Terry Wild Goose Chase ride

[divingbiker]

LadyinWhite mentioned this ride (http://www.terrybicycles.com/tours.html#) in the 2008 goals thread, and it looks interesting. It's a 10-62 mile ride on April 27 at the Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge in Cambridge, MD. Only $35 registration fee, and a cool jersey for $70.

I think I'm going to register. Anyone else?

[IFjane]

Would love to go, too....but it's the day after my wedding :D:D:D

[7rider]

Congratulations, IFJane!
Hmmm...toss up...Wedding? Girls bike ride?? :D ;)
Not! Is there a bike-honeymoon planned?

This ride looks like fun.
That's day-trippable from the D.C. area, too!
I'm up for it.

edit: Or....weekend it and bring the kayaks, too!! : )

[IFjane]

Thank you Regina!

Believe me, I would LOVE to do the girls-only thing, but the timing is soooo bad! If only it was a week or two later...:rolleyes:

There is a bike/honeymoon planned - well, not planned yet - but it will be! Soon-to-be-DH is originally from the Seattle area and I have never been to the Northwest, so we are thinking about something up there. With all the TE'rs there, we shouldn't have much trouble planning cycling routes. We are not honeymooning right after the wedding - just taking off for a couple days afterward and then doing a big honeymoon in the summer - most likely August because I have to be away for work some in June & July.

We are having a casual, cycling-themed wedding with a big-bash party afterward. Any and all ideas are welcomed! (and y'all come! more details later :D)

[divingbiker]

Congratulations, IFJane!
Hmmm...toss up...Wedding? Girls bike ride?? :D ;)
Not! Is there a bike-honeymoon planned?

This ride looks like fun.
That's day-trippable from the D.C. area, too!
I'm up for it.

edit: Or....weekend it and bring the kayaks, too!! : )

Yes, congratulations IFJane!

Oooh, what a great idea, Regina! I'm up for a bike/kayaking weekend. I just registered, so I'm at least committed to the bike part.

Hijack--are any of you having trouble logging in to TE? The only way it works for me is to retype my userid and pw in the upper right corner and check "remember me" each time. Otherwise it just keeps sending me to the login page over and over again.

[7rider]

Yes, congratulations IFJane!

Oooh, what a great idea, Regina! I'm up for a bike/kayaking weekend. I just registered, so I'm at least committed to the bike part.

Hijack--are any of you having trouble logging in to TE? The only way it works for me is to retype my userid and pw in the upper right corner and check "remember me" each time. Otherwise it just keeps sending me to the login page over and over again.

IFJane....make your honeymoon plans NOW. If you don't you may never get on one....DH and I never "officially" went on a honeymoon. We got as a gift from some friends a long weekend at a B&B in Lancaster, PA, where we did a lot of cycling and called it our "mini-honeymoon" 8 months later....but still we've not gone anywhere....4.5 years later! :eek::rolleyes:

Okay...I registered for this ride...even ordered the extra bike jersey (backordered!). They don't say who the manufacturers are, so I have NO idea what sizes to get...so hopefully, things will fit.
I may have to get some of those Spinerval parties up and moving, DB, so we can be in shape for this ride! (Wanna do the metric?? It'll be a flat one!)

RE: Your sign-in troubles. Nope. None here. Are you using IE or a browser, or are you trying to log-in through some other software (like AOL software?)?

[withm]

Much as I hate to registger for anything 4 months in advance... I'm in. And am up for kayaking too. This sounds like a lot of fun.

Martha

[Zen]

Tentative for me but sounds good.
I have to see how the job thing goes.

[Velobambina]

I think I'm going to register for the 62 miler. :)

[Kalidurga]

Hmmm... I usually end up working the last Saturday in April because of our big annual sale. I may have to play the "seniority card" and say that someone else needs to work that day, because this would be a great excuse to get back out to Blackwater again for kayaking (and to bike there for the first time!).

I checked out the site, but don't see anything specifying the mileage for the in-between routes. Anyone have any info on those?

[divingbiker]

This is going to be fun! The pdf file (http://terrybikes.forest.net/ftp/pub/WGC_register.pdf) has a bunch of hotels listed, so that will be helpful if we take the kayaks and make a weekend of it.

Tam, all the info we've got is what's on the Terry site. I tried calling, but their office is open M-F. Might be worth a call on Monday.

I don't know if I'll be up for the 62 mile ride by April either. I'm sure they'll have several rides between 10 and 62.

LadyinWhite will have lots of TE company!

[Kalidurga]

I'd be up for an in-between'er ride with a leisurely paddle the following day. I'll try to remember to call on Monday about the different routes.

Man, I'm gonna be keeping the pet sitter busy this year, too :rolleyes: :D

[7rider]

I'd be up for an in-between'er ride with a leisurely paddle the following day. I'll try to remember to call on Monday about the different routes.

Man, I'm gonna be keeping the pet sitter busy this year, too :rolleyes: :D

The ride is on Sunday.
I was sort of envisioning paddling on Saturday, biking Sunday.
Would you be able to pull rank and do that, Tam, or are you thinking a Sunday bike - Monday paddle sort of thing? Or...multisport! Bike in the a.m., paddle in the afternoon!! :D

RE: Four Routes...I'm guessing 10, 25, 40 or 45, and the metric.
And c'mon.....let's shoot for the metric. It's flat, and it'll be a motivating challenge to be fit enough for it by the end of April. Janice...I'm not worried about, as you'll have plenty of time in the saddle by then. It's the rest of us! ;) Well, except Velobambina, too!

[Trek420]

Tentative for me but sounds good.
I have to see how the job thing goes.

Good luck on the job thing, Zen :)

[withm]

Blackwater has marked kayak and bicycle routes.

Here is the link for the bike info
http://www.fws.gov/blackwater/cycling.html

and a map of the makred routes (Not necessarily the Terry routes)
http://www.fws.gov/blackwater/pdf/bikemap.pdf

and here is the link for paddling
http://www.fws.gov/blackwater/paddling.html

They recommend you buy a water trail map from the "Friends of Blackwater" when you get there. I have friends that have gotten somewhat well, distracted, paddling in similar environments so this is probably a good idea.

I'm thinking I might go over there in the next couple of months and maybe can do some reconnaisance, and perhaps to select a motel near the refuge, but that's also in a safe neighborhood (for our bikes and boats).

Martha

[Kalidurga]

The ride is on Sunday.
I was sort of envisioning paddling on Saturday, biking Sunday.
Would you be able to pull rank and do that, Tam, or are you thinking a Sunday bike - Monday paddle sort of thing? Or...multisport! Bike in the a.m., paddle in the afternoon!! :D

I'm thinking the same thing you are, paddle Sat/pedal Sun. I'm still too wimpy for multi-sport in the same day. I hope the unsuspecting folk visiting Blackwater on those days won't be too overwhelmed by us ;)

[divingbiker]

I have friends that have gotten somewhat well, distracted, paddling in similar environments so this is probably a good idea.

I'm thinking I might go over there in the next couple of months and maybe can do some reconnaisance, and perhaps to select a motel near the refuge, but that's also in a safe neighborhood (for our bikes and boats).

Well, I will definitely bring my handheld GPS along (to be delivered Monday!) because if it's possible to get lost, I will get lost.

That would be great if you could scope out the motel situation, Martha.

Regina, I will have plenty of sub-60 minute rides in by April, but a metric is a whole 'nother story. And even on my best day, a metric is not a morning event, so a multi-sport day is probably not in the cards for this tortoise.

