Fountainhead Casual Ride: Sunday 11-19

[jabberwocky]

Ok folks, lets try this again. Hopefully the weather will be a little more agreeable (shakes fist at the sky). Notice that I moved the start time back a little to attempt to avoid interference with the adventure race (which is on the Bull Run-Occoquan Trail, not on the mountainbike trail). If anyone has any more details about the race, let me know, but I don't think it will be an issue.

Ride Details:

Where: Fountainhead Regional Park

When: Sunday, 11/19. Ready to ride at 11:00 am.

Terrain: Intermediate. Rolling hills, lots of rooty, twisty singletrack.

Pace: Casual. Nobody gets dropped.

Distance: I believe a loop of Fountainhead is running in the 8.5 mile range now. I will probably do 2 loops, but there will be an option to drop out after one if people want.

Directions: See the MORE Fountainhead page (http://www.more-mtb.org/forum/showthread.php?t=1214). I drive a blue Subaru wagon, and will be riding a bright blue singlespeed.

Contact info: Chris Chatfield, chris(a t)intensity(p e r i o d)org. I can be reached at home after work during the week at 703-467-9211.

Standard MORE rules apply: Helmet required, non-MORE members welcome. Post up or contact me with any questions.

EDIT: Just to make clear, the gate at Fountainhead is technically closed this time of year, although the trail is open. There is a chance that the gate may be open for the trail runners race. Even if this is the case, we still need to park outside the gate. If you do go in and park in the lot, there is a chance your car will be locked in when we get back from the ride.

I will be there a bit early. If you get confused about where to park, look for the short nerdy guy in a blue subaru wagon and threaten to break his legs unless he tells you where to go. :)

[Pinoy Rider]

I'm in!!!!

[mjbrox]

Keep in mind that there will be a Backyard burn that Sunday.

I plan on taking my wife for one loop, but I am going to be tired after running and she is still learning to MTB.

So, if anyone want to so a slower than Casual ride, it could be arranged.

[1derwoman]

If anyone has any more details about the race, let me know, but I don't think it will be an issue.

Course description and map for the race--http://www.ex2adventures.com/byb-fountainhead-course-description.php. Definitely not on the MTB trails. Sounds like we'll be bush-wacking for the race, actually.

Starting late will be good b/c the race is around 300 people, so the parking lot will be full until about 10:30. If you arrive before 10 a.m., though, you could cheer us across the finish line :D

[mjbrox]

Better yet, Show up early and volunteer for the race! EX2 take great care of their Volunteers, you will get fed, get a free shirt, and $15 off your next EX2 Race.

[jabberwocky]

Course description and map for the race--http://www.ex2adventures.com/byb-fountainhead-course-description.php. Definitely not on the MTB trails. Sounds like we'll be bush-wacking for the race, actually.

Starting late will be good b/c the race is around 300 people, so the parking lot will be full until about 10:30. If you arrive before 10 a.m., though, you could cheer us across the finish line :DOk, so 11 should be late enough to miss all that? (I did look up their website, but they don't really list the ending time).

[rockhead]

If you look at the finish times for the first BYB (which was much more hilly than #2), there were several over 2 hrs and a few dnf's. On the other hand, a lot of people who run the 5 will be out of there by 10:30, most likely freeing up enough parking spots for a ride.

Of course, some of us will have good spots...I might be right there with you and that sub-casual pace, mjbrox!

[mjbrox]

sub-casual pace my A$$!

I am in it to win it!

Did you do the burn two weeks ago?

[1derwoman]

11:00 ride start will be fine. In the last 2 BYB races more than half the crowd seemed to be gone from the lot within 2 hours, and even more if it's a chilly or blustery day. The only thing is that you might have to wait for a runner or two to cross the road when you try to access the parking lot. Just smile and cheer, and we'll be happy to have your company :) in fact, why not join us for the run and the pizza afterward!

[jabberwocky]

11:00 ride start will be fine. In the last 2 BYB races more than half the crowd seemed to be gone from the lot within 2 hours, and even more if it's a chilly or blustery day. The only thing is that you might have to wait for a runner or two to cross the road when you try to access the parking lot. Just smile and cheer, and we'll be happy to have your company :) in fact, why not join us for the run and the pizza afterward!Ok, thats good to know.

