2010: Friday Night Rides - Little Ben / Black Hill / Seneca Greenway

[saxman]

Starting a new 2010 thread for the Friday Night Ride series....

[saxman]

We're going to try to squeeze this ride in before the expected thunderstorms. We'll have to keep an eye on the radar. Stay tuned for updates.

[saxman]

Uh oh...line of T-Storms out by Cumberland. We'll see if they hold together, break up or pass out of the area.

[Zinger]

Hey Sax, if this ride goes off, I'm in. Light's charged, ready to go.

This is Damascus and down the Lower Magruder, right?

ed

[saxman]

Yes...down Lower Magruder from Damascus. Still watching the sky and the radar. This first line of storms may pass to the north. Looks like there is some heavier stuff coming, but can't tell if we can squeeze a ride in first.

[saxman]

Thunderstorm just passed through Damascus and there's more storms out to the west. The trail isn't going anywhere, so let's err on the side of caution.

We'll either try this again next week, or we'll head back over to Black Hill, since the permit allows us to ride there on alternating Fridays.

[hophead]

Right on. See ya all next week.

[saxman]

We're on for Black Hill for this Friday. Looks like we'll have a warm night and great trail conditions.

[mountainwop77]

It will be nice to get a fix before it rains all weekend :bangshead:

[jimweber1]

We're on for Black Hill for this Friday. Looks like we'll have a warm night and great trail conditions.

I am out for this week. I have an adventure race on Sunday, so I will be resting up and packing my gear. Enjoy the ride!

[jmcgonigle]

I'm out also. Wife is in NYC and I'm watching my son. Have fun. Jim, good Luck with the race.

[edoardo78]

Are you guys will meet this Friday 23 ?

[saxman]

Yes. Check the "Calendar" section for all the details. Should be a really nice night for a ride around Black Hill.

[toros]

Great. I will be there...

[saxman]

Any other takers? It's going to rain all weekend...it's a great opportunity to squeeze a ride in.

[mountainwop77]

I'm a definite, how many do we have?

[hophead]

Any other takers? It's going to rain all weekend...it's a great opportunity to squeeze a ride in.
I should know by around 4 or 5. My daughter gets home from school at 3, so I figure that there is about a 50% chance that she will want to sleep over at a friends house. If so, I'm in. Otherwise, I'll see you all next week.

[saxman]

Looks like 4 or 5 riders. As long as we have two riders, we can go. Ridemore usually shows up for the BH rides, too.

[saxman]

I'm out of hall passes until May 14th. The way the permits are written, we have to alternate Fridays, so BH is off the table this week. Here are the options:

1. Someone leads a Little Ben ride and we return to BH on the 7th OR

2. We go dark for the week and do BH or LB on 5/7 (but would still need a leader for either ride) OR

3. We stay dark until 5/14 and do Black Hill again.

[hophead]

I can lead the Little Bennett ride.

[mountainwop77]

I'm out this Friday, doing Lodi on Saturday.

[saxman]

I can lead the Little Bennett ride.

Can you PM me your e-mail address so I can send you the permits and instructions?

[jimweber1]

I can lead the Little Bennett ride.

I am in for a Friday night Little Bennett ride. I am happy to lead or to follow...

[hophead]

I am in for a Friday night Little Bennett ride. I am happy to lead or to follow...
I have a feeling that I'm going to end up following you.

[hophead]

Come on people, who wants to ride tonight?!?!

[jmcgonigle]

Off to Disney first thing in the morning so I'm out for this ride and the next one.

[saxman]

Have fun! Even if it is two of you. You have a beautiful night to ride. Maybe you can ask Jim to attach a bike trailer with 50 pounds of bricks in it so someone can actually keep up with him.... Nah, he'd still end up dusting us.

[saxman]

We'll shoot for Black Hill this week. My schedule changed and there is a pretty good possibility that I can lead the ride. If not, can anyone lead?

[jimweber1]

We'll shoot for Black Hill this week. My schedule changed and there is a pretty good possibility that I can lead the ride. If not, can anyone lead?

I am out for this week...leaving Friday afternoon to head down to Richmond for a 12-hour adventure race. Enjoy the ride!

[saxman]

So...anyone in? Looks like the NWS backed off their earlier forecast for thunderstorms. Trails should be dry and fast.