And besides, I'm going to hang around after the ride and win that free bike!:p

[Velobambina]

I sent in my check/enrollment this morning. Hopefully, they haven't reached their 300 max yet.

You local kayakers---I've been tempted to try it. The Potomac is so close... Do any of you know of good places to take lessons?

[divingbiker]

You local kayakers---I've been tempted to try it. The Potomac is so close... Do any of you know of good places to take lessons?

I went out paddling with Kalidurga and Regina once, then I took a lesson at REI's Outdoor School (http://www.rei.com/rei/outdoorschool/DC/dckayakintro.jsp). It was an all-day class held somewhere northeast of Baltimore (the only one available at the time was out of the Timonium, MD store, but they have them in Virginia also). I was happy with it. Next spring I'll have to take the class that teaches you all the safety stuff (http://www.rei.com/rei/outdoorschool/DC/dckayakinter.jsp).

[Kalidurga]

You local kayakers---I've been tempted to try it. The Potomac is so close... Do any of you know of good places to take lessons?

Potomac Paddlesports (http://www.potomacpaddlesports.com/) was fantastic when I learned from them a few years ago. I did a couple of day trips (including the one at Blackwater), then signed up for most of the sea kayaking lesson series. Very thorough and very fun, and got me comfortable on the water very quickly.

[Velobambina]

Thanks for the tips, ladies. I'm going to check them out.

I try to row for crosstraining--don't do it enough, though. Kayaking seems like something that I might be able to get my husband interested in doing w/me. He doesn't ride w/me because he insists on riding a hybrid and keep keep up. LOL.

[LadyinWhite]

Wow - what fun! I'm so excited that there will be other TE's there! Two of my g/f are coming along to do the 10 mile rides, I'll be doing the 62.

I absolutely HAVE to register for these things months in advance to keep me motivated during the winter trainer months :|

I've purchased the jersey and have been looking at the hotels. The Regency spa looks to die for but my budget is more of a Holiday Inn on the Highway.

I got a note back from Terry immediately after registering and it looks to be signed by georgina herself. Do you think that is possible? There is also a little handwritten note on the invoice regarding a shipping charge that is being removed. DH says it looks like she wrote them both but he thinks it is more likely that her staff just signs her name to these things.

I dunno.

Regardless - I was doing the Cycling for Cadence dvd this morning and it was thoughts of this ride that got me through the 5 x 30 max output intervals.

:D I'm also really excited to check out the Terry bikes that will be available. (DH is LESS excited about that than me ;) )

T.

[LadyinWhite]

Well, I will definitely bring my handheld GPS along (to be delivered Monday!) because if it's possible to get lost, I will get lost.

That would be great if you could scope out the motel situation, Martha.

Regina, I will have plenty of sub-60 minute rides in by April, but a metric is a whole 'nother story. And even on my best day, a metric is not a morning event, so a multi-sport day is probably not in the cards for this tortoise.

And besides, I'm going to hang around after the ride and win that free bike!:p

You sound just like me! I'm being SUPER optimistic thinking I can do the metric by then! I love the tortoise image - slow and steady :)

[Velobambina]

I'm looking forward to this ride (assuming they haven't reached the max entry level & I can still get in). This will provide extra motivation to get outside on the bitter cold mornings.

[HillSlugger]

I got a note back from Terry immediately after registering and it looks to be signed by georgina herself. Do you think that is possible? There is also a little handwritten note on the invoice regarding a shipping charge that is being removed. DH says it looks like she wrote them both but he thinks it is more likely that her staff just signs her name to these things.

I dunno.
T.

I once sent a saddle question to the generic Terry info address and got back a response from Georgina. Since she answers email questions it's possible she's also involved in this end of things, too.

I wish I could join the fun but this one doesn't fit into my schedule. Have fun everyone!

[Kalidurga]

Just got a call from Georgina Terry and she's thrilled to know that the TE forum has brought in so many registrations for this ride so far. They haven't begun officially advertising it yet, and they've already got about 20 registered participants.

The in-between routes are 25 and 40 miles, as Regina assumed. I'm going to register for the 40.

[Velobambina]

Kali--Thanks for the great news about the registration numbers. I was a little worried that I missed out!

[LadyinWhite]

Well I just reserved a room at the holiday inn. Nothing glamorous but living so far away I couldn't risk not having accomodations. I figure I'll just bring the girl into the room with me rather than leave her on the rack on the car in the parking lot.

:) nice to have a little something to look forward to as it just keeps getting colder outside.

T.

[KathiCville]

Arghhh, the Terry website this morning shows that the April 27 ride is already over-registered. :( They had planned to take 300, but stretched it to 400 because of the demand.......You can sign up for a waiting list and hope for a cancellation.

I've never biked Blackwater, but used to visit there every fall when I lived in Northern Virginia. Gorgeous place!

[7rider]

Arghhh, the Terry website this morning shows that the April 27 ride is already over-registered. :( They had planned to take 300, but stretched it to 400 because of the demand.......You can sign up for a waiting list and hope for a cancellation.



Wow!!! :eek:

[LadyinWhite]

We have been overwhelmed by the response to this tour. So much so, that we've accepted reservations from 400 riders, 100 more than we planned for. We would love to accommodate even more, but we want to make sure we organize the ride properly and don't get ourselves into more than we can handle. We plan to offer this ride again in 2009 and we hope you'll be able to ride with us then. Thanks to all of you for your unflagging support and enthusiasm for this great cause. We will maintain a waiting list in case of cancellations. Please email talktous@terrybicycles.com if you'd like to be on this list.



Can you believe it? Thank goodness we jumped in when we did!!!

[Possegal]

oh well, that'll teach me to wait too long. i just emailed my sister to see if she was up for this. we'll have to move faster next year, any description of a ride that says "flat" has my interest. :-)

[divingbiker]

Wow, that sure filled up fast! I'm glad LadyinWhite mentioned it!

I just made a reservation at the Holiday Inn for April 26, just to be sure I've got a room. If withm finds a better hotel, I can always change it. (They charge $95 for a room that you can't cancel, and $99 for one that you can cancel up to 6pm on the day of arrival. Wouldn't everyone preserve the cancellation option since it only costs $4 more???)

This should be a fun ride.

[withm]

I just made a reservation at the Holiday Inn for April 26, just to be sure I've got a room. If withm finds a better hotel, I can always change it. (They charge $95 for a room that you can't cancel, and $99 for one that you can cancel up to 6pm on the day of arrival. Wouldn't everyone preserve the cancellation option since it only costs $4 more???)

This should be a fun ride.

Gee now I wish I had gone over there yesterday as originally planned.... Want to figure out kayaking options and which motels are decent biking into Blackwater though we might want cars to put goodie bags and stuff at while we are riding.

Wonder if they arranged a group rate with any of the motels for participants of this event?

Martha

[7rider]

Wonder if they arranged a group rate with any of the motels for participants of this event?

Martha

Good question!
I think there's a Hampton Inn up in Easton, and I was sort of leaning towards that. It's in the Hilton family of hotels and I try to use them if I can and if things work out.

[withm]

Wonder if they arranged a group rate with any of the motels for participants of this event?

Martha


Okay, I just emailed Terry to ask this very question. Will post the response.

[LadyinWhite]

It is supposed to be 66 outside today. 66!! In January!

I popped the bike off the trainer and set it outside before the sun was even up. I'm so motivated by this early season ride. I really think it's going to be a great way to keep me riding this winter.

