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OK guize, time to get going on another training ride.
I realize there are a lot of events coming up (SheGotBike!, CWC, and Seagull) but we should get one thirty mile ride in.
The clock is ticking LOUDLY!
If we can't get together for one I think we should at least plan one for ourselves.
TRAINING MEANS LOADED
Two panniers full of rocks if you have nothing else to put in them.
Mine will be full of Payday bars :D
I did 35 miles yesterday. Doesn't count, though, since I didn't have loaded panniers and I'm not joining you for the entire ride... but still :D
I started a ways upstream from Hancock and rode up to just a handful of miles shy of Paw Paw Tunnel. Most of that stretch borders Green Ridge State Forest, so it was really isolated. As a result, I saw much more wildlife than I usually do along the towpath. At one point, I stopped to take a break and didn't realize that a deer was grazing in the undergrowth just two dozen or so feet from me until she stepped on a twig. I turned to see what made the noise, and she just kept on browsing as if I weren't there. Also saw a couple of snakes, a hawk that flew practically right over my head, a kingfisher, two beaver lodges, and a bunch more deer.
Parts of the towpath were very smooth, and other parts were very rocky and rooty. But a couple of guys on bikes (with the park service, I presume) were out re-painting mile markers, so the markers through that stretch look all shiny and new now.
I really, really hope that the weather is awesome the week of your ride, ladies, 'cause nothin' beats the C&O on a gorgeous day :D
I'm doing SheGotBike on September 14 and taking a kayak lesson on September 27. Other than that, I'm available.Quote:
Originally Posted by Zen
What about Labor Day? Anyone want to do a longish ride next Monday?
can I just ride with books in one of my panniers? I think I sent my other pannier home with my parents. I am not sure what you are training for, or has Zen become a life coach?
I'm pretty sure I'm free.
If I went alone I'd do the same route KD just described.
Let's see if anyone else is interested, maybe do a shuttle so we can do 30-35 one way instead of turning around.
We have a week to figure this out.
I'd join you for training support, but my family's in town from Florida next weekend and I've committed Labor Day to them.Quote:
Originally Posted by divingbiker
DH and I were just talking about this the other day. I agree....we need to do a 30-miler, loaded. With properly working brakes! :rolleyes:
We'll be in CT for Labor Day weekend, and are doing the CWC and the Seagull, but other than that I should be free. How about the 20th?
Oh....and DB and KD -- yesterday (Sunday) afternoon, DH and I took the boats to Truxton Park in Annapolis for an urban "see how the other half lives" paddle on Spa Creek (boat shopping..yeah, that's it). There was a good sized crowd there from Chesapeake Paddlers Association. Ever heard of 'em? They focus primarily on sea kayaking, but the woman I chatted with said quite a few have smaller, rec boats, too. They do day and weekend trips, skills clinics, and such.
I heard about Chesapeake Paddlers Association back when I was taking lessons with Potomac Paddlesports. If I remember correctly, they have a pretty good paddling forum.
I need to get out in my kayak at least one more time before the season's over. My gear's getting dusty, shame on me :o I've thought of hauling the bike and the 'yak up to Big Pool at Ft Fred state park for a multi-sport day but have never gotten around to it. Don't think I could handle a 30+ mile ride and paddling on the same day, though.
How's about Sunday then?Quote:
Originally Posted by Kalidurga
That way we'd avoid traffic going home from holiday.
We'll see. I'm getting together with them both Saturday and Monday, and may very well need some alone-time on Sunday to clear my head :eek: ;) But a C&O ride is always a good thing, so it probably wouldn't take much to coerce me. That pannier-full of Payday's might do the trick. Would Sunday work for the rest of the gang?Quote:
Originally Posted by Zen
I'd suggest avoiding the more popular areas, since everyone and their brother gets out there on holiday weekends.
Since DB doesn't like to drive and you do, maybe she can ride with you and we can start at Shepherdstown or further upstream.
It'd be a tight squeeze since one of the bikes would have to go in the back of my car, but I promise I'd behave and only drive a little bit over the speed limit :cool: ;)Quote:
Originally Posted by Zen
The Shepherdstown lot is one of the one's that's always packed on weekends. But there might be other places nearby where we could park-- either in Shep'town (which would require riding our bikes across the bridge and then down the fun switchback path), or at a lot on route 34 before you get to the river (which I think is owned by the highway dept so I'm not sure whether it's legal to park there). Wouldn't be able to do 30 miles upstream from there, though, without including part of the detour that starts at Big Slackwater. The other option would be to head downstream towards Harper's Ferry, part of which would be a repeat of the last ride. It's all gonna depend on how far folks want to drive and whether you want to see new scenery.
But no one else has chimed in yet as to whether Sunday or Monday works better for them, so "where" might need to wait until "when" has been answered. Do you want to wait for a weekend when Regina's available, or just plan another ride then?
No. Bring a watermelon. I like watermelon.Quote:
Originally Posted by madscot13
Whadjadoo that for :confused:Quote:
Originally Posted by madscot13
We're training for this http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showt...highlight=tripQuote:
Originally Posted by madscot13
and I'm not sure if I'm a life coach or a drill sergeant. I guess they could be viewed as similar.
Don't scare your gramma.Quote:
Originally Posted by Kalidurga
I definitely want to avoid Harper's Ferry on the weekend.Quote:
Originally Posted by Kalidurga
Williamsport to Fort Frederick (or a little farther) is a nice ride and you get to go here-
http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/b...angerDam-1.jpg
http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/b...ffBendvert.jpg
you crazy kids. I thought you were just suffering because Zen told you to. silly me.
I did not mean to send my panniers home with my parents (I wrote pannier the first time instead of parent right there). it makes grocery shopping a far too complicated procedure that I must do every week.
I think I'll just have to suck it up and drive, since I'm hoping to take the Xtracycle and it takes a special roof rack. I'm willing to drive wherever. Shepherdstown would be nice so we could stop at Tam's restaurant.Quote:
Originally Posted by Zen