[AFHokie]

@ChampionTier 173097 wrote:

I need to get a bluetooth speaker. I refuse to wear earbuds and so I’m at the mercy of whatever song bubbles to the surface of my mind while I’m riding…

This brings up a good point. Anyone have suggestions for a somewhat reasonably waterproof BT speaker? All the better if it fits in a bottle cage or quickly and easily attaches/unattaches from a handlebar mount.

I also refuse to wear headphones and while I firmly lean toward the “don’t blast music on the trail” end of the spectrum; on average I might pass 3-6 people during my morning commute and sometimes I’d like music, a podcast, an audio book, or even a little NPR to occupy my brain.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930AZ using Tapatalk

[AFHokie]

Never gonna give you up
Never gonna let you down
Never gonna run around and desert you
Never gonna make you cry
Never gonna say goodbye
Never gonna tell a lie and hurt you

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930AZ using Tapatalk

[AFHokie]

@komorebi 172813 wrote:

We were actually pretty close to that area during our ride to the Maryland Renaissance Festival (and could have avoided the nasty section on Annapolis Rd. and Crain Hwy. if the bridge had been complete). But sure, I’d be happy to go back and check the area out properly. It might be easier to do that on a weekend, when we can use the MARC bike car.

Also rode through that area when we rode out to Annapolis. I agree, it’ll remove a lot of bad sections

[AFHokie]

I’m still working and hope it means lighter traffic during my commute

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930AZ using Tapatalk

[AFHokie]

Unfortunately, I have to pass, but I may tag into Team 21’s ride to Cafe Amouri tomorrow

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930AZ using Tapatalk

[AFHokie]

My suggestions:

Patrick – a cement truck from Thomas and Friends

Dizzy – cement mixer from Bob the Builder

Mixmaster – cement truck Transformer

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930AZ using Tapatalk

[AFHokie]

WMATA driver of bus 2626 could use a crosswalk refresher:
[video=youtube_share;oIdQRZTDNUc]https://youtu.be/oIdQRZTDNUc[/video]

[AFHokie]

@hozn 172320 wrote:

Thanks — that’s more what I had in mind . How do you secure yours to the bike?

I put mine in a top tube bag. That way it can charge the edge while still on the mount. It works really well, but the connections aren’t waterproof so I don’t recommend doing this if its raining.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930AZ using Tapatalk

[AFHokie]

@sjclaeys 172118 wrote:

I think that I am going to join this ride. Anyone else?

If everyone would prefer to do the ride out to Green Lizard I’m up for doing that, however if anyone still wants to do the ride to Caboose Brewery, let me know and I’ll meet you at Best Bun’s at 11am.

The ride to Green Lizard Meets at Lazy Mike’s (7049 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA 22046) and departs for Green Lizard (718 Lynn St, Herndon, VA 20170) at 0930am.

[AFHokie]

It’s looking like I’ll have some things I’ll need to take care of on Sunday so Monday’s looking better for me. If I have the count right, Sunday is best for two and Monday is best for four with a potential +1, so I’ll make the call now and plan for Monday.

Caboose Brewery doesn’t open until noon on Monday; would an 11am departure time from Best Buns in Shirlington work?

http://www.caboosebrewing.com/

[AFHokie]

@QuikAF77 171820 wrote:

I work Monday, but could probably do Sunday. What time are you thinking? I’ll be out riding early and could meet in Shirlington whenever.

Could meet at 10 or 11. It’s about an hour or so ride between the two and they don’t open until 11 on Sunday so there’s no reason to rush, plus it’ll give the temperature a chance to warm up a bit.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930AZ using Tapatalk

[AFHokie]

Is anyone interested in a group ride Sunday or Monday? I’m open to suggestions for meeting points and destinations, but I’ll pitch Best Buns in Shirlington as a meeting point and Caboose Brewery in Vienna as a destination.

They’re about 11 miles apart and Shirlington is about 7 miles from the DC side of the 14th street Bridge.

Forecasts for each day:

Sunday, sunny with a high of 30 and 10/15mph winds

Monday, partly cloudy with a high of 34 and 5/10mph winds

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930AZ using Tapatalk

[AFHokie]

Hi all,
good to meet everyone last night. I live in south Arlington; not far from Shirlington and work near Union Station as one of many government minions. Ideally, I commute everyday, however a somewhat erratic work schedule forces me to metro or drive some days. I prefer to do longer “exploring” rides and I do try to ride a century every month or so; when work & family obligations allow. I’m up for group rides and a goal for this year is to ride more gravel.

[AFHokie]

@hozn 171348 wrote:

Thank you so much! — I had forgotten about the JB Alpine Loop; I’ve heard that is a lot of fun. (I guess that works on a normal road bike?)

Yeah, seems like most things are metric centuries. Not to discount the difficulty of races like HBR or Iron Cross (or I’m sure others on that list that I haven’t done), but was hoping to find something a little longer.

Its a very well run event. I did it in 2016 and really enjoyed it. You can certainly ride a road bike, but it’s recommend not going smaller than 28’s.

I did it on 32 slicks on my “adventure” bike, but if I were to do it again I think I’d want 38 or 40 with some tread. It was dry, but the loss of traction every time I tried to stand up on almost every gravel incline made me wish I’d changed the tires. I’d also do it with SPD shoes instead of road bike shoes. The second gravel climb has sections that are more rock than gravel.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930AZ using Tapatalk

[AFHokie]

I don’t think the links copies over, but here’s a few.

Century gravel ride in PA: Lu Lacka Wyco Hundo*(already full for 2018, but you may still be able to register to ride for a charity)

Metric century gravel rides in PA:
Keystone Gravel
Gravel Fondo
Iron Cross
Whiskey Rebellion
Monkey Knife Fight
Brandywine Valley Roubaix III
Gravel Grape Crusher

Century gravel in SC: Swamp Fox Gravel Fondo

Forgot to add, the Jerimiah Bishop Alpine Loop Gran Fondo in Harrisonburg. It’s ~107 miles of gravel/road mix

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930AZ using Tapatalk

[Author]

Posts