KS1G
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KS1G
ParticipantThe list serve is on google groups (look for “pedalers”) and is unofficial (PPTC does not formally sponsor it).
My take is local law enforcement is responding to their perception of safety concerns and more likely, some vocal comments from folks who don’t want to see any bikes on “their” roads, ever. Let alone 2,100 for one day. So the county sheriff says he’ll doe something about it, PPTC doesn’t want to see the ride canceled, upshot is the “yall be careful out there (and you’re now warned of the chance of zealous enforcement)” email. I don’t think they had a choice in the matter.
I’ve ridden Backroads several times and it is my favorite in this region. One thing I’ve noted in past years is most of the locals and police seem to be OK if not openly friendly for us being there for the day. It is beautiful riding and very low vehicle traffic. In contrast, Civil War and Reston centuries have to deal with less welcoming communities, particularly Reston in western Loudon and Leesburg. Seagull seems to be an exception – the area gets a lot of business from 7,000 riders + their friends/families on what is otherwise an out of season weekend, and they welcome it.
ParticipantNice photos Seth. And a nice ride. Congrats. Don’t think we saw each other (I would have remembered your very distinctive jersey!). I’ve done the ride before, so I knew roughly where the bailout was located (I think it was moved slightly from 2012). Stopped there to do a quick assessment of me & the weather before deciding to continue.
1st time I did the ride (2010 or 2011), I missed the right after the Gathland rest stop (your 3rd pix). Climbing back up THAT hill was NOT fun!
And since we’re sharing, my results: http://app.strava.com/activities/190856998
Jim – I will have to try the bailout someday – looks very inviting (and had the weather been deteriorating, I may have taken it).
ParticipantHow’d it go for everyone? While my time was NOT that impressive, it was a good ride. Other than having to walk part of Steelman Marker Rd (the shorter & steeper substitute for Jack’s Mtn Rd) due to both legs deciding it was a good time for ful cramps (this seems to be a theme for me around mile 70-80 of hilly centuries). I miss the sections around Sharpsburg and the Anteitam battlefield (passing McLellan’s HQ isn’t the same), but think I liked the new route overall. (Not that I have a say in it.) Had an overlong stop at Barlow while the storm came through to the south. Very glad I waited. My experience in 2012 at Reston (2 storms, caught out in 2nd) & the Civil War (caught just shy of G’burg battlefield with only the woods to the left for “what the heck am I doing caught out in THIS!?” cover) were plenty for being out when a storm rolls through. Vest & water-resistant shoe covers stayed in the jersey pockets this time.
I liked the tomato sandwiches at Fairfield (not as good as the PPTC ones but I was ready for a PBJ alternative). And the absence of yellow jackets this year.
A lot of people were clearly affected by the heat & humidity, and the lack of comparable weather this summer to get acclimated. I spoke with one of the ham radio ops at Barlow; she told me that earlier in the day, all the SAGs were full transporting riders who couldn’t continue.
Unusual bike sightings: 1 recumbent on the century route (wonder how he managed on Steelman?) and a tandem post-ride that did most of the century (I forget if they told me they took the bailout or not). Met a guy at Fairfield who was doing his first century ever – looked like he had paid attention to his prep and was going to finish well. In case you passed me (because I didn’t pass many people until the shorter routes joined), I was riding a black November frame & wearing an HPC jersey.
ParticipantWe have similar rules – connecting personal-owned electronics to the company network or company PCs is a big no-no. If you have an Edge that uses USB to transfer data, have a phone or tablet that can send files to the internet, and if the device can mount the Garmin as a USB storage device (you may need what is called an OTG cable, software on the phone or tablet, and may need root access on the device), you can upload the file to strava, or email it to your self (assuming strava is accessible from the work system). Other than solving the technical challenge, I have more valuable/valued things to do with my time and I wait till I get home.
If you are that much in need of immediate data transfers, something like the 510 or 810 that have bluetooth connectivity to phones may be a solution. I’d rather spend the money on other bike bling.
ParticipantAnyone planning to be there tomorrow? Hoping to be there around 7:30-ish. 2 tables have been set up indoors (right by the front door, so you’ll still get a nice blast of AM air as people enter & exit).
November 2, 2013 at 12:54 am in reply to: DC TO Udvar Hazy Air and Space Museum: The last few miles? #985042ParticipantAdditional comments my commute passes Wall Rd: I’d exit Fairfax Pkwy at either West Ox and take McLaren to Centerville Rd, or at Franklin Farm Rd. McLaren has narrow lanes, no shoulder, and may have fast traffic. There is a sidewalk – I generally do not use it (poor condition). You can exit McLaren at Cobra and take Kinross Circle to Centreville Rd. Franklin Farms is generally slower traffic, you can work through subdivisions to get closer to Wall Rd or just come up the 1 block from Franklin Farms. If southbound on Centreville Rd, the southbound sidewalk is unusable approaching Wall due to construction. The ariel view is dated – there is a new townhous ecomplex going in north of Wall and an office building on the south side. Northbound sidepath is in decent condition, just watch the drivers -they pay zero attention to anything or anyone on the sidepath. Wall itself & Air & Space Pkwy are fine.
