C&O Canal: Anybody wanna ride in September? [Archive] - Women's Cycling Discussion Forums

divingbiker

09-09-2006, 05:55 AM

Sure, that would be fun. I've only been on the C&O once, and though I think I remember seeing road bikes, it seemed better suited to mountain bikes and hybrids. What do you ride? (I just bought a new mountain bike yesterday (yay!), and I also have a hybrid and a road bike, so I'm covered. Just don't know what works best.)

ladyfish

09-09-2006, 06:15 AM

Maybe we could plan a mini TE bike ride on the C&O. There are several of us out here.

I was also wondering about the bike to ride on the C&O. Keep me in mind if you plan a ride.

I've never ridden the C&O but my son's scout troop is planning a trip in a few weeks, so I may go along with them.

Kalidurga

09-09-2006, 08:55 AM

Sure, that would be fun. What do you ride? (I just bought a new mountain bike yesterday (yay!), and I also have a hybrid and a road bike, so I'm covered. Just don't know what works best.)

I was also wondering about the bike to ride on the C&O. Keep me in mind if you plan a ride.

I used to ride a hybrid, but now I have a cyclocross bike. Depending on which section you're riding, you definitely want a bike that can handle rolling resistance and vibrations.

I'm open for just about any Sunday this month or next (except 10/1). If anyone wants to meet up with me, just feel free to post a location here or shoot me an e-mail. If folks are interested in plannning a group-type ride, how does Sunday 9/24 sound? Edit: Oops, there's a 'cross race that day, too. How does Sunday 9/17 sound instead?

emily_in_nc

09-09-2006, 03:58 PM

I did Bike Virginia a few summers ago, and part of one day's ride was on the C&O Towpath. It had rained hard a couple of days prior, so the path was still quite muddy in low spots. I was riding my Terry Isis road bike with skinny (23c) tires. NOT RECOMMENDED if it has rained at all recently there!!

After fishtailing all over the place and almost falling several times, I finally had to get out and walk part of the way. Silly me had Speedplay X-2 cleats and NO coffee-shop caps. My cleats got encrusted with mud, so when I finally got back on the bike, I couldn't clip in at all and had to ride on top of the pedals for some distance.

I noticed all the fat-tire riders passing me and going the other way seemed to have big s***-eating grins on their faces, or at least that's how if felt at the time... :(

Definitely, if you have one, a hybrid, mountain bike, or fatter tires on your road bike is the way to go on the C&O (hey, that rhymes!!!) :D

Oh, and it's a gorgeous ride. I hope to do more of it one day - but on my mountain bike!!

Emily

Selkie

09-10-2006, 01:07 AM

Emily's right. A road bike won't cut it on the C&O. It's gravel closer in to the city and becomes dirt with lots of tree branch speedbumps, rocks, etc. as you head west. A 'cross or mt bike or a hybrid works best.

I'd join you but this is a busy time---next week is the PPTC metric and then a few weeks later, the Seagull.

Kalidurga

09-10-2006, 07:02 AM

I did Bike Virginia a few summers ago, and part of one day's ride was on the C&O Towpath. It had rained hard a couple of days prior, so the path was still quite muddy in low spots. I was riding my Terry Isis road bike with skinny (23c) tires. NOT RECOMMENDED if it has rained at all recently there!!

After fishtailing all over the place and almost falling several times, I finally had to get out and walk part of the way.

I noticed all the fat-tire riders passing me and going the other way seemed to have big s***-eating grins on their faces, or at least that's how if felt at the time... :(
Yeah, I've had some fun rides on the towpath both during and after rain. It's the only time I can feel like a rough'n'tumble mtb rider, plowing through the mud and going home a total mess ;) I did fall once. Trying to ride along the raised edge of a mud pit, rear tire slipped, I extended my hand to catch my fall (as you're not supposed to do, of course), screwed up my elbow and ended up wearing a sling for a few days. And I wore one of those big s***-eating grins the whole ride!

Mickchick, I hope we can get together on the towpath at some point this fall or next spring. I'm really interested in checking out your custom 'cross.

