I have started a group for planning and discussion purposes.
PM me your email addy and I will evite you to join.
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I have started a group for planning and discussion purposes.
PM me your email addy and I will evite you to join.
Is there shoo fly pie at the Hickory Bridge? That alone will convince my husband to help out. :D
I'm going to have to pass on this trip, ladies. I've been invited to stay with a friend near Seattle at the end of July and I unfortunately don't have enough vacation time for both.
But, depending on where you are on what day of the week, maybe I could drive out and join you for part of the ride :D
Oh, and a suggestion for the Harper's Ferry to Leesburg stretch: Ride to White's Ferry and take the ferry across the river. Do not cross the river at Point of Rocks to follow Route 15 all the way down to Leesburg. Route 15's known for lots of accidents. The short stretch from the ferry into Leesburg will be sketchy enough.
It won't be the same without you, Tam! But I know how it is making the vacation time stretch as far as possible.Quote:
Originally Posted by Kalidurga
Definitely you'll have to join us on one of the days.
WEENIE!Quote:
Originally Posted by Kalidurga
Um... How so, Slo-Mo? Let's see: 6 days riding an area that I absolutely love but have been riding in for close to 15 years now vs. 6 days in a place that I've never been but have been dreaming of visiting for close to 15 years...Quote:
Originally Posted by zencentury
If my decision makes me a weenie, then I'll embrace that title with gusto :rolleyes: :D
I have set up this yahoo group to be as secure as possible.
You have to pm me your email addy then I will send you an invite to join. I can't just add you to the group.
I have sent out some invites already with one person joining so far.
Check your junk/spam folder.
This is for everyone involved, even weenies who might only join us for a day or so.
Thank you for your time. You may now return to your regularly scheduled activities.
Thanks, Zen! I just joined the group. Let's wait until we have critical mass and then start the planning.Quote:
Originally Posted by zencentury
I've got a different ID on yahoo since divingbiker was taken.
It was in my spam folder!
All signed up.
Thanks for doing this, Zen.
This old weenie would like to ride at least part of the way. I'm quite sure that I will need help selecting the appropriate gear and finding the appropriate energy source.
My only problem: Living on the Eastern Shore of Md has tuned my legs to the flats. Any hope for an old flatlander on this trip?
Actually, amithereyet (great name, btw), the C&O Canal towpath is entirely flat. There are a few short rises at some of the locks, but the total elevation over 184.5 miles is less than 200 feet. It's a tad rugged, what with rocks, gravel, tree roots, and holes, but other than that a very easy, enjoyable ride. This site's a great resource for more info.
Oh, and I have the very cool "On the Canal" dvd if anyone's interested in borrowing it before the big trip.
So now you're an all-around weenie :D
I want to take a quick head count and I don't want to do it here. If anyone hasn't sent me their email address yet please do so.
Thank you
(Can I still say weenie?)
I'm looking at hybrids now. I'm liking the Trek 7300, which can be fitted out with racks and stuff. It comes with 35mm tires - will they be suitable for the canal ride?
I'm also wanting to try a Trek Portland, and a Trek FX 7.6. These are 3 very different price points, and actually I'll probably end up buying 2 bikes. One hybrid to use to do the errands, and maybe some groceries. Short trips but carrying stuff. I'll keep using my Pilot for long rides and commuting to work (only once a week or so, but it 's a start). Then I'm thinking of either the Portland or the FX to leave at the summer house so I don't have to haul bikes on 700 mile road trips. I do some long rides, and have to deal with dirt roads on occasion up there so wondering of the 28mm tires on the Portland will work out. But since I would often do 30-40 mile rides, wanted the drop bars.
This must be what its like to be addicted to drugs. Gotta have a new bike!
Hey if you live on Eastern Shore - let's meet up somewhere in the middle for a ride? Or meet me in Cambridge to preview the Blackwater ride and amenities? I want to get over there next weekend. I'm in lower slower Delaware. Can you believe they sell those white ovals for your back window that say "LSD?"Quote:
Originally Posted by amithereyet
PM me if you are interested
Martha
Heehee.
I've been looking at bikes too.
That Portland is very pretty with the brown seat and bar tape.
It has flat bars though, doesn't it?
That just won't do.
No, here's the Portland - with drop barsQuote:
Originally Posted by zencentury
http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes...land/portland/
It's more like a road bike, has 28C tires - I suppose you could put bigger.
THere is a pic of a really nice red one over on Bike Journal taken in the snow w/ racks and fenders. I am in love with the red one. It's in the "ice bike" thread, and the poster is brucew if that helps. Maybe in the first 3-4 pages of posts on that thread. I think it's his commuter, and his profile says he's been car free for xxx years..... I covet that bike. Got to find a store that's even open here at this time of year who has one that I can try.
The FX 7.6 has flat bar. I rode it last year but thought it was too much $ to be the errand bike, and with flat bars not good for long rides, so using it to commute I didn't think I'd like that (13 miles one way), and last year it was a double, but I see this year they offer it with a triple. I like triples..... decisions decisionsQuote:
Originally Posted by zencentury
http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes/2008/road/fx/76fx/
Last year's model was red.... sigh.
And finally we have the 7300
http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes...0_series/7300/
I think it will be perfect to run to the post office every day, bank, drugstore, grocery. And it won't mind a dirt road or a little sand now and then. Was thinking I'd just put toe clips on it, then I could ride it wearing whatever shoes I had on. But would I want to ride it down the Canal? That is the question. I'd put bar ends on it I think.
