July 4th ride??

[Kalidurga]

Anyone interested? I'm thinking the best way to beat the crowds (during the day, at least) is by being part of one :D

[divingbiker]

Anyone interested? I'm thinking the best way to beat the crowds (during the day, at least) is by being part of one :D


Yes, I'd be up for that. I've got no plans for the day. July 3 would be fine, too, for those of us who have the day off.

[Zen]

Let me see if I can get off that day ;)
where were you thinking of going?
Towpath or road?

[ny biker]

I would love to join you guys! But I'll be out of town. Maybe next time.

[Kalidurga]

I was going to wait and see what other folks were in the mood for. I could do either. Or even Rosaryville, though for some reason that I can't figure out I've been feeling nervous about doing that this year. Probably because of my "fall down go boom" on the towpath last month :rolleyes:

[Cataboo]

I think I'm going to be out of town :(

[divingbiker]

If it's not muddy, I'd like to get out on the towpath.

[Kalidurga]

It was quite muddy yesterday and I, of course, forgot my fenders. Maybe I'll leave my bike dirty just for you, DB ;)

[divingbiker]

It was quite muddy yesterday and I, of course, forgot my fenders. Maybe I'll leave my bike dirty just for you, DB ;)

Well, my fendered bike is clean as a whistle! I should take a picture for you. I just had a tuneup, and I got a new cassette and chain, and they took the drive train apart and soaked it in some superduper cleaning solution. So it's gorgeous! That will last till the first rainy commute, or a muddy towpath ride.

[Zen]

I was thinking Antietam then I was thinking maybe not the best holiday for that due to crowds/traffic.

[HillSlugger]

I might be able to do something either the 3rd or 4th. I do need to get in a ride on the tri bike that weekend since it will be my last chance before my tri on the 12th.

[Kalidurga]

I was thinking Antietam then I was thinking maybe not the best holiday for that due to crowds/traffic.

I almost went there this past Sunday. As things turned out, that probably would've been the better decision.

[Kalidurga]

Wow, it's going to be tough to plan this ride now. Velonews just announced that the TdF coverage on VS is going to begin at 8:30am... :eek: ;)

So, any preferences on where/when that day?

[Zen]

Is there a list of options?
Are we doing this the 3rd or the 4th?
If it's the 3rd I'm still leaning toward Antietam (or Gettysburg)

[Possegal]

I would be game for something on the 3rd. The fourth I may not know until right before. I was invited to a party back home, very extended family (their great grandfather and mine were brothers, kinda neat, wouldn't mind meeting them) but am not sure yet that I am going. If I'm in town, I'd be up for the 4th. But either way I could do the 3rd. Though if it isn't road bike friendly, you all may just push me over that very little edge to go buy the new bike I was looking at last week. :)

[Kalidurga]

Well, my original post was for a July 4th ride in order to get out and not deal with the crowds as a solo rider. I'm working on the 3rd, but if that's the date you all prefer then I'll catch ya the next time around.

[Possegal]

Oh don't change anything on my account! I still may be able to make a ride on the 4th. I'll keep checking this thread and join you all if I can. Go back to the original planning, didn't mean to confuse anything. :)

[Zen]

Well, my original post was for a July 4th ride in order to get out and not deal with the crowds as a solo rider.

OOOHHH! Now I get it.
That's fine with me.
Let me do some research.

[Zen]

What's Rt.34/Sheperdstown Pike like relative to road riding? Good shoulder? I may have to take a drive.

I'm thinking Rt. 40 W to L on Rt. 66/Mapleville Road to Boonsboro then R on Rt.34/Sheperdstown Pike.

Don't know how far it is.

[divingbiker]

What's Rt.34/Sheperdstown Pike like relative to road riding? Good shoulder? I may have to take a drive.

I'm thinking Rt. 40 W to L on Rt. 66/Mapleville Road to Boonsboro then R on Rt.34/Sheperdstown Pike.

Don't know how far it is.

What part of the world is this in? It sounds really far away.

[tulip]

The Richmond Area Bicycling Association (RABA) and the Northern Neck Bicycle Club are having a joint ride in the Northern Neck starting in Lancaster County, Virginia and going to Reedville (nice port) for ice cream. About 53 miles, I think.

Great ride for anyone headed to the Northern Neck for the weekend. It's on July 3rd (due to Farmers Market/Parade happenings in the start town of Irvington). More info at raba.org.

[Zen]

What part of the world is this in? It sounds really far away.

Shepherdstown-Boonsboro-Antietam

[HillSlugger]

Shepherdstown-Boonsboro-Antietam
West Virginia? :eek:

[ny biker]

Up in Maryland around Antietam - in the Frederick/Hagerstown area.

http://http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&q=boonsboro&um=1&ie=UTF-8&split=0&gl=us&ei=saJDSu7COJCstge808HZAg&sa=X&oi=geocode_result&ct=title&resnum=1 (http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&q=boonsboro&um=1&ie=UTF-8&split=0&gl=us&ei=saJDSu7COJCstge808HZAg&sa=X&oi=geocode_result&ct=title&resnum=1)

[tulip]

Antietem is absolutely beautiful riding! Go if you can!

