Road rides for the D.C. crowd

[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!

[Jen]

What is the Western Maryland Rail Trail like? I think I saw something for that in one of the books. How long is it?

[Kalidurga]

What is the Western Maryland Rail Trail like? I think I saw something for that in one of the books. How long is it?

The WMRT is a great trail (if you like flat surfaces). It's 22.5 miles and parallels the C&O Canal towpath from near Fort Frederick, through Hancock, and out to Pearree, MD. It's really beautiful out there. My goal for this year was to be able to ride the entire trail round-trip. Since I hit 37 miles on my GAP trail ride last week, I'm thinking I could hit that goal this weekend, provided the weather (and my own laziness) lets me get an early enough start.

If I don't do the road ride or the WMRT tomorrow, the other option I was considering is to head down to Purcellville, VA and head east on the W&OD trail. It's also a paved rail-trail, but has some long, mildly graded hills and more exposure to wind.

Ugh, I'm now realizing that in addition to cleaning my bike, I should probably put the smoother tires back on since I'm planning to ride pavement this weekend. Guess I know how I'm spending my Friday night...

[7rider]

Hey folks.
Yeah, Looks like a Saturday a.m. ride is a none-starter.
Bummer.
I can't ride later in the day and I've got plans on Sunday.
You're more ambitious than I, Kali, as you're planning on trucking somewhere anyway. I'm not looking forward to yardwork in the rain. Looks like an errand and shopping day instead!

[Jen]

Tomorrow AM, diffinately rain, maybe alot. Wind too. Sunday, sunny but very windy, 20 -30 MPH. That is too much. For your ride on the C&0 Canal, don't you need an all terrain bike or mountain? That is gravel, not road bike terrain. My riding buddy and I are considering buying a bikes for the canal ride. Great place to ride.

[Kalidurga]

For your ride on the C&0 Canal, don't you need an all terrain bike or mountain? That is gravel, not road bike terrain. My riding buddy and I are considering buying a bikes for the canal ride. Great place to ride.

Yeah, the C&O is an awesome place to ride and definitely one of my favorite routes. I'd recommend a wide, semi-knobby tire bike because of the crushed stone, tree roots and mud, but I have seen thru-riders (folks riding the entire towpath and camping along the way) doing it with thin, smooth tires on what appeared to be road bikes. I've even seen a thru-rider on a recumbent. Depends on how much of a masochist you are, I guess My 'cross bike has been great on the towpath this year.

You're more ambitious than I, Kali, as you're planning on trucking somewhere anyway. I'm not looking forward to yardwork in the rain. Looks like an errand and shopping day instead!

Sorry, Regina. Let's keep watching the weather on upcoming weekends, though, cause I'd really like to get out and do some road riding with you. As for my ambition, well... My ambition to get out and play is, unfortunately, such that my apartment has been only halfway re-painted for over a year now. At least you're planning on using a crappy weather day to do necessary stuff!