[JimF22003]

Uggh. I’ve only done a couple of 10K+ rides this year, and I’m way out of shape compared to when I did those. (I’m already adding the extra layer of fat for winter insulation apparently.)

I doubt I can do all 100 miles, but I can go part of it, assuming there’s a reasonable shortcut back to wherever we start. I’ll send you a PM, Dr. Evil.

[JimF22003]

I don’t need much correction for distance vision, but I need bifocals for close-up stuff (like reading a cue sheet or my bike computer.) If that’s the issue with your husband, you can do what I do which is to use the cheap little bifocal stick-on lenses with my regular bike glasses. I bought mine from Amazon, but you can probably get them at a drug store. I actually only use the stick-on with the right lens, so that leaves my left eye completely clear of obstructions. I only ever notice the stick-on when I’m reading something close up.

[JimF22003]

When I put the electronic Di2 shifting system on my new bike I specified optical “TOSLINK” cables. My shifting is now even more digitallyicious.

[JimF22003]

This was my fifth time, I think. It was the 3rd century overall I had ever done back in 2004 I think. The first was a solo ride on the W&OD, and the 2nd was the Reston Century.

creadinger, I wouldn’t say there are any long sustained climbs at all. Just rollers. More rollers on the second half than the first half, and some of them are pretty steep. But none of them go more than a couple of hundred yards.

[JimF22003]

I rode a fair amount last fall/winter/spring mostly in the dark. I keep it pretty basic though. I figure since I’m riding in the dark, this is barely a step up from riding a trainer, so I’m not out for sight-seeing.

I basically have two choices from my starting point on Sandburg near Gallows Rd. 1) Down W&OD to the split at Custis, and either turn left or go straight, and then do the Arlington loop. Sometimes I add a loop or two at Hains point, or 2) head the other way out to Smiths Switch or Ashburn.

Booooring as heck, but it’s at least a little better than the trainer.

I’ve never ridden later than about 7:30 or so, so I have always felt pretty safe. I use(d) a Magicshine 900 on the front, and a Radbot on the back. Even on low, the MS is too bright, so I have to keep putting my hand in front of it to keep from blinding people.

[JimF22003]

They were out the other night when I went through. Luckily I was warned by another cyclist who had just come through in the other direction. I’ve never gotten a “cop up” before

[JimF22003]

I swear to god this is the actual weather info I am seeing posted on wunderground.com. I’m hoping it gets warmer and the wind dies down in a couple of hours

[JimF22003]

Thanks. I was there a couple of weeks ago, and was tempted to try it, but I chickened out and rode to Harpers Ferry instead, which also can be a bit hair-raising

[JimF22003]

@Dirt 8046 wrote:

The stuff around Barcroft is truly painful… especially since it comes late in the ride. There is a few miles of mellow rollers to get there, then some truly sadistic, short, steep climbs. They’re lovely.

That’s my ‘hood

[JimF22003]

Have you ever ridden the short section of Rt 7 from Round Hill to the top at 601 (Blue Ridge Mtn Road?) I usually end up going down Airmont/Snickersville to Bluemont, which is nice, but sometimes I want to avoid the extra leg. It looks fairly rideable, but I’ve never tried it.

[JimF22003]

2 years ago I had a crash of some kind on Wilson Blvd. I don’t remember anything about it, because the first I knew of it I was waking up in the ambulance. The police report wasn’t clear on if I was hit or went down on my own volition 😡

The gps track didn’t show too much except for some circling around the site of the accident. I think it was from the cops or the ambulance driver wheeling my bike off the road. What was kind of interesting however was to see the track the cop took with my bike in his trunk as he followed the ambulance out to Fairfax Hospital, and then later took my bike and dropped it off at the impound lot in Shirlington.

That cop did wonders for my max speed (64 mph.)….

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/37470574

[JimF22003]

You too!

I’ve got a twofer this weekend. Just about ready to head out for this one:

http://abrtcycling.com/events/annapolis-bay-country-century

and tomorrow is:

http://milepostzero.homestead.com/TDV.html

Monday I’m sleeping in

[JimF22003]

I nearly got creamed head-on by some dude on a mtn bike coming through an underpass on the W&OD trail (don’t remember the road — it’s the one where the 4MileRun trail is directly across the creek.) He came around the sharp bend and wasn’t just a LITTLE into my lane. He was heading directly for me.

It was a battle zone out there yesterday.

[JimF22003]

It was just laid down when I went through last afternoon. Got a bunch of tar on my frame, and some sticky junk that took a half a mile or so to wear off my wheels. I thought sure I was going to get a flat from a little rock working its way into the tube.

It’ll be sweet when it cures a bit though.

[JimF22003]

Even on clear summer days with completely dry planking I’m always extremely leery of that section. I hate the thought of falling down and taking a 6″ splinter in the thigh…

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