We'll still meet at the Visitors Center, although for future rides I am mulling moving to a parking lot closer to the trail entrance now that the Black Hill trail is closed for construction of a (ulp!) paved path down to Waters Landing. I'm going to miss that section...you could really fly through there.

[ridemore]

I'm in if you do it. (99.9%)

[saxman]

As long as we have a minimum of 2 people, we can ride.

[MMMark]

We're over the minimum.

[saxman]

No hall pass for me this week, and since we did Black Hill last Friday, it would be Little Bennett for this Friday. Anyone want to lead? Did Hophead and Jim do the ride two weeks ago?

It is iffy on whether I would be able to lead on the 21st as well.

[jimweber1]

No hall pass for me this week, and since we did Black Hill last Friday, it would be Little Bennett for this Friday. Anyone want to lead? Did Hophead and Jim do the ride two weeks ago?

Yep, Hop and I rode two weeks ago...it was just the two of us at LB. I might be in for a ride this Friday night, depending on how my plans shake out over the next few days. If I am able to ride, I am also happy to lead.

[hophead]

I'm a maybe as usual. I'll have to see what my daughter has going on Friday night.

[jimweber1]

Yep, Hop and I rode two weeks ago...it was just the two of us at LB. I might be in for a ride this Friday night, depending on how my plans shake out over the next few days. If I am able to ride, I am also happy to lead.

OK, so my plans have changed and I can not ride on Friday...hope to be available next week though!

[hophead]

It's looking unlikely that I will be able to make the ride this week.

[saxman]

Is it even worth putting this ride up on the calendar this week? Any other takers?

[saxman]

Okay...it's official. The Friday night ride for this week will be "dark".

We can return to Black Hill on the 21st, but I'm definitely going to need a ride leader.

I'm leaning towards leading Lower Magruder on the 28th. The mushy spots are slowly starting to firm up and you don't need a landing craft to get across Seneca Creek anymore.

Sometime in June or July, we'll do a 7 PM start and try to hit the entire Greenway round-trip.

[jimweber1]

We can return to Black Hill on the 21st, but I'm definitely going to need a ride leader.

Thanks Sax. I should be available to lead at BH on the 21st if needed.

[saxman]

We are a go for the 21st at Black Hill. I am out, but who else besides Jim is in?

[jimweber1]

We are a go for the 21st at Black Hill. I am out, but who else besides Jim is in?

Hi folks. Since no one has posted up, and since a last minute change in plans this morning has left me unable to lead a ride anyway, it looks like there will be no night ride at Black Hill tonight.

If anyone else still wants to lead and if there is at least one other person interested, you'd need to post up ASAP and get the permit stuff from Sax.

Otherwise, it looks like the next ride would be on the 28th.

[saxman]

I'll need to hear from someone before 5 PM. Otherwise, we'll pull the plug and shoot for next week.

[saxman]

No takers...

Okay...we'll try again for next week when I will be back in the saddle. I'm really thinking Lower Magruder for 5/28.

[saxman]

We'll shoot for Lower Magruder this week. Right now the forecast seems kind of against us, but that can change. Hopefully, Seneca Creek will be low enough that we can get across. I'm thinking of breaking out the singlespeeder for this ride.

Also, checking in with the park manager, they are going to try to install the bridge over the summer, but the budget cuts and r.i.f. may put that into doubt. I'll keep everyone updated.

[jmcgonigle]

Going to make this one I hope.

[saxman]

I'm not liking the forecast. Lower Magruder was already soft this week, especially south of Watkins Road. If we get the rain they are calling for, we're going to have to put this one off.

[saxman]

I'm going to pull the plug on this one. I checked a section trail this morning on foot, and it was pretty soggy. I'd rather err on the side of protecting the trail.

I'm out for next week since it is my nephew's graduation. We can go back to Black Hill. Anyone want to lead this ride?

[saxman]

We can do BH this week, but I cannot lead. I need someone to lead before I will put it up on the calendar.

[jmcgonigle]

We can do BH this week, but I cannot lead. I need someone to lead before I will put it up on the calendar.

I would, but I'm out of town. Between travel and the weather I'm missing them all!

[saxman]

No takers? :(

I guess I can bag it and lead the ride at BH next week.

[saxman]

No ride leader = no ride

I'll be back on the 11th.

[jimweber1]

No ride leader = no ride

I'll be back on the 11th.

