.GOV Ride part three, Black Friday Edition

[Jackson]

All you fellow state and local employees - let's plan another day-off-with-pay ride for Friday, November 24. To my comrades in Federal service - I have attached a federal leave slip for your use. Or go to this website (www.opm.gov) to inform the federal overlords you would like the day off.

I was thinking of 10 AM, and riding Colt's Neck (http://www.more-mtb.org/forum/showthread.php?t=1197) from the ice rink to Great Falls and back. However, if people don't want to ford a few streams in late November we can switch it to Wakefield/Accotink. We'll also switch it if the trail is not rideable - this trail can be muddy even in a drought.

Everyone's (including all non-gov't folks) invited - so get the day off by hook or by crook and come out and ride. Hopefully there won't be another beltway shutdown that day.

We may break up into different groups based depending on who shows up, but I will be riding at a casual pace. No one will be dropped or pressured. We'll ride at a comfortable pace for everyone.

Edit: Since this is a day drowning in over-commercialization, we'll add to the local economy with post-ride eating/drinking/socializing at a local establishment.

- Tom

[mike a]

Count me in..... the .gov ride on Friday was fun! :D

[dharma]

i'll be there...

[jvanbrecht]

I'll put myself down for a maybe, the soon to be in laws (eventually if I stop buying stuff and save for the wedding :D ) will be down from FL, and spending the weekend, not sure if I can get away.

On a side note, there may not be a beltway shutdown, but you will want to avoid the beltway anywhere near Tysons Corner, or possibly Springfield, its black friday, and the malls will be absolutely insane. Anywhere there is a shopping center, there will be a crapload of traffic, most of them in idiot mode trying to go shopping. (my Sister and Brother in Law included)

[CRAIG2]

On a side note, there may not be a beltway shutdown, but you will want to avoid the beltway anywhere near Tysons Corner, or possibly Springfield, its black friday, and the malls will be absolutely insane. Anywhere there is a shopping center, there will be a crapload of traffic, most of them in idiot mode trying to go shopping.


...and this differs from any other day how? :D

[jvanbrecht]

usually its just 1 out of every 2 thats a freaking moron driver, on black friday, its 3 out of every 2 (I include some of the passengers in that tally) :D

[CRAIG2]

Wow! That has to be an improvement over last year 1 in 2 would mean only 50% of them are idiots.... is there a 30% margin of error in there somewhere? :D

[cathie m]

Unfortunately I said I'd work that day. :mad: It's going to be empty in the office.

[dcraider]

Count me in as well. I've never been and would certainly at least like to see it before I leave for three years.

Kris

[Jackson]

Unfortunately I said I'd work that day. :mad: It's going to be empty in the office.

Too bad Cathie - next time.

[Jackson]

Count me in as well. I've never been and would certainly at least like to see it before I leave for three years.

Kris

Great - sounds like a good group forming...

[mike a]

...and would certainly at least like to see it before I leave for three years.


Where are you headed?

[Jackson]

Where: Colt's Neck/Difficult Run

When: Friday, Nov 24 2006 - Be there by 10:00 AM, Rubber side down at 10:15 AM.

Terrain: Intermediate. some hills, lots of roots, singletrack. At least two streams that will be forded on foot.

Pace: Casual. We'll ride a pretty easy pace with a good number of stops depending on the group.

Distance: 5 miles out to Great Falls and back, for about 10 miles total.

Directions: Directions (http://www.more-mtb.org/forum/showthread.php?t=1197) here, and a Map (http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&q=1800+Michael+Faraday+Court,+Resto n,+VA,+20190&ll=38.952935,-77.332764&spn=0.02503,0.095272) . We'll meet at the ice rink parking lot.

Contact info: Tom Jackson - Fuel95 at gmail Cell - 703-906-6271.

Standard MORE rules apply: Helmet required, non-MORE members welcome. Post up or contact me with any questions. This trail is prone to bad drainage, so any rain before the ride may cause it to be moved to Wakefield/Accotink.

[jvanbrecht]

Anyway to make this some sort of family affair, some of us ride while the rest go do something else.. kind of like a meet and greet where they can bitch out our expensive cycling habbits :) Being thanksgiving, getting out without family members may prove.. loud with lots of yelling :)

[Jackson]

Anyway to make this some sort of family affair, some of us ride while the rest go do something else.. kind of like a meet and greet where they can bitch out our expensive cycling habbits :) Being thanksgiving, getting out without family members may prove.. loud with lots of yelling :)

Great Falls will be a good diversion for non-bikers. I would also recommend nearby Reston Town Center, but only for people you're not too fond off.