As for running, I ran track when I was in junior high, and I decided it just ain't my thing. Plus, 12+ years of skateboarding have given me occasional knee and lower back problems and running makes things unharmonious in those joints. Pizza sounds good though. :)

[rockhead]

I am in it to win it!

Did you do the burn two weeks ago?
Sure did, but if you're "in it to win it", you wouldn't have seen me between the speech and the pizza. Fat, old, and slow...that's me!

I'm thinking of stepping up to the 10 for the last one, so following the 5 with a lap around FH wouldn't hurt the cause.

[markymark]

got no transportation as my car is back in california.... just moved here to DC... new job. if someone of u could pick me up at van horn metro station or meet somewhere in DC that would be awesome???

markymark

[yueq]

got no transportation as my car is back in california.... just moved here to DC... new job. if someone of u could pick me up at van horn metro station or meet somewhere in DC that would be awesome???

markymark

I checked the metro map and found I should be able to pick you up at the Van Dorn station, if you don't find a more convenient ride.

[dharma]

in light of this (http://www.more-mtb.org/forum/showthread.php?t=5767) development...where does one park outside gates? thanks.

[Squirrel Girl]

in light of this (http://www.more-mtb.org/forum/showthread.php?t=5767) development...where does one park outside gates? thanks.There are wide shoulders right there at the gate (outside). In winter there are commonly a dozen cars parked there. Many mountain bikers, also dog walkers, etc.

[mjbrox]

Just get there before the crowds at 7am. :)

[Cjones]

The gates are down the Fountainhead entry road a little bit. You can take the road till you get to the gate and then just park on the side of the road.

The gates are also closed for a few months during the winter, even though the mountain bike trail is open.

Edit: Squirrel Girl beat me to it. Doh!

[Pinoy Rider]

How big is this race? At 1030 will there be any parking spots outside the gate?

[Squirrel Girl]

Edit: Squirrel Girl beat me to it. Doh!I worked till nearly 10 pm last night to get my briefing ready. I reviewed it with a co-worker this morning. Now I have a half hour to cool my heels before the 2 hour telecon to Santa Barbara begins. So I'm avoiding actually doing real work. But it's time to stop obsessing over the MORE forum for a while.

[crashmore]

Is there a backup plan should FH be closed?

in light of this (http://www.more-mtb.org/forum/showthread.php?t=5767) development...where does one park outside gates? thanks.

[jabberwocky]

Ok, in light of the fact that the runners seem to own the trail for the day, I need to have a few backup plans in place.

First, I am considering just pushing the ride back an hour or so (to around noon). The race should be well over by then. I'm hoping that the parking lot will be open by then and we can do the ride as we normally would. Is it going to mess anyone up if I do this?

Backup plan #2 (if they close the MTB trail entirely) is to move the ride somewhere else. I'm willing to take suggestions. Accotink? Hoyles Mill? Schaeffer? What are peoples preferences?

[Pinoy Rider]

I'm good for 1200.

[yueq]

Ok, in light of the fact that the runners seem to own the trail for the day, I need to have a few backup plans in place.

First, I am considering just pushing the ride back an hour or so (to around noon). The race should be well over by then. I'm hoping that the parking lot will be open by then and we can do the ride as we normally would. Is it going to mess anyone up if I do this?

Backup plan #2 (if they close the MTB trail entirely) is to move the ride somewhere else. I'm willing to take suggestions. Accotink? Hoyles Mill? Schaeffer? What are peoples preferences?

Schaeffer is not a bad idea since it'll be closed pretty soon (Nov. 25 - Dec 9 and who knows afterwards).

[rockhead]

How big is this race? At 1030 will there be any parking spots outside the gate?
There will be around 300-400 runners doing the race. So at 9am, there won't be much for parking inside or on the road, but by 10:30, the gates will be open to let runners leave and there will surely be parking opening up inside. In fact, as the entrance road is part of the course, I'd be surprised to see the gates closed at all.

