TE-DC ride in December?

[7rider]

The folks at the BP are ususally pretty good about pre- post-ride breaks in their BR. Does anyone know if the public ones are still open just north of the intersection of Joyce and Beach?

RE: Routeslip and elevations....when I re-mapped with a mid-route start, it gave me a total climbing of 1500 ft, vs. 800 ft for the link I provided earlier. There is NO way the short spur from Beach to the shop require 700 feet of climbing! Yet that was the only difference b/t the two routes - and the hill was clockwise vs. counterclockwise...but since it's the same hill, hello? You'd be doing the same amount of climbing. Sigh. So, I view the elevations as suspect. I have one route on my Garmin where I did this route (without the shop) from my house - from Colesville through Wheaton and Kensington (for those who know the area, I climb Plyers Mill from CT Ave to Georgia Ave). That total ride was 1700 ft elevation gain. According to Garmin.

Anywho.... for our new folks and visitors, I'd suggest parking at the shop. Easy to MapQuest directions and plenty of parking. (okay...can you tell my bias about hating to drive into the District? A "city girl" I am most definitely NOT!) We could drop into the Park and do the hill (clockwise) while our legs are still fresh (twice if the speedy are so inclined! ) and regroup at the ranger station at Beach and Joyce.

Thoughts? Different opinions (I could alway park my own butt at the shop and ride my bike down to the bottom of Beach and meet you'all there!)?

Last thing: Re: AmFib tights...Nicole...Toasty warm? I'm thinking I need to replace my old tights. I have lightweight tights and knickers for cooler and sick-warm tights for the brutal cold, but my mid-weight tights for 30's and 40's kind of rides are getting old and thin. Would these fit that niche pretty well? And I agree on the shoe covers - try a larger size.

[HillSlugger]

I view the elevations as suspect. I have one route on my Garmin where I did this route (without the shop) from my house - from Colesville through Wheaton and Kensington (for those who know the area, I climb Plyers Mill from CT Ave to Georgia Ave). That total ride was 1700 ft elevation gain. According to Garmin.

Consider them as rough estimates.

Anywho.... for our new folks and visitors, I'd suggest parking at the shop. Easy to MapQuest directions and plenty of parking. (okay...can you tell my bias about hating to drive into the District? A "city girl" I am most definitely NOT!) We could drop into the Park and do the hill (clockwise) while our legs are still fresh (twice if the speedy are so inclined! ) and regroup at the ranger station at Beach and Joyce.

Thoughts? Different opinions (I could alway park my own butt at the shop and ride my bike down to the bottom of Beach and meet you'all there!)?

I'm getting a bit lost with the options. I'd prefer not having to drive into the district if at all possible. Just tell me where and when to meet...

Last thing: Re: AmFib tights...Nicole...Toasty warm? I'm thinking I need to replace my old tights. I have lightweight tights and knickers for cooler and sick-warm tights for the brutal cold, but my mid-weight tights for 30's and 40's kind of rides are getting old and thin. Would these fit that niche pretty well? And I agree on the shoe covers - try a larger size.

I find the AmFib tights nice and warm. My legs have never been cold in them (so far). In fact, the problem with them are if the temps start warning up into the 50's they get too warm.

[HillSlugger]

Kali,

We've hijacked your original post about a more casual ride. Are there still thoughts about this or are you hanging up the bike until spring?

BTW, the trail ride we did was the coldest I've been on a ride, even though the air temp was warmer than yesterday. I think that riding in the shade of the trees and at slower speeds keeps you from getting as warmed up.

[7rider]

Ahhh....hadn't thought about the "off road" elevations. Good point.
I think I routed out at one "-" above fully zoomed in. I probably had us riding over some rock walls and hills! But, yeah, I do view it as an estimate. I view the Garmin's estimates as suspect to, and use it just as a relative guage.
Okay....to reduce the options...here's where we are at:
Road ride - moderate to fast pace (16-20 mph cruising) - December 17th (time?).
Departure point: Meet at The Bicycle Place, 8313 Grubb Rd, Silver Spring (http://www.thebicycleplace.com/ ) - meet in the parking lot in the BACK of the building.
Route: We'll ride from the Bicycle Place (BP) and drop INTO Rock Creek Park via Beach Drive. We'll do "the hill" - Ridge Rd to Ross to Joyce - clockwise once - or twice if certain someones pull ahead - but we'll all discuss that as we ride. We'll regroup at the Ranger station (just south of the intersection of Beach and Joyce). We'll ride up Beach out of the District, into MD, out to Garrett Park. Turn around at Garrett Park (rest and potty break if needed). Turn around and follow Beach Dr. back down to the BP and end. Will be about 27 miles all told. Route is ALL on road.
'kay?

p.s. "Sick warm" tight are ancient Performance brand tights (consequently, the fit sux, but I have to admit, they are warm). They are fleece and fronted with a wind-block material. They come out maybe 3x's/year and can also be layered under windpants for spring skiing or xc skiing.

