April D.C. TE Ride

[7rider]

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.....

[divingbiker]

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.

[HillSlugger]

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?

[7rider]

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!).

[Kalidurga]

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

[HillSlugger]

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.

What are alternative starting points?

[divingbiker]

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

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.)

Tam, I'm signed up for the first session of the Beginner MTB Clinic, the one that starts April 18. Want to join me?

[Velobambina]

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.

[7rider]

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!

[Kalidurga]

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?

[7rider]

And, does anyone need directions to White's Ferry?

Ooooo. I do! I do!

Regina (who can get lost in a paper bag!)

[7rider]

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

[Kalidurga]

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

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.

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.

[HillSlugger]

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 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.