SUNDAY Thurmont to Gettysburg Road Ride 3/23/2008 10:30am

[Dirt]

Hey Folks.

Grumpy J and I are leading a road ride that leaves from Thurmont, MD and winds through the countryside to Gettysburg, PA and back.

When: Sun 3/23/08 at 10:30am. Ready to roll by 10:45.

Distance: 46miles

Terrain: I've never done this ride before, but I've been told that it is rolling hills with nothing too steep or too long.

Pace: Past rides like this have had average pace of between 15 and 17mph.

Where to meet: Thurmont Community Park. 10 Frederick Rd
Thurmont, MD, 21788

Directions: From Beltway, take I-270 North thru Frederick to US-15 North to Thurmont. Exit onto MD-806 North. Park is just past Cozy Inn on left. 1) take I-270 SPUR N toward ROCKVILLE / FREDERICK for about 2.0 miles 2) I-270 SPUR N becomes I-270 N for 30.0 miles. 3) I-270 N becomes US-40 W for 1.2 miles 4) US-40 W becomes US-15 N for 14.8 miles 5) Take the exit toward MD-806 / THURMONT for 0.2 miles 6) Turn RIGHT onto THURMONT BLVD for less than 0.1 miles 7) Turn LEFT onto FREDERICK RD / MD-806 for 0.5 miles 8) End at Community Park, Frederick Rd, Thurmont, MD 21788, US

This is a road ride and would be best done on a road bike.

HERE (http://www.bikepptc.org/system/files/NorthtoGettysburgThurmont46.pdf) is the cue sheet if you're interested.

Let me know if you have questions.

PEte
571-241-6666

[redclayrambler]

Pete,
I have been dealing with some back "Issues" and thought I might have to scrub riding on Saturday, but since it's going on Sunday now, I am a tentative go for doing the ride. Hopefully the back will be feeling OK by Sunday.
Clay

[Dirt]

Hey Clay. Good to hear that you might join us. I think you'll really enjoy this ride. Hope you can make it.

Pete

[jabberwocky]

I can't make it this week guys. Have fun.

[tuba_transport]

I wish I could make it out there. I am buried in Easter stuff this weekend. Got an egg hunt on Sat and my Easter gig on Sunday.

Sat might rain. If so then I am going to do the road bike thing, probably by myself, on Sunday afternoon. If no rain, then I am going to Fountainhead that afternoon with the big bike.

[redclayrambler]

I'm out, I have just been informed that I will be at Grandma's house on Sunday.
Heathen or not I know better then to cross Grandma:D
I'm kinda bummed though, I was talking to a co-worker today and he's ridden quite a bit up there and says it's beautiful. I'll try to catch you guys next time.
Have a great ride!!
Clay

[kdweb]

This looks a lot like the last part of the Civil War Century and yeah, it's easy rollers and no heavy climbs. It's really nice riding up there and about the only thing you are not able to plan for is the wind. Some of exposed fields out there on Mason Dixon farm can be killer if they are head winds....but a blast if a tailwind! It's pretty cool to be flying down the road at 25 mph and not hear wind noise!

[Dirt]

This looks a lot like the last part of the Civil War Century and yeah, it's easy rollers and no heavy climbs. It's really nice riding up there and about the only thing you are not able to plan for is the wind. Some of exposed fields out there on Mason Dixon farm can be killer if they are head winds....but a blast if a tailwind! It's pretty cool to be flying down the road at 25 mph and not hear wind noise!

I think you're right about the Civil War Century part of it. I'm pretty used to these windy rides by now. It really grabs the front wheel.

It should be a great day tomorrow.

Pete

[Dirt]

Thanks for a great ride guys. That is a lovely route and one that I'd like to do again. There were a few hills in the first part of the ride, but the ones at the end definitely made us work!

The pace was pretty good and best of all, we really hardly stopped at all.

Grumpy got some good photos that I hope he'll share. I can't wait to do that loop again some time soon. Those roads are wonderful!!!

Next weekend we'll be back in Virginia riding in Loudoun County. I'm thinking of doing the Middleburg loop that leaves from the park and ride in Marshall.

HERE (http://www.bikepptc.org/node/3651) is the cue sheet.

The starting poing is HERE (http://maps.google.com/?q=Salem+Avenue+%26+Frost+Street%2C +Marshall%2C+VA%2C+20115%2C+us). Salem Avenue & Frost Street
Marshall, VA, 20115

I'll post up details on Wednesday night after we get a look at what the weather and weekend schedules.

See y'all next week.

Pete

[philvw]

Dirt, Crashmore, yup, thanks for an awesome ride! The gently rolling hills kept getting more frequent, bigger and steeper the more we got into the route! Or maybe it's my sorry-a$$ ability! Ha! No really, it was a great route, great day for a ride. I'm ready to go again, well maybe in a few days....