I'm also really looking forward to meeting you gals! I'm keeping an eye open for additional rides that might be of interest. It sounds so fun to me to set up a girl's weekend of dinner, ride and laughs! Besides, who else can we sit and talk about cycling ad naseum with who gets it?? :D

T.

[withm]

Okay, I just emailed Terry to ask this very question. Will post the response.

I almost felt like I was on a wild goose chase looking for a motel.

I got a email back from Terry - they said they tried to negotiate group rates but none of the motels would do that. They recommended Holiday Inn Express. So I called them, and was told no non-smoking rooms were available. Grrr. So I called the next one on the list - the Hyatt. Rooms there were $319/night. A leeeeetle bit pricey since I don't expect to spend much time in the room except to shower and sleep.

So I got a double room at the Days Inn in Cambridge - $129/night plus tax. She said it was about 20 minutes from Blackwater - good enough. Since it's out on Rt. 50, it's got to be a good 10 miles or so - if anyone is thinking of riding over there.

There is a convention or something in town - and a large number of rooms at the Holiday Inn were already booked - but it might have been booked for the Terry contingent.... dunno.

Anyway, if you think you need a motel room, I'd get on the phone NOW and get that reservation. I don't know what else is going on in Cambridge that weekend - could be a big wedding or something, but with a couple hundred cyclilsts looking for rooms I'm thinking they will fill up fast.

Martha

[7rider]

I just booked a room at the Holiday Inn Express via Orbitz. The Hampton Inn in Easton is filled up, so is Kent Island.. :mad:
DB, my $99 rate (handicap accessible, so I plan to wheel my bike in for the night! :cool:) is subject to a $25 cancellation fee if more than 48 hrs in advance. Still, I don't PLAN to cancel...and for $4 more...I'll take the non-smoking room.

[Kalidurga]

Sounds like we're all at Holiday Inn Express except withm. I definitely plan to wheel my bike in, handicapped room or no. I do that every year when I stay at the Holiday Inn in Cumberland. That HI has never had an issue with me taking the bike on their elevator.

The poor 'yak, though, will have to spend the night locked to the roof of the car :rolleyes:

[divingbiker]

The poor 'yak, though, will have to spend the night locked to the roof of the car :rolleyes:

I'm a bit nervous about this. I haven't found a way to string a lock through my kayak, so I have no idea how to lock it to the car.

Especially since my coworker stayed at a motel on the eastern shore last summer and in the morning his (very expensive) kayak was gone.

[withm]

Sounds like we're all at Holiday Inn Express except withm. I definitely plan to wheel my bike in, handicapped room or no. I do that every year when I stay at the Holiday Inn in Cumberland. That HI has never had an issue with me taking the bike on their elevator.

The poor 'yak, though, will have to spend the night locked to the roof of the car :rolleyes:

Hey no fair! They told me NO "no-smoking" rooms were available. There is no way I'm staying in a smoking room. They offered me a room w/ king size bed but I'm going with a friend and we're not that close that I want to share a bed with her. She's on the waiting list for the ride, but she will paddle with us.

On the kayak lock, my kayak has a sort of panel molded in at the seat area that I can run a cable through, and then lock it to the rack on the car. Nothing is foolproof, but it will slow them down if nothing else. Then again not sure my kayak is worth stealing but I like it and would be upset if it went missing.

[divingbiker]

Hey no fair! They told me NO "no-smoking" rooms were available. There is no way I'm staying in a smoking room. They offered me a room w/ king size bed but I'm going with a friend and we're not that close that I want to share a bed with her. She's on the waiting list for the ride, but she will paddle with us.

I'll call the Holiday Inn Express tomorrow and double check that I have a non-smoking room with two double beds, and if I do, you can get a non-smoking king-size bed room and I'll switch with you. Would that work? Or is it worth the trouble?

[7rider]

Hey no fair! They told me NO "no-smoking" rooms were available. There is no way I'm staying in a smoking room. They offered me a room w/ king size bed but I'm going with a friend and we're not that close that I want to share a bed with her. She's on the waiting list for the ride, but she will paddle with us.

On the kayak lock, my kayak has a sort of panel molded in at the seat area that I can run a cable through, and then lock it to the rack on the car. Nothing is foolproof, but it will slow them down if nothing else. Then again not sure my kayak is worth stealing but I like it and would be upset if it went missing.

I think I have a king also. Hope you can switch (and I hope mine is really non-smoking!).
My Dagger has a molded in spot with a stout metal bracket specifically for locking it up. My Necky does not. It might have a hole in the seat, tho...that's a good idea. Perhaps b/t now and then, I'll have to hit up Home Depot or similar to fashion a long enough chain to get around the boats.
Incidently, if DH does not come along for the weekend (and I suspect he won't) to join us for the paddle and to do his own ride, I will have a second boat availabe for use on Saturday. It's a 13' recreational boat that can fit a wide range of paddlers (presuming you are not tiny or giant) and it's very stable with a rudder for easy steering. Let me know if you would like to join us...I can haul the boat and gear, all I'll need is a strong set of arms to help launch and re-load it.

[ClickIn]

I signed up with a friend and we're planning on doing the 40 mile ride.

I'm new to the TE forum. I live in Baltimore and would love to meet other TE members in the area!

Any TE members from the Baltimore/Washington area that cross country ski? Anyone available during the week to go to WV/western MD or PA?

Looking forward to the ride in April!

[7rider]

Hi, ClickIn.
Welcome to TE and welcome to the Mid-Atlantic area forum!

I cross-country ski - mainly "classic" style in track stuff...no skating or back-country, really. I don't do much of it since I've moved to MD....only when they don't plow my streets after a (very rare) big snow. But now we have a Montogomery County Police officer in the neighborhood, and we seem to get the plows a lot more quickly than we used to! :rolleyes:;) I'm not too available mid-week, tho. Perhaps we can get you to join us on a local ride some day.

P.S. RE: the kayak in my above post....my DH may be joining us after all.

[ClickIn]

Yes I'd love to join up with other TE folks in the area for a ride!

[LadyinWhite]

Hi there Clickin :)

I'm not "exactly" local - I'm in NJ but am determined to get out and ride with others more this year.

It's my NYE resolution - try riding with others! :eek:

Looking forward to meeting you in April.

[Zen]

So now i do have a job but with the hotels, food, and pet lodging it would still be too spendy for me. I was hoping they had a campground :(

[tulip]

It's the same weekend as the TarWheel Century in Elizabeth City, NC. Otherwise, I'd like to do the TWGC ride.

[jeannierides]

I missed this thread when it originally started, but I'm signed up for the ride too! I will be going to IFJane's wedding:D, then my SO and I will be traveling to MD. From the looks of things, we may have a little difficulty finding a place to stay!:eek:
Velobambina, did you get in?

[amithereyet]

I had been waitlisted for this ride and learned yesterday that I can now attend! They opened the ride up to more riders, who, like me, will get a smaller goody bag, but: I GET TO GO!

As an Eastern Shore dweller, this ride was made for me. I haven't ridden this region yet & I look forward to it. And, best of all: it's flat.

Hope to see some of you on the ride.

[ClickIn]

Thats great, glad you made it in! I too hope to meet other Mid-Atlantic TE forum members. Maybe as the date gets closer we can get organized and all meet up!

[F8th637]

I'm getting in here all late. On the website it looks like the ride is full. Does anyone know if they are still taking anymore? I'd consider.

[jeannierides]

The ride is overbooked by about 100 according to Georgena Terry. Plan for next year...