I rode a hybrid on my trip last year and I expected to hate it, but the bikes that the company supplied were really top rate. After a week of those, when I came home to my Pilot I felt like I had to learn to ride all over again. :)
Just looked at that Portland again, it does have drop bars. And disc brakes. Unfortunately for me, it's cost prohibitive.
i really like the looks of it.
$igh. There i$ that problem.....Quote:
Originally Posted by zencentury
Withm...Here's a good beach bike for you on the Eastern Shore: http://easternshore.craigslist.org/bik/527350339.html
I ride the C&O on a 'cross bike (drop bars) with either 30c cyclocross tires or 32c semi-slicks that have just a little tread on the sides. Both do just fine, you really don't need to worry about having full-on mtb tires. The main thing is to have enough tread to handle any muddy or gravelly areas you may hit, and to have some cushioning for all the vibration.
Bar ends are definitely a good idea if you do flat bars, though. When I used to ride on my old mtb/hybrid, installing bar ends made a huge difference in increasing my comfort on the towpath.
Wow - that's close enough to go and try it, but I'm wavering between the 17 and 20" frames, and well the WSD model is just a little too cute for me I'm afraid. But it's good to know that they are out there.Quote:
Originally Posted by Regina
I felt kind of scrunched up on the regular Trek 7300 in the 17" frame, so tried a 20" in a slightly different model - where I was more stretched out. Seemed more comfortable, but I only rode each one about 5 miles or so. I was liking the 20"
But here's the killer: I got back on my road bike to go home, and there I was all scrunched up again, and now wondering if my frame is a smidge too small. So... the next day I went out and did about 24 miles or so, and raised the seat about 1/4 inch. All was well. But the next morning when I got up my lower back was in spasm and it was all I could do to get out of bed. When I got dresseed I could barely bend over to put my socks on. Copious amounts of Advil and 4 hours of sitting at work perfectly straight and I was fine, but what happened? Now maybe I should put the seat down again, but maybe move it back just a tad, or do something with the bars. Just when I think everything is perfect on my bike I go and mess it up.... lol.
Not all WSD bikes have little flowers on them. it may be just what you need.
And a definite yes to bar ends.
Please keep me in the loop of your plans. Since I teach, Summer would be a better time for me, but Fall is not totally out of the question. I perfer B&B as well and have been considering the trip for some time. Good luck with your panning.
Hi all, just joined the forum and lo and behold the trip of my dreams is being discussed. Still have room? I too am a school person so summer works for me.
I guess I have to say this.
Most of us have been here a while and most of us have ridden together at least once.
Because of the nature of the trip we have to be careful who we share information with. No itinerary will be discussed on this forum.
Get to know us, let us get to know you. Ride with one or two of us over the summer. We (me anway) mainly want to know that you're really a female :p
I think we still have one or two spaces.
I appreciate the honest feedback. I have done a couple trips back in the younger day out west and after a week with one who did not fit in..... we were all ready to flatten her tires and leave her behind. :D
Maybe we can connect during the Goose ride. I am also doing the MS150 in June.
Right now my bike is in storage as I am in the process of moving. I am chomping at the bit as indoor spinning does not cut it. Come on Spring!
I seem to recall you looking for a man last summer. Are you sure you want to make this ride female-only? ;)Quote:
Originally Posted by zencentury
And, y'know, you're running the risk of offending any trans-gender folks out there.
Sorry, couldn't resist :D
Well, yeah but I'm only looking for a man for about an hour or so ;)
As for transgender, that's cool with me.
As long as the transgenderee ends up sans penis.
Geez.
Ya got me hummin' this now.
:rolleyes:
If you can find a man who can last... ;);)Quote:
Originally Posted by zencentury
Sorry, I'm bored at work today :rolleyes: My apologies for the thread drift, and to any of our forum gentlemen who may read this.
Better watch this thread drift or it could get censored like the BJ thread ;)
I missed that whole thing. All I saw was mention of a thread that had been deleted or something. Thanks for the warning!Quote:
Originally Posted by MDHillSlug
we're lucky we can still call ourselves 'weenies".:p
Ok, I've been lurking - did you say this to draw me out? :DQuote:
Originally Posted by MDHillSlug
Really - though the Bike Journal (I said I wasn't going to use any more abbreviations!) thread was WONDERULand HYSTERICAL, I really really really said it unintentionally....
Regarding the subject of this thread: I would LOVE to join you ladies but, alas, I don't have anything but a road bike. Maybe when the economy cranks back up a bit I will afford a cross bike or something like that and I will join you on another trip.....:(
Well, heck, lack of a bike is no reason not to join us. I've got a mountain bike you can ride. (I'll probably take my new Xtracycle on the C&O ride, since it's going to be so darned cool.)Quote:
Originally Posted by IFjane
Right now it looks like I'll be riding my old hard tail Haro.
I have been thinking about a used MTB with some suspension, tho. Something cheap.
Cool!!!Quote:
Originally Posted by divingbiker
Janice just volunteered to carry the lion's share of the s**t in this trip!! :D;)
Seriously, tho', you've got to keep us posted on progress on the Xtracycle! That is so wild.
I saw it yesterday at the shop, and it is so cool. I ordered albatross bars and bar end shifters for it from Rivendell, so I'm leaving the bike at the shop until they come in and can be installed. Too bad I forgot to take my camera. (I don't have a way to transport it on my car, so I have to ride it home.) I think it will be done after I get back from vacation.Quote:
Originally Posted by Regina
Re hauling s**t on the C&O trip, you betcha! As long as you guys wait for me to catch up, I'm happy to...that's what this baby is for, after all! If we can figure out a way to take ice along (this is an option), I can borrow the bike shop's Xtracycle blender and we can make smoothies along the way, too!