Enjoy the museum visit and saving on the parking fee!
ParticipantI plan to be there, closer to 7 than 8, however. Dress warm! (Wunderground says mid 30s at 7-8AM, 10-11 mph WNW winds)
ParticipantStill planning to do it? Because of the recent Federal use-up-accrued-vacation initiative, my work schedule tomorrow may preclude participating via bike (/me hangs head in shame) but I can still be there regardless at 0700 to cheer you on your quest.
ParticipantOK, who’s up for a possibly wet, furloughed, but CAFFEINE IS ESSENTIAL (Lady Antebellum calls it the “drink of the gods” and Captain Janeway beat the Borg with it) FMCC III tomorrow? My commuter has been feeling lonely and needs a ride anyway.
Since I don’t have to be at my currently non-essential location by 8, I will probably not be there until 7:30-8:00 instead of my usual 7:00-7:15.
ParticipantI hope to be un-furloughed by then, but I’ll cheer you on from the FMCC III location.
October 2, 2013 at 4:23 pm in reply to: I invented Rideye: The Black Box Camera For Cyclists. Ask me anything! #982696ParticipantCedric: I saw something about your camera (think it was another thread here on video cameras). I’ve taken a look at the kickstarter page and I’m thinking about getting one.
I’ve used a Contour (HD?) off and on with pretty much a similar idea. Based on my experience with it, some questions:
Commuters are or will soon be riding much of their commutes at dusk or in dark. How well does the Rideye work in low light conditions? (Contour was disappointing).
Field of view vs. resoultion & frame rate are challenges. Higher is better but more $. The one time I was glad I had the Contour on and running (buzzed by someone going through an intersection who was not noticing the lanes were all shifting slightly left, or didn’t care I was already using the right one!) it was difficult-impossible to resolve the license plate, even trying frame by frame and zooming in. Since this is part of Rideye’s prime use case, how well does it work?
Audio pickup – my Contour was mounted under the handlebars. It picked up a lot of bike noise, some road noise, and not much else.Orientation – the Contour was really good at allowing sideways and upside down mounting. Is the rideye as flexible? The Contour’s pointing light was a handy feature for alignment in absence of a screen (and if I wanted a screen, I’d have purchased a GoPro)
Mount idea (and maybe someone has done this). A Barfly-type mount (Garmin Edge 500 in my case) with a camera mount underneath? (I saw something on a post from Interbike showing a barfly or similar mount with an integrated handlebar-diameter tube for lights, so someone may have solved it already.
Thanks!
ParticipantParticipation was light this morning. One? (me). 3 riders came in around 7:45 as I was preparing to leave. I think they were preparing to ride out W&OD west. The off-white labradoodle and her owner (husband this time) also made an appearance.
ParticipantI have a Contour (HD I think, it’s about 2yrs old now). Didn’t know they recently closed up shop. I liked the form factor and removable media, battery life was acceptable but not stupendous. Mount was decent and the slide on/off worked well, as did the laser pointer alignment mode. Software was acceptable (never could get internal clock to sync propeerly). Performance in low light sucked, and the one time I really wanted to review a video (buzzed by a car trying to beat a light), I was unable to resolve the license plate, at least with the software & displays I was using. As a bicycle flight data recorder/black box, they need better resolution & frame rate, ability to link to or reliably sync with other devices for time/location/speed/direction data (phone, Garmin, etc.), and a user-controlled “save!” button (or shock sensor?). Their waterproof housing works well – my kids had a blast with it when we went snorkling during a cruise. I used mine on the bike rather than helmet (dislike cluttering the helmet and I use that space for a light anyway).
I agree with GC opinion of GoPro’s size/shape for bike use and ideal bike camera spec. That Rideye looks very interesting, wish they budgeted some money for a shape that isn’t a basic box.
Participant@DismalScientist 64753 wrote:
Probably the safest way IMO to go south from PoR without risking death on US15 and avoids climbing the Taylorstown & Stumptown hills (although that brings you close enough to Lucketts for a refueling stop). Loyalty Rd is mostly rollers and poor-quality pavement until you get towards the Stumptown Rd intersection. Unless you are lucky with someone’s store open on 2nd Street in Waterford, the next services are gas station/convenience store at Clarkes Gap Rd & Rt 9, or go west to Lovettesville (which adds miles and I’d recommend Milltown Rd & Old Wheatland into Waterford over Berlin Tpk/VA 287).
Participant@Andrew Mitry 64098 wrote:
What is a dawn patrol ride?
A group of us (I think I am the only Bike Forums participant) meet about 6AM for a 1 hr or so ride. For much of the spring, late summer, and fall, that means we start while it is still dark and see the dawn. Also encoutner lots of critters, a mix of illuminated and ninja style riders and runners. Other references – see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Dawn_Patrol_(1938_film) and surfer slang.
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