[LadyinWhite]

Whoo hoo!! got my wild goose chase jersey today.

maybe this will inspire me to get back on the bike. I think I've put on 5lbs in the last 6 weeks~!
:rolleyes:

[jeannierides]

I got my jersey today as well... and it is waaayyy too small!! I ordered a medium, and it fits like an x-small!!:(

[LadyinWhite]

I got my jersey today as well... and it is waaayyy too small!! I ordered a medium, and it fits like an x-small!!:(

Somehow I anticipated this. Most of my jerseys are medium and I ordered this one in a large. Even DH said "Wow that looks small!" when I held it up. I tried it on and it's good.

I love that it is full zip. I also love that it is bright yellow :D

I won't wear it til the ride - but am looking forward to having it in my collection afterwards.

Will you exchange yours for a larger one?

[jeannierides]

Somehow I anticipated this. Most of my jerseys are medium and I ordered this one in a large. Even DH said "Wow that looks small!" when I held it up. I tried it on and it's good.

I love that it is full zip. I also love that it is bright yellow :D

I won't wear it til the ride - but am looking forward to having it in my collection afterwards.

Will you exchange yours for a larger one?


I have emailed Terry, and hopefully I'll be able to exchange it. I thought I had anticipated the size difference too, but evidently not... :( At least we got them early enough, that exchanging may be possible!

[IFjane]

Good thing I am not going this year! If Jeannierides can't wear a medium, then I would have to order a XXXL! I may be a bit shorter than she is, but I make up for it in.....uh.....width. :eek:

Then again, I never order anything smaller than a large from Terry - their jerseys seem to run small on me.

[withm]

bleahhhhh. Got my jersey and it's way too small. I laid it out on top of other jerseys and it's at least 4" smaller. Sheesh.

If it's not refundable, I'll offer it for sale here.

[divingbiker]

Yeah, mine's too small, too. In the catalog I got yesterday, they said to size up. I don't recall that warning when I bought mine, so I hope they'll take returns. I wonder if they used a new vendor, or if this is the way all Terry jerseys are sized.

[jeannierides]

Good thing I am not going this year! If Jeannierides can't wear a medium, then I would have to order a XXXL! I may be a bit shorter than she is, but I make up for it in.....uh.....width. :eek:

Then again, I never order anything smaller than a large from Terry - their jerseys seem to run small on me.

:rolleyes: Well, I *thought* I had sized up! I guess with the pounds creeping up these last few weeks and months (let's blame it on Lyrica) I didn't account for the sizing!:o This is way beyond just needing a size up... this is like two sizes too small! I've never ordered any clothing from Terry, so I wasn't sure what to expect.
Anyway, I'm planning to call Terry on Monday (maybe Tuesday since Monday is a holiday) to see what's up with the sizing, and try to exchange.

[7rider]

DH told me my jersey came in....but I can't try it on until Monday evening. I'm in CT now and the jersey's in MD! :(
What brand is the jersey? Is it a Terry? I ordered a L, the L in Terry's jersey's usually fits me.
Fingers are crossed......
p.s. If it's tight...well, I can always call it "race fit". Yeah....that's it. Race fit!

[Zen]

I'm sure I saw those jerseys for sale on the Terry site.

[jeannierides]

I'm sure I saw those jerseys for sale on the Terry site.

You're right, Zen, I saw them as well. According to their size charts, I should be able to wear a medium, but since the medium is more than just a "race fit" for me, I'll get them to send me a large, and hope that fits!:rolleyes:

[7rider]

I just tried it on (I'm home...cruise control at 70 + light traffic = record time for me: CT to MD in 5', 15" !)...definitely "race fit." It says on their website that "size is accurate" and if you want a looser fit, order up. For me - a stout size 12 - the L fits closely...about like a Descente jersey in L fits. I'll save it for my "skinny days" and hope I'm feeling a skinny day the day of the ride! :rolleyes:

[jeannierides]

I talked with someone in customer service at Terry yesterday morning, and she said they were already back ordered for the jerseys. If you need to make an exchange, I suggest you make a call right away to Terry to see if you can get on the list for back orders. She told me that lots of people were telling them the jerseys were cut very small.
On a much happier note, I got my *welcome to the ride* letter yesterday! :D

[divingbiker]

OK, so I just read through this whole thread, and I think the following TE'ers will be there:

7Rider/Regina (+ SO for kayaking?)
Kalidurga
withm
velobambina
amithereyet
jeannierides + SO
clickIn + friend
LadyinWhite + 2 friends

Some of us will be kayaking on Saturday, but it would be nice if we could figure out how to meet up with everyone (after the ride on Sunday maybe?) so we can put names and faces together.

[Velobambina]

Just a month to go!

[Kalidurga]

I'm sure it'll be chaos, but I was wondering if there was any chance of meeting before the ride. Do we know yet what time it begins? Would breakfast be a possibility?

Those of us 'yakking on Saturday also need to figure out a time/place to meet. I would assume the Blackwater visitor's center, but how early?

[7rider]

A month to go....
I still plan to do the metric.
PLAN is the operative word here. Haven't ridden much in the past month. I figure, if I can do the Civil War Century after not riding at all for 2 weeks, this should be a piece of cake..... (right?? right??)
So, who's doing what ride? I figure we gotta definitely hook up at the end so we can cheer on DivingBiker when she wins her new bike. :D

[Kalidurga]

At the rate things are going, I may be doing the 25. I've only been on the bike once since our Thanksgiving Rosaryville ride, and I can't ride this weekend because I have bronchitis. My poor bike doesn't even recognize me anymore when I walk by and pat it on the saddle :(

[withm]

My friend Annette and I will be arriving Friday evening with bikes and kayaks at the Days Inn. If anyone is interested we could possibly meet up somewhere for a late dinner. Most likely we'll be in 2 cars since I come from lower slower DE, and Annette will be coming in from Wilmington.

For Saturday, I'd suggest the kayakers all meet for breakfast, and then proceed on to kayaking. There are kayak trails at Blackwater so I think it makes sense to do that, unless someone has a better idea. We can't actually launch at the park though; we have to launch at the 335 Bridge, or Shorter's Wharf. I'll try to get more info on that. The Green Trail is 8 miles RT. The purple trail is 9 miles one way, needs a shuttle, and has large open water passages and is prone to wind - might be early in the season to to that without local knowledge. Don't forget the water will still be pretty chilly in April. Dress for the water, not for the gorgeous sunny day that we will be enjoying. :)

There are several good restaurants, and a winery in St. Michaels that we might want to consider if we are done kayaking early enough. Also the maritime museum there is nice.

Sunday I think we need to be at the High School for the ride start around 8. The 10 mile riders check in at the HS, but then drive over to the Visitor's Center to start their ride over there. The rest of us start from the HS.

I'll probably wear my Amici Veloci colors.

Martha

[withm]

I added my friend Annette

7Rider/Regina (+ SO for kayaking?)
Kalidurga
withm + friend (kayak and bike)
velobambina
amithereyet
jeannierides + SO
clickIn + friend
LadyinWhite + 2 friends

[Zen]

At the rate things are going, I may be doing the 25. I've only been on the bike once since our Thanksgiving Rosaryville ride, and I can't ride this weekend because I have bronchitis.

Get well by April 5 and come up to my mountain for the M.O.R.E. ride - an easy 20 :D c'mon, c'mon!

