Good supported ride?

[Megabeth]

Oxon Hill bike club does a nice ride in May the Patuxent River Rural Legacy Ride. They have a 22, 44 and 66 mile option. I was going to speak on the ride last year but it looks like the routes have changed a little bit. Car traffic was relatively low and there were plenty of cyclists and signage pointing out to drivers to watch for cyclists. In addition to the routes, it also looks like they changed the start/finish so if anyone has been there before please chime in. (In year’s past, the start/finish had plenty of parking, clean bathrooms and a lovely view.)

The volunteers at the rest stops are friendly, helpful and they make tomato sandwiches that are divine.

Details about the ride here: http://ohbike.org/

[Subby]

I’m a big fan of the Backroads Century ride. It has different distance options and great food stops. Plus it winds through Berryville, VA on a Sunday morning, so traffic is pretty minimal. The scenery is beautiful – you’ll find yourself taking out your phone a lot.

http://www.backroadscentury.org/

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[MarylandMama]

Both of these are great suggestions. Thanks! Maybe I’ll get inspired and do more than 1.

[jabberwocky]

The Reston Century is another possibility. Don’t know what the support is like, but it makes use of the W&OD and the roads it rides are all lovely.

I’ll second Backroads as well. Beautiful scenery, traffic isn’t bad. It is moderately hilly though.

[americancyclo]

Reston century support was great, decent food selection and the loop last year had a bailout option. They even had an ice cream truck at the finish!

[GB]

The bike MS Ride the River is a very well supported ride. They have 30, 60 and 100 mile options. I’ve done it twice and really enjoyed both.

[consularrider]

In this area you have a lot to choose from. The Oxon Hill Bicycle and Trail Club has one of the best listings of area rides. Unfortunately it is still in the process of being updated for 2014.

[culimerc]

The Oxen Hill Bike Club sponsored rides and the Backroads Century really are my favorites. The routes are nice and rolling, and the stops have some variety to them food wise. The Reston is one of my least favorites in the area, because of the sheer number of people involved and the amount of time spent on the WOD. Too many people of too wide a skill and strength range on too small a path. That said I havent done a Reston century in 4 years I think.

[JimF22003]

I stopped doing the Reston Century after they changed to having everything circle back to the one and only rest stop in Hamilton. The very first time I rode it, it was a nice true loop (except for the out and back on the W&OD which sucks.) The new format is, I’m sure, easier for them to organize, having just the one mega rest stop place, but it’s not great for the riders. And believe me, I don’t think the people who live in Hamilton are very happy about it, based on the number of honks and other angry interactions I’ve gotten there.

[consularrider]

@JimF22003 75505 wrote:

I stopped doing the Reston Century after they changed to having everything circle back to the one and only rest stop in Hamilton. The very first time I rode it, it was a nice true loop (except for the out and back on the W&OD which sucks.) The new format is, I’m sure, easier for them to organize, having just the one mega rest stop place, but it’s not great for the riders. And believe me, I don’t think the people who live in Hamilton are very happy about it, based on the number of honks and other angry interactions I’ve gotten there.

Last year the century route only went through Hamilton once (instead of three times) and was more of a big loop west from Leesburg with the out and back from Reston mostly on the W&OD. I don’t know what they plan for 2014.

[vvill]

I agree Backroads is a great supported ride, with some varied food (tomato sandwiches and the piping hot potatoes come to mind) and not much traffic. It is a bit hilly but there are < 100 mi options. I don't know that I'd want to do it solo as a first long ride though - the riders do get spread out a bit.

[bikenurse]

I rode my first century last year at the Tour de Cure Chesapeake (starts/ends in Easton). Nice and flat, beautiful scenery, low fee/FR requirement, several mileage options. This year’s ride is May 17. http://main.diabetes.org/site/TR?fr_id=9355&pg=entry
We have friends who’ve ridden the maryland ms ride which follows a similar course as the TDC. Dates are May 31-june 1. http://bikemdm.nationalmssociety.org/site/TR?pg=entry&fr_id=22516
The 3rd Annual Crop Hop will go through PG county farm country. The route is still in the planning phase, but looks like a metric century with lots of stops to highlight the farms on the route (cheese, fruit/veggies, maybe even a winery). Tentative date is October 4.

[JimF22003]

@consularrider 75509 wrote:

Last year the century route only went through Hamilton once (instead of three times) and was more of a big loop west from Leesburg with the out and back from Reston mostly on the W&OD. I don’t know what they plan for 2014.

Maybe I’ll give it another shot then

It does have a sentimental appeal for me. It was my first organized century, and I think only my second one overall.

[MarylandMama]

I signed up for the 44 mile option for the Patuxent River Rural Legacy ride. Any tips on the ride from folks that have done it? How supported is the navigation? Is it well marked or should I be prepared to navigate on my own? I think the Crop Hop will be on my schedule for the fall as well.

[JimF22003]

It’s been a couple of years since I did this, and I think I read that they had changed the route this year (or at least the starting point.) If I recall they painted blue whales or something on the road for markings. Very oceanic. I never got lost anyway. You should be fine. Just follow the cue sheets. There should be enough other riders out there also to have somebody in front of you or behind you to lead you astray

Have fun!

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