The announcement said that the trail is only closed from 9 until 11am, and if it's really only for warming up, it should be vacant by 9am.

That said, all forecasts I've seen call for a beautiful and dry weekend (after tomorrow's deluge), so I don't see why anyone's worried about being able to ride it.

After the last BYB, I went to FH to do trailwork and after this run I plan to ride what I worked on (I especially want to try out those teeter-taughters). I say screw the backup plan and just be ready to adjust according to the parking situation.

Ride on!

[punga]

Schaeffer is not a bad idea since it'll be closed pretty soon (Nov. 25 - Dec 9 and who knows afterwards).
Schaeffer might be a bad idea after tomorrow's rain. I haven't heard any reports, but I'm betting it's gotten pretty sloppy there already, and won't get any better any time soon.

food for thought.

punga!

[dharma]

Ok, in light of the fact that the runners seem to own the trail for the day, I need to have a few backup plans in place.

First, I am considering just pushing the ride back an hour or so (to around noon). The race should be well over by then. I'm hoping that the parking lot will be open by then and we can do the ride as we normally would. Is it going to mess anyone up if I do this?

Backup plan #2 (if they close the MTB trail entirely) is to move the ride somewhere else. I'm willing to take suggestions. Accotink? Hoyles Mill? Schaeffer? What are peoples preferences?

FH at 11, noon, anytime!

[jabberwocky]

FH at 11, noon, anytime!After thinking about it a bit, I think I'll leave the ride the same. If we can't park in the main lot, we will just park outside the gate and ride in (and try to stay out of the runners way). Hopefully it won't be an issue once we are on the trail.

And hey, if the trail is too sloppy, we can do our warm up lap on the foot traffic only trails, right? ;)

[rockhead]

And hey, if the trail is too sloppy, we can do our warm up lap on the foot traffic only trails, right? ;)

Sweet! .....

[mtbmore]

You will be fine with a start time of 11am. Most if not all the runners will be done by 11am. Hopefully the whole event will be wrapped up by 1pm so you would not want to park in the park anyway and risk your car being locked in.

Scud

[Pinoy Rider]

If your coming, in an effort to match bikes with screen names, what bike are you bringing? :)

[jabberwocky]

If your coming, in an effort to match bikes with screen names, what bike are you bringing? :)I'll be on my bright blue singlespeed. Its pretty hard to miss.

[Pinoy Rider]

Cool. Can't wait to see it. I'll be on a White Yeti!

[jabberwocky]

Note that I edited my original post to add some info about parking and the race on Sunday. The short version is that Fountainheads gate is closed this time of year. If it is open on Sunday, it is only for the trail race that is going on, and the gate will be shut and locked when that is over. So if you do go in and park at the lot, your car may be locked in while we are riding, and some park rangers may be kinda pissed, so lets try to avoid that. Just park along the entrance road before you get to the gate and you should be fine.

Ride is still on for 11am. Lots of rain today, but we have a few days of nice weather ahead of us to help dry things out. Anyone who can update me on trail conditions on Saturday gets a cookie.

[mjbrox]

Will there be an extra special slow group? I am doing the 5 mile run that morning (GASP! I am so EVIL!) so I will probably be pretty tired. Also, I am taking my wife out there for the first time, so that will be a big step up from Wakefield.

[markymark]

guys - i am interested in joining u guys for the ride on sunday... have no transportation as my car is back in california( just recently moved here). am hoping one of you could pick me up at the metro station somewhere say at van horn.

[dharma]

Will there be an extra special slow group? I am doing the 5 mile run that morning (GASP! I am so EVIL!) so I will probably be pretty tired. Also, I am taking my wife out there for the first time, so that will be a big step up from Wakefield.


I'll join the pokey group!!! :o

[werace424]

Also, I am taking my wife out there for the first time, so that will be a big step up from Wakefield.

UNDERSTATEMENT OF THE MONTH!!! ;)

Hope we can still go. See you there if we are on!

Paul

[jabberwocky]

Will there be an extra special slow group? I am doing the 5 mile run that morning (GASP! I am so EVIL!) so I will probably be pretty tired. Also, I am taking my wife out there for the first time, so that will be a big step up from Wakefield.I don't mind going slow. You are both welcome to join us. Casual means casual.

