Road rides for the D.C. crowd

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by MDHillSlug

I had no idea you'd driven it.

---

I think I've driven just about every back road in MoCo and FredCo, and a whole lot of them in Washington, Carroll and Howard counties. I just love driving back-country roads. It'll be interesting to experience the Peach Tree area from the bike instead of the car.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by MDHillSlug

Are you reasonably comfortable with the roads we'll be on? They're quieter than what I'm used to but a whole lot different than your trails. I'd like your first road ride to be a good experience.

---

I should be able to handle that route. Heck, dozens of bikers ride those roads all the time, and as far as I know they've all survived ;) . Any cars that pass us will be an element that I'm not used to, so I'll just have to pay more attention to what's going on around me and to maintaining my line. And if I do get uncomfortable, it'll still be a learning experience and therefore a worthwhile ride.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by MDHillSlug

BTW what's the lowest gearing on your steed?

---

Ok, I always get confused by what's considered 'low' vs 'high' on a bike. I usually assume it's the same as on a car, so based on that the lowest combo on my pony is a 34/25. So far, it's gotten me up every hill I've attempted, though with some huffing and puffing (and grunting) and the occasional stop halfway up. What I might need to work on for road riding is building up the strength to get into the higher gears on the big ring and go fast. What's your average speed on your rides, Nicole?

We started the Peach Tree Loop off the loop - at the intersection of Darnestown and Muddy Branch, about 5.5 miles away. Since I took advantage of the facilities at the Starbucks in the plaza, and my friend seems to have the bladder the size of a ....well, I don't know, but she had no problems in that regard! :rolleyes: Anyway, I didn't really look too hard. Sorry.

There is a spot marked "food" on the cue sheet. That was a grocery store (and maybe more...gads, I really should pay more attention!) that had a big sign that said "NO BIKES". I wanted to take a picture of myself in front of it, with my bike, flipping the bird for all the world to see, but DARN IT! I left the camera in the truck. So much for civil disobedience! :D Anyway, there's probably a restroom there.

The hills were not that bad. Either long and gradual, or short and not-really-steep. Traffic was light, but we left about 7 a.m. Some of the roads we were on, we were able to ride 2 abreast without annoying anyone, and the few cars we encountered were good about it. Overall, I think it was a great route. My friend is none too keen about riding with cars, and she enjoyed herself thoroughly. (In fact, at one point, I pointed out some black ice still on the road, and she thought I said "nice" and said "Yeah, it is a really nice ride!")

Sorry I can't make it on Sunday - and Saturday I'll be trying to follow Doctor's orders about not riding. I make no such promises for mtb'ing on Sunday, however.

Have fun. Can't wait to hear how it turns out.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Kalidurga

Any cars that pass us will be an element that I'm not used to, so I'll just have to pay more attention to what's going on around me and to maintaining my line. And if I do get uncomfortable, it'll still be a learning experience and therefore a worthwhile ride.

---

In my experience most cars will give a wide berth, but there are sometimes @ssholes who don't seem to move left at all. They seem to be the exception.

Quote:

---

Ok, I always get confused by what's considered 'low' vs 'high' on a bike. I usually assume it's the same as on a car, so based on that the lowest combo on my pony is a 34/25. So far, it's gotten me up every hill I've attempted, though with some huffing and puffing (and grunting) and the occasional stop halfway up.

---

I think you've got that right, small gear up front and biggest gear in the rear gives the lowest gear ratio.

Quote:

---

What I might need to work on for road riding is building up the strength to get into the higher gears on the big ring and go fast. What's your average speed on your rides, Nicole?

---

Since getting the new bike I rarely get up onto the largest chain ring. I can push it along around 20mph in the middle chainring. Yesterday, with a strong wind at my back I think I got up to my highest gear ratio and was pushing along in the high 20's.

I usually tend to push myself hard but I'm still building up strength and endurance. In general I average in the 15's for flatter routes and the 14's for hilly routes (hilly routes still wear me out). When I was on the eastern shore I had wanted to hit 16 but ran 5 minutes too slow over 28 miles.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by MDHillSlug

Since getting the new bike I rarely get up onto the largest chain ring. I can push it along around 20mph in the middle chainring. Yesterday, with a strong wind at my back I think I got up to my highest gear ratio and was pushing along in the high 20's.

I usually tend to push myself hard but I'm still building up strength and endurance. In general I average in the 15's for flatter routes and the 14's for hilly routes (hilly routes still wear me out). When I was on the eastern shore I had wanted to hit 16 but ran 5 minutes too slow over 28 miles.

