soda

I'm hoping that someone from the DC area might be able to give some advice on rides. I ride with a club/team that likes to get about 50-60 miles on a weeknight with an average in the range of 18.5-19.5 mph. I've checked out wada.org but it seems that site is geared more towards the bike path instead of the road. Perhaps you know of a LBS that has regularly scheduled rides that I could contact. Although I love both hilly and flat rides, my main goal while I'm there is to get out on the bike for a good workout on some new roads. I also have cold/winter gear and a powerful HID light so temp/light conditions are not a concern.

Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks.

SpongeDad

Potomac Pedalers (https://www.bikepptc.org/) is running a Sunday morning ride out of Glen Echo (DC/Bethesda MD border) that is 52 miles with 2400 feet of climbing. Your pace is right in the middle for that ride. I did it last weekend and it was great.

Also check out www.bikewashington.org (or .net, .com?) for routes around DC.

cydewaze

Jess and I have a great 57 mile loop that makes a great traffic-free ride. I don't think we can average 19mph for the entire ride (too many hills) but low 20's on the flats is common. Drop me a PM before you swing down if you're interested.

bobby c

Hey - you mind sharing your route? I'm just getting back onto the road after a spell & 50-60 miles sounds about right in a few weeks. Feel free to PM me if you wish.

Thanks,
Bobby

cydewaze

I'll write up a cue sheet tonight and PM it to you.

rapidcarbon

why not post it up for everyone who's in DC area

the Bicycle place sunday ride is only 40miles but they average 20mph.

cydewaze

I thought of that too, and it's a good idea. I'll post it on my website so it'll be there permanently.

bobby c

Way to go - much appreciated!

TheKidd

I've ridden in DC a few times.

Meaning that I've ridden IN dc a few times. Meaning downtown and all through it. Riding street in DC is one of the most fun times I've ever had on a bike.

boze

i'd like to see some low-car road rides in dc too. cyde-waze, hope i notice your post with the details when the time comes.....

i was gonna post some suggestions but i'm just a slow poke who rides the paved paths all the time so that wouldn't count. rock creek park / beech drive is about the only time i'm on car roads for any length of time.

i just started riding out mt. vernon trail again - hadn't noticed they'd repaved it - and now i'm just addicted to the scenicness and do that same ride over and over whenever i go out pretty much.

cc_rider

As SpongeDad said, Potomac Pedlars is an active club with about a dozen rides every weekend. https://www.bikepptc.org/
November ride schedule should be up around the end of the month.
There is also the Oxon Hill club https://ohbike.org/ Smaller club but still friendly.

WABA is more an advocacy and lobbying organzation. The big event they sponsor is coming up on October 15, a little early for you.

If you don't mind going solo, the PPTC has a cue sheet library. You could download one and try it. https://www.bikepptc.org/cue_sheet_library/

https://bikewashington.org/ is also a good resource. Both trail and road routes.

If you have something place particular in mind, I might have a cue sheet. I save all of mine from the club rides and tours.

cc_rider

boze - You might want to check the PPTC ride schedule, too. https://www.bikepptc.org/ride_schedul...0.html#Oct8Sat
Since you like the MVT, they have a couple of rides coming up that might be to your taste.
Oct 15 is a 20 mile D level around the Alexandria Heritage Trail. There is some road riding involved on this one.
Oct 29 is a 18 mile C level "Arlington Loop" This one is supposed to be mostly on trails.

FastFreddy

I grew up in the DC area and the one thing that I miss more than anything is riding on the C & O Canal towpath. You can start in Georgetown (right under Key Bridge) and follow the path up out of DC, through Maryland, and into West Virginia – somebody correct me if I’m wrong I haven’t gone that far for a long time. There are occasional breaks where you have to carry your bike for a very short distance.

The great thing is that you’re out in beautiful wilderness almost right away… you would never know that you’re still in a city. Also -- since the path is pretty wide, you have plenty of room to get around slower traffic – you hardly ever have to break your pace – except maybe in the busy summer months when it gets crowded. You can go to Great Falls, MD (a nice place to see) from Georgetown for a 34 mile round trip. If you want to really hammer for 2 to 3 hours, that’s a good ride.

It’s a dirt surface, so you wouldn’t want to do it on a regular road bike, but unless it’s wet all you need is a wider tire (say 700x35 would be fine.) You don’t need suspension.

The area is part of the national park system and they have rules regarding riding at night – I believe that it closes at sunset, but I may be a little off on that.

cydewaze

I'm typing that up tonight. Should be up in a few.

SpongeDad

Here's the cues for the Glen Echo 52 miler:

Mile Delta Turn Description
0.0 0.0 L From Glen Echo Park onto MacArthur Blvd
5.9 5.9 R Falls Rd
7.8 1.9 L River Rd
15.9 8.1 L Remain on River Rd / Mt Nebo / West Offut
24.9 9.0 R Edwards Ferry
26.2 1.3 R Westerly
27.7 1.5 L West Willard
27.9 0.2 R Wooton
28.3 0.4 L Shopping Center / Selby’s Market
28.3 0.0 L Wooton / leaving Selby’s Market
28.4 0.1 R Fischer Rd
30.2 1.8 R Partnership Rd
34.0 3.8 L River Rd (becomes Seneca)
36.9 2.9 R Esworthy
38.2 1.3 L Query Mill
38.8 0.6 BR Glen Rd
39.5 0.7 R Travilah Rd
39.8 0.3 L Stoney Creek
41.5 1.7 L River Rd
44.9 3.4 R Falls Rd
45.7 0.8 L Oaklyn Rd
48.1 2.4 R Persimmon Tree Rd
50.1 2.0 L MacArthur Blvd
51.7 1.6 R Glen Echo Park

Edit - okay that's didn't paste too well, but you get the idea.

cydewaze

Here's my cue sheet for my Poolesville Ride:
https://spokes.cydewaze.org/poolsville57.html

SDRider

I have a recommendation...dress warm.

SteveE

That's just because you're a wuss from SoCal.