Okay, folks.
Shall we try a ride for April?
I'm itching to head off-road. All my recent attempts have been thwarted for one reason or another.
Shall we try for a Tax-Day ride?
Thoughts?
Let's start a discussion.....
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Okay, folks.
Shall we try a ride for April?
I'm itching to head off-road. All my recent attempts have been thwarted for one reason or another.
Shall we try for a Tax-Day ride?
Thoughts?
Let's start a discussion.....
I was just thinking yesterday that it would be fun to do another part of the C&O with Kalidurga leading us, since she knows it so well. I really enjoyed the 25 or so miles we (Nicole, Tam, and I) did last fall. Not sure if she's feeling warm enough just yet (especially not today--yikes! what a cold commute) but maybe if we beg? April 15 sounds good to me.
If that doesn't work out, Regina, I'd be glad go mountain biking, but we might get lost.
I can do trail, but not a mountain bike ride.
On a different note, before my 50 miler in June I'd like to do at least a 40 mile ride. The only 40 mile ride I've done is the Poolesville ride, including the Mt Nebo stretch. Anyone got other routes to suggest?
Trail sounds good for me, too. A jaunt out and back on the C&O from Riley's Lock (or other?)?
Janice, we can save mtb for an attempt at Fairland, too.
Nicole - check out my "Triathalon Loop" - leaving from Cloverly on routeslip.com. It's marked as a bit over 32 miles from the Safeway on NH Ave., but if you add in to/from your house to that area, you should be able to bump it up to approaching 40. I think that's what we get to/from our place in Colesville. It's rolling hills - like the "French Countryside" loop, but longer. I'd do that ride with you, if you'd like (longer rides can be boring solo!).
If this darned cold snap is gone by then, I'd love to do a group ride on the C&O on the 15th. I did 21 miles on the paved W&OD on Tuesday (glorious weather that day, too bad it didn't last!), and as I was crossing over White's Ferry on the way home I decided I just had to get in a few miles on the C&O, too. So I stopped and did about 5 miles before the sun set.
Riley's Lock either upstream or down is a nice ride, though it can be crowded. Depending on how much driving you guys want to do, we could start farther upstream.
And speaking of mtb, I want to give that a try this year. Has anyone ever taken one of these classes? --> The Bike Lane: Women's Beginner MTB Clinic
What are alternative starting points?Quote:
Originally Posted by Kalidurga
If y'all are going off-road, I guess I'll have to try to go race at NC State that weekend.
Nicole, some of my teammates like to do the NCVC espresso ride. I can try to get the cues in a few weeks, though the club is so huge maybe you can ask around. We start from FB/Gtown and head out MacArthur to Poolesville. Where it goes out there I'm not sure, I just follow.
Trying to get my friend to tell me some good routes down in Quantico. I hear the roads are good and the traffic is light. Only about 30 min drive for me to get there.
If you guys want to drive a bit farther, we could begin at White's Ferry and head upstream. That could take us across the Monocacy Aquaduct, which is pretty nifty.Quote:
Originally Posted by MDHillSlug
If you want to drive significantly farther, we could begin at Point of Rocks and head upstream past Brunswick, which has a cool coffee shop in an old church.
If you want to drive even further than that, we could begin at Brunswick and go upstream past Harper's Ferry, with or without a trip across the river to visit Harper's Ferry.
I figure you guys should choose where we begin on any C&O group rides we do, since you'd all be doing more driving than I would.
I would vote for starting at either Riley's Lock or White's Ferry.
Since we already did the Riley's Lock north ride, I'd vote for White's Ferry as my first choice (but if that's too much driving I'd be glad to do the Riley's Lock ride again.)Quote:
Originally Posted by Kalidurga
Tam, I'm signed up for the first session of the Beginner MTB Clinic, the one that starts April 18. Want to join me?
OK -- I just heard SNOW is predicted for tonight into Saturday am. It's supposed to accumulate only on grassy areas, but we'll see.
Sorry I can't join you. My 'cross bikes now has road tires so we can't handle the C&O.
If yinz get out, ENJOY!!
Velo-b., the ride would be April 15th - enough time for the snow to melt! Do you still have the 'cross tires for the bike to put on and join us?
Okay - looks like April 15th (that's a sunday, right?) from White's Ferry, heading out of town on the C&O until...well, we feel like turning around.
