[KS1G]

I plan to be there. Going for a dawn patrol ride 1st, so may be there closer to 7:15-7:30.

[KS1G]

I’d consider C&O, too. For a 25 mile out & return, I think it would work well. Just give the towpath a day or two to dry out after today’s rain! Need to check a map to see how far upstream that takes you, but Great Falls should definitely be included. Further west, WMRT is very nice and I’d recommend stopping at Ft Frederick (hopefully they will have ice cream). Also out west, there is a Antietam battlefield loop on the bikewashingtondc web site. Uses the autoroad on the north side of the the battlefield, there are ways to get to some of the other attractions (Burnside’s Bridge). The full loop starts at the Antietam Creek campsite, so there will be hills climbing up from C&O to the battlefield area, and to get up from the Burnside Bridge area. You can include an ice cream stop at Nutter’s in Sharpsburg. We took 7-8 scouts on this loop over Illumination weekend in early December a few years ago, so it’s do-able with that age group.

A more ambitious loop (overkill for the 50 miler) would be W&OD to Leesburg, Rt 15 (briefly) and White’s Ferry Rd, take ferry across, ice cream & snacks at general store, than back via C&O. Adjust start and end points for mileage if someone can provide transportation.

Good luck!

[KS1G]

@consularrider 62435 wrote:

A few more

I thought someone was passing out flyers at the Reston Century on Saturday for a Gran Fondo in Vienna, VA on October 5, but I don’t find it online.

I’m signed up for both the Seagull Century and Martin’s Tour of Richmond that day. I expect I’ll opt for the Richmond event so I can go harass my son at VCU.

They were, it starts in the Fairfax Mosaic District, and it is already on the list in the 1st post: Virginia Tech Gran Fondo – 10/5 http://www.vtvgranfondo.com/

I’m signed up for Seagull, so I’d switch only if the forecast was for epic weather (done that) on the Eastern Shore but relatively benign around here. And they had day-of registration.

[KS1G]

Thanks. Everything worked well. Even the motor . We’ll miss you Friday. Have fun in RI.

[KS1G]

For those of you (Guy, Hzon) who have expressed concern (or considered an intervention!) about the junk (ham radio gear) I had on my bike last week, I weighed it last night after the Reston Century, using my precision (2 decimal places!) Deal-Xtreme digital scale. All-up weight, with 3 full water bottles, is 31.2 pounds (someone guessed 30-pretty good!) The radio-related gear is 7.7 pounds. 18 pounds without saddle bag and 2 empty cages. Since I like having power data from rides (to tell me what a miserable specimin I am as a rider when I check Strava), that is as low as I will get. I do need to drink fluids on most rides, be ready to repair a flat, but don’t have a full time domestique or support car, so 20-22 pounds is probably my bike’s ready-to-ride weight, depending on how much water I carry and how paranoid I am about flats and mechanicals.

[KS1G]

You guys are awesome! What time do you leave to head out there – 5:30? See you tomorrow.

[KS1G]

Anyone planning to be at GL tomorrow? Planning on 7-7:15 arrival, 7:45-ish departure.

[KS1G]

GC – we’ll miss you @ FMCCIII.

[KS1G]

Bring the dog?

[KS1G]

ETA 7-7:15, then off to work.

[KS1G]

Surprisingly, Elden St/Centreville Rd where it crosses under the Toll Rd was not flooded as of 0745-0800. I also need a rain jacket that works better at transporting sweat when it’s above 70 deg, or man up like you guys and just channel my inner aquatic critter on days like this. And the Green Lizard Cycling shop jerseys look very nice.

[KS1G]

I’ll look for folks 7-7:30 or so. Want an excuse to check out the new shop jerseys anyway.

[KS1G]

My commuter is a Castro Valley (similar frame, made as a 1×9 but with some creative use of cable housing and a clamp-on stop made it into a 2×9), which is similar to the Volpe frame. Mine is a mix of ebay (frame, fork), stuff I had (much of the drivetrain, wheels), and catching a few sales. Pluses: Easily accomodates fenders, racks, studded tires (winter), 35mm tires (with the fenders, maybe wider w/o). Classic Bianchi celeste color (that counts for a lot!) Fast enough for commuting, easy-moderate group rides, centuries (if not too concerned with pace), at least light touring. Minuses: signficantly heavier and slower than my nice road bike. Canti brakes are OK but don’t stop as well as my road calipers – could be choice of brake (cheap), the mechanic (me), or I need to try mini-v’s. If I could only own one bike, this would probably be it.

Since I own > 1, I am very happy to have the Bianchi for loaded commutes, errands, and messy weather, and a nice road bike for weekends, spirited group rides, centuries, and nice weather (or poor plannin!) commutes (w backpack). Crudbuster fenders fit, and max usable tire size is 25mm, so barely OK for short stretches of gravel but not something I’d want to spend doing for much of a ride.

I’d call all the local shops and let them know you’re looking – they may have something or can at least keep their eyes open for you. The MABRA list often has roadies upgrading to a better ride (especially as the road season wraps up in a few months). If handy mechanically (or have a friend who’ll help) and you have much of the spare bits available, finding a frame you can build up may save some money. Groups – I’d avoid Sora (just because), and I’ve had excellent experience with Sram – WiFli high-capacity derailluer with a 34×32 low gear makes for a decent sit & spin up hills.

[KS1G]

Anyone planning to be @ GL tomorrow (7/5)?

[KS1G]

Glad there was a good turnout (had to be ready to go by 7:30 to support a major – jacket & tie level – meeting at work Friday. Looking forward to this coming Friday.

[Author]

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