Road rides for the D.C. crowd

[Kalidurga]

Are there any good spots for a rest stop, preferably one with facilities? ...what are the hills and road traffic like?

I realize you directed that question to Regina, but it's my curse in life to be a know-it-all buttinski... This route is actually great for stops. There are two orchards along the way (both of which I think have Porta-Pots), and then it runs right through Poolesville (McD's, a small "cafe", Bassett's restaurant, and I think the fitness center also has a healthy food cafe).

Based on driving those roads, I'm guessing we'll see the most traffic on that little bit of rte 117 between Old Bucklodge and White Store Rd, then on Peach Tree Rd, and as we cut through Poolesville, as well as a short stretch on rte 28. I'd estimate that the hills are about the same as Janice's 40 mile route. The one thing I don't remember about Janice's loop, though, is how many of the roads are undivided. The Peach Tree loop is mostly on shoulderless, undivided roads (I'll try to not be too paranoid ).

And sorry for butting in!

[HillSlugger]

I realize you directed that question to Regina, but it's my curse in life to be a know-it-all buttinski... This route is actually great for stops. There are two orchards along the way (both of which I think have Porta-Pots), and then it runs right through Poolesville (McD's, a small "cafe", Bassett's restaurant, and I think the fitness center also has a healthy food cafe).

Based on driving those roads, I'm guessing we'll see the most traffic on that little bit of rte 117 between Old Bucklodge and White Store Rd, then on Peach Tree Rd, and as we cut through Poolesville, as well as a short stretch on rte 28. I'd estimate that the hills are about the same as Janice's 40 mile route. The one thing I don't remember about Janice's loop, though, is how many of the roads are undivided. The Peach Tree loop is mostly on shoulderless, undivided roads (I'll try to not be too paranoid ).

And sorry for butting in!

No reason to apologize for "butting in". I only asked Regina because it's "her" route and I figured she would have the info. I had no idea you'd driven it. Are you reasonably comfortable with the roads we'll be on? They're quieter than what I'm used to but a whole lot different than your trails. I'd like your first road ride to be a good experience.

Many of the roads on Janice's 40 miler were undivided and pretty much deserted of vehicular traffic.

BTW what's the lowest gearing on your steed?

[Kalidurga]

I had no idea you'd driven it.

I think I've driven just about every back road in MoCo and FredCo, and a whole lot of them in Washington, Carroll and Howard counties. I just love driving back-country roads. It'll be interesting to experience the Peach Tree area from the bike instead of the car.

Are you reasonably comfortable with the roads we'll be on? They're quieter than what I'm used to but a whole lot different than your trails. I'd like your first road ride to be a good experience.

I should be able to handle that route. Heck, dozens of bikers ride those roads all the time, and as far as I know they've all survived . Any cars that pass us will be an element that I'm not used to, so I'll just have to pay more attention to what's going on around me and to maintaining my line. And if I do get uncomfortable, it'll still be a learning experience and therefore a worthwhile ride.

BTW what's the lowest gearing on your steed?

Ok, I always get confused by what's considered 'low' vs 'high' on a bike. I usually assume it's the same as on a car, so based on that the lowest combo on my pony is a 34/25. So far, it's gotten me up every hill I've attempted, though with some huffing and puffing (and grunting) and the occasional stop halfway up. What I might need to work on for road riding is building up the strength to get into the higher gears on the big ring and go fast. What's your average speed on your rides, Nicole?

[HillSlugger]

Any cars that pass us will be an element that I'm not used to, so I'll just have to pay more attention to what's going on around me and to maintaining my line. And if I do get uncomfortable, it'll still be a learning experience and therefore a worthwhile ride.

In my experience most cars will give a wide berth, but there are sometimes @ssholes who don't seem to move left at all. They seem to be the exception.

Ok, I always get confused by what's considered 'low' vs 'high' on a bike. I usually assume it's the same as on a car, so based on that the lowest combo on my pony is a 34/25. So far, it's gotten me up every hill I've attempted, though with some huffing and puffing (and grunting) and the occasional stop halfway up.

I think you've got that right, small gear up front and biggest gear in the rear gives the lowest gear ratio.

What I might need to work on for road riding is building up the strength to get into the higher gears on the big ring and go fast. What's your average speed on your rides, Nicole?

Since getting the new bike I rarely get up onto the largest chain ring. I can push it along around 20mph in the middle chainring. Yesterday, with a strong wind at my back I think I got up to my highest gear ratio and was pushing along in the high 20's.

