TE-DC ride in December?

[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).

[Kalidurga]

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).

That would be great, Catherine I've been trying to find some double-track or fire roads around here to ride, but most of it seems to be either private property or more technical than I'm ready for. I could easily make a vacation out of biking in C'ville combined with some Civil War site-seeing.

[7rider]

Yes - the BP rides leave every sunday at 8:30 a.m. We can talk to the folks about it on the 17th (I think there's a waiver to sign - in case you crash. Dang lawyers! Oh wait....you are one!! )

I've heard that the June Asthma ride uses the Seagull route and 9 times out of 10 has MUCH better weather! That sounds like a winner to me! But that said, DH and I will probably be on the Eastern Shore next October for the Seagull. We've been there for the last 2 years in miserable weather....we figure statistics are on our side for eventually having nice weather. It was gorgeous in '00 when I first did it!

[aicabsolut]

Here you go, Kali: http://routeslip.com/map.php?map=15929

It's a really long loop, but gives you a good idea about what roads are good.

Although L on Boonesville at the top of the map sucks, it's made worth it to do that left hand side (to Browns Gap Tpke) that direction, because you can really fly. Anything else is probably fine backwards, though I like Simmons Gap (right hand side) the N-S direction too.

Ridge Rd (next major left after Millington off Garth) is also dirt. I haven't checked it out, but it's supposed to be a good running route at least. It ends at Free Union a ways south of the post office.

Garth can be pretty hilly around Free Union (especially past it towards town), and it can be a busy road. Simmons Gap next highest for traffic, particularly near bottom end.

(You have to zoom in pretty far to see most street names--it's also a good idea to know the road numbers. Sometimes signs are names. Sometimes only numbers. Boonesville = 810 I think).

[Kalidurga]

Thanks very much, Catherine. That is a long route, but it looks like it'd be possible to modify it or break it up.

I haven't been to Monticello since I was a kid, so I'm definitely thinking this route could be part of a pretty cool vacation next summer. A little Revolutionary history, a little Civil War history, a little biking... Any really cool coffee shops or cafes in C'ville?

[aicabsolut]

You don't have to go that whole loop of course. It's easy to break up, since you can turn back to Free Union from a lot of places. (that road is about the same up or back). Taking Markwood instead of Simmons Gap cuts out some distance too. I've done a 25 mile version, a 34 mile version, and a 47 mile version of those roads (minus the dirt ones).

Mudhouse is probably the best coffee shop. Go to the one on the downtown mall. I think it's at the end with the theater. Greenberry's used to be good (there's one in the Barracks Rd shopping center--Garth Rd on the map turns into Barracks) but lately it's been so so.

You can find awesome pizza at Christian's (also on the mall), and great bagles at Bodos (one on the "Corner" at UVA, one on 29 near Barracks).

Let me know if you have any other questions.

[aicabsolut]

Forecast looking pretty good for the 17th so far. Any more thoughts about when to start?

Oh and you can thank me for the warm temps .... it's all because I just spent money on some SubZero tights which should arrive tomorrow. Now that I'd be prepared I won't need them. hmmph

[HillSlugger]

Forecast looking pretty good for the 17th so far. Any more thoughts about when to start?

9 or 9:30?

Oh and you can thank me for the warm temps .... it's all because I just spent money on some SubZero tights which should arrive tomorrow. Now that I'd be prepared I won't need them. hmmph

Thanks! that's the sort of thing that usually happens to me