[Dirt]

Dirt, Crashmore, yup, thanks for an awesome ride! The gently rolling hills kept getting more frequent, bigger and steeper the more we got into the route! Or maybe it's my sorry-a$$ ability! Ha! No really, it was a great route, great day for a ride. I'm ready to go again, well maybe in a few days....

It was great riding with you today. I hadn't ridden with you in ages. Those hills definitely spiced up the last 1/3 of the ride. :D

[tuba_transport]

Thanks for a great ride guys. That is a lovely route and one that I'd like to do again.

Dang it, Pete!!!! You aren't supposed to have awesome rides on the days I can't make it. They are supposed to suck with lots of mechanicals. Grrrrrrrrrr.


Next weekend we'll be back in Virginia riding in Loudoun County. I'm thinking of doing the Middleburg loop that leaves from the park and ride in Marshall.

I think I can make it next weekend. The wife has a concert Saturday night and must leave the house at 4:00pm. Sunday all day is good also. Pretty Please!

[Dirt]

Dang it, Pete!!!! You aren't supposed to have awesome rides on the days I can't make it. They are supposed to suck with lots of mechanicals. Grrrrrrrrrr.

I think I can make it next weekend. The wife has a concert Saturday night and must leave the house at 4:00pm. Sunday all day is good also. Pretty Please!

It completely sucked without you. I was just didn't want to damage anyone's self esteem.

Sunday is my preferred day too. It is just easier for me to spend the day riding.

See y'all next weekend.

Pete

[jabberwocky]

Sunday is my trailwork day at Lake Fairfax. Saturday I'll probably be working around the house (or riding at the Shed) anyway so don't alter your plans on my behalf. :)

[philvw]

Dang it, Pete!!!! You aren't supposed to have awesome rides on the days I can't make it. They are supposed to suck with lots of mechanicals. Grrrrrrrrrr.


-zero- mechanicals. Unless you count the bio-mechanicals of my quads burning and cramping up like knots in a rubber band. I didnt even have to tweak the deraileur to stop it from jumping while standing on the climbs. It's all good.

BTW, I looked at the que sheet again, and after passing through The Mount, the Q says to cross 15 @ Orndorff, and come in to Thurmont via Roddy and the covered bridge. We stayed on the west (hilly) side of 15. I think I actually like that better. Keeps with the theme of the ride. (Ever increasing hills)

[Dirt]

BTW, I looked at the que sheet again, and after passing through The Mount, the Q says to cross 15 @ Orndorff, and come in to Thurmont via Roddy and the covered bridge. We stayed on the west (hilly) side of 15. I think I actually like that better. Keeps with the theme of the ride. (Ever increasing hills)

That is where my GPS tried to send us across Rt. 15... when Jason's listed the route that we ended up taking. For some reason my GPS had both routes listed in it. His only had the route that we took. I like the hilly route better.

Sorry about the cramping legs. I take so long to warm-up on those rides that when the hills started to show up, my legs were finally ready to stomp up them.

I'd forgotten how long it takes me to really get into a good groove on a road bike. I really felt it the last two rides. Last weekend my legs came to live at about mile 18 of a 46 mile ride. Yesterday they kind of woke up around mile 15, but were not REALLY ready for prime time until we actually got to Gettysburg. That's when they said "Okay! We're ready to stomp up some hills now!!!"

Leave it to me to have freaky legs. :D

See y'all later.

Pete

[philvw]

Sorry about the cramping legs.

No worries. Thats why I have the granny on that thing. I just couldnt push the big inches no mo'.

[allencb]

Because it was a holiday, I was in Roanoke with my inlaws. I got out Saturday and did a variation of this ride: http://www.roanoke.com/outdoors/biking/blue-ridge/wb/4881.

First, I fueled up with a breakfast of corned beef hash, eggs, muffins, and coffee...

My variation had me leaving from my inlaws' in SW Roanoke County, riding into downtown Roanoke, then hitting the climb up to Mill Mtn (here's where I regretted my breakfast decision), riding back down, picking up the BR Parkway to Roanoke Mtn, riding up, then down Roanoke Mtn, then backtracking to Mill Mtn for another climb (yay!), then back down all the way into Roanoke. I rode a total of 33 miles. The only significan breaks I had was a stop for water and snack on top of Roanoke Mtn (maybe 5 minutes), a stop to refill the water bottles after my second ride up Mill Mtn, then a stop at Farm Fresh to pick up some Marmite.

Edit to add, the entire ride took just under 3hrs, even including the shopping trip.

Chris

[Dirt]

Sweet ride Chris. I really want to hit Skyline Drive some time soon, but I've been told that people want to do a few more "rolling hills" rides before we go nuts with that ride.

I'm much more of a "why postpone the pain when you can get some TODAY" kind of guy.

