2012 Rides

This topic has 44 replies, 19 voices, and was last updated 12 years, 11 months ago by Rod Smith.

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January 26, 2012 at 12:35 pm #910867

americancyclo
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I rode my first (Seagull) century last year and am already searching for another big ride or two to look forward to this year. Does anyone have any favorites, or recommendations? I really wanted to ride Jeremiah Bishop’s Alpine Loop Gran Fondo after reading Dirt’s synopsis and watching the videos, but unfortunately I have a conflicting commitment.

I’m looking for a road ride within 3 hours of the DC area with a bit of climbing. I know some folks that enjoyed the Backroads Century, but I’d love to hear about any rides that forum folks have enjoyed (or suffered through)

Maybe I’ll even try to keep an updated list here, unless someone has a link of that already!
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July 17, 2012 at 3:57 pm #946028

Greenbelt
Participant

I’m sure lots of people already use this link, but I found it really useful:
http://ohbike.org/events/index.htm

August 17, 2012 at 6:14 pm #948957

vvill
Participant

@Tim Kelley 23513 wrote:

This one might make it on the schedule this year: http://www.alpineloopgranfondo.com/

I’m signed up for this century now. Anyone have any ideas on how the heck to train for such a ride in the DC area?
http://www.alpineloopgranfondo.com/routes.html

August 17, 2012 at 6:20 pm #948960

americancyclo
Participant

@vvill 28635 wrote:

I’m signed up for this century now. Anyone have any ideas on how the heck to train for such a ride in the DC area?
http://www.alpineloopgranfondo.com/routes.html

Ride the Kill Bill Century a few times?

August 17, 2012 at 6:25 pm #948962

Tim Kelley
Participant

@vvill 28635 wrote:

I’m signed up for this century now. Anyone have any ideas on how the heck to train for such a ride in the DC area?
http://www.alpineloopgranfondo.com/routes.html

100 41st Street repeats? Go to the dentist to get a cavity filled without using novocaine?

August 17, 2012 at 6:26 pm #948963

DismalScientist
Participant

The towpath with a flat rear tire?

August 17, 2012 at 6:54 pm #948970

TwoWheelsDC
Participant

@vvill 28635 wrote:

I’m signed up for this century now. Anyone have any ideas on how the heck to train for such a ride in the DC area?
http://www.alpineloopgranfondo.com/routes.html

Jeebus, and I thought the Civil War Century was going to be tough.

Better keep your speed up though…

TIME CUTS: Riders who are unable to average 10 mph by miles 32 (at 12:15 p.m.) and 55 (at 2:30 p.m) will be required to detour onto the Shenandoah Mountain Medio route.

August 17, 2012 at 6:55 pm #948971

Bilsko
Participant

@vvill 28635 wrote:

I’m signed up for this century now. Anyone have any ideas on how the heck to train for such a ride in the DC area?
http://www.alpineloopgranfondo.com/routes.html

This got me thinking about what resources there are to find the best hill-rides; I haven’t found anything that lists the hilliest rides in the District (although I vaguely recall a comment thread on one of Washcycle’s blog posts about it…), but you can search the rides on GPSies.com by Total Climb (in the Extended Search section)… I suspect Strava (probably premium only) will let you order rides/segments by climb too.

August 17, 2012 at 6:57 pm #948972

Bilsko
Participant

@TwoWheelsDC 28648 wrote:

Jeebus, and I thought the Civil War Century was going to be tough.

Better keep your speed up though…

TwoWheels – are you still in for the Reston Century? I just saw AmericanCyclo this morning and discussed it and I’m now signed up. My plan is to ride out on the WO&D to Falls Church to meet up with him and then ride on to Reston. (I’ll be coming from MacArthur Blvd over Key Bridge onto Custis and then on to WO&D – bright, well dark, and early)

August 17, 2012 at 7:08 pm #948974

TwoWheelsDC
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@Bilsko 28650 wrote:

TwoWheels – are you still in for the Reston Century? I just saw AmericanCyclo this morning and discussed it and I’m now signed up. My plan is to ride out on the WO&D to Falls Church to meet up with him and then ride on to Reston. (I’ll be coming from MacArthur Blvd over Key Bridge onto Custis and then on to WO&D – bright, well dark, and early)

Admittedly, I’m waffling…turns out I have some concert thing to go to that night with my wife. Time isn’t so much the issue, but rather the thought of being extremely fatigued later that night at an event I don’t necessarily want to be at. If I decide to sign up, I’ll probably just drive out there though. Century is no problem, but a century plus 48 miles round trip to get out there, that’s where I draw the line….

August 17, 2012 at 7:10 pm #948975

Bilsko
Participant

@TwoWheelsDC 28652 wrote:

Admittedly, I’m waffling…turns out I have some concert thing to go to that night with my wife. Time isn’t so much the issue, but rather the thought of being extremely fatigued later that night at an event I don’t necessarily want to be at. If I decide to sign up, I’ll probably just drive out there though. Century is no problem, but a century plus 48 miles round trip to get out there, that’s where I draw the line….

Yeah, 150 miles is a lot…I’m probably riding out and throwing the bike in the trunk on the way back.

August 17, 2012 at 7:17 pm #948977

TwoWheelsDC
Participant

@Bilsko 28649 wrote:

This got me thinking about what resources there are to find the best hill-rides; I haven’t found anything that lists the hilliest rides in the District (although I vaguely recall a comment thread on one of Washcycle’s blog posts about it…), but you can search the rides on GPSies.com by Total Climb (in the Extended Search section)… I suspect Strava (probably premium only) will let you order rides/segments by climb too.

I’ve been able to get 2500 feet in about 50 miles or so, without having to do repeats or tight loops. Huntington has some nice hills in quiet neighborhoods, then ride over toward Lake Barcroft, which has some nasty climbs (I hate you Whispering Lane!), then up into north Arlington. Do it in the morning and those areas are generally traffic free, but if you don’t have turn-by-turn (like a Garmin Edge), it can be tricky.

http://app.strava.com/rides/11540525

Garmin Connect lets you create courses and see the elevation profile, which is how I plan my routes. I planned a nice climbing route from Capitol Hill, looping through Anacostia, then over to the Wilson bridge, but I haven’t been able to test it out yet. Anacostia has some fantastic climbs, but you gotta go early on the weekends or traffic can be pretty bad.

http://connect.garmin.com/course/1791291

August 17, 2012 at 7:32 pm #948979

eminva
Participant

Probably not more steep than the worst of North Arlington, but if you want some variety, head to Takoma Park near Sligo Creek. Some of the side streets in the neighborhoods there are quite challenging (explore in Strava for some segments if you want to pick those off while you are at it).

Liz

August 17, 2012 at 8:24 pm #948989

consularrider
Participant

@Bilsko 28650 wrote:

TwoWheels – are you still in for the Reston Century? I just saw AmericanCyclo this morning and discussed it and I’m now signed up. My plan is to ride out on the WO&D to Falls Church to meet up with him and then ride on to Reston. (I’ll be coming from MacArthur Blvd over Key Bridge onto Custis and then on to WO&D – bright, well dark, and early)

I’ll be making my annual trek out from EFC for this century as well. Expect to leave around 5:30 am, just dark enough for lights the first half hour plus. Your route will take you right by my house.

August 27, 2012 at 1:20 am #949685

Rod Smith
Participant

Thanks for the tip, consular. I left at 5:15. I got a little lost and cut the course short but still managed to get 163 miles on the day.
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