Selkie

09-10-2006, 08:15 AM

You betcha. By the way, the new 'cross bike rides like a dream. I'm so glad that I went w/campy components! Of course, now I don't want to get the bike dirty since it's only been on the "clean" streets of my neighborhood. It's still nice and brand-spanking new looking. haha. Sometime in Oct will be good and that will be a lovely time of year to head out on the C&O.

Kalidurga

09-10-2006, 05:19 PM

Sometime in Oct will be good and that will be a lovely time of year to head out on the C&O.

Excellent, we'll get that new bike dusty for ya :D . I'm going to a 'cross race (or the She Got Bike fest) on Oct 1 and Daylight Saving Time ends on Oct 29, but other than that any Sunday in October should be good. I even planned my vacation out in western MD/PA for Monday - Friday so my weekends are wide open.

That leaves Oct 8, 15 or 22. Anybody (divingbiker, ladyfish?) want to pick a date and a section of the towpath so we can all put it on our calendars?

divingbiker

09-10-2006, 05:53 PM

7rider

09-11-2006, 05:31 AM

October 15 works best for me. (I get back from a week in Belize late at night on October 7, and October 22 is the Buff Betty adventure race, which I think I'm going to do with my neighbors.) I don't know much about the towpath so I don't have any preference as to which part of it we ride, but I know there's a nice parking lot off Riley's Lock, near Seneca Creek State Park I think. This should be fun!

Ooo, this sounds like fun. Can I join in? I'd love to see some of the folks I've been reading about.
Sept. 17th would be out -- it's - ahem - my b'day, so DH and I will be doing...I don't know....something, I hope! :rolleyes:
Oct. 15th is after the Seagull, which we're theoretically training for (I suppose we'll need to increase these 28 mile rides by...oh, a lot!).
I would probably take the mtb out. That hasn't seen dirt in a very long time!
Let me know when and where!

Kalidurga

09-11-2006, 09:17 AM

So far, we have two votes for Sunday, October 15, so I'll add mine and make it three. Hey Suzanne, I haven't seen tulip on the forum recently, do you think she'd be interested?

I personally like getting on the towpath farther out west, but Carderock and Great Falls are the closest to the Beltway which could be more convenient if anyone comes from Virginia. Riley's Lock, which divingbiker mentioned, is definitely a nice spot and shouldn't be crowded with boaters/jetskiers by mid-October. Any other suggestions?

Selkie

09-11-2006, 12:47 PM

I'll put it on my calendar. I'm all for starting farther out -- the less crowded the better. I'm sure that once Tulip sees this, she'll want to come if she isn't too busy. If I'm not mistaken, she'll be doing the Seagull, too.

HillSlugger

09-12-2006, 07:35 AM

I don't think my road bike can handle this. :( Let me know when you want to do an TE/DC area road ride!

7rider

09-15-2006, 08:45 AM

There's been a lot of discussion on the other forum regarding this ride, and it's wavered from this, to a road ride, to a non-riding social event.
Are we thinking 1 event, 2 events, or all 3 (I'd be up for all three myself, if I could make them. Any time I can get to ride bikes or talk bikes is a good time for me!)?
Is this October 15th ride still in the works for the C&O?? Hope so.

Kalidurga

09-15-2006, 05:49 PM

I've still got 10/15 on my calendar for a C&O ride. We just have to decide where we want to meet and what time.

I'm definitely also up for a non-riding get-together. Would a thread for that be more appropriate here or in Off-Topic?

Oh, and Regina- Happy birthday tomorrow :D

7rider

09-15-2006, 05:58 PM

Well, it's the 17th (Sunday) but Thanks!

I'd say let's keep the discussion here in the Regional section so we're not searching all over for it. One stop shopping.
Whadaya think?

Kalidurga

09-15-2006, 06:17 PM

Well, it's the 17th (Sunday) but Thanks!

Y'all haven't noticed by now that I'm calendar-challenged? ;)

Kalidurga

09-24-2006, 05:55 PM

Is it too soon to decide which section of the C&O we want to ride on 10/15? (That's one date I'll be sure to get right... ;) )

divingbiker

09-28-2006, 12:30 PM

I'll be away for the next week, but when I get back I'll expect you all to have this ride all planned. :) I'll ride any part of it, but the area with lots of pedestrians around Great Falls would be toward the bottom of my list. Looking forward to it!

