Cycling groups around NoVA?

[rubysoho]

With my first 40 mile ride this weekend, I am starting to think I want to find other people to ride with on a more regular basis. Are there any friendly groups that meet around the Reston/Herndon/Sterling area? I'm not super competitive but I do like a challenge. I'd want a group that is welcoming to newbs, someone with regular pedals, etc.... :rolleyes:

Hoping someone here might know a group I could join. :D

[ny biker]

I'm looking for the same thing. I like the Oxon Hill club for rides in southern Maryland, but have not found something I'm completely happy with for Virginia rides.

The Reston Bike Club only has fast rides on weekends. They do have average-slower speed rides on weeknights, but I can't attend those.

Potomac Pedalers has lots of rides, but lately the internal politics has been annoying me, and their new website is a pain in the a$$ to deal with. That being said, I think their C and D rides are generally friendly. My experience with the CC rides is that I'm often dropped by almost everyone at the start, because most of the riders who show up are actually B or faster. Also, they don't have many rides starting in Reston/Herndon/Sterling, but places like Leesburg, Purcellville, Middleburg and Warrenton are not too far away and the scenery is usually worth the drive.

The Bike Lane has a group ride in Reston/Herndon/Oakton on Saturday mornings, but it's at a 17-18 mph pace, which is too fast for me.

[rubysoho]

well.... do you want to bike with me since it sounds like we are looking for the same thing?? Two people makes a group, right?

[kmehrzad]

I'd make a third, as I live in Sterling right off the W&OD. NY Biker and I have met during a TE lunch in DC but have never gotten together for a ride.

I have Fridays off and you'll find me on the bike path or in Frederick riding the roads with my good buddy Cataboo. I also ride on the W&OD after work to let off steam, so give me a shout and let me know sometime when you'd like to ride.

Actually I'm planning on riding with a Frederick group tomorrow morning. Let me know if you'd like to join us for this ride, as well. They welcome as many as can come.

[Cataboo]

K, was is Sat or Sun morning? V was looking for a ride on Sat if you haven't asked her.

[ny biker]

What group in Frederick? Is it a club or just an informal thing?

I was going to suggest organizing a NoVa TE ride. I'm busy for the next few weekends, but could do something in July. We could ride the trail, or I have the cue sheet that they use for the weekly ride from the Bike Lane in Reston-- it's 29 miles in Reston/Herndon/Oakton, plus I've made variations to shorten it to 24 or make it 30 with the inclusion of one more hill. The roads are surprisingly low-traffic.

[kmehrzad]

What group in Frederick? Is it a club or just an informal thing?

I was going to suggest organizing a NoVa TE ride. I'm busy for the next few weekends, but could do something in July. We could ride the trail, or I have the cue sheet that they use for the weekly ride from the Bike Lane in Reston-- it's 29 miles in Reston/Herndon/Oakton, plus I've made variations to shorten it to 24 or make it 30 with the inclusion of one more hill. The roads are surprisingly low-traffic.

I think it's a group in Frederick because there are a number of people riding - two ride options: a 40 mile and a 28 mile ride.

I'd like to ride with you in July, but in the meantime if Rubysoho would like to ride, she should just let me know and send a message.

[meganm]

I'm looking for the same thing. I like the Oxon Hill club for rides in southern Maryland, but have not found something I'm completely happy with for Virginia rides.

The Reston Bike Club only has fast rides on weekends. They do have average-slower speed rides on weeknights, but I can't attend those.

Potomac Pedalers has lots of rides, but lately the internal politics has been annoying me, and their new website is a pain in the a$$ to deal with. That being said, I think their C and D rides are generally friendly. My experience with the CC rides is that I'm often dropped by almost everyone at the start, because most of the riders who show up are actually B or faster. Also, they don't have many rides starting in Reston/Herndon/Sterling, but places like Leesburg, Purcellville, Middleburg and Warrenton are not too far away and the scenery is usually worth the drive.

The Bike Lane has a group ride in Reston/Herndon/Oakton on Saturday mornings, but it's at a 17-18 mph pace, which is too fast for me.

I'll second the comments about Potomac Pedalers, but there are some ride leaders who are friendly and social. I've found Reston Bike Club to be very cold and unfriendly.

[rubysoho]

I will definitely be in touch. This week my work schedule is flipped because of training so I actually won't begin work tues-thurs until 1pm. Which means I have plenty of ride time in the morning. Thinking I will do twenty tomorrow and another on Thursday on the W&OD if someone wants to join me! But I am guessing everyone else is working normal hours. I sent an email to a "team" that a serious cycling guy recommended. Bt they haven't gotten back to me yet. Not surprising, I think they are beyond what I am ready for.

[kmehrzad]

Would you be available to ride on Friday during the day, say 10:00 am? I have Fridays off.

[jef09]

Just in case folks still want a group, Potomac Pedalers and the Oxon Hill clubs are good.

[rubysoho]

Would you be available to ride on Friday during the day, say 10:00 am? I have Fridays off.

Nope. I'll be heading down to VA Beach for a friend's wedding. :( This week is a bit crazy for me. I normally work 8-4:30 M-F.

Do you ever do an evening ride on Fridays?



I think I am going to try the Reston Bike club's Wednesday night ride:



Wednesday Social Ride
Date: 06/08/2011
Time: 06:00pm
Start Location: Parking lot across from Herndon caboose on W&OD
Description
No-drop, casual pace ride for new & non-agressive riders. Distance & routes vary.
Level: C, D
Mileage: 20

Anyone care to be a newb with me? :D

[ny biker]

Did you do the Reston club ride last night? How was it?

I will start a new thread about doing a TE ride in NoVa, to see if anyone else is interested joining us.

[rubysoho]

Did you do the Reston club ride last night? How was it?

I will start a new thread about doing a TE ride in NoVa, to see if anyone else is interested joining us.

I didn't. :( Running last week, I screwed up my knee and Wednesday it was still hurting to ride. I ended up doing 10 miles on my own just to try and loosen up the muscles, etc... Didn't want to start the group in case my knee was worse. Next week I am working a really long shift on Wednesday so I won't be able to join the group until the 29th. Hopefully this 10 hour shift on Wednesdays won't be a permanent summer thing for me!

Work is getting in the way of my riding. :rolleyes:

[kmehrzad]

I think I am going to try the Reston Bike club's Wednesday night ride:
Anyone care to be a newb with me? :D

I was riding with another friend on Wed. night and believe I saw the Reston group out on the trail. I went to Vienna that evening then rode the Hunter Stn. hill for fun. Actually if you're into hills for the experience, there's a better one than Hunter Mill just outside of Leesburg, on Woodburn Rd., I believe.

[rubysoho]

k, are you going tonight? I am already jealous just thinking about having to work late tonight.... :p

[kmehrzad]

Didn't go out tonight but may do so tomorrow evening if there's no rain. Do you work every evening?

[rubysoho]

Nope. Just a crazy schedule this week. However I *should be* done by 4:30 today. I could definitely do an evening ride if that holds true. I'll pm you.