[Kalidurga]

For Saturday, I'd suggest the kayakers all meet for breakfast, and then proceed on to kayaking. There are kayak trails at Blackwater so I think it makes sense to do that, unless someone has a better idea. We can't actually launch at the park though; we have to launch at the 335 Bridge, or Shorter's Wharf. I'll try to get more info on that. The Green Trail is 8 miles RT. The purple trail is 9 miles one way, needs a shuttle, and has large open water passages and is prone to wind - might be early in the season to to that without local knowledge. Don't forget the water will still be pretty chilly in April. Dress for the water, not for the gorgeous sunny day that we will be enjoying. :)
Martha

I won't be leaving my house until Saturday morning and I'll have a two hour drive, so my breakfast that morning will probably be from a drive-through. I haven't been to Blackwater for a few years, but I seem to recall there being an entrance/use fee that you have to pay at the visitor's center. From there, I think it's just a mile or two to the launch site.

Blackwater's a big place with lots of nooks & crannies for exploring, if I remember correctly (like Jug Bay over at Merkle). We could start out on one of the water trails and just see where we end up.

Who's on the list for 'yakking?

KaliD
7Rider & SO
Divingbiker (Janice, you left yourself off of the list above ;) )
Withm & Friend

US FWS: Blackwater Refuge map (http://www.fws.gov/blackwater/pdf/map1.pdf)

US FWS: Water trails at Blackwater (http://www.fws.gov/blackwater/paddling.html)

Friends of Blackwater: Paddling trails (http://www.friendsofblackwater.org/paddling.html)

Zen, the word 'mountain' unfortunately isn't gonna be in my vocabulary for a while, unless it's associated with 'driving'. Just leaning over to pick up one of my kittens last night left me wheezing. I think when I was born, I got cursed with bum lungs.

[divingbiker]

I, too, will be leaving Saturday morning. It appears to be about a 2-hour drive. (I can't imagine that we'd encounter a lot of Bay Bridge traffic on a Saturday morning in late April.) Maybe we could plan to meet around 10 or 11 at the refuge?

I'll probably be riding the 40 mile ride on Sunday, at the rate I'm going. I haven't done any riding except commuting so far this year. I did drop of my road bike at the LBS yesterday to have new handlebars put on, so even if I'm not ready, the bike will be.

[Velobambina]

We are heading out bright and early Sunday morning.

I plan on doing the metric. :)

[7rider]

What's your pace, VeloB?
Can I tag along?? I figure...if I did 40+ mile rides in February, and after this weekend, I'll still have 3 weekends to get my act together on the bike...I think I can pull off a metric. It won't be at race pace, but I'm generally not a slouch....and if I can tag along with someone, so much the better.....

[withm]

Blackwater's a big place with lots of nooks & crannies for exploring, if I remember correctly (like Jug Bay over at Merkle). We could start out on one of the water trails and just see where we end up.

Who's on the list for 'yakking?

KaliD
7Rider & SO
Divingbiker (Janice, you left yourself off of the list above ;) )
Withm & Friend

US FWS: Blackwater Refuge map (http://www.fws.gov/blackwater/pdf/map1.pdf)

US FWS: Water trails at Blackwater (http://www.fws.gov/blackwater/paddling.html)

Friends of Blackwater: Paddling trails (http://www.friendsofblackwater.org/paddling.html)
.


Kali - thanks for posting the link to the map - I see that the 335 bridge launch site is very close and convenient. Let's plan on that - now all we need to do is pick a time to meet. I hate long drives in the morning - hence my making a weekend of it and going over there Friday night.

I noticed that the bike registration starts at 7am, not 8 which I put in my previous post.

[Velobambina]

What's your pace, VeloB?
Can I tag along?? I figure...if I did 40+ mile rides in February, and after this weekend, I'll still have 3 weekends to get my act together on the bike...I think I can pull off a metric. It won't be at race pace, but I'm generally not a slouch....and if I can tag along with someone, so much the better.....

R - My pace usually depends on how I feel that day. That said, I'm usually not that fast but I'm not a slouch either. I'd love the company. You can feel free to drop me if I end up being too pokey for you. :)

My longest ride before the Goose won't be more than 50 miles, give or take. Since it's a flat course, I figure it'll be less challenging than my usual hilly 50 miles.

[ClickIn]

Hi all!

My friend Amy and I hope we can all meet at the ride. We'll be heading to the Eastern Shore Fri or Sat. We have a place to stay in Ocean City, so we'll be coming from there Sunday morning. Maybe we can all meet before the ride?
Any other ideas?

[7rider]

I thought I was checking in to the hotel on Friday, but I just checked my confirmation...we don't check in until Saturday (I guess there's no 2-night minimum). So, we'll be heading over on Saturday a.m., too. Our drive time will be similar to DivingBiker's....
Are we talking a noon-ish paddle? 10 a.m.? Earlier may meet with resistance from DH. :rolleyes:

VeloB...I"m looking forward to riding with you on the metric!

[Kalidurga]

Are we talking a noon-ish paddle? 10 a.m.? Earlier may meet with resistance from DH. :rolleyes:


Janice suggested 10 or 11, above. How about we aim to meet at the visitor's center around 10am? That should give us time to meet, drive to the launch site, and be on the water by 11am.

Is that late enough for those of us driving, and early enough for those ladies already there?

[jeannierides]

I've not had much of a chance to check in on the thread til today. I will be there, along with my SO. I believe KayTee will be there as well. We will be going to IFJane's wedding on Saturday, and getting to Cambridge sometime on Saturday evening.
I'll be happy to be able to do the 25 miler, since I haven't been on my bike either! And I would love to meet up with some of you - if only to put faces to names!
Can someone PM me and let me know if there are specific plans to meet before the rides? I'll be happy to share my cell phone #.

[Velobambina]

I want to meet up w/everyone too. I will be driving out the morning of the ride. Well, my husband will be driving--I hope to be snoozing. Just tell me a time & place. I'll probably be wearing my Amici Veloci gear or a Velogirls jersey.

Regina, I'm really looking forward to riding w/you. I hope I can keep up.

[withm]

I swung by Blackwater yesterday and did a little scouting. I was really short on time but did pick up the water trails map, most of which is laminated onto a big sign at the launch area. Here's a couple of photos showing the launch area, and the map. I personally think we should follow the "green" trail which sends us north up the Blackwater River around twists and turns through the marshlands. It goes north about 4 miles and then you turn around and paddle back. We can go at any pace we like, current should not be an issue and with all the twists and turns, I'd think wind should not be so bad either unless it's blowing a gale.

It's hard to take pix in the sun because it renders the display on the camera invisible and I'm afraid the green route does not show up very well. But in the lower part of the upper third of the map, you can just make out the words "You are here." The green route starts there and meanders north.

Something that may dictate our paddling route and distance - there are no porta potties at the launch area, and no stopping allowed anywhere along the banks of the river. Don't know how well that's enforced if at all, but damn inconsiderate. Oh, and the brochure recommends bringing 1 GALLON of water per person for paddling..... (and a covered container for use a a latrine). LOL

So we would definitely want to meet at the Visitor Center and make use of the facilities before launching. 10 am at Visitor Center?

[divingbiker]

Thanks for checking it out, Martha!

But why in the world would I take a gallon of water to drink if I can't go to the bathroom???? :eek::eek::eek: Peeing in a kayak...I don't think so.:eek:

This sounds a bit tricky!

[withm]

well I'm told the kayak racers just "let her rip" and sponge out the boat after. Ewwwww. I don't understand parks that don't have potties.... It's like they are telling you to go in the woods, which is of course exactly what they don't want you to do. Does not compute.