Thanks Sax. I was out of town until tonight, and I have my son's baseball game tomorrow night. I'll be able to make (and lead) more rides in a couple weeks once the baseball season is over.

The 11th may or may not work for me, depending on the baseball schedule...but I hope to see you there!

[saxman]

My schedule has a bit of uncertainty to it this week. If I can't lead, can someone else lead at Black Hill?

[saxman]

I'm good...I will post the ride to the calendar tonight.

[saxman]

So, who is in for tonight? It should be a great night for riding at "the 'Hill".

[saxman]

Anyone?

(crickets chirping?)

[nocro]

Anyone?

(crickets chirping?)

Would like to get back into the swing of this ride, but have a conflict tonight. Maybe next week.

[saxman]

We had no takers for the ride. I still managed to bang off about 9.6 miles before dusk. Technically, I could have kept riding as the permit does not specify a minimum amount of riders, but riding by yourself in the woods at night is probably not the smartest move.

I'm curious why the decline in interest in the Friday rides. I know I lose a lot to the Thursday Schaeffer ride, especially for those who can only get a limited number of "hall passes". I also know at this time of year, where it is light until almost 9 PM, these really aren't true "night rides". Is it better to hold off on the rides until the sunset returns to 8 PM?

I may be able to lead at Little Ben next week, provided there is interest, and then I'm out of action until July 9th with various conflicts. We will likely do a more moderate paced ride of the entire Greenway in July or early August that starts at 7 PM.

[hophead]

I believe you hit the nail on the head. Night rides are fun, but I think that the majority of riders do it out of necessity when the days are short to get rides in. It gets dark so late now that those people who really enjoy night riding aren't really getting much time in the dark. The ride would have to go from 9 to 11 or so which isn't really feasible. I'd be game for a 9 to 11 ride, but that's because I have no life.:(

[ridemore]

I like the Black Hill and Margruder/Greenway rides, but have had conflicts lately. Yesterday followed a Wed night spin class, a Thursday Schaeffer ride, and a need to be at work Friday morning at 3:30 am for a field experiment. Getting up that early Friday morning killed it for me this week. Not much left in the tank for a Friday night ride. Something had to give. Doing Tour Dem Parks Sunday. There are lots of choices this time of year.

[nocro]

I may be able to lead at Little Ben next week, provided there is interest, and then I'm out of action until July 9th with various conflicts. We will likely do a more moderate paced ride of the entire Greenway in July or early August that starts at 7 PM.

Cool. Starting in the north or south?

I had a dinner I needed to attend last night. I'm ramping my riding volume up around this time of year, and plan to ride Thu / Fri / Sat / Sun pretty frequently. I like the night ride, but would ride starting at 7pm.

[saxman]

Cool. Starting in the north or south?

I had a dinner I needed to attend last night. I'm ramping my riding volume up around this time of year, and plan to ride Thu / Fri / Sat / Sun pretty frequently. I like the night ride, but would ride starting at 7pm.

We would start on the north end (Damascus), head down the 355 and back. Damascus Regional has a lighted parking lot and, in general, is more secure than the 355 trailhead at night.

[jimweber1]

I am usually good for the Friday night rides...just had a LOT of conflicts in the last month or two. Things should be better (after next week) once baseball season is over for my sons, and once we get moved out of our old house.

[jmcgonigle]

Just alot of conflicts with me. Between work, hall passes, weekend plans, etc... Its much easier to make in the fall/winter timeframe.

[saxman]

Ok. So what I'm hearing is that things are a bit nutty right now with school ending, sports seasons wrapping up, and the hall passes are at a premium right now.

My thought is to "go dark" on the night rides until after the 4th of July weekend, and then come back with the full Greenway night ride on the 9th or 16th.

[saxman]

Anyone miss these rides yet? I think it's time to go hit Little Bennett again. Unless we get a series of deluges between now and Friday, Little Ben will probably be in good shape. When the trails at Little Ben get dry and firm, it becomes a pretty fast ride.

