Relocation this Summer to N.Virginia- Any riders there in area?

[AutumnBreez]

I am actually thrilled to say... we're coming back home to the US, after 6 years living overseas. I am sooo looking forward to riding with other women. Looking forward to riding many a century and other supportive rides too!! I am not sure where we will be living- city?? My DH will be working in Fauquier County and sometimes DC area. We were thinking of looking down in Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania area. For the houses in Fauquier Cnty is way high for what you get down in Fred/Spotsy. I will need to find a job for myself, as this is a transfer for my DH. Search of course for a home. Looking to get into an apartment for only a year or less to scope out the homes, schools and communities in which to set up camp for years to come. I have a son to enter HighSchool and the other to enter MS. Are there many road cyclists down that way in Spotsylvania-Fredericksburg-Stanton/Quantico??? I would love to live up off of 66 in the Front Royal- Linden area but the job sources look a bit limited and the commute could be too long for my DH as 66 is killer! The roadbiking in that area however appear to be real nice being by the Blue Ridge- Sheno. Mtn.... Any advice appreciated!

[Nanci]

Shoot, I thought you were going to say Florida...Oh well. Good luck with your move!

Nanci

[Selkie]

AutumnB - First, take this with a grain of salt, as I do not like the DC-Northern VA are. I have lived in the DC metro area since 1987, having moved from Pittsburgh for job reasons. I lived in Quantico/Stafford from about '88-'96 and it was the pits because I had to commute to the Tysons/McLean area. Even then, the traffic on 95 was a complete nightmare. There were a couple occasions when it took FOUR hours to get home. From what I hear, that area has become a suburban sprawl. When we were there, it was still relatively rural, but now, it's tract-homes and chainstore/chain restaurants galore. Luckily, we were able to find a buyer for our place in Stafford before the area got too developed & buy a place in Arlington before the housing prices went too crazy. My commute is now 5 miles--back roads--so it isn't that bad. I prefer either living in a city where I can walk/metro places, like I do now, or in the country. I hate the suburbs, but that's just me. Anyway, my point is that your husband, when he comes into the city, will have a hellish time on 95, unless he rides the train. So, moving south to avoid having to drive 66 isn't going to do you any good.
The far suburbs---Leesburg, Winchester, etc to the West and Fred'burg, Spotsy, Stafford, to the South---have exploded. There are a lot of "gated" communities (BARF) with cookie cutter oversized homes. You might be able to find a couple places that are still fairly rural, but unless the bottom falls out of the housing market or/and the communities do something to control the over-development, you can bet someone will be putting up mcmansions before too long and your quality of life will go down the toilet.
Enough of that! :-)
I think there is a bike club in Fred'burg. Not sure about the cycling community down there, though. When I lived down that way, I was running marathons/1/2 marathons, and there was a decent running community. Prince William Forest Park is a good place to ride & run (if it hasn't gotten too busy!). Can't comment on what's out west.
Any direction you go, you are going to have to deal with over-crowding, over-priced houses, and the attitudes that come along with it. I have 13 years and two weeks before I can retire at full pension and move WEST, somewhere it doesn't snow, where people treat each other decently, and hopefully, where it isn't crowded.

[tulip]

I'm with mickchick on the far-out 'burbs, but if your job is in Faquier, you might as well live out there and not have to commute far.

I live on the Maryland-DC line and work in Alexandria, Va. I have a wonderful half urban-half bike path commute on my bike. DC is a great place to live--lots to do, see, eat, etc.

I hope you find some riding buddies in the area in which you settle. I would be willing to travel a bit for some good riding from time-to-time. Mickchick--wanna ride sometime?

[trigurl]

I lived in Fredericksburg several years ago it is so over built now that you can hardly get anywhere! Spotsylvania isn't so bad, my sister lived out by Lake Anna but depending on if/where you work it may be a little hard getting there b/c of the traffic, I have a friend whose parents live there and she whines everytime she has to go to Fredburg about the traffic. It was not too bad when I was there but N. VA has gone south

I now live in Roanoke, small town, and few good paying jobs but you don't have near the traffic, or good shopping or grocery stores, I guess that's the price we pay to live in the Country. Good luck, let us know where you land!

