[Rootchopper]

Thanks. I had a great time. Thanks to Zanna for the reflective leg band thingie. I wore it on the ride home. It was DARK!

[Rootchopper]

Suddenly, I am thirsty.

I feel a happy hour coming on.

[Rootchopper]

It’s a tie:

“The farther one travels, the less one knows.”

“If you don’t know where you’re going, any road will take you there.”

“Some kind of happiness is measured out in miles.”

Since I like all three, I must me a happy idiot on the road to nowhere.

[Rootchopper]

This will be my 5th 50 States Ride. My starting group has never made it to the finish intact. The starts and stops tend to splinter groups. So even if you don’t start in a group, you’ll find yourself embedded in one (then another and another). Last year we started with 7, lost 2 at the lunch stop where we picked up a 6th. About 30 miles in one of our group split off. He re-joined us near mile 50. We had a great time.

I’ve also started solo and ended up riding with a group twice.

Forget about your speed. This is an all day affair. You will wear out your brakes from all the stop signs and red lights, particularly in the first 15 miles. After that the flow improves.

[Rootchopper]

RayDC, if you have car insurance you have coverage of your own, in the event that the driver does not or if his insurance company becomes problematic. Seems weird that car insurance covers you as a pedestrian or cyclist, but it does.

[Rootchopper]

As we discussed on Friday, it kinda sorta depends on stuff. I am working on the Mrs. She loves the Kolsch at Cap City. Alas, her doctors may nix it. (Wadda they know, anyway?)

[Rootchopper]

DDOT man is harmless. He was fuming as soon as someone sat down. I think we need to buy him a donut. (The last thing he needs is caffeine.)

The round tables make for easier interaction amount the group. (When we are inside we stand around tall but small diameter round tables. ) Sometimes we sit along a bunch of rectangular tables. It limits the flow of conversation somewhat.

Bottom line: Coffee’s good. People are nice. The vibe is fun. Come and enjoy.

[Rootchopper]

I used to commute to L’Enfant from Mount Vernon. When I started I took 15th to Independence. Then I tried Ohio Dive to Buckeye to the Case Bridge. This route takes about the same amount of time, is much safer, is more scenic, and, in the summer time. you can ride through the spriklers.

[Rootchopper]

I break down long rides by commutes. My commute is 15 miles each way so a metric century is two round trips to the office. A full on century is about 3 1/2 round trips. I can manage my commute without thinking so this sort of mind math helps.

All the advice you’ve gotten so far is spot on.

1. Eat and drink. So you don’t bonk.

2. Ride with others. This helps the miles go by.

3. Good shorts. Good saddle. You really don’t want saddle sores or an aching butt at mile 75.

Pace yourself. It’s not anywhere near as hard as running a marathon, especially if you do 1, 2, and 3.

[Rootchopper]

I signed up. Also doing Backroads metric century the next day. As for bike styles, I’ve ridden the 50 States 4 times: on a recumbent, a Bike Friday and a touring bike. All worked just fine. (I’m undecided on my choice of steed for this year.)

We don’t need no stinking Garmins! The cue sheet is part of the challenge. Of course, you can always do what I did at the start last year and follow Eric Guilliland (sp?) who seemed to know the route cold and was very good with hand signals.

It’s quite a fun ride. You will visit every part of the city and come to appreciate it in an entirely new way. And you’re climbing skills will be superb after the finish.

Speaking of finish, go to the after party. Pizza. Bbeer. Bragging rights.

[Rootchopper]

I do believe that I have this bike and beer thing all figured out so count me in.

[Rootchopper]

I had blisters on both thumbs from an ill fated fight with some tires. I used some blister pack bandages. They have a blob of gel stuff on them that goes on the blister. It took a few days but my thumbs are almost healed.

[Rootchopper]

The Tour du Port is on Sept. 30 in baltimore for you urban ride lovers. It has a metric century option.

[Rootchopper]

I’ve been riding the MVT for over 20 years and have never seen this. I’ll check it out tonight. Thanks.

[Rootchopper]

Last week a saw two fawns between the Memorial and TR bridges. So I think one is the vulture’s meal. No momma to be found anywhere.

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