---

Well, if I can't keep up, just be sure to stop and wait for me every now and then ;)

So far, the weather looks good for on- and off-road riding. Hopefully it'll stay that way.

I'm jealous! Those rides (40 miler and the other) sound like a lot of fun. So far, the most fun I've had was the loop I posted earlier .. all 2 lane country roads, low traffic (except for a couple mile stretch). So much better than multiuse trails! Hopefully I can join in sometime. Here's some info:

I have it at the top of my to-do to stop procrastinating and get a computer. I decided to break up my HR monitor and computer into 2 separate units so I can take the HR monitor to the gym. I don't know how fast I go, but on that hilly ride, I averaged over 14mph (almost 15mph not taking into account however long it took me to stop to eat a granola bar at a convenience store). There's one section on that ride where you can go FAST... if the hills haven't worn you out by then. Hills are still hard for me though, so I'd be in the back too. My gearing is 36 small ring, and I don't know what the back is exactly, but I've got a shimano 10 speed rear.

Looks like family is visiting next weekend after my high school friend visits this weekend. The weekend before Thanksgiving is looking good for me. If you go out then, mind if I join? If it's Sunday, I might bring a friend who is also interested in getting in on some women's group rides if that's ok (she lives in DC closer to MD than I do).

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by aicabsolut

The weekend before Thanksgiving is looking good for me. If you go out then, mind if I join? If it's Sunday, I might bring a friend who is also interested in getting in on some women's group rides if that's ok (she lives in DC closer to MD than I do).

---

The more, the merrier-- though my merriment might be diminished by lack of breath from keeping up with you guys. I could do a short ride on the Sunday morning before Thanksgiving, but I need to leave that afternoon open for family visiting from out of town.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Kalidurga

The more, the merrier-- though my merriment might be diminished by lack of breath from keeping up with you guys. I could do a short ride on the Sunday morning before Thanksgiving, but I need to leave that afternoon open for family visiting from out of town.

---

I assume we're talking the 18th or 19th? I should be available. Let's hope the weather stays warm enough for comfortable riding.

Are we talking road or trail? It looks like I'm keeping the hybrid (at least for now) so I'm good to go on either.

Kali, what time and length of ride would work for you?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by MDHillSlug

I assume we're talking the 18th or 19th? I should be available. Let's hope the weather stays warm enough for comfortable riding.

Are we talking road or trail? It looks like I'm keeping the hybrid (at least for now) so I'm good to go on either.

Kali, what time and length of ride would work for you?

---

I'm working on the 18th, so I could do the 19th. I haven't made firm plans with the family yet and they don't seem to mind me being sweaty, so if we did something like our C&O ride (start @ 9:30, done before 1:00) then I could just go straight from there to meet them. I think aicabsolut said she only has a road bike, so I assume a road ride. We could either do the Peach Tree Loop again, or look for something else on the site Regina posted recently.

Sound good to you, aic? Anyone else interested?

They've finally created a Mid-Atlantic region for the places to ride (thank you, thank you). We should make sure to post all future rides there. How about we propose the Sunday-before-Thanksgiving ride there?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by MDHillSlug

They've finally created a Mid-Atlantic region for the places to ride (thank you, thank you). We should make sure to post all future rides there. How about we propose the Sunday-before-Thanksgiving ride there?

---

Consider it done. Anyone interested in this ride, head on over to that forum.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Regina

Next Sunday is the 5th, right?
I'm planning on doing a Ride Like a Girl mountain bike ride at Schaeffer with MORE (Mid-Atlantic Offroad Enthusiasts) that day.

---

Regina, were you at the RLAG ride today? I looked around but didn't see anyone that looked like your picture. I rode with the beginner/casual group.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by divingbiker

Regina, were you at the RLAG ride today? I looked around but didn't see anyone that looked like your picture. I rode with the beginner/casual group.

---

Ohhh...
I am SO bummed. I did not go. I have a pinched nerve or something in my neck that causes pain and pins-and-needles all down my arm into my right hand. It's aggravated by riding (and using the computer), so I'm under doctor's orders to not ride and minimize computer time. I was hoping a week or so of downtime plus Advil and prescription muscle relaxers would help, but stupid me raked leaves all day yesterday and I was in major pain last night. So I opted out of the ride.

How did the ride go??? One of these days I'll get to a RLAG ride....

Regina

Kali and I met up at Rileys Lock and headed out on the Peach Tree loop. The big problem was that we didn't have a cue sheet with us :eek: She never printed it out and I left mine sitting at home on the kitchen table :o Luckily, Tam seems to have driven all the back roads of Montgomery county and was able to navigate almost perfectly from memory. We did make a few wrong turns and the 25 mile route turned into 27.5 miles.

