Tuesday Freshbikes (fka Conte’s) Arlington Hill Ride is back

[DaveK]

I’ll be out there every week, ruining all that goodwill you all work so hard to build up with the public.

Seriously, please behave. I’d like this ride to continue to happen for another year.

[JimF22003]

Freshbikes is where I got my bikes, but I’ve always been too chicken to do these rides. I’m the typical old and fat guy who bought way more bike than he needs. I hate to be a living cliche… I want to give it a try though. Maybe I’ll round up a beater bike for the ride

[vvill]

I did it once towards the end of last year – there was a guy who did it on a Cannondale 29er. I had my lights but was amazed how many people didn’t!

Anyway I plan to try it a bit more this year and get some free food, although I found the ride route a bit boring (I guess just because I ride through N Arlington hills so much anyway) and I don’t really like Baja Fresh

[SpokeGrenadeSR]

any idea what the avg pace is for the a and b rides?

[DaveK]

@SpokeGrenadeSR 18065 wrote:

any idea what the avg pace is for the a and b rides?

This is the B ride –http://connect.garmin.com/activity/97142646 – but there are people both much faster and much slower than that. The ride sorts itself into groups once you leave the starting point. I promise you’ll find a place in the group no matter your speed. That goes for you up there too, Jim.^^^

The A ride… I wouldn’t know, I’m not fast enough. Ask Tim Kelley.

[DaveK]

@vvill 18064 wrote:

I did it once towards the end of last year – there was a guy who did it on a Cannondale 29er. I had my lights but was amazed how many people didn’t!

Anyway I plan to try it a bit more this year and get some free food, although I found the ride route a bit boring (I guess just because I ride through N Arlington hills so much anyway) and I don’t really like Baja Fresh

That dude on the 29er is a beast.

I don’t like Baja Fresh normally but they have grills set up right there, the food is fresh… maybe it’s the atmosphere changing my mind but the BBQ and a post-ride beer can’t be beat.

[zanna_leigh]

@DaveK 18088 wrote:

The A ride… I wouldn’t know, I’m not fast enough. Ask Tim Kelley.

Tim who???

[Tim Kelley]

@DaveK 18088 wrote:

Ask Tim Kelley.

The A-ride will average upper 20s on the flats and doesn’t slow down much on the hills. If you’re a solid 3/4 or a fast 5 you can probably maintain contact with the group. In the past they did wait to regroup after the loop and pick up any stragglers, but things might be different this year.

You can make the B-ride as hard as you want to if you’re the one pushing the pace off the front.

[Tim Kelley]

Looking forward to seeing all of you tonight!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=otCpCn0l4Wo

[dasgeh]

@Mark Blacknell 18027 wrote:

NEW Vapiano Mountain Challenge: Squadra Coppi’s new title sponsor has stepped up to provide prizes for a Strava competition on the third Tuesday of every month (May 15, June 19th, July 17th, August 21st ). Various prizes will be awarded on site for KOMs and QOMs. Free appetizers for participants. More details to follow.

Just to be picky, today is the 3rd Tuesday of the month…

[Mark Blacknell]

@dasgeh 18290 wrote:

Just to be picky, today is the 3rd Tuesday of the month…

If you come out and get QOM today, I will award you a prize.

[dasgeh]

@Mark Blacknell 18315 wrote:

If you come out and get QOM today, I will award you a prize.

Darn, didn’t see this in time… but does it count if I’m on the ebike? (I’m relegated to the ebike for probably the next 2 months due to injury — at least I’m not totally off the wheels).

[elbows]

I know it is extremely generous of them to offer food and I should probably keep my mouth shut, but it would be super awesome if they could also offer recycling containers. I rode home with my own can, but that’s a lot of cans and bottles to be tossing into an incinerator.

Did I miss the recycling? Has this been discussed before? Am I the only one who cares? This was my first food night where drinks were offered. I will email Freshbikes but I’m curious.

Also, I’m curious if an ambulance is called to every ride. Saw a guy being loaded tonight. I wish him the best.

[Mark Blacknell]

@elbows 27602 wrote:

Also, I’m curious if an ambulance is called to every ride. Saw a guy being loaded tonight. I wish him the best.

It’s happened before, but it’s not a frequent occurrence.

Tonight’s crash came courtesy of unexpected gravel. First guy heading into corner lost it, which took out the guy on his wheel. A third guy went over the top of both of them. The first guy was the one you saw on the ground. I’m guessing collarbone.

I’m glad that 99% of the riders who came through later were responsive to my directions (slow down, keep moving). The 1% who decided to blow and squeeze through? WTF is wrong with people?

In any event, take tonight as a reminder for a couple of things:

1) If you see a trouble/gravel spot near your house? Consider heading out there with a broom from time to time. It’s super helpful.
2) Always keep some lights on your bike, even if they’re little flashers. It’s getting dark sooner. (I’ll let DaveK explain this one.)

[DaveK]

@Mark Blacknell 27605 wrote:

2) Always keep some lights on your bike, even if they’re little flashers. It’s getting dark sooner. (I’ll let DaveK explain this one.)

Unfortunately a rider heading for home on Wilson Blvd towards Clarendon after the ride was struck by a driver that turned left in front of a pack of cyclists. He just had to get into the 7-11. This was NOT part of the FB ride, just a collision that could have happened to anyone. The rider struck by the car was transported to the hospital.

It was dark. Everyone needs to make sure you have lights on your bike. The stronger the better.

[Author]

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