Cycling in No. Va/DC Metro Area

[CindyVA]

I've been riding by myself around DC and have decided it's time to try some organized ride (plus, I just bought a brand new Felt Z65). I'd llike some company.

I found "Babes on Bikes" during a google search and signed up for their e-mails. Is anyone a member of that group, or another cycling group that could give me some advice.

I looked at Potomac Peddlers and was intimidated by having to know what "class" you rode, etc. I think at this point, I'm looking for "no drop" rides. I'm not horribly slow (do about 15-20 on my hybrid and hope to go faster on my new road bike).

Also, I don't have a "day job" so I'm free to ride on weekdays.

I guess I just don't know where to start!

Thanks,

Cindy

[F8th637]

Hi Cindy!

There are a bunch of us over here in the DC Metro area. Feel free to hit us up in the Mid-Atlantic region of the board.

I am on the Babes' listserv but all their rides are during the day which isn't the most convenient for those of us that work during those hours. It sounds like they may be perfect for you though.

I've considered the Potomac Pedalers group as well but have not yet joined a ride with them. A friend of mine has tried a couple of the more leisurely rides but did not feel the camaraderie I guess he was looking for. That shouldn't keep you from joining them and seeing if they are the group for you.

I had a great intro to group rides last year when I joined the VeloDCity Meetup group and did at least 2 with them last year. Here's the link: http://bike.meetup.com/133/. They are a great bunch of people and not too intimidating.

Welcome to TE!

[tulip]

I lived and rode in DC for six years until a few months ago.

While I was intrigued by Babes On Bikes, my working hours did not allow me to participate. Now that I work from home, however, I wish there was a similar group here in Richmond.

Potomac Pedalers (PPTC) is really great group with all sorts of levels. I really suggest that both of you try a few rides. Faith, try it out and judge for yourself! The D-paced rides are very leisurely. The C-paced rides are about 12-14 mph. I did those mostly and enjoyed them, although I really could have pushed myself more on the B-paced rides. I did do a few B-paced rides and would have continued with them had I not moved. PPTC rides are very well-organized and always have good cue-sheets. Alot of the rides are in Virginia, although not all.

Oxon Hill Bicycle Club (www.ohbike.com) is also a very good club, with alot of overlap with PPTC. Oxon Hill rides are generally in Maryland--Charles County/Akokeek/Indian Head. There are wonderful rides down there in the Maryland Amish country. Since I lived in Prince Georges County, I usually did the Maryland rides with OH. Alot of their rides were joint rides with PPTC.

There are also some rides that go from bike shops--check around. If you are into racing, there are some clubs, too, but I wasn't so I don't know their names.

Riding in and around the city is also a great way to learn about the area and the city. I commuted by bike between Prince Georges County and Alexandria, going through a big chunk of NE DC. It was a great, great way to learn about DC. I do miss it. Oh, and I highly recommend the 50 States tour in August. It's a self-guided bike ride (a whole bunch of people participate) that takes you to all 50 state Avenues in the District.

[bicyclulz]

Welcome Cindy!

I've done a Potomac Pedaler ride as a "D" rider and was able to keep up. I haven't done a "C" ride, but there is a weekend ride that does the Arlington Loop, which I have done with my bf before. That's a great fun ride. Good luck!

[7rider]

Hi Cindy!
Welcome to TE.
Please be sure to check out the Mid-Atlantic forums here at TE.
We have lots of discussions about where to ride and even some group rides planned for folks in the area.
Also, there is a group-ride thread going on there where I mentioned the RLAG - Ride Like a Girl - series organized by MORE - Mid-Atlantic Offroad Enthusiats. They are increasing the number of road rides they organize this year - most (if not all) are very beginner friendly. See the links to those groups on that thread.

[Geonz]

I have a friend in Potomac Pedalers, tho' he lives in Richmond so he doesn't do regular rides with them. Howver, he's one of my idols and was on my very first club ride (in February) and in the group that didn't drop lil' ol me on my big ol' hybrid. The man does oh, 12,000 a year but only crosses 20 mph going downhill ... (His name's Rickey by the way if you end up seeing him )

My experience is that hwen they have the 'levels,' it means they are much more concerned about not dropping people who don't want to be dropped. The clubs that are all informal are sometimes great, but often it's 'way easier to have confused expectations.

[divingbiker]

My experience with Potomac Pedalers is that they absolutely will drop you, but they give you a cue sheet so you can find your way back.

I did a "C" ride, 12-14 mph, and in the end my average was 13.7 mph, but I was way at the back of the pack with a few other stragglers. The average of the folks leading the ride and most of the participants had to have been considerably over 14 mph.

It was a nice ride, but I never did another one with PP.

[Velobambina]

About Babes On Bikes, I used to belong to their email group. They are stay-at-home wives and ride during the day. Having a full-time job precluded my joining them. I tried to set up an afterwork ride with any of them who wanted to join me, but no one took up the invite. They seem like a nice bunch of ladies, though and most of them appear accommodating to less speedy riders.