[Kalidurga]

Blackwater's not a park, it's a wildlife refuge. There's a big difference in how the two are set up, amenities-wise.

Public use at Blackwater (http://www.fws.gov/blackwater/publicuse.html)

[divingbiker]

Blackwater's not a park, it's a wildlife refuge. There's a big difference in how the two are set up, amenities-wise.

Good point, Tam. Thanks for the reminder.

I think I've solved my dilemma of how to secure the kayak to my car overnight. I did find a very thin channel on the edge of the seat that I can string a cable through, or I can buy a "lasso lock (http://www.rei.com/product/752676?vcat=REI_SEARCH)" from REI. Whew, I feel better now.

[Kalidurga]

Y'know, Janice, I was thinking about your kayak just the other day, wondering if there would be space to store it in your hotel room. But then you'd have to check out before heading over to the Terry ride, so you'd have to put it back on the car for that and I don't know where all of our cars are going to be during the ride.

I'm glad you figured out a solution, I was working myself into a tizzy, too! ;) That lasso lock is similar to what I have for my 'yak.

[7rider]

Another project to add to our Home Depot list....long cable to lock the boats.
Thanks for the reminder!

[divingbiker]

Ok, I'm ready for the Goose Chase now. I just rode 38 miles on my newly-fitted road bike, so at least I know I can finish the 40 mile ride. First road bike ride in about 4-5 months, yikes!:eek::eek:

[HillSlugger]

Ok, I'm ready for the Goose Chase now. I just rode 38 miles on my newly-fitted road bike, so at least I know I can finish the 40 mile ride. First road bike ride in about 4-5 months, yikes!:eek::eek:

Are you still riding the Sequoia?

[divingbiker]

Are you still riding the Sequoia?

Yes, I haven't added another road bike yet! Hard to believe, I know, since I'm such a collector.

I just had a fitting at Proteus. I had a fitting last year at the place Tam used, but it just wasn't right--bars were too narrow, felt off--so I got new bars (like zen's) and had Jill do another fitting. Much better now!

[LadyinWhite]

Hi Ladies -

Thought I'd say hi as the ride gets closer. Been a while since I've been on the boards. Spent this month freaking out because I wasn't getting any riding in, decided not to sweat it.

Supposed to be fun right? Trying to get out during the next two weeks to prepare. Originally registered for the metric but may end up with only 40. Ah well. :rolleyes:

First of many rides of the season.

Looking forward to seeing you there! Would love to meet and put some faces to the names.

Theresa

[ClickIn]

Hello Everyone!

My friend Amy and I will be staying in Ocean City on Saturday night. Send me a PM if anyone else will be in OC and we can meet for dinner.

Any thoughts about a meet-up on ride day?
:)

[divingbiker]

Any thoughts about a meet-up on ride day?
:)

I'm not sure how we could work out the logistics of meeting before the ride, but I was thinking that I might make a sign that says TE or something on it and we could look for it and meet after the ride. I think there's a fashion show or something afterwards, isn't there? (At least that's when I'm planning on winning my new bike.:p)

I got a box the other day that is tall and skinny and white, and I could tape it to a tomato stake and it might hold together long enough for us to find each other.

If anyone has a better idea, I'm happy to not bring my tacky sign.:D

[withm]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/04/18/AR2008041800943.html

Here is a link to the Washington Post story on kayaking and bird watching at Blackwater. How timely for us? I've included the 1st paragraph but if you click to the full article there are lots of links that may be useful for us.

Birding in Blackwater, From a Bike's-Eye View
By Christina Talcott

Washington Post Staff Writer
Sunday, April 20, 2008; Page P08

"I've never been a fan of bird-watching. The idea of standing in a field and squinting into binoculars, trying to see a tiny, faraway bird . . . not enough action for me. But what I learned a few weeks back, over the course of one meteorologically inconsistent weekend, is that bird-watching is a whole different game when you do it on a bike. ..."

(go to the article for the rest).

[divingbiker]

OK, ladies, here's your sign...

5804

If it seems like we might be able to find each other with a sign, I'll put it up. It's not terribly tall, but if you're looking for it you might find it.

[7rider]

Now....are you going to have that on the back of your bike??? ;)

Don't forget to bring your release! You should have gotten it in a mailling dated around Valentine's Day...
(Said out in the open, but directed more as a reminder to my forgetful self!)

[Kalidurga]

All of my paperwork's sitting out on the kitchen counter, along with my to-do list for the next two evenings to prep for the weekend. See you ladies there...

[ClickIn]

Divingbiker, Love the sign! I'll be on the lookout for it before and after the ride!

[jeannierides]

I'll be looking for it too! Let's hope for decent weather!:cool:

[7rider]

I had a dream last night that I was in a field of cars with bunch of other people, getting ready for this ride (it was sunny, btw). And...I had forgotten my bike!!! :eek::eek: I called up my DH, who was home, and he said "yeah...it's right here. Do you need it?" And I sat at the rear bumper of my truck and sobbed. :(

[Kalidurga]

Aaawww, Regina :(



Cambridge, MD 5-day weather report (http://www.accuweather.com/forecast.asp?partner=accuweather&traveler=1&zipcode=21613&metric=0). Let's hope those thunderstorms don't materialize while we're on the water Saturday.

[F8th637]

I'm so jealous of you all going. Have fun and take pics if you can!

[withm]

So are the kayakers meeting on Saturday at the visitor center at 10 or 11?

The morning weather will probably be better than the afternoon so that might influence the plan.

Martha

[divingbiker]

So are the kayakers meeting on Saturday at the visitor center at 10 or 11?

The morning weather will probably be better than the afternoon so that might influence the plan.

Martha

I'm planning to be at the visitors center at 10am. See you there!

[withm]

We'll all have to do a sun dance to ward of the rain

[Kalidurga]

At this point, AccuWeather's forecasting thunderstorms around 4pm on Saturday. As long as we're off the water before any lightning begins, we'll be fine.

Shame it'll probably be cloudy on Sunday, but otherwise that day should be nice.

[7rider]

Cloudy, I can handle.
Rain on sunday...major bummer....:(
I hope to drag DH, no doubt kicking and screaming, out of the house at 7:45, which should get us to the visitor center at 10, with a few minutes to spare (so says MapQuest). Boats are going on the truck tonight to (hopefully) stack the deck in our favor. I'll give DB or KD a shout if we're looking to be late.

[Kalidurga]

Well, as is to be expected, the forecast is different every time you look at it now. But the slight chance of rain on Sunday is, of course, forecast for before 1:00pm :rolleyes:

[7rider]

Grrr. It makes packing rather difficult.
Short sleeves? Long?
Shorts? Capris?
I suppose I'll throw a sweatshirt in there.

[HillSlugger]

Have fun everyone. So far the weather looks good on this side of the bay!

[madscot13]

good luck and have fun everyone!

[amithereyet]

I can't wear my bicycle shoes since breaking my foot in Feb, so I'll be on the 20" red folding bicycle with flame print tires looking for divingbiker's TE sign.

I hope that the yakkers had fun today!