Your wife will have lots of fun if this is her first real trail after Wakefield. :)

Everyone, make sure to check the thread Sunday morning before leaving for the ride. I'll be checking the trail line early to make sure its open. I'm pretty hopeful; the short off-road portions of my commute dried substantially today, and the weather is supposed to be pretty nice tomorrow.

[patrickM]

count me in . . . polished silver (fancy for grey) fisher.

[yueq]

Shockabilly aside, is FH as SS friendly as Schaeffer?

[jabberwocky]

Shockabilly aside, is FH as SS friendly as Schaeffer?No. Its still fun on a singlespeed though. But you may want an easier gearing than you would take for Schaeffer (I run 32-21 on my 29er and find it perfect for Fountainhead).

[dharma]

baring any shoulder flare-ups from the RLAG ride, i'm going to give FH a try.

If your coming, in an effort to match bikes with screen names, what bike are you bringing? :)

blue/white kona.

[middle-ring]

Sounds like a ride! The hotline says the trail is open today. I'll be there testing it out Sat @ 7:20 am.

fat/ white guy

[jabberwocky]

Sounds like a ride! The hotline says the trail is open today. I'll be there testing it out Sat @ 7:20 am.

fat/ white guyAwesome! Let me know how the trails are. I'm hearing Rosaryville is ok for the RLAG ride tomorrow, so I imagine Fountainhead should be fine Sunday.

[heidi]

I've never been to FH. Coming from the Frederick, MD area...anybody want to share a ride?

(Black Cannondale lefty)

[werace424]

Sounds like a ride! The hotline says the trail is open today. I'll be there testing it out Sat @ 7:20 am.

fat/ white guy

Hey!! I'm the fat white guy. :p

See you there, Grey Trek EX-8

[markymark]

hey i am in need of a ride.... my car is back in california as i just moved here. i live in DC and could take the metro and meet at the van horn station as believe thats the closest station to FH.

i was at gambrill today.... what a great turnout it was! thanks punga!!!

crossing my fingers that someone would be of assistance.

mark

[middle-ring]

The trail is surprisingly dry. The (original) dead end loop has some mud bog areas, and there a few big puddles in awkward places, but overall the trail is in great shape.

Have fun!

[jabberwocky]

hey i am in need of a ride.... my car is back in california as i just moved here. i live in DC and could take the metro and meet at the van horn station as believe thats the closest station to FH.

i was at gambrill today.... what a great turnout it was! thanks punga!!!

crossing my fingers that someone would be of assistance.

markI think yueg said earlier in the thread that he may be able to get you, maybe drop him a PM?. I don't usually go near a metro station on my way to Fountainhead, but I may be able to detour a bit. I'll look at a map a little later and see what I can do.

[jabberwocky]

The trail is surprisingly dry. The (original) dead end loop has some mud bog areas, and there a few big puddles in awkward places, but overall the trail is in great shape.

Have fun!Fantastic! Thanks for the report, you get a tasty, tasty cookie. I was thinking about skipping the old dead end loop anyway, as it seems to retain water the longest.

[Cjones]

I'm also going to join ya'll.
red Jeep -- orange Retrotec.

Thanks & see you tomorrow.

[yueq]

hey i am in need of a ride.... my car is back in california as i just moved here. i live in DC and could take the metro and meet at the van horn station as believe thats the closest station to FH.

i was at gambrill today.... what a great turnout it was! thanks punga!!!

crossing my fingers that someone would be of assistance.

mark

I'll be happy to. Dunn Loring-Merrifield station might be the best for me since it's very close to 270/495 (any metro guru out there to confirm this? I personally have never been to any station other than Shady Groove).

Check you PM.

[mjbrox]

Well like I said, I am running the byb, we will both be on Giant's hers is Silver Mine is blue. We will be driving a Silver Acura MDX.

I don't mind going slow. You are both welcome to join us. Casual means casual.

