Road rides for the D.C. crowd

[7rider]

As for a MD road ride, I'd love to get out and ride this Saturday, providing that the weather is not like today. This cold wind turns me into a total whiny baby. If it's cold but not windy, does anyone else want to hit the Darnestown/Poolesville area this Saturday?

Saturday's weather (so far) looks good - cool, but not crazy cold (unless you want to leave at the crack o' dawn like my friend, Margot! )
I'd be up for a ride in that area. We have some errands to run and stuff to do around the house, but that's pretty flexible.
Were you thinking of that Peach Tree Loop? It was really pretty - and hopefully this wind hasn't taken down all the leaves.

[Kalidurga]

Were you thinking of that Peach Tree Loop? It was really pretty - and hopefully this wind hasn't taken down all the leaves.

Any loop through the Darnestown/Poolesville area would be fine with me. Bear in mind, though, that it'll be my first real road ride, so you may have to be patient as I deal with the combination of hills and cars together. 9 a.m. was a good time for the recent C&O ride-- would that work, or do you want to try for just a little earlier?

Nicole, Janice, are either of you available and interested in a Saturday morning ride? Anyone else?

Damn, I haven't cleaned my bike yet after vacation... Guess I should do that one evening this week

[divingbiker]

I would love to ride Saturday, but I have GOT to do yard work this weekend. I've neglected my yard all summer, and I need to take care of it before the really cold weather sets in. Darn it--I hate having to be responsible!

[7rider]

I would love to ride Saturday, but I have GOT to do yard work this weekend. I've neglected my yard all summer, and I need to take care of it before the really cold weather sets in. Darn it--I hate having to be responsible!

I totally hear you. I spent last weekend doing the front yard, and I'm afraid to tackle the back yard - there's just so much to do, it's overwhelming. (aside: Do you think it's too late to put down Milky Spore for the Japanese Beetles?) So...I avoid it and go bike riding!

Actually, an a.m. ride would be great as you'll have the rest of the day to do the yard work. A bike ride is good to clear the mind and put you in a yard frame of mind. At least, that's what I tell myself! Join us!

Do you want to meet at 8:30? At Riley's Lock or at the plaza at Darnestown and Muddy Branch Rds?

[divingbiker]

Actually, an a.m. ride would be great as you'll have the rest of the day to do the yard work.

Yeah, well, it wouldn't work quite like that for me. What would happen is I'd get home from the ride, take a shower, have lunch, lie down on the couch to read the paper, fall asleep or get hooked on a What Not to Wear marathon, decide that it's too late to get started on the yard, and end up doing nothing. Again.

Nope, I'm going to get up bright and early Saturday and tackle those weeds and dead tree limbs! Have a nice ride.

[Kalidurga]

Yeah, well, it wouldn't work quite like that for me. What would happen is I'd get home from the ride, take a shower, have lunch, lie down on the couch to read the paper, fall asleep or get hooked on a What Not to Wear marathon, decide that it's too late to get started on the yard, and end up doing nothing. Again.

Ha! That's me almost exactly! That's part of why I usually ride later in the day.

There's now a chance of rain Saturday morning. At this point, I want to ride. If the weather Saturday morning is windy &/or rainy, though, I'm gonna bag it. Regina, should we trade e-mails or phone calls Friday night or Saturday morning to confirm the ride?

[7rider]

Ha! That's me almost exactly! That's part of why I usually ride later in the day.

There's now a chance of rain Saturday morning. At this point, I want to ride. If the weather Saturday morning is windy &/or rainy, though, I'm gonna bag it. Regina, should we trade e-mails or phone calls Friday night or Saturday morning to confirm the ride?

Yeah....that's why my yard looks like such a mess, too!
"Ride early so you have the rest of the day to get everything else done" works fine in theory. It's the practice part that is hard! The pull of the couch after a ride can sometimes be overwhelming!

Yuck, I saw the weekend forecast. Saturday a.m.'s not looking good.
Kali, I'll PM you my cell number and email (I'll likely have the cell on vs. checking email Saturday a.m.).
Edit: Whoops.. Can't PM you Kali, it won't let me. Options?

[Jen]

Geeez, that is where my friend and I ride. That is her favorite ride. This weekend we are doing the Onancock Virginia "Between the Waters" ride,
20,35,62,100 you choose. We may get severly rained out. If so, we head back home on Sat. AM and go out around Darnstown and Poolsville on Sunday. Last week we did the capitol cressant trail and rock creek park trail to Georgetown then back up the trail from Georgetown to Bethesda. Nice ride but very crowded. Went slow because of so many people and unsafe riders. I am new to this but she has been a great mentor. I just love it, love it, love it. Yum, yum, yum. The River road ride with the hill, I've heard of it. We did one like that to McAuther Blvd with a shorter hill on the return. not too bad.

[Kalidurga]

Regina, I just e-mailed you via the forum.

Jen, since you've ridden over there, you'll have to join us sometime. If, of course, the weather lets us schedule a ride any time soon...

[aicabsolut]

No! Don't tell me about the weather. I bought some tights today and decided to give Saturday a shot since Sunday looks like it'll be too complicated. Boo. I don't have rain gear.. or particularly like 40 degree rain.

[Kalidurga]

Here's the hourly prediction for Saturday morning from Accuweather: Gaithersburg. Apparently, as of now, they're predicting the rain will be over by 1 in the afternoon.

Regina, I got your e-mail and at this point, I'm definitely saying no to a morning ride. Do you (or anyone else) want to ride in the afternoon, or will there be too much traffic on the roads by then? If this road ride doesn't happen, I'll probably head out to Hancock and ride the Western Maryland Rail-Trail in the afternoon. I haven't been on the bike since my GAPt ride last Thursday, and withdrawal is setting in!