Tam did GREAT with the traffic but suffered on the hills (she said she was so busy worrying about the hills that she mostly forgot all about the cars). The route was a bit hilly for a first time road ride for someone with little hill experience, but she never quit. I think if we do ride on the weekend before Thanksgiving we'll need to find a route that's a little bit flatter.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Regina

Ohhh...
I am SO bummed. I did not go. I have a pinched nerve or something in my neck that causes pain and pins-and-needles all down my arm into my right hand. It's aggravated by riding (and using the computer), so I'm under doctor's orders to not ride and minimize computer time. I was hoping a week or so of downtime plus Advil and prescription muscle relaxers would help, but stupid me raked leaves all day yesterday and I was in major pain last night. So I opted out of the ride.

How did the ride go??? One of these days I'll get to a RLAG ride....

Regina

---

Sorry to hear of your neck pain. Stop raking leaves!

If the success of a ride is measured by how dirty your bike and clothes get, then it was a very good ride. I fell several times, usually when hitting rocks or roots on uphills or coming out of streams. One time I slid in a rut and hurt my ribs pretty badly, so my neighbor and I headed back to the parking lot after that. I think we went about 7.75 miles.

There were a LOT of people on the trails--MORE's two groups of women and a big simultaneous men's ride, plus lots of others riding on their own--so I'm not sure I'd go back there on a day when there was an organized ride. But the trails are really nice and the terrain is varied, and it's very well marked, so even a directionally-challenged person like moi could find her way home.

I don't think mountain biking is an old woman's sport, but it sure is fun.

Was that your first time at Schaeffer? About how many were on the RLAG ride?
I'm glad you had a good time, in spite of the painful falls. Yeah, that about sums up mountainbiking!
I've been to Schaeffer a few times and like it. I still find it plenty challenging and am never bored with it (I have a hard core mtb friend who likes to ride really tough stuff, so when I try to ride with him, it's like "Nice hike. Why'd I bring this bike along?" :rolleyes: ) I don't think I know that area well enough to go alone, however, even if it is basically just a loop. I can't find my way out of a paperbag sometimes!
My DH was going to ride that MORE Dude ride, but went much later in the day, instead. He said it was pretty crowded and he had a blast. But...he tried riding this log at the end, and the bike slid off one side of the log, and his body when off the other, and he smacked his face into the ground! :eek: He's all black and blue and has a nice shiner under his eye on the cheekbone. Sigh. He worries me sometimes.

p.s. Was checking out the MORE forums. Are you posting on that - i.e., discussing ribs? Also, did you see that group shot? Where are you in it?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Regina

Was that your first time at Schaeffer? About how many were on the RLAG ride?

p.s. Was checking out the MORE forums. Are you posting on that - i.e., discussing ribs? Also, did you see that group shot? Where are you in it?

---

Yes, that was my first time at Schaeffer, and only about my 6th time mountain biking, so I have a lot to learn. I've only ever ridden with the two women who live across the street from me, and we've gone to Fairland off Route 29, since it's close to us, and once up to Rockburn (?) in Ellicott City.

Just looked at the MORE forum and saw the picture. I'm in the red jacket and red helmet on the right side of the picture. My neighbor is in front of me. It says there that there were 23 women; most of them were on the "moderate" ride, as opposed to the beginner/casual ride.

That's not me posting over there. Apparently someone else has bruised ribs also, but they have narcotics. I want some, too!:p

Mountain biking is so much fun, I just wish it weren't so darned painful! Your husband will have a good story to tell at work tomorrow.

What, you guys missed our old "home" or something? Get yer butts over to our new forum ;)

The only time I've ever mtb'd was at Schaeffer and the only thing I remember about the ride is:

"Hey, look! A deer!" *POW*, right into a tree... That, and having to walk the bike over every log and stream. I love the culture of mtb'ing, but I think that when I'm out in the woods I'm too busy looking around to focus on what's in front of me to be able to pedal a trail. (Wow, was that a run-on sentence or what?)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Kalidurga

What, you guys missed our old "home" or something? Get yer butts over to our new forum ;)

---

Sor-ry! Just thought I'd finish up the old business over here in Southeast. I guess if I were a little more clever I'd have figured out how to move the quote from here to the new forum, but I was lazy.

I promise it won't happen again!

We're just beating this post to death, Kali!
I'd ask you about Fairland, DB, but perhaps I'll take it to Mid-Atlantic!