DC to Annapolis

[jrenaut]

I get to ride DC to Annapolis tomorrow morning (Hooray for a one-car family with scheduling conflicts!) and I’m looking for a route. Google has one, and I got two from another forum member, but wanted to see if anyone else had input. I’m terrible at following directions on a bike, so the simpler the route, the better. But I’ll be riding during rush hour, and prefer not being killed, so traffic is something of a concern, too.

Topic

[bobco85]

Aw, man, I really want to go on this, but stupid family is going to be in town starting the Saturday afternoon before. If they cancel, I will come on this!

…besides, it’d be nice to go on a long bike ride with you into MD without the shivering and hypothermia, although those were key aspects of it

[Judd]

It looks like a caravan is starting to form. I’m a very likely yes mostly to discourage Steve O. Where art thou, Komorebi?

[Emm]

I’m a maybe. What time in the AM are people thinking about leaving? It just depends if I can pull myself out of bed in time.

I can also do the 30th. That’s the preferable date for me but no worries if everyone else likes the 23rd.

[Judd]

@Emm 162708 wrote:

It just depends if I can pull myself out of bed in time.

You can do it… I believe in you.

[Rod Smith]

Anyone been over Governors Bridge recently?

[komorebi]

@Judd 162705 wrote:

I’m a very likely yes mostly to discourage Steve O.

I’m a maybe, mostly to offset Judd’s effect on Steve O.

@Rod Smith 162720 wrote:

Anyone been over Governors Bridge recently?

This report from last year said that the bridge was unsafe even for pedestrians or bikers: http://www.capitalgazette.com/bowie_bladenews/news/ph-ac-bb-bridge-meeting-0415-20160413-story.html. But I haven’t been out that way myself.

If you follow Nadine Beck or Lynn Salvo on Strava, they took a more direct route to Annapolis a few weeks ago. Here’s Nadine’s ride: https://www.strava.com/activities/1055325577.

[AFHokie]

Here’s a link to a rough route in Google. I’ll refine it when I build it in Strava this weekend. It’s about 44 miles from next to Nat’s field to downtown Annapolis and 67 if we ride up to the BWI MARC station.

Anticipate departing from the field/parking lot east of Nat’s field at 8am. The Nat’s are out of town that day, so unless there’s a concert or something going on at the stadium that I’m unaware of parking in the area shouldn’t be an issue. I’m leaning towards riding up to BWI (last train departs for Union at 5:50pm) but again nothing’s set in stone and please if anyone see’s a portion of the route that doesn’t look like a good idea, say something. From what I found online, Governor’s Bridge will remain closed until sometime in 2019.

I’ll do a headcount next week for those who’s planning to attend.

No hypothermia on this ride, but hyperthermia could be an option…feel free to grab my seatpost (sts) especially if I get wobbly

[Kitty]

It looks like a mistake on the Tour de Fat volunteer page might have sent my 22nd into flux. I may be able to do this on the 23rd after all.

Now I’m afraid the Google link might not be showing the route correctly on my device. Are we still looking at 100 miles for this? (Or is there a Century splinter group?)

Sent from my Nexus 5X using Tapatalk

[AFHokie]

@Kitty 162773 wrote:

It looks like a mistake on the Tour de Fat volunteer page might have sent my 22nd into flux. I may be able to do this on the 23rd after all.

Now I’m afraid the Google link might not be showing the route correctly on my device. Are we still looking at 100 miles for this? (Or is there a Century splinter group?)

Sent from my Nexus 5X using Tapatalk

Updated Strava Route. There are two options: ride out to Annapolis & back, or take the Balt-Annapolis Trail up to the BWI MARC station and catch the train back to DC. From Nat’s Field to Annapolis is ~45 miles and 68 if we rode up to BWI.

That’s the long way of saying about 90 from the start point if we do an out and back and about 70 if we take the train. Of course there is the third option of riding back from BWI creating a Washapomore Loop which would be 100+ miles depending on the route.

[ChampionTier]

@AFHokie 162786 wrote:

Updated Strava Route. There are two options: ride out to Annapolis & back, or take the Balt-Annapolis Trail up to the BWI MARC station and catch the train back to DC. From Nat’s Field to Annapolis is ~45 miles and 68 if we rode up to BWI.

That’s the long way of saying about 90 from the start point if we do an out and back and about 70 if we take the train. Of course there is the third option of riding back from BWI creating a Washapomore Loop which would be 100+ miles depending on the route.

Say we do the 70 mile route: having never ridden on a MARC train, is there a chance for casual beer & chit chat, etc. on the ride home? O&B to Annapolis also sounds cool if we were to take a breather somewhere in town for a bite to eat. I’ll be on 2 weeks of leave and I’m just happy that I finally have the time to go out and meet some new people!

[Kitty]

I am all for the out and back with a meal stop! (I bike therefore I food). I want dem miles. I think I can crack 100 going to/from Nats. Besides, we can have a celebratory beer at the end in Navy Yard (or elsewhere in DC).

Oh dear, this is sounding more and more like I’m in. 😎

[Kitty]

So we’re now in the lead-up to this weekend, and I need to start settling some scheduling. I would like to join, but it would be good to know what the final verdict is.

I’m inclined for the out and back (aside from wanting to bag the century, it removes and risk of MARC kerffufles stranding us on a Sunday night), but if the consensus is 70 I can factor in some riding before we meet.

Also, I’m hearing rumors of it being hot on Sunday (surprise suprise). As a tool for training, I’m not deterred. However, if its a factor that might cancel/postphone this, it would be good to know for sure this is happening before I wipe my schedule for this.

[TwoWheelsDC]

I’m tentatively in. I have a wedding on Saturday, so we’ll just see how much mental energy I have on Sunday morning. I think my preference would be to just do the out-and-back, to avoid sitting on a train drenched in sweat. Plus, if we do an out-and-back then I can jump straight into the pool from my bike. And of course, if that’s what happens, you all are welcome to take a pool detour on your way home.

**edit**

We also have enough leftover beer to inebriate a small country, so…

[Steve O]

Details, please:

Start time
Start location
Final verdict on what the ride will be

[AFHokie]

I get the sense that the majority prefer an out and back so we’ll go with that.

From my last count, about a dozen voiced interest; if you are a go, please PM me so I can get a final head count and I’ll reply with my cell number.

Departure Time: 8am

Will depart from the Starbucks at 1200 New Jersey Ave SE, Washington, DC 20590 (located in the northwest corner of the US Department of Transportation Building; catty corner from the Navy Yard Metro Station entrance)

Barring any gross plotting errors on my part or revelations a particular road or segment is no bueno due to bridge outages, construction, etc; this is the planned route. It’s 86 total miles; anticipate about 4hrs to get there; lunch at historic Middleton Tavernand then 4 hours or so to return and end in front of Bluejacket.

Currently, the forecast calls for temp’s Sunday over 90 and scattered Thunderstorms are in the forecast. Will keep an eye on the weather and adjust plans if the forecast deteriorates, but wanted everyone to be aware & prepared. We will stop as needed for water, etc but please bring plenty to start.

Any questions, please don’t hesitate to shoot me a message and I look forward to seeing everyone Sunday!

[Author]

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