HillSlugger

09-28-2006, 12:57 PM

If I've still got my hybrid by then I'll likely ride, too. If it's been sold, I probably try to at least meet everyone before your ride and then head out for a road ride.

Kalidurga

09-28-2006, 03:32 PM

Riley's Lock is probably the most convenient-to-get-to spot upstream from Great Falls. It might be crowded within a mile or two from the lock, but beyond that it becomes fairly quiet and peaceful. My preference is usually to go much farther out. I rode the stretch from Point of Rocks to Harper's Ferry the other week and it was beautiful, and the trail was in very good shape. Plus, there's a very cool little coffee shop in Brunswick in between. It all depends on how far folks want to drive to get to the towpath. Here's more info: The C&O Canal Bicycling Guide (http://www.bikewashington.org/canal/index.php)

Nicole, are you going to start a thread for a non-pedaling get-together?

7rider

09-28-2006, 04:48 PM

HillSlugger

09-28-2006, 05:34 PM

So...
We're talking an "out and back" along the canal from Riley's Lock to...??
Point of Rocks?
Harpers Ferry?
How far is it to each? :confused:
It seems like about 25 miles one way to Point of Rocks? Or am I not reading that map correctly?
So, that's a 50-miler? I've never done that on my mountain bike! :eek:

If I ride this on my hybrid, I think 50 miles is out of the question for me. 20-30 miles or so would be much more reasonable.

Also, any word on a Mid-Atlantic discussion group? I think that would be GREAT!
I emailed Susan Otcenas and also the guy who posted about the forum updates. I've heard back absolutely nothing. Maybe it needs more of us to ask, or perhaps I didn't ask the right person. :( I'm open to ideas!

Kalidurga

09-29-2006, 03:24 AM

Depending on the trail conditions and how I feel, I'll do anywhere from 15 to 30 miles total round-trip on the towpath. I usually get on the bike with a vague goal in mind, go as far as I feel like going, then turn around and head back. Sometimes it's a point-to-point thing, other times I just turn around in the middle of the trail when I hit a certain mile marker. To me, that's one of the beauties of the C&O.

I think that, as far as enjoying the ride, it really doesn't matter too much where we start and end. I haven't kept track of where everyone lives, but aren't some of you going to be driving up from Va? For that reason, I haven't suggested spots farther upstream. If folks are willing to drive farther, though, there are plenty of places besides Riley's where we could start.

Riley's Lock (mile 22.8) to Edward's Ferry (mile 30.9) could be a short but sweet jaunt. The view of the river at Edward's Ferry is so pretty.

White's Ferry (mile 35.5) is a great spot, too, with the working ferry crossing the river and all. I haven't ridden there this summer, though, so I don't know what shape the trail's in. Heading upstream from there would take us by the Monocacy Aqueduct at mile 42, though we could certainly continue beyond.

Point of Rocks (mile 48.2) to Harper's Ferry (mile 60.7) is a bit longer, but a beautiful ride. And, if we choose to, there's the bonus of crossing the railroad bridge into Harper's Ferry to soak up some history.

I could go on, but you'd all probably begin to think I'm obsessed :D I really think the deciding factor is what kind of driving everyone wants to do to get to the ride.

HillSlugger

09-29-2006, 07:41 AM

Riley's Lock (mile 22.8) to Edward's Ferry (mile 30.9) could be a short but sweet jaunt. The view of the river at Edward's Ferry is so pretty.

White's Ferry (mile 35.5) is a great spot, too, with the working ferry crossing the river and all. I haven't ridden there this summer, though, so I don't know what shape the trail's in. Heading upstream from there would take us by the Monocacy Aqueduct at mile 42, though we could certainly continue beyond.

How about Riley's lock to White's Ferry with a stop at Edward's Ferry? That makes it a 25 mile ride.

7rider

09-29-2006, 08:10 AM

Whew!!!
You guys had me worried there for a minute!
I was thinking...50 miles on a mountainbike?! Yowzaa! :eek:
Rileys to WF sounds like a great ride. I was actually thinking of something along that line. The one time I did that ride, I don't think we got as far as the Ferry, so it would be nice to see it.