[dcraider]

Where are you headed?

To the European Theater of Operations, specifically Belgium. The military has awarded me with a great assignment to a country thats famous for beer and cycling. I'm gonna be even more spoiled than I am now.

[jvanbrecht]

Swing by Amsterdam or Ultricht in Holland, and send me a bottle of Drop Shot please, its essentially liquor made from Dutch salty liquorice, its an aquired taste, essentially a really strong kick in the ass shot that tastes like Good and Plenties :)

[Brooksb]

To the European Theater of Operations, specifically Belgium. The military has awarded me with a great assignment to a country thats famous for beer and cycling. I'm gonna be even more spoiled than I am now.

Which base in Belgium? I spent 00-03 at Vokel AB in The Netherlands. Talk about good beer and plenty of biking! Enjoy!

[Jackson]

I'm not sure how many streams you have to ford on foot between Lake Fairfax and Georgetown Pike - Is it two? Are there any bridges/stepping stones in place these days? I haven't ridden this trail in about 2-3 years.

- Tom

[mike a]

To the European Theater of Operations, specifically Belgium.

Awesome, I spent 5 years in Germany. Loved every minute! Crappy singletrack though :(

Some pictures of my commute to work...
Commute to work (http://mikeandshelby.smugmug.com/gallery/1777067)

[Jackson]

Some pictures of my commute to work...
Commute to work (http://mikeandshelby.smugmug.com/gallery/1777067)

Looks like a bad commute!

Ride is on for Friday unless we get any real rain between now and then.

[redclayrambler]

I'm not sure how many streams you have to ford on foot between Lake Fairfax and Georgetown Pike - Is it two? Are there any bridges/stepping stones in place these days? I haven't ridden this trail in about 2-3 years.

I don't think you have to ford any streams anymore unless the the little foot path/stones have been washed out. What I mean is, that you don't have to get wet unless you want to.
Another thing, why not ride all the way to Riverbend it's just past Greatfalls and there is actually a small smidgen of single track that connects them.
I rode Riverbend/Greatfalls today and I'm guessing that some of Colt's Neck will be a bit muddy, but probably OK if we don't get any rain between now and Friday.
Just my 2 cents :)

[Jackson]

I don't think you have to ford any streams anymore unless the the little foot path/stones have been washed out. What I mean is, that you don't have to get wet unless you want to.
Another thing, why not ride all the way to Riverbend it's just past Greatfalls and there is actually a small smidgen of single track that connects them.
I rode Riverbend/Greatfalls today and I'm guessing that some of Colt's Neck will be a bit muddy, but probably OK if we don't get any rain between now and Friday.
Just my 2 cents :)

Thanks - we'll try and do that. I think the only way we'll ride Colt's Neck is if the rains holds off (I think that is the forecast) - it doesn't drain well.

[jvanbrecht]

So, what time does the actual ride start.. I mean you know me.. I will be late most likely heh.. :)

[dharma]

so i never even thought to ask - what kind of terrain/difficulty is Colt's Neck to GF? I'm guessing I'll be okay, but just wanted to ask to make sure. thanks.

[Jackson]

So, what time does the actual ride start.. I mean you know me.. I will be late most likely heh.. :)

Rubber side down at 10:15. So for you (and me) 8:30 AM.

[Jackson]

so i never even thought to ask - what kind of terrain/difficulty is Colt's Neck to GF? I'm guessing I'll be okay, but just wanted to ask to make sure. thanks.

Similar to Wakefield - nothing terribly technical.

[jabberwocky]

so i never even thought to ask - what kind of terrain/difficulty is Colt's Neck to GF? I'm guessing I'll be okay, but just wanted to ask to make sure. thanks.Overall, its similar to easier than Wakefield. There are a few rutted hills between the ice rink and lake fairfax, and a few more after you cross difficult run before you get to the W&OD, but nothing serious (it doesn't even begin to compare to Fountainhead).

I don't know if you guys know about the short section of trail on the other side of the W&OD? It adds about 3/4 of a mile of fun singletrack while cutting out a bit of the W&OD.

