TE-DC ride in December?

[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.