Wednesday Night Ride Fresh Bikes in Mosaic, Merrifield VA
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Dirt has created an interesting course that originates at the FreshBikes’ Shop in the Mosaic District on Wednesday nights, rolling at 6:30.
http://ridewithgps.com/routes/2669619
This is a no-drop group ride with something for everyone. The course is designed to allow for multiple laps.
If you are new to riding this is the place to start. Dirt is one of the best ride leaders in the area. The course is mostly on quiet residential streets.
Tonight Dirt is giving a quick tutorial on how to navigate with your Garmin at 6:00 pm.
Come out to this ride now before it gets big. That’s one additional advantage to this ride. Unlike Wakefield or FreshBikes @ Arlington this is a small-ish, intimate ride. You will not be one of the salmon fighting through 100s of other riders.
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@PeteD 55675 wrote:
Going to miss it this week. Had a spill on the way home that involved me, a manhole cover and a curb (half a mile from home, that’ll teach me to stray from my normal route thru the neighborhood) on my morning ride and need to stay home and lick my wounds.
Ouch! Feel better.
@dcv 55696 wrote:
Sorry, will be leaving later than planned – will be crossing key around 5:35 – 5:40 and then booking to FB mosaic. See you at the shop.
Just don’t run me off the MUP or break my middle digit as you blow by!
acc on the ride – sorry about the blurry pic.
Felt bad for totally derailing the ride, first time using nav and led group down the wrong street. Sorry Pete, keep me in the back.
@mstone 55728 wrote:
Was this the big group of cyclists I passed on Tapawingo Road tonight?
Probably was us, were you biking, walking or driving?
Kelonwheels & acc
Kel picked up several Strava trophies, kudos
Thanks Ann, dcv, Kel, PeteD, culimerc, oneeighth and others for showing up this week and in past weeks. This has become a fun ride. Sorry that I haven’t been around this thread. ACC and dcv not only rhyme, but also were a big help with the group last night. Don’t worry about the wrong turn, dcv, it happens to all of us. I took a detour last night too, though mine was trying to figure out how to get around the tree crew. It helped having familiar people manage the group. It is hard to single-handedly keep the group going the right way when there are faster and slower folks. You both made it much easier to lead the ride. it is much appreciated. In the future, we’ll get a plan set up ahead.
Now to answer questions….
Yes the ride is on the web site. It has been since the first week we lead it. You just kinda have to look for it. http://freshbikescycling.com/ –> click on “Rides and Events” —> then click on “Mosaic Fairfax Events” You’ll see the listing that gives a little detail as well as the calendar listing of when things are happening. Here is the direct link: http://freshbikescycling.com/index.php/content/events#Mosaic
Cue Sheets are provided at the beginning of the ride. Most people just go with the flow even though the cue sheets are provided.
The route: So far I’ve been the one who has picked and scouted all the routes. My buddy Dane came up with an AWESOME loop that we will add into the mix later this summer. He’s also been a huge help with fine tuning the rides. The loop that is listed on the web site is our original loop. That one is a little bit complex and hard for one person to lead. Like dcv said, we’ve switched over to a new loop last week and it worked out quite well. I think that loop is going to be the mainstay for a while. It isn’t quite as quiet and twisty as the original loop, but it is fun and it gives the option for people to cut the ride short or do extra laps if they so desire.
Latest incarnation of the Original Loop: http://ridewithgps.com/routes/2634864
Current Loop: http://ridewithgps.com/routes/2669619
Possible Future Loop (for an advanced group): http://ridewithgps.com/routes/2694726Pacing: This is intended as a training ride, but that said, it is a no-drop ride and I work quite hard to make sure that people do not feel left behind. There’s always going to be a group that goes off the front. Last night worked out well. Part of the time I got to ride at the front while dcv, ACC and Brian made sure that the group stayed on course. Part of the time they got to ride at the front and I got to hang further back. It was perfect. Average speeds varied from 14-17mph for the group.
As the ride evolves (it is only the second week on this route) there will be more people riding a variety of paces. There will always be someone making sure that the two main groups are well guided.
It looks like I will miss this next week’s ride. I wasn’t supposed to be there last night, but my trip got canceled. It appears that my trip will be rescheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday of next week. I may be gone for a few weeks actually, because I have a trip planned after that. Don’t let that dissuade you from showing up. Actually I need you to do exactly the opposite. Show up for this ride! Make it what YOU want it to be. Make sure that you are there to speak up for the kind of pacing and level of social interaction is represented.
Thanks for your support!
Pete
Mike helping us go fast on last night’s bonus lap.That was so much fun!
I really enjoyed the chance to ride with a group – it’s super helpful to see how other people ride as a way of improving my own riding.
I should have hydrated better yesterday but I still had a great ride and I got to go REALLY FAST down a hill so that was cool
Probably won’t be able to make the ride very often because of my work schedule but I will definitely try!
Thanks for making it happen!
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