The other side note is that I really need to get more time with the compact gearing. I had no problems with it yesterday because I was in the 50 tooth chainring all day.

I need to formally appologize to Philman for commenting on his cross chaining with his compact gearing. I spent a lot more time than I normally do in the big ring and the second biggest cog. That was my preferred gear for the steepest of the short climbs yesterday.

I'm slowly getting used to riding a 17 pound road bike. I still hop it sometimes when get out of the saddle.

[allencb]

I want to get out to Skyline Drive some time this year as well.

17lb road bike? You know, I'm having a hard time feeling sorry about your problems with it. :)

Chris

[crashmore]

I took some time and traced out the cue on mapmyride. Here it is...

http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/united-states/va/middleburg/806539786



Thanks for a great ride guys. That is a lovely route and one
that I'd like to do again. There were a few hills in the first part of the ride, but the ones at the end definitely made us work!

The pace was pretty good and best of all, we really hardly stopped at all.

Grumpy got some good photos that I hope he'll share. I can't wait to do that loop again some time soon. Those roads are wonderful!!!

Next weekend we'll be back in Virginia riding in Loudoun County. I'm thinking of doing the Middleburg loop that leaves from the park and ride in Marshall.

HERE (http://www.bikepptc.org/node/3651) is the cue sheet.

The starting poing is HERE (http://maps.google.com/?q=Salem+Avenue+%26+Frost+Street%2C +Marshall%2C+VA%2C+20115%2C+us). Salem Avenue & Frost Street
Marshall, VA, 20115

I'll post up details on Wednesday night after we get a look at what the weather and weekend schedules.

See y'all next week.

Pete

[crashmore]

Saturday would actually be best for me. I am scheduled to attend a Rang Officer Safety Course on Sunday. I could cancel but I would actually like to take the class as it means I can help out with my pistol clubs future matches etc...

It completely sucked without you. I was just didn't want to damage anyone's self esteem.

Sunday is my preferred day too. It is just easier for me to spend the day riding.

See y'all next weekend.

Pete

[allencb]

Saturday would actually be best for me. I am scheduled to attend a Rang Officer Safety Course on Sunday. I could cancel but I would actually like to take the class as it means I can help out with my pistol clubs future matches etc...

Which club? I sometimes shoot steel matches at a place near Frederick, Md.

Chris

[crashmore]

Monocacy Pistol Club. Just joined last year actually...

[The_Boy]

I would love to go on a Skyline drive ride if you all are organizing one in the near future.

[allencb]

That's the one.

I haven't been in over a year though.

Have you ever bumped into an older guy named Herb? He's the one that I go up there with.

Chris

[philvw]

Which club? I sometimes shoot steel matches at a place near Frederick, Md.


My roommate can be found most Sundays at the public range between MPC and the police range on Plant Road with his 'collection'. I've gone with him a few times, the funniest part is that the approach to the airport is right behind the targets! Yowsa!
(Now this thread is really beginning to deteriorate)

[nocro]

I would love to go on a Skyline drive ride if you all are organizing one in the near future.

I've been talking about doing this for a while. Is it going to be a day trip? I've thought about camping one night, and continuing to ride the next day.

A day trip to see what I'm up against would be a good first pass.

[Dirt]

I've been talking about doing this for a while. Is it going to be a day trip? I've thought about camping one night, and continuing to ride the next day.

A day trip to see what I'm up against would be a good first pass.
I haven't really thought through the options. I might do an overnight... meet my wife and say at one of the lodges, then ride back the next day.

I had a crazy idea of starting with 3 or 4 riders starting from the north, and 3 or 4 riding from the south. When they meet in the middle, switch car keys. After the ride meet up somewhere for dinner and swap cars back.

The easiest thing is to do it as an out and back.

I'll give it some more thought in a few weekends. This weekend is booked, next is the cyclefest, then we'll try the week after that.

Saturday would actually be best for me. I am scheduled to attend a Rang Officer Safety Course on Sunday. I could cancel but I would actually like to take the class as it means I can help out with my pistol clubs future matches etc...

Saturday works well for me too. FFX is having a job fair Saturday that La wants to go to.

I'm still going to hold off and see what the weather is like.

Pete

[nocro]

I haven't really thought through the options. I might do an overnight... meet my wife and say at one of the lodges, then ride back the next day.


Or camping. My girlfriend won't bike, but she'll drive the SAG wagon.

[Dirt]

Or camping. My girlfriend won't bike, but she'll drive the SAG wagon.

That would work too. Good idear.

[Singletrack_Mind]

I had a crazy idea of starting with 3 or 4 riders starting from the north, and 3 or 4 riding from the south. When they meet in the middle, switch car keys. After the ride meet up somewhere for dinner and swap cars back.

That is a most excellent idea. I didn't ride Skyline at all last year, but the year before I rode from Front Royal to 211 as an out and back on several occasions. It is a really great ride.