I usually tend to push myself hard but I'm still building up strength and endurance. In general I average in the 15's for flatter routes and the 14's for hilly routes (hilly routes still wear me out). When I was on the eastern shore I had wanted to hit 16 but ran 5 minutes too slow over 28 miles.

[Kalidurga]

Since getting the new bike I rarely get up onto the largest chain ring. I can push it along around 20mph in the middle chainring. Yesterday, with a strong wind at my back I think I got up to my highest gear ratio and was pushing along in the high 20's.

I usually tend to push myself hard but I'm still building up strength and endurance. In general I average in the 15's for flatter routes and the 14's for hilly routes (hilly routes still wear me out). When I was on the eastern shore I had wanted to hit 16 but ran 5 minutes too slow over 28 miles.

Well, if I can't keep up, just be sure to stop and wait for me every now and then

So far, the weather looks good for on- and off-road riding. Hopefully it'll stay that way.

[aicabsolut]

I'm jealous! Those rides (40 miler and the other) sound like a lot of fun. So far, the most fun I've had was the loop I posted earlier .. all 2 lane country roads, low traffic (except for a couple mile stretch). So much better than multiuse trails! Hopefully I can join in sometime. Here's some info:

I have it at the top of my to-do to stop procrastinating and get a computer. I decided to break up my HR monitor and computer into 2 separate units so I can take the HR monitor to the gym. I don't know how fast I go, but on that hilly ride, I averaged over 14mph (almost 15mph not taking into account however long it took me to stop to eat a granola bar at a convenience store). There's one section on that ride where you can go FAST... if the hills haven't worn you out by then. Hills are still hard for me though, so I'd be in the back too. My gearing is 36 small ring, and I don't know what the back is exactly, but I've got a shimano 10 speed rear.

Looks like family is visiting next weekend after my high school friend visits this weekend. The weekend before Thanksgiving is looking good for me. If you go out then, mind if I join? If it's Sunday, I might bring a friend who is also interested in getting in on some women's group rides if that's ok (she lives in DC closer to MD than I do).

[Kalidurga]

The weekend before Thanksgiving is looking good for me. If you go out then, mind if I join? If it's Sunday, I might bring a friend who is also interested in getting in on some women's group rides if that's ok (she lives in DC closer to MD than I do).

The more, the merrier-- though my merriment might be diminished by lack of breath from keeping up with you guys. I could do a short ride on the Sunday morning before Thanksgiving, but I need to leave that afternoon open for family visiting from out of town.

[HillSlugger]

Kali and I met up at Rileys Lock and headed out on the Peach Tree loop. The big problem was that we didn't have a cue sheet with us She never printed it out and I left mine sitting at home on the kitchen table Luckily, Tam seems to have driven all the back roads of Montgomery county and was able to navigate almost perfectly from memory. We did make a few wrong turns and the 25 mile route turned into 27.5 miles.

Tam did GREAT with the traffic but suffered on the hills (she said she was so busy worrying about the hills that she mostly forgot all about the cars). The route was a bit hilly for a first time road ride for someone with little hill experience, but she never quit. I think if we do ride on the weekend before Thanksgiving we'll need to find a route that's a little bit flatter.

[7rider]

We started the Peach Tree Loop off the loop - at the intersection of Darnestown and Muddy Branch, about 5.5 miles away. Since I took advantage of the facilities at the Starbucks in the plaza, and my friend seems to have the bladder the size of a ....well, I don't know, but she had no problems in that regard! Anyway, I didn't really look too hard. Sorry.

There is a spot marked "food" on the cue sheet. That was a grocery store (and maybe more...gads, I really should pay more attention!) that had a big sign that said "NO BIKES". I wanted to take a picture of myself in front of it, with my bike, flipping the bird for all the world to see, but DARN IT! I left the camera in the truck. So much for civil disobedience! Anyway, there's probably a restroom there.

The hills were not that bad. Either long and gradual, or short and not-really-steep. Traffic was light, but we left about 7 a.m. Some of the roads we were on, we were able to ride 2 abreast without annoying anyone, and the few cars we encountered were good about it. Overall, I think it was a great route. My friend is none too keen about riding with cars, and she enjoyed herself thoroughly. (In fact, at one point, I pointed out some black ice still on the road, and she thought I said "nice" and said "Yeah, it is a really nice ride!")

Sorry I can't make it on Sunday - and Saturday I'll be trying to follow Doctor's orders about not riding. I make no such promises for mtb'ing on Sunday, however.

Have fun. Can't wait to hear how it turns out.