HillSlugger

09-29-2006, 08:23 AM

7rider

09-29-2006, 08:32 AM

Sorry, I should have said roundtrip!

Oops...No, I know that's what you meant. 25 round trip sounds great.
I was thinking of the 50 round trip if we went all the way up to Point of Rocks...

Kalidurga

09-29-2006, 04:51 PM

It sounds like we have the location down. There's a small convenience store and snack bar/grill at White's Ferry, so it's definitely a good spot to chill out for a while before we turn around. Is it too early to decide what time we want to meet?

As happy as I'll be for you when you sell your hybrid, Nicole, it would definitely be cool if you could hang on to it long enough to join us. It's starting to sound like that's what you're planning on ;)

HillSlugger

10-01-2006, 10:40 AM

It sounds like we have the location down. There's a small convenience store and snack bar/grill at White's Ferry, so it's definitely a good spot to chill out for a while before we turn around. Is it too early to decide what time we want to meet?
I'd prefer starting out fairly early, somewhere between 9 and 10 am.

As happy as I'll be for you when you sell your hybrid, Nicole, it would definitely be cool if you could hang on to it long enough to join us. It's starting to sound like that's what you're planning on ;)

I know. I'm definitely of two minds about this. I definitely want to ride with you and I definitely want to sell the bike, but I figure if I don't get it sold pretty soon I'll be looking at having to wait until spring. With the amount of interest so far, and the fact that I'll be out of town next weekend it's pretty likely I'll still have it. As a backup, does anyone have an extra trail-worthy bike I can borrow?

Kalidurga

10-01-2006, 05:28 PM

I'd prefer starting out fairly early, somewhere between 9 and 10 am.

I usually don't get on the trail until after 1 pm, so I'll apologize now if I'm groggy that morning ;) Regina, does that work for you? Mickchick, divingbiker? Anyone else?

As a backup, does anyone have an extra trail-worthy bike I can borrow?

Shame I finally stopped procrastinating and donated my old all-terrain bike. It might have been too small, though. If I remember correctly, it had 24" wheels.

7rider

10-01-2006, 05:44 PM

While I've been planning to do this ride all along.....I've had this fear in the back of my head.
And now what I suspected may happen is about to happen.
My father-in-law down in Florida has ALS and is not doing well. At some point, we'll need to fly down - to help out my mother-in-law - but also, too, to say good-bye. We need to go sooner, rather than later. We've been coordinating weekends with DH's siblings and it's looking like "our" weekend will be the weekend of the 14th.
If that's the case, we'll be making plane reservations tomorrow once DH works out the leave situation with his employer (I have a bit more flexibility in that department).
So, I apologize, but it's looking like I may have to back out.
I'll let folks know if anything changes (and, for what it's worth, I'd prefer an a.m. ride, too) and hope to hook up with you all again for a future ride or event.

Kalidurga

10-01-2006, 05:52 PM

Wow, I'm so sorry to hear that, Regina. I hope that at whatever point he goes that he'll be in peace, and that it won't be too difficult for you, your DH and his family.

And definitely don't apologize for missing the ride. Whoever ends up going, we'll be sure to think of you and hope for the best.

Selkie

10-02-2006, 04:10 AM

HillSlug--It's only 25 miles, so why not come along? I'll invite my hybrid-riding husband so you won't be the only hybrid rider in the group (he refuses to let me buy him a road or touring bike and rode--suffered?--that hybrid in the Covered Bridge Metric).
I'm a morning person and the earlier you get out, the fewer people you encounter. Believe me, it's worth skipping sleeping in and you can always take a nap in the afternoon.
I'll do my best to make it, so long as weekend chores, etc. don't get in the way. If my ankle continues to feel strong, I'm going to do the Seagull on Saturday, but if my tendonitis comes back, I might not be able to join you, regardless (need to keep to pavement, if that's the case).

HillSlugger

10-02-2006, 06:04 AM

HillSlug--It's only 25 miles, so why not come along? I'll invite my hybrid-riding husband so you won't be the only hybrid rider in the group
I'm trying to sell my hybrid to help pay for my new road bike. If I still have it I'm definitely planning to ride with you.

(he refuses to let me buy him a road or touring bike and rode--suffered?--that hybrid in the Covered Bridge Metric).
I rode the 25 miler. It was a great ride.