[Zen]

Thank you, Tulip.

BTW, Slug- you went tubing in West Virginia last year and lived to tell about it;)

[tulip]

One of my most memorable rides was in Antietem on my 39th birthday. It's absolutely gorgeous! This year, I will be in the Northern Neck of Virginia, which is also pretty nice.

[Kalidurga]

Here's what I'm thinking for July 4th: either the Lewistown Three Bridges route up in FredCo or one of the shorter Peach Tree loops down in MoCo. Anyone interested in joining me for one of those? If not, then at least think of me slaving away at work while you're all out riding on the 3rd ;)

[Zen]

You know I'd do three covered bridges.

[divingbiker]

How long is the three bridges ride?

I've got to get some serious training in this weekend, since I'm doing a sprint triathlon on the 12th and have not really trained for it.

[Cataboo]

If it's Zen's easy one, I think it's like 35 miles.

[Kalidurga]

The route that Zen gave me a cue sheet for is 33 miles on the non-mountainous side of the Civil War Century.

Janice, you could be like Regina and ride your bike up there to meet us :eek: ;)

[Zen]

So what's going on here? Anything?

[Kalidurga]

I'm guessing it's just you and me. Or are you doing the 3rd instead?

[ny biker]

Have fun! I'll be out of town (and filling my DVR with Tour de France coverage)...

[Cataboo]

Have fun! I think you guys should do the frederick float first, and then go ride. zen can borrow my whitewater boat & Kali can tow her if she can't paddle it in a straight line.

[Zen]

Oh my what a spectacle that would be.
But I could wear my tiara.

[Cataboo]

That would be great... you could dress up as the statue of liberty & your tiara could be the crown... then you just have to hold up a torch. the boat is blue. Kalidurga can be the barge towing you into New York harbor.

The erm. awfully attractive barge, I mean.

[Kalidurga]

Uh, how did I end up towing someone?

[Cataboo]

Because

1. My whitewater boat is a little bit tricky to paddle in a straight line... if you don't tow her, she may very well just spin in circles all the way down the river
When I want to work on my steering strokes, I take that boat out on flat water until I can get it to paddle straight.

2. As the statue of liberty, she has to be holding a torch. If she's holding a torch, she can't paddle


However, in retrospect, the idea of Zen spinning in circles all the way through the float is amusing enough. You guys can just make foam torches and strap them to either end of my paddle and she can spin in circles down the river with her paddle torch and you totally have to take a video of that for me.

[Zen]

You funny.

[Cataboo]

Not as funny as the mental image of you I have right now :)

[Kalidurga]

The Frederick Float is in Carroll Creek, not the river. I'd imagine there won't be much need for paddling or towing there, it'll probably be more like bumper cars. Though the Statue of Liberty costume would fit right in, from the looks of last year's event: http://www.downtownfrederick.org/downloads/PhotoPage2008_000.pdf (http://www.downtownfrederick.org/downloads/PhotoPage2008_000.pdf)

And I'd be happy to videotape it but, again, I'm working on Friday the 3rd....... :rolleyes:

[Cataboo]

In protest to you working friday the 3rd and missing this float event... I believe you & Zen should go out in kayaks on Saturday the 4th previous to your ride and enact that entire scenario. You can do it on the river or on carrol creek. I will allow you two to decide.

after that you can do the bike ride.

[Kalidurga]

I believe you & Zen should go out in kayaks on Friday the 4th previous to your ride and enact that entire scenario.

It's a deal. The next time July 4th falls on Friday, we'll do it :D

[Cataboo]

Oh... you didn't get that memo about the revolution? I changed the days of the week as well.

[Kalidurga]

Well, then, what the heck day am I off this week?

[Cataboo]

all of them? It's a revolution for the people. Let us frolic and celebrate our independence instead of slaving away at work.

[Zen]

I already started that revolution but it seems the people are slow to my cause.

[Cataboo]

I already started that revolution but it seems the people are slow to my cause.

There is a difference between a revolution and eccentricity :)

[divingbiker]

To get back on topic :p I'm still waffling. I have GOT to get several runs and swims in this weekend, and I doubt that I can take a whole day to get up to Frederick and ride. (The yard is out of control again so there's that to deal with also.)

So, I guess I'm a no, but I want to be a yes. Now if we were combining kayaking with riding, I'd probably find the time. :D

[Zen]

Didja hear that KD?
25 miles won't take long. Then you two can put in somewhere on the Monocacy on the way home!

Hmmm? Hmmm?

[divingbiker]

OK, I'm definitely out for Saturday's ride. AJ's got to have surgery tomorrow so my schedule for getting things done has to be rearranged. (This is the third wart removal surgery in 2 months. That dog is going to put me in the poorhouse.)

[Kalidurga]

Poor AJ :( I hope it goes well, DB. And I can definitely sympathize with the financial aspect, as well.