Sat Jan 31st Hills Of Anocostia plus ride

[TwoWheelsDC]

Hills of Anacostia is a nice ride. Riding east of the river is actually quite pleasant and groups of riders always get cheers and friendly greetings from the residents. Experienced riders will probably find it relatively easy as far as hill rides go, but there are plenty of ways to make it challenging (fixed gear!).

Frankly, I think if they wanted to make a killer ride, they’d do a “Hills of Northeast” ride…IME, with a few exceptions, the hills in NE are way more grueling…although I guess the views aren’t quite as good.

[consularrider]

Should I take off the studded tires?

[Raymo853]

@consularrider 107066 wrote:

Should I take off the studded tires?

Yes. I did the plus part backwards this morning on my CX bike and would have been fine on my road bike.

I will be bringing my road bike Saturday.

[bobco85]

I do not know what state I will be in (haha, I know, it will be Virginia) since it’s been a long week and I’ll be getting home late Friday night (will be biking through the forecasted arctic conditions), but I will try to come to this.

[Raymo853]

@TwoWheelsDC 107060 wrote:

Frankly, I think if they wanted to make a killer ride, they’d do a “Hills of Northeast” ride…IME, with a few exceptions, the hills in NE are way more grueling…although I guess the views aren’t quite as good.

Actually they miss some of the killer hills in Anacostia. I plan to talk with the organizers about some diversion to less traffic but just as if not more challenging grades. Examples:
https://www.strava.com/segments/8165653
https://www.strava.com/segments/6129327
https://www.strava.com/segments/6127847 gravel!
https://www.strava.com/segments/6601101
https://www.strava.com/segments/5513133
https://www.strava.com/segments/5792341 CX or MTB only
https://www.strava.com/segments/1066907 CX or MTB only

[Bruno Moore]

@TwoWheelsDC 107060 wrote:

Hills of Anacostia is a nice ride. Riding east of the river is actually quite pleasant and groups of riders always get cheers and friendly greetings from the residents. Experienced riders will probably find it relatively easy as far as hill rides go, but there are plenty of ways to make it challenging (fixed gear!).

Frankly, I think if they wanted to make a killer ride, they’d do a “Hills of Northeast” ride…IME, with a few exceptions, the hills in NE are way more grueling…although I guess the views aren’t quite as good.

Yeah, the Hills ride isn’t too bad—but, then again, I like hills. And yes, they do miss some of the Fun ones, but so it goes.

As for a NE ride…Mt. Olivet Cemetery, the Arboretum and Hickey Hill, Ft. Lincoln, Ft. Lincoln Cemetery, Bunker Hill and Mt. Ranier, and finishing on Mt. St. Sepulchre in Brookland after climbing the ridge at Newton might make a good short and punchy ride; add on Mt. Stinky, Hawaii Ave NE, and that fun screaming descent down Rock Creek Church for a bit more. Maybe cut south to Howard (there’s a reason there are stairs on that campus), then up RIA to Lincoln and Prospect Hill?

[Raymo853]

@Brünø Moore 107091 wrote:

As for a NE ride…Mt. Olivet Cemetery, the Arboretum

I have never ridden at the Arboretum. Maybe I should skip Oxen and go there Saturday post Hills of Anacostia.

[Bruno Moore]

@Raymo853 107092 wrote:

I have never ridden at the Arboretum. Maybe I should skip Oxen and go there Saturday post Hills of Anacostia.

Dear Sweet Eduardo.* You have missed out. I mean, it’s pretty cool in the winter and all (and the bonsai museum is always worth a look), but come back in May when one of the hills is covered in thousands of azaleas in more colors than you thought possible. Or earlier in the spring, when the trees are blooming. Or autumn, for the foliage. Or high summer, for the wildflowers. Or…

You get the idea. Varied scenery, good hills, low traffic, and great places to stop and smell the camellias.

*Bianchi

[Rod Smith]

To me the Hills of Anacostia feel hillier than the NE hills Bruno mentioned. and he doesn’t even include V St. (Are you and I still the only riders to Strava that segment, Ray?)

The Hills ride usually splits at the Ft. Stanton scenic overlook, one group heads back to the shop, the others do something simiiar to what you’re describing, Oxon Farms to Woodrow Wilson to Old Town with a stop at ESP coffee shop for refreshments. A couple of us have established the gravel climb as an alternative to the paved climb in the Farm, meet up at the top with those who prefer the pavement. I recruit riders on cross bikes and hybrids on the approach to join me on the dirt climb. The group leader will most likely not be surprised if you tell them you want to do this.

Unfortunately I can’t make it this week. I might see you out there though. I’ve signed up for a group ride in the same area. http://www.meetup.com/veloDCity/events/219552125/ There’s still a lot of spots left if anyone wants to try this ride. Unlike Hills, you need to sign up for this ride.

[Rod Smith]

Cool idea to add Fort Hunt and hills of Bellhaven to the mix. I’m just saying you can probably stay with the shop ride until after the Woodrow Wilson Bridge. Sometimes (like the time I rode Hills with you) for various reasons there is no Hills (extended) but it usually goes. Coldness could be a reason to not offer the extended version.

[Author]

Posts