One Year With Spartacus, My Road Bike – Thank You

[acc]

One year ago I bought my first road bike, named him Spartacus, climbed onto his saddle and promptly fell over in my driveway. That day he and I went on a very shaky five-mile ride into Falls Church and back to Vienna on the W&O Trail. By the time I got home I was covered in sweat and my legs felt as wobbly as a child’s Slinky toy. But somewhere on that ride I had the briefest moment when I felt like I was flying. That evening all I could think about was how great it felt and how much I wanted to fly again.

I started riding whenever I could. I rode in 90+ degree weather, I rode when it was below freezing. I remember the first time I rode twenty miles. I was as excited as the day I graduated from high school. But there were awful days too. The first time I rode with a group I was dropped, got lost, and fell off Spartacus when a minivan startled me. I limped back to Wakefield bloody and humiliated. That was the only time I cried.

I survived bouncing off the side of a car in October, an idiot driver failed to stop when I was in the crosswalk. I walked away from a bad crash New Year’s Eve and did not sleep through the night for several weeks because my back and shoulder hurt so much. But I refused to quit. I slowly became faster and stronger, I went on a fifty-mile ride this spring and barely noticed, then went for sixty-eight just for the hell of it.

In January I found this forum and through it found friends and support, people who generously give their time and expertise about all things bike. I am forever grateful for your kindness, humor, and support. It has made all the difference. Thank you.

On Saturday I think I’ll ride out of the Vienna Community Center and stop at Carolina Brothers on my way back from Purcellville. If you have time, you’re welcome to join me. Otherwise I’ll buy the first pitchers the next time we have another Happy Hour. Again, as I think about the last year, I can’t thank you enough.

Happy trails,

ann

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[CCrew]

@acc 5554 wrote:

I confess and repent. I turned to the Dark Side. Today I broke every rule, every courtesy, and rode like a jerk. All I can say is I was in a group, fighting to hold my position and rode within my abilities. When I became too tired I dropped back to make sure I wasn’t putting anyone at risk. Probably won’t do that again but now I understand the thinking, it is a bit primal.

ann

Oh, inquiring minds want to know…. LOL

Torrey Brown Trail/Heritage trail was wonderful. One of the nicer runs we’ve done. They aptly carry two separate names, and they’re certainly two seemingly different trails albeit one contiguous route. We rode from Hunt Valley to York PA, out and back was 82 miles.

Torrey Brown was a bit more scenic, but lacking in the quality and consistency of the trail surface. Good, albeit not wonderful. The Heritage Trail in PA had a great surface, if you’ve ridden the GAP trail very similar. What was nice is that the PA trail passes through a lot of small PA towns, and there were many businesses catering to the trail traffic. Had a nice lunch on the trail, a great ice cream stop, facilities were well spaced, all in all a great ride. Hit hunt Valley Town center after the ride for a great meal. Felt a little iffy in lycra for dinner but the restaurant didn’t seem to mind.

I’d put it high on my recommend list for a good full day outing.

[skreaminquadz]

Congratulations Ann!! Great post, it put a smile on my face.

Hope your ride out to P’ville was nice on Saturday.

[acc]

It was um, remarkable on so many levels…

But my suggestion to Purcellville is they need to add a little something to the end of the trail. It is kind of a let-down to make it all the way out there, over the river and through the woods, past the Horseshoe of Death, through the stroller obstacle course around Vienna, across the bowling lane adventure known as the Wiehle Intersection and then find out the W&O simply ends with a restroom. If this is a preview of heaven, I’m in big trouble.

I propose a cannon be added to the end of the trail set to go off each time a cyclist passes the little circle. Live ammo is not necessary, but would liven things up a bit.

Happy trails, I think I shall play on the DC Bridges for fun next week,

ann

[CCrew]

@acc 5573 wrote:

then find out the W&O simply ends with a restroom. If this is a preview of heaven, I’m in big trouble.

Great line Ann. Thanks for the laugh!

[Jsnyd]

Haha, Ill have to make the trip out there.

[KLizotte]

@acc 5573 wrote:

It was um, remarkable on so many levels…

But my suggestion to Purcellville is they need to add a little something to the end of the trail. It is kind of a let-down to make it all the way out there, over the river and through the woods, past the Horseshoe of Death, through the stroller obstacle course around Vienna, across the bowling lane adventure known as the Wiehle Intersection and then find out the W&O simply ends with a restroom. If this is a preview of heaven, I’m in big trouble.

I propose a cannon be added to the end of the trail set to go off each time a cyclist passes the little circle. Live ammo is not necessary, but would liven things up a bit.

ann

Hahaha. I think we should be truly thankful there is at least a restroom (hopefully very clean and modern) else that could make for an uncomfortable ending. I was so disappointed the first time I arrived at the southern end of the MVT – I was expecting something more in biker friendly facilities (admittedly I haven’t cycled around the roundabout to the actual estate itself yet).

I think Purcellville may be missing the boat in terms of capitalizing on the WO&D. Not too long ago I considered making the trek out there from Pentagon City. Given the slow speed of my hybrid bike (and legs) plus my penchant for stopping at anything that looks interesting, I’d need to make it an overnighter. When I investigated the charms of Purcellville, particularly its night life, I decided to give it a pass. I think I’ll stop at Leesburg instead.

[Dirt]

Fantastic post, Miss Nice Lady. Many years of happy cycling to you.

@acc 5573 wrote:

… and then find out the W&O simply ends with a restroom. If this is a preview of heaven, I’m in big trouble.

While I’ve ridden past that lovely monument, I’m relatively sure that I will not encounter its pearly-gated counterpart.

[JimF22003]

I get the impression that the folks in Purcelville aren’t so crazy about the W&OD traffic. I got hassled by somebody who thought I should be on the trail when I was riding on Hirst Rd. Yesterday, coming in from Hillsboro after riding to Harpers Ferry, had no trouble with any traffic for the whole 80-mile day, until somebody called me an “idiot” when I waited for him (though i didn’t have to) when trying to turn left onto the trail from Hatcher Ave. I get the feeling the locals think the trail is just a nuisance…

[Author]

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