Note that this loop is the single worst draining piece of trail in the DC area. It retains water forever. I ride right down the W&OD every day, so if you want a trail report let me know and I'll duck in near Difficult Run and see how things are on my way home from work on Wednesday.

[Jackson]

Note that this loop is the single worst draining piece of trail in the DC area. It retains water forever. I ride right down the W&OD every day, so if you want a trail report let me know and I'll duck in near Difficult Run and see how things are on my way home from work on Wednesday.

You rock, Jabberwocky. Please join us or remind after Wakefield one night and the beer is on me.

I'd appreciate a trail report. I figure we get any real rain at all and I'll have to move the ride.

[jabberwocky]

You rock, Jabberwocky. Please join us or remind after Wakefield one night and the beer is on me.

I'd appreciate a trail report. I figure we get any real rain at all and I'll have to move the ride.No problem. I don't drink, so I'll have to pass on the beer, but some cheese fries are always welcome. ;)

Lake Fairfax is my local trail (Its about a 3 mile ride from my front door to the ice rink), but I don't really ride there much anymore. I commute during the week, and on the weekends I'm usually going somewhere else. I wish I could join you guys for the ride, but it looks like I'll be out of town. Its a surprisingly fun loop given its suburban location.

On my commute last week after that rainstorm, Difficult run was at least 6-7 feet above its usual level along the W&OD (overflowing the whole gravel horse trail below). Large portions of this trail were likely submerged. As long as weather is good this week (which it looks like it will be), you should be ok. There will be mud along some parts (especially the flat sections between Hunters Mill Rd and Browns Mill), but those sections will be muddy for weeks so there isn't much you can do about them. I'll try to give you a trail report on Wednesday.

[Jackson]

No problem. I don't drink, so I'll have to pass on the beer, but some cheese fries are always welcome. ;)

Lake Fairfax is my local trail (Its about a 3 mile ride from my front door to the ice rink), but I don't really ride there much anymore. I commute during the week, and on the weekends I'm usually going somewhere else. I wish I could join you guys for the ride, but it looks like I'll be out of town. Its a surprisingly fun loop given its suburban location.

On my commute last week after that rainstorm, Difficult run was at least 6-7 feet above its usual level along the W&OD (overflowing the whole gravel horse trail below). Large portions of this trail were likely submerged. As long as weather is good this week (which it looks like it will be), you should be ok. There will be mud along some parts (especially the flat sections between Hunters Mill Rd and Browns Mill), but those sections will be muddy for weeks so there isn't much you can do about them. I'll try to give you a trail report on Wednesday.

Cheese fries are recognized as legitimate currency in many areas - Kilroys being one of them.

I remember riding Colt's Neck in the summer drought we had a few years ago - it was still muddy in spots. I know what you mean about slow drainage. We'll ride gently or relocate the ride as appropriate.

[Jackson]

Forecast has taken a bad turn - any cancellation will be posted here or you can call/email me. Current forecast as of early Tuesday AM:

Today: Mostly sunny, with a high near 49. North wind around 8 mph.

Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 29. North wind around 9 mph.

Wednesday: Partly cloudy, with a high near 53. North wind between 9 and 13 mph.

Wednesday Night: A chance of rain. Partly cloudy, with a low around 36. North wind between 13 and 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Thanksgiving Day: A chance of rain. Cloudy, with a high near 53. North wind between 13 and 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Thursday Night: Rain likely. Cloudy, with a low around 43. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.

Friday: A chance of rain. Cloudy, with a high near 51. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Friday Night: A slight chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 43. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Saturday: Partly cloudy, with a high near 60.

Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 39.

Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 57.

Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 38.

Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 54.

[redclayrambler]

so i never even thought to ask - what kind of terrain/difficulty is Colt's Neck to GF? I'm guessing I'll be okay, but just wanted to ask to make sure. thanks.

Once you get across Rt 193 there are some decent climbs, but they are mostly on fire roads. Once in the Riverbend area you can also get some decent climbs in depending on which route you choose.
Nothing technical but you can make it a good workout if you want.

[Jackson]

Because of the rain in the forecast, I'm going to go ahead and cancel the ride. Colt's Neck does not do well with even a small amount of rain, and I want to make sure the word gets out to everyone.

If things do improve, I'll post up and maybe we can organize a ride somewhere else.

Sorry everyone.