me all the way to Anna. Light Rail might be the best option. We need an update on the B&A trail.

balto charlie

You're leaving Catonsville. Where are you moving to?

NoRacer

Believe me when I say, if it had been snowing at 2am, I would have been out there... playing.

maxine

https://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&tab=wl

(If that link works, you can see the actual house on street view! ) It's in Severn, a few quiet neighborhood streets off of WB&A Road, just north of MD 174, just south of the BWI Trail. I really like Catonsville and will miss a lot about it (if I ever decide to stop being such a nomad and actually buy a house, I'd probably look there), but I am looking forward to the move. The rent is absolutely unbeatable, landlord is an extremely laid-back but conscientious guy, upstairs neighbors are cool, and I'll be just 9 fairly low-stress miles from work, so I'll be able to bike commute.

Edit: okay, so it looks like the link didn't work. Or I'm just computer-incompetent, which is the more likely story! New address will be 7695 Mahogany Road, Severn.

NoRacer

Maxine:

Check out - https://www.severnaparkpeloton.org

I've just joined this club [that's three, now]. They'll have rides closer to your new location. They are planning an Ocean City trip starting from the other side of the Bay Bridge (Queenstown). They call it OC9. If you don't think my July 4th trip is doable, their May 2-3 trip may be more to your liking.

maxine

They look like a fun group, I might check them out.

I've made a New Year's Resolution to do at least a few rides with the BBC this year. It's kind of scandalous that I'm the editor of the newsletter, and have never ridden with the club except with the MS150 team, and, oh yeah, one ride on the Gwynns Falls Trail.

My problem with group club rides is that I'm way too slow for the fast guys, but I like to ride way too far for the slow guys. I hope to get a bit faster this year, but I doubt I'll ever be an 18+ rider -- I'm just not built for that.

HC203

I had a nice trip down to the symposium last year. Took teh LR from Camden Yards to Cromwell then the B&A. It was a pretty small turnout last year. At the trail head at Cromwell I met a guy heading down there and we rode together, but I think he and I were the only people who rode from Bmore.

I got back to the spinning class this a.m so I could work the rest of the day, as the blood pools in my ass and legs. Ahh compression stockings-try them.

The instructor Theresa has a pretty extensive race record. She's on some of the Spinerval vids I've done. Says Coach troy got his start in her basement. She's done the Leadville etc. I think spinning at the Meadowbrook gym must seem like a walk around the block compared to something like that.

The Human Car

Anything goes for the Symposium, it really is an informal event and there is precious little opportunity to talk to those who can make a difference. With the change over in One Less Car, the Symposium will be the first time state wide cycling advocates will be able to meet with Carol and talk as a group.

FWIW I get some flack for testifying for bike bills in my BBC Jersey but I love the Maryland flag motif and I think it makes a very good and subtle point.

The Human Car

Ritchie Hwy is not bad going down Annapolis.

Re new hip, I fell on some ice with my bike and twisted my leg, a little over a week later I slipped on some ice again while walking and did the whole thing in. Outside of one huge sore thigh muscle the new hip feels great. I hope to be on the bike in April.

Speaking of GB's route and electronics routes like that drive my GPS nuts. My GPS likes to say "look I found a short cut by avoiding the out and back legs."

The Human Car

That looks like a real nice location to live!

The Human Car

GB and I are out to get you... on some of our rides. And don't let anyone tell you differently, you are built to do what ever you want to do on the bike. That's what's amazing about the machine it really is a great equalizer of body types.

NoRacer

These guys can and do hammer, but their website says that their rides are "no drop", so they are not suppose let anyone fall out of sight during group rides.

NoRacer

+1, no drop with our little BF group.

brandenjs

It's not a group ride if you let someone ride alone...

BTW- are any of you going to the swap meet Sunday..

maxine

Barry, yes, the new place does seem to be a great location. I'll just have to get used to the airplane noise again! I used to live in Pasadena, on one of the airport flight paths; before too long, I didn't even notice the planes anymore. This place is much closer, so the planes will be a lot lower/louder. That's okay, though; I have kind of a thing for airplanes, anyway.

GB, NR, everyone else -- no fear, I'll ride with you guys again! I just always feel guilty about slowing everyone down.