[divingbiker]

I won't be joining you for your 12/17 "hammer" ride--hammering is not in my vocabulary--but I thought I'd offer my two cents regarding warm tights.

I've got a pair of Shebeest Wind Pro tights http://www.teamestrogen.com/products.asp?pID=2499 that are nice and toasty, "sick warm" to use Regina's term. I wore them commuting today and was very comfortable in the 32 degree, 20 degree wind chill weather this morning. I tried a pair of Sugoi firewall tights but they made too much noise so I sent them back. The TE person said that the PI AmFib tights make a lot of noise also. The Shebeest tights are quiet.

Kali, I'd be up for a more casual ride on the canal if it's not too cold and if you haven't retired your bike for the winter.

[HillSlugger]

The TE person said that the PI AmFib tights make a lot of noise also. The Shebeest tights are quiet.

The AmFibs are noisy when I'm walking, but I never hear from them when I'm riding.

[aicabsolut]

So you make me drive all the way through the District? Uh huh, I see how it is. Eh, no worries.

Did you remap at a very high zoom? Maybe it's using an off-the-road elevation somewhere--in a couple of places that makes a difference. Twice comparing my Garmin to routeslip, routeslip has been short about 50 ft. Maybe yours needs debugged?

I tried on the Am/Fib tights. I've got fit issues with PI, but from that brief dressing room moment and from my toe covers, I like the material.

I was going to order a new pair of tights today, but my size disappeared. D'oh. What material are your "sick warm" tights, Regina? My midweight Cannondale ones might not do for the 30s.

Oh, and the weather on the 17th better not feel like it did today. Brr!

[HillSlugger]

So you make me drive all the way through the District? Uh huh, I see how it is. Eh, no worries.

The Bicycle Place is about as close to being in the District as possible without actually being in the District.

OK, it sounds like a plan. Hopefully I'll be able to keep up with you two.

Let firm up the time as we get closer and can look at the morning temps, etc.

[aicabsolut]

I wore them commuting today and was very comfortable in the 32 degree, 20 degree wind chill weather this morning. .

Kudos to you for commuting on the bike today. I could hardly handle walking 10 minutes to school for something.

TE people suggested Sugio midzero tights for me. But theyr'e all out in my size. They look kind of extra high in the rise though. My Cannondales already come up to my ribs.

The Bicycle Place is about as close to being in the District as possible without actually being in the District.

Yeah, yeah, it just happens to be on the *other side* of the District from me. It's ok. I can handle it.


I think a look to the forecast is in order for times. The route sounds good to me.

I just plotted some possible routes for when I go home to Georgia in a few weeks. One of them has a whopping 71 feet of climbing over about 23 miles.

[7rider]

Yeah, great that you commuted! I haven't commuted since October 30th!

Just FYI - on Sunday's the BP doesn't open until 12 noon. There is their regular Sunday a.m. ride that departs at 8:30 (unless it's wet/raining/snowing, or below 28 degrees) and return around 10:45ish to hang, chat, drink coffee, and schmooze until the shop opens at noon. That ride is a true hammer ride - I think the term they use is "spritited." Hopefully, in the Spring, I'll be in shape enough to hang with the B-group again. Aicabsolut - that might good a good group training ride for you to get in with.

I'd also be up for a casual ride. Still hoping/planning to get my mtb out on the C&O.

[Kalidurga]

Well, considering the pony is stabled right in my living room, it's never entirely "hung up for the winter" I fully intend to keep it lubed and ready to go if the weather's good and I get an itch to ride, so yeah, I'd certainly be up for a towpath ride or a casual road ride. I think you're right, though, Nicole, that the relative shade makes the C&O chillier. Plus, there's no hills to get the muscles burning. If the forecast is for sun and at least 50 degrees, I could easily be coaxed out.

That said, I am looking forward to getting back out in the woods. I spent so much time on the bike this year, I'm starting to really miss some of the places where I used to hike!

[aicabsolut]

Are the BP rides always Sundays? That would work out for me in the spring some as my team rides will be Saturdays. I hope I can keep up too. At least the B group for my training rides will be no-drop. They say the testosterone tends to get the better of the A group anyway and a base training route could turn into a race.

Kali, I came upon some roads that would be great for your cross bike in Cville. SEemed to be pretty good packed dirt and crushed gravel. Some of the main roads out there are dirt so they are in decent shape. If you ever make a trip down there, I'll send you a map. (Some of those are flatter too, which is why I wanted to take them, but no, had to stop and turn around when the pavement ran out).

[HillSlugger]

I just plotted some possible routes for when I go home to Georgia in a few weeks. One of them has a whopping 71 feet of climbing over about 23 miles.

I did a ride on the Eastern Shore in October: 28 miles and 140 feet of climbing. That's why I want the Seagull to be my first (metric) century. Hopefully the weather will be better in '07.

[divingbiker]

That's why I want the Seagull to be my first (metric) century.

You could also try the Asthma Ride in June. I'm going to try to do the century this year; did the metric in 2005.

http://marylandlung.org/content/1/2/12.html