[hophead]

Anyone miss these rides yet? I think it's time to go hit Little Bennett again. Unless we get a series of deluges between now and Friday, Little Ben will probably be in good shape. When the trails at Little Ben get dry and firm, it becomes a pretty fast ride.
Yup, I'm missing Friday night rides. Unless I get a better offer from a hot chick, count me in!!:thumbsup:

[MMMark]

Although I'd take your hot chick's fat friend over a ride at Little Bennett, I'm probably in too. :rolleyes:

[hophead]

Although I'd take your hot chick's fat friend over a ride at Little Bennett, I'm probably in too. :rolleyes:
I'll keep you posted.

[saxman]

Anyone else in? If you've never tried Little Bennett because of its reputation for being muddy, tomorrow is probably your best bet to ride some dry and fast trails.

If you've never tried Little Bennett because of its hills, consider this: you do as much climbing at Black Hill as you do at Little Bennett. I have the GPS tracks to back that up.

If you've never tried Little Bennett becuase you've heard the trails are boring, it's a much different place at night, and I like to pick a route that maximizes the fun factor in this park.

If you've shied away from Little Bennett because of the fear of zipping around a corner and coming head-on with horse, you won't have to worry about that. As holders of a Special Use Permit, we're the only ones legally allowed on the trails after sunset.

So, come on out. Most of us don't bite.

[hophead]

I'm out tonight. I'm still suffering from the effects of last night's ride.

[ridemore]

I'm going to try to be there.

H

[denisvtt]

I'm leaning towards being there.

[jimweber1]

Anyone else in?


I am out for this week. Did not see the post for the ride until just now, and I already put in a two hour ride (plsu an hour run) today...and I am riding Schaeffer with another group tomorrow AM. So, both my hall passes (and my legs) are too spent fit in anything else.

[saxman]

Little Bennett did not disappoint tonight. The trails were about as dry and as fast as I've ever seen them. It was just a little bit warm, but at least it made the creek crossings comfortable. You almost wanted to have to dismount midstream.

[saxman]

After a two month hiatus, we're back.

We'll be hitting Black Hill this Friday night. The section under construction is still closed. We'll still meet at the lighted lot in the visitors center.

[saxman]

Any takers yet?

[jimweber1]

Any takers yet?

Hey Sax. I am ready to start rolling again of Fridays...just not this weekend. I have an 18-hour adventure race this Saturday, so I am resting up on Friday.

Going forward, I can't make the Thursday night Scaheffer rides until early to mid November due to kids soccer practice...so I will generally be up for Friday night rides between now and then (and even after that, when possible).

[denisvtt]

I might go for it but I'll make the final decision no earlier than Friday afternoon.

[saxman]

Anyone in for this ride?

<crickets chirping>

[eschaftel]

hey there [email protected], stll doing ri night rides, live in balto, but always lookin to ride:confused2::flushed::nono::eek: :cool::bangshead::bangshead: love the smiles! lol

[MMMark]

Yes, but it's over here (http://www.more-mtb.org/forum/showthread.php?t=19718).

[saxman]

We're going to go ahead and shoot for Little Ben this week, so long as Mother Nature cooperates, and I think she will. It's definitely going to be a pretty leafy ride!

My schedule gets tied up the next few weeks, so if anyone wants to lead at Little Ben or Lower Magruder, let me know

[jimweber1]

We're going to go ahead and shoot for Little Ben this week, so long as Mother Nature cooperates, and I think she will. It's definitely going to be a pretty leafy ride!

My schedule gets tied up the next few weeks, so if anyone wants to lead at Little Ben or Lower Magruder, let me know

I am in for LB tomorrow. See you there at 8PM. Who else wants to join us??

I actually rode Hoyles Mill and Black Hill this afternoon. Things had dried out pretty well, but most definitely a LOT of leaves on trail...very fun ride!

[saxman]

Anyone else in? Should be a nice night. With all the leaves down, the trails should be dried up nicely.

[saxman]

Still no takers? I could really use someone else to help me eat some of Jim Weber's dust.

[jimweber1]

Still no takers? I could really use someone else to help me eat some of Jim Weber's dust.

No worries...still recovering from a knee issue, so I will be looking forward to a nice relaxed pace. ;-)

[jmcgonigle]

Would love to, but I got the kids tonight when the wife goes out. Just got back from a ride at Schaeffer - its pretty dry. Lots of leaves though. Have fun.

[nocro]

Still no takers? I could really use someone else to help me eat some of Jim Weber's dust.

Don't wait for me past 8 at the lot. But, I'm a maybe at this point.