I'm going to do the Seagull on Saturday

I've got my sights set on the Seagull metric for next year. Are you doing the metric or the miler? Please tell me all about it afterwards.

Selkie

10-02-2006, 11:49 AM

Wow, the fact that you gutted out 25 miles of Lancaster's hills on a hybrid is something. My husband finished the metric about 45 minutes, give or take, behind me and that's taking into account that I lost about a half hour, waiting for him at the lunch area! He was fried when he rolled in at the finish and couldn't even partake of the Turkey Hill ice cream. Don't worry--I ate his share while I was waiting for him (haha).

Hopefully, I'll be doing the metric century at the Seagull. The ankle is feeling good but I'm not going to push it. I had enough overuse injuries during my marathon days to teach me that ignoring an injury is the ultimate knucklehead behavior.

HillSlugger

10-02-2006, 12:24 PM

Wow, the fact that you gutted out 25 miles of Lancaster's hills on a hybrid is something.

Actually, I did this ride on my road bike. I got it the weekend before this ride and haven't been back on the hybrid since.

The toughest ride I did on the hybrid was 29 miles from Brookeville, up into Howard county, and back. It included about 1500 feet of climbing. I had to walk part of one hill. I repeated this same route on Saturday on the road bike and managed to do that hill, but road the last 10 miles in the rain :eek:

HillSlugger

10-10-2006, 09:31 AM

I think we've agreed to meet at Rileys Lock on Sunday October 15. I assume we'd meet at the parking area furthest from River Road, the one with the Porta-Potties.

I don't recall that we've set a time to meet, but I know some of us favored an earlier start, perhaps between 9 and 10am.

So, can we finalize a time? Who's in for the ride?

I'm looking forward to meeting everyone!

Nicole

Kalidurga

10-11-2006, 03:13 AM

You read my mind, Nicole, I was going to post a similar message this morning.

9:00am at Riley's is on my calendar and the back parking lot makes sense to me. If by any chance it's already crowded, though, I'm sure we won't have trouble finding each other. Do we want to say that we'll be on the towpath and pedaling by 9:30? 10:00?

divingbiker

10-11-2006, 04:28 AM

It's likely to be pretty cold Sunday morning, with the overnight low in the 30's and the high for the day in the low 50's. Brrrr!

Anyway, I'll plan to be there at 9, dressed in layers.

Janice

HillSlugger

10-11-2006, 05:14 AM

9:00am at Riley's is on my calendar and the back parking lot makes sense to me. If by any chance it's already crowded, though, I'm sure we won't have trouble finding each other. Do we want to say that we'll be on the towpath and pedaling by 9:30? 10:00?

Let's shoot for pedaling by 9:30, hopefully that way we'll actually be pedaling by 10 ;)

It's likely to be pretty cold Sunday morning, with the overnight low in the 30's and the high for the day in the low 50's. Brrrr!

Anyway, I'll plan to be there at 9, dressed in layers.

Janice

I just bought a helmet cover and toe covers (hopefully I can make them work for mtb shoes) and I've got my tights and wind jacket ready.

Kali, divingbiker and I both drive Subaru Outbacks (mine gold, hers blue).

See you at 9am!

Kalidurga

10-11-2006, 05:21 AM

It's likely to be pretty cold Sunday morning, with the overnight low in the 30's and the high for the day in the low 50's. Brrrr!

Actually, as of this morning WeatherBug is calling for temps in the low 60's on Sunday. I'm hoping that a wind jacket and knee warmers will be sufficient, cause I'm just not ready for tights and a long sleeve jersey yet.

I drive a black Civic with, of course, a roof rack.

Anyone else? Mickchick, tulip? Regina, I hope you're able to join us, but if not we'll send out good thoughts for your family as we pedal.

7rider

10-12-2006, 07:31 AM

Hi.
We're leaving for BWI in a few hours - I'm just packing and finalizing the list of what to bring now (and, spending a last few moments on the PC! :D ).
We won't return until Sunday evening. I'm bummed I won't be able to make this ride. Have a great time. I'll be thinking of you guys. Hopefully, we can schedule another TE event soon!
Regina