[JimF22003]

I take it “roll model” is an intentional pun?

Don’t know any wimmens who ride unfortunately. Good luck!

[JimF22003]

Just for the fun of it I threw together this 3-leg cloverleaf ride that starts in Marshall and loops back twice. It could easily be extended to make it 100, or do it in smaller segments. I may actually do this ride one of these cold days. It would let me warm up and refill supplies at my CAR between loops so I could adapt my clothing as it warms up and not need to carry any food to speak of. Notice the jog to the country store in Orlean at about mile 48:

http://ridewithgps.com/routes/2146242

[JimF22003]

I like to start at the commuter lot in Marshall (yes, Pete I drive to the start )

From there you can go absolutely in any direction and have a great ride — to Warrenton, Leeds Manor/Hume, Rectorstown-Airmont-Snickersville, Middleburg, Bull Run Mt etc. There are so many options you can put together a ride of just about any length you want.

[JimF22003]

The crossing is much better, but where would would you go once you get across? I think you can take the frontage roads in front of the apartments, or Woodburn, if your destination is the hospital. But if you’re heading further down Gallows in either direction, good luck. I just don’t have what it takes to want to ride down Gallows between the beltway and past the metro where the bike lane begins.

I feel sorry for the guys at the new Freshbikes in Merrifield. Even with the new wider road on Gallows through there, it seems pretty poor for biking. They now have three lanes in either direction, but they didn’t have room to stripe in a bike lane?

Fortunately my destination for crossing 495 is either to the the W&OD or to go to Tysons. For the latter I cross at Oak Street. I think that’s the best crossing point on the whole beltway

[JimF22003]

That’s where I cross too. For awhile I thought this was my little secret route, but I’ve seen Dirt there a couple of times now. It should be marked as an official Bike Route.

[JimF22003]

Cool. I wasn’t aware of this one. I’ll put it on my list of possibles.

This is right in the same area where Bike Virginia will be held this year, so it will be a nice preview of that.

[JimF22003]

I don’t really call what I occasionally do a “commute.” I just ride to work once or twice a week (at most.) It’s a 15 mile round trip from Annandale to Tysons. I can take the long way and make it about a 25-mile round trip, but I don’t do that too often. I’d do it more often but if I’m going to ride after work I’d rather make it at least 30 miles, and I hate doing the last five of it in the dark on the surface streets to my house. So my weekday rides involve me PARKING with my CAR at Gallows or Vienna or somewhere and riding entirely on the trail. Yeah, I suck.

Also no go in rain, wind, snow, or if somebody looks at me funny. I’m a piker compared to some of the heroes who do this every day. Hats off!

[JimF22003]

@KayakCyndi 43142 wrote:

That is the bridge at the end of Jolly Pond. Linking that loop with Little Creek Reservoir is about my all time favorite ride! Another great ride is to park at the Jamestown visitor center, take the ferry across the James and ride the backroads of Surry County to Smithfield and back. fabulous!

If you ever need ride suggestions around Williamsburg let me know. We spend a lot of time there.

Excellent, thanks! I’ve always wanted to try the ferry route. I also should try these roads in the spring/summer/fall instead of just the dead of winter. Some of the most beautiful scenery can seem kind of bleak when all the trees have lost their leaves.

I’ll be at the Cap2Cap ride this spring, starting at the Richmond end.

[JimF22003]

Drove down to Williamsburg on Saturday because it looked like it was a little warmer down there. Still pretty cold, but had a nice ride. I was following a route I found on ridewithgps, and naturally ran into a bridge that was out way out in the boonies. The barriers on this end of the bridge I could just go around. It was quite a hurdle going over the ones at the other end. Made me realize I’m not cut out for cyclocross:

[JimF22003]

@ShawnoftheDread 42910 wrote:

If you see an idiot with a moustache rolling right up Annandale road, that’s me.

I’ve definitely seen more than a few idiots on Annandale Road…

[JimF22003]

I don’t know who anybody is

[JimF22003]

I like the small Lezyne pump that attaches to the water bottle cage. The flexible hose makes it harder to rip out a valve stem. I’ve only pumped up a tire from empty with it once, but it worked fine. I got up to about 85 PSI I think before I decided that was enough

[JimF22003]

@rek 42481 wrote:

Is Gallows to Woodburn to Tobin reasonably safe?

I personally wouldn’t ride Gallows anywhere from about where it crosses Rt 50 eastwards. I see some hardcore folks do it, but it looks deadly.

[JimF22003]

@Subby 42310 wrote:

Went out for a test ride last night in the muck and this whole clipless pedal thing is, like, 100% easier and simpler than I had made it in my mind all those years. Seriously – it could not be easier clipping in or out. I wish I had taken the plunge sooner.

Congrats. Actual riding with clips at first isn’t hard. What usually happens at first is that you forget you are clipped in, and do a slow-speed tipover when you come to a stop.

[JimF22003]

I think I might have been “first” to report the spambot. I know I was up way too early, that’s for sure

[Author]

Posts