[JimF22003]

If you just want a little extra 30-mile lollipop loop at the end of the trail, try this:

http://ridewithgps.com/routes/4169550

Country stores available at Airmont, Round Hill and Hillsboro.

[JimF22003]

Mt Weather is mainly for the climbs. It’s pretty but you’re pretty much in the trees, so you can’t really even see down in the valley very much. You do get to be creeped out by riding past the mysterious government homeland security complex at the top A good way to do good parts of Snickersville Pike, horse country, wineries, and Mt Weather is the popular “Blue Ridge Challenge” route that starts in Marshall.

http://bikewashington.org/routes/bluerdg/

Unfortunately it’s just the nature of these roads that they are pretty narrow, and twisty-turny. That’s what I like about them actually, but it takes a little bit of confidence to mix in with the SUV’s and the pickups.

A good introduction to these roads is the Reston Century. It’s a good event you might want to check out.

https://restonbicycleclub.wildapricot.org/Default.aspx?pageId=1236434

I live in Annandale and ride the trail during the week. But I usually end up driving out to a starting point such as Warrenton, Marshall, Leesburg etc. just so I don’t spend 90% of the ride on the W&OD trail. If you want a tour guide for a ride let me know. I could put together a ride of just about any distance and any terrain in Fauqier, Loudon, PW, Clarke, Warren counties. I’m slow but I know my way around

[JimF22003]

Tons of options. Here’s one I did Saturday that went up to Lovettsville, over the river to Point of Rocks, and back in via the ferry to Leesburg:

http://connect.garmin.com/dashboard?cid=17472988

You could also go from Lovettsville to Waterford, and back various ways. I think almost all of the paved roads in that area are rideable. I would avoid Rt 9, Rt15, Berlin Tpk except for short stretches where it’s hard to avoid, such as going from Hillsboro up toward Harpers Ferry.

I’d be happy to provide more advice, especially if you give an idea of starting point, length of ride, what you want o see etc.

[JimF22003]

I’ve hit the Tysons BTWD stop several times.. Some were quite packed and lots of fun. Last year just plain sucked. It was at the mall, behind LL Bean I guess. There was absolutely nothing there except a booth manned by FABB (I think, and thanks!). No food, crummy tschotchkes, nothing. Really pathetic. Let’s hope they pick it up this year.

[JimF22003]

@JBS 78729 wrote:

Spokes has their winter gear on sale. The Gore phantom 2.0 for $90 is a steal.

I got one. Got a good deal on some Bontrager tights I would never have bought otherwise too. Used them today.

Glad I didn’t pay full price

[JimF22003]

Hi. Just saw the PM, sorry. The marking at the end of the crank arm by the pedal hole says 172.5, so i’m guessing that’s the size.

You can email me direct at jimfergusonj@yahoo.com if you want.

–Jim F.

[JimF22003]

Yep? I actually almost put this on a bike last week, but then made the current one work. The FSA crank is still new in the box, original plastic wrapping and everything

[JimF22003]

I think you can just barely make out the Truman Balcony on that pic of the White House, if that counts for anything.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Truman_Balcony

[JimF22003]

@dbb 76829 wrote:

Was I wrong to ride out of my way up the MVT to get a better view and do some gloating?

“Time for some traffic problems on the GW Parkway…”

“Got it.”

[JimF22003]

@Terpfan 76490 wrote:

I mostly ride in VA and DC, but I can be fully decked out in my Terps gear to win the most Maryland-looking person.

There has to be a more insulting way to describe the “most Maryland-looking person”…

[JimF22003]

No skating, but what about X-Country skiing?

[JimF22003]

Hmm, you’d almost have to do a Strava art thing to make it 150 miles one way.

This one is kind of a “greatest hits”. I skipped Mt Weather to “keep the elevation down”

http://ridewithgps.com/routes/4005007

[JimF22003]

Followup: had a lovely couple of days in Williamsburg. On Saturday I did a 65 mile loop I’ve done before, only in reverse. They got a lot more snow down there last week than we did, so the roads were still kind of schmutzy with some slush and lots of sand. There’s a spot where I knew the bridge would be out, but I took the route anyway. I ended up having to hike about half a mile through the slushy stuff because there had been no plow and no local traffic obviously.

The Sunday ride on the ferry and over to Smithsburg was nice as well. First break was at Smithsburg. Instead of the pork product I opted for a chocolate muffin. I managed to have a headwind the entire way, but nothing too terrible. The roads were flat as could be so I practiced getting down low into the drops and just staying there. Lots of verrry chasy dogs on the route as well. Bike Virginia goes through this area next June. Hopefully it will be a little more pleasant riding once everything turns green. This low marshy land, and clear-cut tree stands, and stubble-filled corn and cotton fields, can be a little bleak in February.

But the sun and warm temps were nice indeed.

[JimF22003]

Hate to direct you to another site, but there’s actually tons of discussion of the C&O and GAP for both the experience and the logistics at http://www.bikeforums.net. You can search the whole site, but see specifically the Clydesdale and Touring forums.

Have fun!

[JimF22003]

Looks like people have been rubbing Fala’s nose for good luck…

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