We're screwed!

[pmweller]

It started raining here in Baltimore about 2PM. It's now 11:30PM and it's still raining pretty heavy and strong. Weather.com says it's supposed to stop by tomorrow afternoon. So of course all of that drying that was starting to happen this past several days on the area trails is all null and void.

AAAARRRRGGGGHHHH!!!!!!

I'll just sit here and read my new DirtRag and pretend I'm somewhere it doesn't rain all the time.

[Chopotter]

Yeah. Sucks. It doesn't help that my brother in Texas just told me what an awesome ride he had this afternoon on my former favorite trail. Hell, it still is my favorite trail. I've not had an "awesome" ride on the east coast in the 5 months I've been living here.

Okay, enough bitching. At least I've gotten some good motorcycling in. On those few days it hasn't rained. :)

[spongedog]

While you guys were sitting at home reading, I was out from 1 PM to 4 PM on the Capital Crescent/Rock Creek loop for a nice and wet (which can keep you nice and cool on a hot and humid day) day. I got some great exercise, cleared my head, and enjoyed the scenery...it is amazing that one can do a 20 mile loop through one of the most congested cities in America without hardly riding on a road (except for a little part of Beach Ave). Don't let the weather get ya down.:cool:

[treeskier]

Originally posted by spongedog [/i]

and enjoyed the scenery...it is amazing "


Trade in the forest views for (ahem) people watching.

Just be careful of steering with your head turned too far.

;)

[pete]

When I tore my ACL playing indoor soccer(because I couldn't ride trails) in May I was really bummed about the loss of a summer of riding but as it turns out I haven't really missed anything yet. I, in the past was a weather channel devotee and would be crazy frustrated by now with the rain we've had. Not to chafe you guys further, but the more it rains the easier it is for me to deal with my knee.

Have no fear, we will have a drought of epic proportions soon. If that fails go to GWNF.

Heres to fall riding!

[Chopotter]

Oh, I haven't given up riding altogether. It's just that I've not been able to experience a nice 2 hour, 100%, go as fast as you can on singletrack with no rests ride since I was in Texas in April. I've been riding the neighborhood hills (road) mostly, with a couple trips to Gambrill.

What's GWNF like? With as much precipitation as we've had.

Anyone know what the racing has been like this year? I figured they'd all be slow, muddy slogs and haven't even bothered to look for a race. I'd love to start doing some racing here on the east coast once it gets mostly dried out.

[spongedog]

I did Bikestock a few weeks ago near Elkins, WV. It was a points race, so they had some talent out there riding (Jerimiah Bishop kicked everyone's ass). It was VERY muddy to start with, and a sever thunderstorm kicked in after 30 minutes, makeing it that much more crazy. A great time was had by all. I would reccomend contacting the outfitter who puts on Bikestock (http://elkmountainoutfitters.com/) as these guys know all the trails. There are more trails in GWNF that in the entire DC/Baltimore/Frederick areas combined.

I would also reccomend the Bikestock event for next year, unless you hate camping with a bunch of people who love mountain biking, beer, and reggae. Lots of photos here: http://www.iplayoutside.com/Events/2003/05/5324c.html

[Chopotter]

Thanks for the tip. Sounds like fun. :D I had my share of wet, muddy races last fall in Texas (4 out of the 6 races in the Texas fall cup were either in the rain, in the mud, or both) and they were fun in a crazy way. Except when I got the bike home and was looking at 3 to 6 hours of maintenance just to get it ready to ride again. Ugh.

What series was Bikestock a points race for?

[spongedog]

it was a WVMBA points race. The unfortunate downside was that my bearings in the rear hug got full of mud and had to be overhauled. I am not sure if that was an accumlation effect from all the riding in the wet this year or from that race (before everyone jumps on me, 99% of my wet riding was on the street!)