[7rider]

Well, all in all, a good day.
I opted to do the metric....which actually ended up being a bit over 66 miles when we added in the wildlife loop (we thought it was required to get the mileage, but it wasn't). I was maintaining a nice pace for the first 2/3rd of it (18-19 mph), mainly because the first half was with the wind. One long stretch of road at the beginning had a very determined boxer chasing a woman for over 2 miles! She actually rode just ahead of it, hoping to tire it out as her friend behind her was slower than her and she worried how her friend would be able to handle the dog.
A stretch at about mile 35-38 had a brutal headwind that slowed me down to a crawl. By mile 45, I hooked up with a great group of 5 women from Salisbury, plus another hanger-on from Rehoboth Beach. They had been moving as a train for much of it, and I figured with the ride back being mostly into the wind, a good pace line would do me good.
They were very nice, but soon one rider had trouble with cramping, and another was just running out of gas...and they were determined to finish as a group (ha! You'd rarely see the guys I ride with do that), so the pace slackened quite a bit and we frequently dallied to let those who had fallen off the back catch back on. By then, I said "I want the company and screw the average speed for the ride." and stayed with them.
I saw a few men on the ride and really wished I had my DH with me. He would have had a fine time and I don't think anyone really would have batted an eye. He would have ridden self supported, so as to not "poach" the organized ride. Bummer on that.
But..Overall impressions.
Although it was cloudy and occasionally misty, it never really rained on my route. Some sections of the road were wet (I need to wash my bike still), but most were not. So that was good.
The route was poorly marked. Turn arrows were right AT the turn, with no warning arrows before it. Made for a few missed turns and a lot of late turns, no doubt.
The rest stops were fair. The food was not the best (althought a Milky Way Dark is always welcome), and the beverages were gross. Water is good, but no salt, electrolytes, or anything (which is why that woman was cramping). What was offered was just undrinkable (Keen or Hammer or something I didn't recognize. It went down the drain when we got home). And..NO PORTA-POTTIES on the entire route!!! :eek: How can you organize a metric century and not have a porta-pottie in sight????? And, good grief, this was in a national wildlife sanctuary!!! I saw more than a few people pulled off on the side, um, polluting our national treasures!
So, as a first attempt for Terry, I'd give it a B-. You almost can't go wrong with a ride on the Eastern shore (except for the fickle weather)....but the support could have been better.

Anyway...that's my story and I'm stickin' to it!
Was nice to meet Withm and ClickIn. Sorry I didn't get to see the rest. I hope you all had good rides. Sorry, DB, that you busted a spoke...but major props to you for lending me your bolero. It's going in the mail today (clean even! :D). Then, I'm going on line to order one for myself.

And lastly, a big congratulations to IFJane!!! Many happy years to you.

[Kalidurga]

I'll second the congrats to IFJane. I had stopped to change a flat tire for someone, and another couple pulled up to see if we needed help. I heard the woman telling one of the other ladies that they had been to a wedding down in VA the day before, so I asked if it was Jane's wedding. Turned out it was JeannieRides and her DH! Jeannie said the wedding was beautiful, so I'm glad the weather cooperated for you, Jane.

I wasn't as ambitious as either Regina or divingbiker, I only did the 25 mile ride. Considering the wind we ended up with, I was glad I chose not to do the 40. Like Regina, I started out with a good speed (faster than I normally ride :eek: ), but ended up crawling for the last 1/3. The scenery was really lovely and it would have been a gorgeous ride if we'd had sunshine. But I kept the route maps so I can go back out there and do the 40 mile route sometime when the weather's better :D

Oh, and the 'yakking on Saturday was terrific. Withm and her friend Annette were great paddling partners, the weather was beautiful (from one extreme to the other this weekend, sheesh), and we saw about a 1/2 dozen bald eagles, several osprey, and a couple of heron. Blackwater really does make a great spot for a multi-sport weekend.

[divingbiker]

Yes, congratulations, Jane! I'm glad you had a good day for your wedding.

That was a fun weekend...one I'd like to do again sometime. Kayaking one day, cycling (flat!) the next.

I think Regina was a bit generous in her grading of the organization of the Terry ride, but it was fun and maybe next year some of the details will be worked out a bit better. (I think the Blackwater Visitor Center was supposed to be the portapotty stop. And there was one portapotty on the route, as withm used it! I just went in the woods one time.)

Thanks for a fun weekend, ladies (and Tom)!

[amithereyet]

Yesterday I followed the yellow arrows and completed 25 miles on my fat-wheeled folding bike. It was fun seeing the refuge, including the coiled snake on the road, but I'm sorry I didn't get to see any te folks.

I agree that the route could have been marked better. The wildlife loop was fun, but at the end of it, there was no indicator of where I needed to be to get back on track. I know: looking at the map is not cheating.

After spending late winter and early spring recovering from a broken foot, this 25 mile ride was the longest for me in 2008. It feels good to be back on track and maybe, the next ride will find me almost keeping pace with some te'ers.

[F8th637]

Glad to hear that it was a decent ride despite some of its shortcomings. Thanks for the ride reports, ladies.

Congratulations to Jane! Can't wait to hear all about it!

[short cut sally]

thanks for the ride reports..my riding partner and I wanted to go but we didn't get signed up in time..Next year. And maybe some of the bugs will be worked out and next year will be even better than this year. (I do believe I read somewheres from Terry that they plan on making this a yearly event. ) Congrats to IFJane. Glad everyone had a good time that went .

[Zen]

The route was poorly marked. Turn arrows were right AT the turn, with no warning arrows before it. Made for a few missed turns and a lot of late turns, no doubt.


SheGotBike! was like that too.
I let them know, we'll see if they listened.

I think I was still unemployed at the time of registration for this ride. Sorry I missed it, it sounds great.

You guys have to do the Tour de Madison.
Or CAM. Or CWC.
I'll be there signing autographs:D

[Kalidurga]

Considering that this was only my second organized ride and I did a shorter route, I didn't have the same issues as Regina and Janice. Despite that, though, I think the only other ride I'm going to do this year is Tour du Port in B'more (which is apparently scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 18th, if anyone else is interested ;) ). These rides are fun, but not necessarily something I'd want to do frequently. Just too many people in one place for me.

Guess I'll have to get your autograph some other way, Mo.

[Zen]

:( :( :( Tam

I forgot one other opportunity- SheGotBike!
Once you get out on the road with me there will be no one else around (maybe the SAG wagon :o)


.

[Kalidurga]

:( :( :( Tam


Why the frowns? It's nothing to be sad about. I've just found I get a little overwhelmed by all the folks before, during, and after organized rides. So I'll only do a couple a year, maybe the Wild Goose and Tour du Port.

You should join me for a Shepherdstown/Antietam ride some day this summer, Mo. There's ice cream (or tea!) in Shepherdstown, and chocolate chip cookies (just like my mom used to make) in Sharpsburg :D

[Zen]

You should join me for a Shepherdstown/Antietam ride some day this summer, Mo. There's ice cream (or tea!) in Shepherdstown, and chocolate chip cookies (just like my mom used to make) in Sharpsburg :D

We might should start a separate thread for that idea :D I like it.
And/Or a Gettysburg tour.

[madscot13]

just to chip in, I am signing up to do the Seagull century (pray for no hurricanes) this fall for Team in Training. I will be riding in honor of a friend's father who died about a month ago.

[Kalidurga]

We might should start a separate thread for that idea :D I like it.
And/Or a Gettysburg tour.

I've got a couple different routes for each of those areas. Gotta give me some time to get out there and make sure I can still handle the hills, though, before I tackle it with another person along :rolleyes: ;)

[withm]

Wow! What a fun weekend we had. We met at the Blackwater NWR Visitor Center and then headed over to the kayak launch just a few minutes away. We were treated to a gorgeous sunny day with just enough light breeze to keep us from getting too hot. Unfortunately I got sunburned instead despite a liberal application of sunblock.

