C&O Canal ride in October

[Kalidurga]

Just in case folks from the MD/DC/VA area haven't checked out the Southeast forum in Places to Ride:

Some of us are putting together plans for a TE group ride on the C&O Canal, possibly on Sunday, October 15. For details, check this thread: http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=9893

[ladyfish]

I'll check my calendar. Sounds fun.

[HillSlugger]

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

[Kalidurga]

I still haven't grown big enough balls to handle cars on narrow roads
I either need to get out there and get comfortable with that, or maybe we could do the Capital Crescent or Mt. Vernon trail for a TE/DC road ride.

[HillSlugger]

I still haven't grown big enough balls to handle cars on narrow roads

You need to get over being nervous. There are already too many balls in the world!

I either need to get out there and get comfortable with that, or maybe we could do the Capital Crescent or Mt. Vernon trail for a TE/DC road ride.

I think the trails around here are more crowded and dangerous than the rural roads of upper Montgomery county. We were in an accident the first time my friend took me on the Mt Vernon trail (she needed 7 stitches). I've never had a problem on the road.

Different strokes for different folks.

[Kano]

I still haven't grown big enough balls to handle cars on narrow roads
I either need to get out there and get comfortable with that, or maybe we could do the Capital Crescent or Mt. Vernon trail for a TE/DC road ride.

Now where was that web site where you could buy some? You could hang them on the back of your saddle, and then those narrow roads would never be a problem again!

(they work for the Georgia pick-up truck guys!)

Karen in Boise

[Selkie]

I agree. The Mt. Vernon Trail on weekends is terribly crowded and dangerous. It's narrow, especially south of Old Town, and very curvy, hilly. I rode down to Mt. Vernon, using the trail, one Saturday. Left the house at 5:30am and it was OK on the way there. The way back to Arlington was the pits--too many Team in Training platoons hogging the trail who refused to move to the right, plus other joggers/walkers (IPOD wearers included) and either maniac male cyclists going too fast or hybriders weaving all over the place!! How about the National Arboretum? It's on NY Avenue in DC.

Capitol Crescent isn't that long and there are gravel areas -- I think in Bethesda (my husband loves that trail). I think it's mostly hill, too.

[Kalidurga]

Now where was that web site where you could buy some? You could hang them on the back of your saddle, and then those narrow roads would never be a problem again!

Karen, when you find that site, let me know. It would be hysterical to catch people's reactions to something like that.

I used to ride the Mt Vernon trail mid-day during the week and found it a great ride, though I did stay away from the airport as much as possible. With the increase in people working flex-time, though, I've noticed that all of the places I've always gone for biking/hiking/etc during the week are now almost as crowded as on the weekend. While I know it's wrong to begrudge everyone else their enjoyment of these places, my inner curmudgeon gets a bit peeved over having to share. Which is why I love the C&O so much

Re the Arboretum: Despite having grown up around DC, I've never been there. Could be a beautiful spot for a ride, I'd think.

[7rider]

You need to get over being nervous. There are already too many balls in the world!

I think the trails around here are more crowded and dangerous than the rural roads of upper Montgomery county. We were in an accident the first time my friend took me on the Mt Vernon trail (she needed 7 stitches). I've never had a problem on the road.

Different strokes for different folks.

I heartily agree with this one. (which is not to say that roads aren't without their own hazards)

I try to avoid MUTs if I can help it - especially on the weekends. I've done the Capital Crescent at 6 a.m. and it was okay. But generally they can be crazy, insane places. I've never been on the Mt. Vernon trail.

I'm up for a jaunt out to the nether reaches of the C&O Canal, however, with this TE group. I recall that last December (maybe it was December of '04), I was out there and it wasn't too bad. We left from Riley's Lock and headed out of town from there. Once we get beyond the normal reaches of mom's with babies and into some of the more rugged stuff, it was okay (on a mtb).

I'd totally be up for a dedicated road ride, however. I know my routes around Montgomery County into Howard County, but jaunts out Poolesville way would be fun if some folks know some routes.

[divingbiker]

I've done a 40-mile loop from Riley's Lock to ****erson and Poolesville several times. It's hilly. (Just ask Tulip. Where is she, by the way?)

[divingbiker]

Uh, that's D i c k e r s o n. Too funny.

[Kalidurga]

I've done a 40-mile loop from Riley's Lock to D i c k-erson and Poolesville several times. It's hilly.

See now, I love driving those roads. Buuuut, when I consider pedaling them, I tend to assume that everyone else drives at the same speed I do. Granted, I watch for bicyles as I'm flying along, but not everyone else does that.

[HillSlugger]

It sounds like we are too diverse a group to find a ride that would appeal to us all. Instead, would anyone be interested in getting together for a lunch or dinner to meet? Perhaps we could find a nice outdoor venue for a pot luck. If this sounds like a good idea we can start a new thread to propose it.

Nicole

[7rider]

I've done a 40-mile loop from Riley's Lock to ****erson and Poolesville several times. It's hilly. (Just ask Tulip. Where is she, by the way?)

I think I've done that route once or twice about 5 years ago. I've also done rides leaving from the Poolesville High School I don't recall an outrageous amount of traffic, but McMansions and developments have been popping up like mad all over, so who knows what 5 years can do to an area. I just don't know the route(s) well enough to offer to lead a ride.

[Kalidurga]

Poolesville is one area that has thankfully escaped the McMansion invasion (for the most part, so far). I'm not up to the Brookeville/Damascus/Howard County roads yet, but I could probably do Poolesville. River Road out past Riley's Lock gets very little traffic.

Getting together for a non-biking thing is a fun idea, Nicole. An autumn picnic could be great. Carderock or Great Falls are the first places that pop into my head as far as a central, easy-access locations, but I'm sure there are other spots that are possibilities. Want to start a thread in Off-Topic Non-Cycling?