Off road. 'cross or mtb's recommended, although a sturdy hybrid should be able to handle that section, right?
Sound like a plan? Time?
Kewl. I get to take out my mtb to play! :cool:
I assume it's OK to park at White's Ferry? (Don't want to get lectured again :rolleyes: )Quote:
Originally Posted by Regina
Sounds like a plan! Set the time next week when we can see the weather predictions?
LOL--Sorry, didn't look at the date. I'm so bummed out about the snow (it's coming down now)! Just when I was making up for the outdoor time I lost in February...
Unfortunately, the 'cross tires on my bike were crap so we tossed them. I don't have an extra set of wheels for that bike yet, so it's going to be a road machine for now.
I'm making the same assumption, Nicole.
We had 2 votes for Whites Ferry (3, if you count me - I'm up for just about anything, as long as you point me in the right direction!. 4 if you count Tam's suggestion as a vote), 2 who can do only road (and we'll be doing road rides soon, too!). And the untold silent millions who have voiced no opinion!
Thanks for suggesting this, Regina! At this point, it looks like we're going to have temps back up around 60 by Friday, 4/13, so hopefully the 15th will be plenty warm.
Nicole: Yup, there's a good sized parking lot at White's Ferry for boaters, bikers (motor- and bi-), picnickers, etc.
Velobambina: Does your bike take 700's? I have an extra set of 'cross tires (just splurged on some new 700x30 knobbies that I'm gonna try out on the 15th). If I had a way of getting them to you, I'd be happy to loan 'em. Depending on what time the ride's planned for, would you want to meet early and swap 'em out before we begin?
Janice: I can't do the April mtb class, but I'm thinking about the one in May if they don't fill up by the time I make up my mind. My store's big annual sale begins that week (if anyone needs jewelry or gift items...), so I wouldn't be able to leave early that Wednesday :( Definitely let me know what the class is like, though.
So, what time on April 15? And, does anyone need directions to White's Ferry?
Ooooo. I do! I do!Quote:
Originally Posted by Kalidurga
Regina (who can get lost in a paper bag!)
Oh....and for those of you who are sad because of this late-Spring snow...
Cheer up. This is "poor man's fertilizer" for your lawn! This kind of stuff is great for your grass and garden.
http://www.weathernotebook.org/trans...999/04/26.html
I have some extra pairs of 700c tires, too. I've been searching for the right tires for my hybrid and have not gotten rid of anything.Quote:
Originally Posted by Velobambina
That's good to know. Actually, it was really nifty driving along Clara Barton Parkway and Canal Road on the way to work this morning. The light snow on top of the new leaves and blossoms was really beautiful.Quote:
Originally Posted by Regina
Ok, to get to White's Ferry: First you need to get to Route 28, which you've most likely been on if you've gone to Riley's Lock. Instead of turning off towards Riley's, continue NW on Route 28 for another few miles. You'll cross over a wide bridge (Seneca Creek). Just after that, bear left onto Route 107/White's Ferry Rd. Stay on that aaaaaall the way through Poolesville and out to the Ferry (roughly 11 miles from where you turned off of Route 28). The road ends at the ferry, so there's no chance of missing it. The large dirt parking lot is to the right.
Velobambina, if you're able to join us, you may want to head out to Leesburg and take the ferry across.
The Ferry convenience store doesn't open until May, so either bring all the snacks you need or stop in Poolesville to stock up. The bathrooms at White's Ferry probably also won't be open yet, but there are two porta-johns maintained by the NPS.
We just drove out there today - my first time to White's Ferry. Went to our kitchen designer's in Barnesville and thought we'd do the snack bar at White's Ferry for lunch. No luck, however, so we headed back to Bassett's in Poolesville, our usual stop in that area.
Was coooold and wind blown today. Only a few die-hards out on the path. Hopefully, next weekend will be nicer!
Glad you and DH were able to find it, Regina. And it's just as well that you ended up at Bassett's ;)
60% chance of rain on Sunday. Do we want to figure out a rain date?
We certainly have a few more days to watch the weather and make a decision. Let's not jinx it now ;)
Thanks for the tire offers! It would be pain to change tires---the bike has disc brakes. I'm going to have to invest in extra wheels so I can have to option of riding off road.