We saw several bald eagles, and you can actually see one in this pic. It's the black blob in the 2nd tree from the right. It's hard to take a photo like that from a floating boat - the boat bobs up and down and well so does the camera. But it gives you an idea of the beautiful setting.

The rest of the photos show Mr. 7Rider, 7Rider, DivingBiker, Kalidurga, & my friend Annette - not necessarily in any order, nor do they all show in any one pic. We got pretty spread out.

The bike ride was great. I had no problems with the route markings but I guess if you ride 18-20mph maybe you did have to make some turn on short notice - but the cue sheets seemed to be pretty good so you do have warning that a turn might be coming up.

But no Porta potties at the rest stops? What's up with that?

It is true that the food at the rest stops did not include much in the way of real food, but I did actually eat my first shot blocks - cran-raspberry and was surprised to find they weren't bad. I did not sample the drink mixes they were offering because if I sacrificed an entire water bottle to something that was not palatable I really would have been an unhappy camper. The bananas were good, but some bagels and peanut butter would have been better than the candy bars. By 30 miles I was really hungry and found a granola bar in my bike bag. It must have been in there for months cause I nearly broke my teeth biting into it. Just a little bit stale.

OK so potties and food notwithstanding, the ride itself was in a fantastic setting. I just kept thinking if the sun had been out what a beautiful day it would have been. One of the Friends of Blackwater volunteers had a spotting scope set up on Wildlife Drive and we were invited to stop and take a closer look at whatever he had in his sights. We saw a white pelican, along with more eagles, blue herons, ibis, egrets, and a bunch of other birds. Oh and a couple snakes. (OH! and we had a close encounter with a couple local fishermen with a trashcan full of huge snapping turtles). Had it been a tad warmer and sunnier I would have stopped a lot to take pictures as there were some really wonderful settings in the marshland. Sadly the last 10 miles or so were fraught with drizzle, rain, and headwinds 15-20 kt so by then all I really wanted to do was finish.

I rode the 43 mile ride with DivingBiker and we traded some diving stories along the way. She was very patient waiting for me to catch up when we hit the headwinds and I appreciate that. She also adjusted my rear der cable so the bike would stop shifting by itself every once in a while, which made the rest of the ride much less stressful for me. With only 156 miles on the bike - the cables were stretching out a bit and it really needs a little more adjustment. And I was able to produce a tie wrap to secure her broken spoke. By the end of the ride we both had noisy bikes. We never did figure out what my bike noises were but tomorrow I'll get it up on the stand and take a look.

We both ran into other friends from the DC area so that was fun too.

I have to give great praise for Georgena Terry for even putting on this ride. They donated over $18,000 to the Friends of Blackwater from the proceeds of the ride. That's incredible! Well done!

The door prizes seemed endless - and a lot of people did not stick around to participate in the give aways. That made better odds for those who did. I won a pair of Voler bike shorts! Woo Hoo! Some people gave their tickets to those of us who stayed till the bitter end, and I guess some of those tickets were winners. The new Goretex jacket they gave away had a $400+ retail price but wow - what a very well designed jacket. Don't remember the name of it but how many $400 bike jackets are there? Yikes! The Isis bike was won by a girl who had just bought a Madone recently. She looked totally shell-shocked at winning. Nice bike too!

But all I want to know is how did I miss the deep fried pickles? That sounds pretty bizarre and I don't know if I'd be game enough to try them.

I had a great weekend and would not hesitate to do this event again. In fact I would even plan a weekend in May or June, or in October and ride the Easton-St. MIchaels-Tilghman-Oxford loop on Saturday, go to the winery in the afternoon, and ride Blackwater on Sunday. Just need to find a free weekend.

Great fun meeting you all!

[HillSlugger]

Ahh, I recognize Tam with her hat and her legs hanging out of the cockpit! :D

[Kalidurga]

Ahh, I recognize Tam with her hat and her legs hanging out of the cockpit! :D

But did you see that Regina's picked up the same paddling method? ;)

[HillSlugger]

I didn't notice that. Sure, she has her legs out of the cockpit, but you've got it goin' on! Attitude, baby!

[jeannierides]

Good morning everyone. I'm late posting my thoughts on the WGC.:rolleyes: We stayed another night in Cambridge, and followed the tornadoes through the Norfolk/Hampton Roads area coming back last night. We had planned to stay a couple of extra days and do our own riding through Blackwater, but the weather was just too bad. We did do a drive through the area, and a return visit to the Visitor's Center. We had an opportunity to see the eagles again, and the ospreys (who have another egg since yesterday). We saw loads of herons and egrets too! :D

It was great meeting all of you! After all this time of posting in the forum, it's great to put faces to names! Maybe next time we can actually have a chance to chat!

My SO and I did the 25 mile ride. This was my first *official* ride since the accident last year. I was thrilled to be able to do it! Realistically, my thoughts about the ride are colored quite a bit by the fact that I almost wasn't able to do any more riding. I think I've proved that doctor wrong on a number of levels. Anyway, the ride... It probably could have been marked a little better:rolleyes:, and they probably could have ordered better weather...;) but I thought, for Terry's inaugural WGC ride, it turned out great! Blackwater Wildlife Refuge is an awesome experience, and WE helped Georgena raise over $18,000 for the Refuge! Most awesome!
5868

I would encourage all of you to go to the Terry Bicycles forums and post your thoughts & suggestions there. That way Georgena will see them (she reads and replies often) and give them the consideration necessary.

On another note, IFJane's wedding was the MOST fun wedding I've ever attended! Of course, I dropped my kazoo... so had to hum the wedding march!:p

[Kalidurga]

Congratulations, Jeannie, that had to be one very satisfying ride for you :D You and withm are right, it is terrific that so much money was raised and I'm sure changes will be made to improve next year's event. We'll just have to figure out how to guarantee sunshine!

(Sorry I didn't stick around to chat when we met up, I had a very sudden need to get to the end of the ride, if you know what I mean (and didn't even make it that far) :rolleyes: )

[jeannierides]

(Sorry I didn't stick around to chat when we met up, I had a very sudden need to get to the end of the ride, if you know what I mean (and didn't even make it that far) :rolleyes: )

;) Don't worry Kali, we totally understood! And, yes, it was most satisfying.:D

[Bad JuJu]

I am SOOOO envious of you all! I rode and paddled in the refuge a couple of years ago on a Womantours tour, which I extended to ride by myself a couple of additional days. What a gorgeous place that is, and it's so great the Terry is working to preserve it.

Did any of you see any of the enormous bald eagle nests? I got a photo of one that looked like it was the size of a Volkswagen! See it here:
Tour de Chesapeake (http://wksinprogress.blogspot.com/2006/06/tour-de-chesapeake.html)

It's cool that so many TE'ers were able to meet and ride and paddle together.

[7rider]

But did you see that Regina's picked up the same paddling method? ;)

Picked it up?????
Girlfriend, I don't need you to teach me how to chill in a kayak!! Relaxation is my middle name! :cool: ;)

[Kalidurga]

Picked it up?????
Girlfriend, I don't need you to teach me how to chill in a kayak!! Relaxation is my middle name! :cool: ;)

Take another look, I did not specify that you'd picked it up from me. I'm quite sure there's nothing I could teach you about any sport ;)

[7rider]

Take another look, I did not specify that you'd picked it up from me. I'm quite sure there's nothing I could teach you about any sport ;)

Yeah.....
but you IMPLIED it.....
;)
Sheesh...gotta watch you like a hawk!