2012 Rides

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

The towpath with a flat rear tire?

@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.

@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….

@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

@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.