[jmcgonigle]

What is the thoughts for this week (12/3)? I'm game.

[saxman]

At this point, we probably need to wait for the 10th to get clearance, but if you can put something together, I will try to get permission for tomorrow.

[jmcgonigle]

At this point, we probably need to wait for the 10th to get clearance, but if you can put something together, I will try to get permission for tomorrow.

Anyone else interested?

[jimweber1]

Anyone else interested?

Hey Jim. I would be up for a spin around LB tomorrow night if you are still interested and if it is not too late. Just let me know...

[jmcgonigle]

Hey Jim. I would be up for a spin around LB tomorrow night if you are still interested and if it is not too late. Just let me know...

I think I'm just going to do a quick loop of BH at lunch. Sounds like we are a little late. Maybe we can work at having the ride next Friday night happen.

[jimweber1]

I think I'm just going to do a quick loop of BH at lunch. Sounds like we are a little late. Maybe we can work at having the ride next Friday night happen.

OK, no prob. I'd join you at lunch, but my bike won't be back from the shop until later this afternoon. I am out of town next weekend, so won't be available for next Friday night.

[jmcgonigle]

OK, no prob. I'd join you at lunch, but my bike won't be back from the shop until later this afternoon. I am out of town next weekend, so won't be available for next Friday night.

Oh, don't want to ruin your ride. Can we get the permit? I'll go with you tonight so that you can get a ride in. Didn't realize it was that or nothing for you.

[jimweber1]

Oh, don't want to ruin your ride. Can we get the permit? I'll go with you tonight so that you can get a ride in. Didn't realize it was that or nothing for you.

No, no...don't worry about it. I actually went to the gym for a little spinning last night since I did not have my bike the last couple of days, and I will just go ahead and ride on Saturday instead of going tonight. My weekend is pretty open, so it is not a big deal if I do not ride tonight. Thanks though!

[jmcgonigle]

No, no...don't worry about it. I actually went to the gym for a little spinning last night since I did not have my bike the last couple of days, and I will just go ahead and ride on Saturday instead of going tonight. My weekend is pretty open, so it is not a big deal if I do not ride tonight. Thanks though!

ok - we will have to get one of these night rides going soon. :)

[saxman]

FYI, folks: Due to work commitments, I will be unable to lead until January 7th. If anyone wants to lead a ride on the 17th, 24th or 31st, let me know and I will get the ball rolling.

[1SPD]

Is anyone still doing this? I know the holidays slowed things down a bit but it is now the new year!

How many people are normally showing up? How long/far are the rides? Dividing into different groups? Just trying to get a feel for this. Been out riding by myself and the longest I have gone in the past few weeks is 11 miles. Basically, I started getting a cold and didn't particular care to ride too far off in the dark by myself. Not to mention that I am somewhat out of shape compared to this summer.

[saxman]

Is anyone still doing this? I know the holidays slowed things down a bit but it is now the new year!

How many people are normally showing up? How long/far are the rides? Dividing into different groups? Just trying to get a feel for this. Been out riding by myself and the longest I have gone in the past few weeks is 11 miles. Basically, I started getting a cold and didn't particular care to ride too far off in the dark by myself. Not to mention that I am somewhat out of shape compared to this summer.

We're going to get these started again...possibly this Friday, weather permitting. We've had groups as small as two to as many as 10 or 12. We've never broken down into more than two groups. These are no-drop rides. If someone gets a mechanical, we all stop. If the mechanical is unrepairable, we use a "buddy system" (usually me, since I know the parks inside out) to get the person back to their car.

[1SPD]

Then I will make plans to not allow the wife to block my Friday night! I will stay tuned for updates.

[saxman]

As soon as I get the OK from the park manager, we'll be on for Friday. The one new twist is that I'm trying to get us to meet up at the Burnt Hill Road lot. This makes for a much nicer start to the ride as we don't have to worry about the Purdum climb right off the bat.

[jimweber1]

I'd be up for a ride this Friday...I have been off the bike for nearly a month and I NEED to get out there and ride!

[jmcgonigle]

So there is no ride this week 1/14, but will be 1/21? Just making sure I mark the right day down. :)

[saxman]

So there is no ride this week 1/14, but will be 1/21? Just making sure I mark the right day down. :)

Yes. I am unavailable this week. Please check the 2011 Friday Night Ride thread for updates