Bicycle Fun Club – GCCCT ride on September 8

[sjclaeys]

FYI, the WABA 50 States ride is that same day (so rain is guaranteed).

[Sunyata]

Hmm. I do need to get some good miles on my rigid mountain bike before Keystone the next weekend. So count me in as a most likely!

[dbb]

@sjclaeys 180386 wrote:

FYI, the WABA 50 States ride is that same day (so rain is guaranteed).

Or 110F temps

[lordofthemark]

@reji 180385 wrote:

Ever wanted to ride the Gerry Connolly Cross County Trail (GCCCT), aka Fairfax County Cross County Trail (FCCCT), aka alphabet soup trail? We’ll ride the sections in trail maps 0 through 5 https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/trails/cross-county-trail/maps

When: Saturday, Sept 8. Meet at Northside Social in Falls Church @9:00. Wheels down at 9:30!
Distance: About 50 miles with 2,000+ elevation.
Route: It will be very similar to this: https://www.strava.com/activities/1783499010

Most of the ride will be on paved roads/trail and the fun parts will be on natural surface. And there is enough fun natural surface that you WILL need a bike with cross/gravel/mountain tires. There are several stream crossings, root heaves/exposed roots large enough to rattle your teeth as you ride over them, small sections of big gravel and other fun things to ride over, around and through!

This will be a no-drop ride with an average pace of 12-14 on pavement and slower on natural surface trails. I’m guessing the overall average pace with be around 12 mph.

I will cancel the ride in the event of heavy rain since the creek crossings will be unsafe.

RSVP on this thread and PM me if you need my contact info.

To clarify, is it the part south of FFX county parkway where the rougher terrain is? I rode, years ago, when we lived in Annandale, as far south as the Parkway, and IIRC it was quite doable, though I guess that was before I got the Kona Dew so I was still riding the beater (no suspension, but knobby tires) mountain bike. I might ride with y’all as far as the Parkway then – I would be riding my 32 “road” tires.

Oh, and I prefer to call it the GC³T

[reji]

@lordofthemark 180390 wrote:

To clarify, is it the part south of FFX county parkway where the rougher terrain is? I rode, years ago, when we lived in Annandale, as far south as the Parkway, and IIRC it was quite doable, though I guess that was before I got the Kona Dew so I was still riding the beater (no suspension, but knobby tires) mountain bike. I might ride with y’all as far as the Parkway then – I would be riding my 32 “road” tires.

Oh, and I prefer to call it the GC³T

We’ll ride the section from Lorton to Pickett Rd, and yes, the sections south of FFX CO PKWY are more challenging. In addition to the stream crossings and massive root heaves, there are several steep, but short, sections that are pretty well rutted and rooty. I’m anticipating a few places where people dismount regardless of their tires. Your 32 road tires should be ok as long as the trail is pretty dry.

And FYI, the County has PAVED 😡 quite a bit of the trail around Wakefield since you last rode it.

[drevil]

@reji 180404 wrote:

And FYI, the County has PAVED 😡 quite a bit of the trail around Wakefield since you last rode it.

Yeah, wussupwidat? Keep dirt trails dirty!

[n18]

@dbb 180389 wrote:

Or 110F temps

According to the forecast, Thursday to Sunday should be fully sunny without a cloud in the sky and high around 80, plus I think that segment of the trail is mostly shaded, which makes it feel 10 degrees cooler.

[Sunyata]

@n18 180414 wrote:

According to the forecast, Thursday to Sunday should be fully sunny without a cloud in the sky and high around 80, plus I think that segment of the trail is mostly shaded, which makes it feel 10 degrees cooler.

Just a note, this is September 8th. Not this coming weekend.

[rcannon100]

[Sunyata]

Is this still happening? The forecast is looking better for Saturday!

[rcannon100]

[reji]

Yes, I’m still planning this ride! Meet up at Northside Social in Falls Church around 9:00 and wheels down at 9:30! We’ll generally follow this route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/28539378

I’ll plan for stops at Burke Lake and Accotink parks for bathroom breaks and water refills. I suggest bringing snacks if you want them, as there are limited places to buy them along the way. I’m also planning a lunch stop at Clare and Dons in Falls Church when we return. We won’t need locks during the ride, but bring one if you’re nervous about leaving your bike unattended if you plan to stay for lunch.

I’m keeping an eye on the weather and won’t attempt the water crossings at the southern end of the GCCCT if we get a lot of rain but as Sunyata noted, the weather forecast isn’t looking too bad! I’ll post here if we need to cancel or alter the ride. Finally, PM me if you need my cell number.

[n18]

@reji 180797 wrote:

We’ll generally follow this route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/28539378

Just after Mile marker 8, which is south of Fairfax Circle; there is a wide tunnel under Picket Rd so you don’t have to cross the intersection. It was built months ago. You could see it on Satellite View just North of the intersection.

[reji]

@n18 180800 wrote:

Just after Mile marker 8, which south of Fairfax Circle; there is a wide tunnel under Picket Rd so you don’t have to cross the intersection. It was built months ago. You could see it on Satellite View just North of the intersection.

Yep, we’ll go through that tunnel!

[Sunyata]

Awesome! I will change out the tires on the Niner to what I am planning to race at Keystone.

Also looking forward to C&D’s afterwards! 😎

[Author]

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