Enjoy the ride. Should be beautiful, especially since the trees are greening up. I've got my fingers crossed that it won't rain over the weekend, especially since we are supposed to get some later today and tonite.
Well, a week and a half ago, MORE had a mtb ride at Schaeffer. The NWS predicted a 50% chance of rain, so I ended up bailing and not going. Of course, it never rained and I missed yet ANOTHER great opportunity to take the mtb out.
Soooo...
I'm up for setting a time - perhaps late morning - and keeping an eye on the weather. Early that morning, we can check doppler (and look outside our windows! :cool: ) and make the "Go/No-go" call. We could all plan to log onto TE before we leave to see what the consensus is (including setting a rain date, if needed).
What do you think?
Also.. Velobambina...my DH"s flatbar road bike has disc brakes. I don't seem to recall them being terribly more-complicated than standard brakes at removing the wheel. And, of course, once you get the wheel off, the tire is no problem. Do let us know if you reconsider. Between the group of us...we should be able to figure it out!
I remember one C&O ride I did during which there were passing showers. I ended up covered in mud from the shoulders down and had to put a towel on the seat of the car to drive home. My real concern is that I never did get the new bike muddy last year, but I guess a this point I've gotta stop thinking of it as the "new" bike, anyway. Guess I'll just throw an extra towel or two in the trunk ;)
So what's late morning? 10a.m.? 11a.m.? If we are gonna ride in the rain, doing it during the warmer part of the day would be good.
Getting muddy is fun.
Getting soaking wet in 40 degree weather is no fun.
11 a.m. sounds good to me. I'd have to leave the house around 10-ish in that scenario - plenty of time to veg in front of TE with a big cup o' coffee and ponder whether the National Weather Service will get it right.
At this point, the forecasts are incredibly contradictory.
Here's Accuweather.com: Gaithersburg, MD
Here's the National Weather Service
Neither one sounds great, though. Bah... :(
Wind gusts to 47mph?!? :eek:
COOL!!!! :D :rolleyes: :cool: (How come they don't have a "tongue in cheek" smilie???)Quote:
Originally Posted by MDHillSlug
Saturday's looking better (marginally).
Can anyone make Saturday 11 a.m.?
I can do this coming Saturday, Sunday, or Monday, whichever one weather permits. If the weather sucks, I'll then be scrambling to make indoor plans so that I won't turn into a couch-potato...
Saturday morning sounds fine to me.
p.s. My new bike is being delivered tomorrow!
I'll have to pass on Saturday. :(
Bummer, Nicole, you can't make it.
I really think Sunday is going to be a wash-out.
So..Let's plan for Saturday, 11 a.m., at White's Ferry.
Off road along the C&O.
Ugh. After the last few days of chilliness, it's gonna be cold Saturday morning. I guess I'm committed now, though, huh? Wonder if I could pick up a slightly warmer bike jacket on sale first thing Saturday morning...
Sorry you can't make it, Nicole :( I was going to bring you my April issue of Spokes. I'll hold onto it for you till next time.
Regina, if you ever find that "tongue in cheek" smilie, definitely let me know.
Tam (the cold-weather weenie)
I have family commitments on Saturday. Also, I had cataract surgery yesterday and am supposed to take it easy for a few days before I get back into working out. Sunday was already pushing it, but I was going to do it anyway. My eye doctor is a cyclist (he recommended All American Bikes to me for my first bike), knows about my triathlon training, and understands my desire to get back to it with as little down time as possible.
Have a great ride and I'll catch you on the next one!
Wow. You take it easy, Nicole. Let those eyes heal. There will be plenty of other opportunities to ride.
Tam, it should be near the magical 50 at 11, so once we get moving, you'll be fine. I promise! :D
Actually, the hourly forecast for ****erson, MD, (darned message board editor...) shows that the "Real Feel" temp will be higher than the forecast. I'm going to bring layers anyway, though, since I'm a weenie. So, Regina, Janice & me at 11:00? Velobambina, we can't coax you to join us? Anyone else?
I second Regina's sentiments, Nicole. That doesn't sound like something to mess around with. It's great that you found a dr who understands why you're driven to get back out there, though!
Wow sounds like yall are going to have fun. Still trying to find Rt 28 from Germantown. Might come cheer you guys on!!