[Jen]

Check out this website, Babes on Bikes. You will love it.

[jobob]

Hah, I tried Googling the phrase Babes on Bikes - it brought up some, um, interesting sites

But I think this is the one you had in mind:

http://www.babesonbikes.org/

Very cool website ! Do you belong to this group, Jen?

[tulip]

Babes on Bikes seems like a good group, and I would love to go riding with them. However, it seems like their rides are Monday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings. For those of us who work, such ride times are not possible (well, I'm riding at that time--but it's to the office!)

[Selkie]

Tulip - Babes on Bikes are stay-at-home moms/wives. I belong to the group but have never ridden w/them because I work. Maybe you and I can ride some time? I'm in North Arlington---my neighborhood abuts the Custis Trail. I wish I could commute to work but there are no safe routes.

[tulip]

Tulip - Babes on Bikes are stay-at-home moms/wives. I belong to the group but have never ridden w/them because I work. Maybe you and I can ride some time? I'm in North Arlington---my neighborhood abuts the Custis Trail. I wish I could commute to work but there are no safe routes.

I'm surprised they don't do any weekend rides at all. Oh well. Sure, I'd be up for a ride. My commute is 14 miles each way between Alexandria and Prince Georges County Maryland.

Send me a PM if you want to ride sometime. I do ride all winter, commuting. I plan on doing some longer/harder road rides once the weather warms up (new road bike, can't wait to try it out on some longer rides). I'm not fast, but that doesn't mean that I can't GET fast. I'd even be up for driving (egads!) out further to discover new roads--maybe we can meet up with the OP of this thread?

[Jen]

The main club in the washington DC, VA, MD area is Potomac Peddlers Club. Babes on Bikes only get together during the week because they had such a small to no turn out on weekends. Everyone went to Potomac Peddlers Club rides. I work and I am new to biking but would love to ride with the gals sometime. I would be willing to take a day off from work a month to do it. For now, I think I need to develop my bike handling skills so I won't be a danger to myself.

[barrb46]

Hi Autumn Breeze

Lots of wonderful places to cycle in Northern Virginia. Lots of bike trails in the DC area. There are a number of clubs two I am familiar with Potomac Peddlers and the Reston Bike Club. The bike shops in the various areas can help you locate groups to ride with.

I live in Manassas, VA and find it is a nice location since I can get to the Washington Old Domionion trail with a fairly short drive.

Barb

[barrb46]

Hi everyone,

I would love to find some people to ride with on weekends. I have done a number of centuries over the past few years. I am an average rider, more stamina than speed. My average is probably 12-14 mph. My favorite trail is the WOD. Of course the trails further in -- are great too. I have a nice route in the Nokesville area which is safe and very scenic. We could meet at the Brentsville High School sometime. I have a 20 mile and 30 mile loop that is quite nice.

Maybe some of us could meet somewhere some weekend and ride together. Nice to have company while riding.

Hope to hear from "someone".

Barb

[tulip]

Barrb, mickchick, Jen and the others--LET'S GO FOR A RIDE! The weather is nice, my new road bike that I got last fall is getting restless, and quite jealous of my commuter bike, which I ride to work regularly.

I live in NE DC / PG MD area, but I can travel by car or by bike. I know the Mount Vernon Trail, but not the WO&D or Custis trails, and would be happy to follow along someone who does. I'm not fast, maybe 12-14 (although I don't use a computer), and I'm not ready to do anywhere near a century yet, but I'd be up for a ride of an hour or two. I'm still getting used to my new road bike.

Interested? Let's see what we can arrange.

[withm]

I could be interested in this ride as well. I live in Delaware, but have lots of family in DC area, and they always say they don't get to see me much. Would have to be a weekend. I need to go to Trader Joe's anyway and the closest one is 2 hours away. Never rode anywhere in DC except for that path by National Airport - did not like that - way way too congested. Keep me posted if this happens.

Martha