Your wife will have lots of fun if this is her first real trail after Wakefield. :)

Everyone, make sure to check the thread Sunday morning before leaving for the ride. I'll be checking the trail line early to make sure its open. I'm pretty hopeful; the short off-road portions of my commute dried substantially today, and the weather is supposed to be pretty nice tomorrow.

[dcraider]

Ya'll talked me into it. I'll go as well and to keep the standard going, I'm riding my silver Trek Liquid in a silver Trailblazer. And I'll have that dork, werace424 (aka Paul), with me.

[rockhead]

SC Blur, Black. Nice and slow.

[werace424]

Ya'l talked me into it. I'll go as well and to keep the standard going, I'm riding my silver Trek Liquid in a silver Trailblazer. And I'll have that dork, werace424 (aka Paul), with me.


Dork??? Your one to talk. you big over tall MONKEY!!! See you in the morning fart knocker!!! :D

[dcraider]

Dork??? Your one to talk. you big over tall MONKEY!!! See you in the morning fart knocker!!! :D


We smell our own kind.

[jabberwocky]

Just in case anyone was still wondering, the ride is definitely on for tomorrow. See everyone out there!

[Pinoy Rider]

Jabberwocky great ride. Thanks Again. Great meeting everyone. Jess

PS. Please, a moment of silence for my glove that fell to it's demise in the portapotty. :(

[yueq]

Jabberwocky great ride. Thanks Again. Great meeting everyone. Jess

PS. Please, a moment of silence for my glove that fell to it's demise in the portapotty. :(

Great ride indeed. Nice to meet everyone, though I didn't have a chance to associate forum names with real world faces.

[heidi]

I was the lame-o that dropped out early. Sometimes my heart goes into tachycardia (fast beat) and palpitations (hard beats). This is the 2nd time it's done it on a ride. When it happens I cannot get enough air in my lungs no matter how hard/fast I breathe. Physically before this started I was feeling really good.

So it took me about 10-15 mins to make it back to the parking lot. I had to stop a few times just to breathe. Then I watched the race announcements for awhile while waiting this 'episode' out. I sat in my car for about 30 mins waiting. It took over an hour to calm down. It's left me feeling weak and kind of strange. Definitely the worst this has ever done to me.

I think FH is a challenge for me anyway...and I would love to try it again someday. I'm pretty upset that I came that far and couldn't ride. :( :mad:

Dharma, how'd you fair?

[Squirrel Girl]

I was the lame-o that dropped out early. Sometimes my heart goes into tachycardia (fast beat) and palpitations (hard beats). This is the 2nd time it's done it on a ride. When it happens I cannot get enough air in my lungs no matter how hard/fast I breathe. Physically before this started I was feeling really good.

So it took me about 10-15 mins to make it back to the parking lot. I had to stop a few times just to breathe. Then I watched the race announcements for awhile while waiting this 'episode' out. I sat in my car for about 30 mins waiting. It took over an hour to calm down. It's left me feeling weak and kind of strange. Definitely the worst this has ever done to me. Girlie! Have you been to a doctor (or two?) about this?

[jabberwocky]

Good ride golks! Turnout was higher than I expected (16 people at the start). Hopefully the pace was to everyones liking. The trails were in fantastic shape, with the exception of the old out and back loop having some longer muddy parts on the uphill. Whoever built that teeter totter near the picnic table is twelve kinds of awesome. Did I miss a memo or something? When did that get built?! Theres starting to be a neat little skills area there, with the log ride and the new teeter totter (and the skinny over the creek, but that didn't look all the permanent, although I hope I'm wrong :) ).
I was the lame-o that dropped out early. Sometimes my heart goes into tachycardia (fast beat) and palpitations (hard beats). This is the 2nd time it's done it on a ride. When it happens I cannot get enough air in my lungs no matter how hard/fast I breathe. Physically before this started I was feeling really good.

So it took me about 10-15 mins to make it back to the parking lot. I had to stop a few times just to breathe. Then I watched the race announcements for awhile while waiting this 'episode' out. I sat in my car for about 30 mins waiting. It took over an hour to calm down. It's left me feeling weak and kind of strange. Definitely the worst this has ever done to me.

I think FH is a challenge for me anyway...and I would love to try it again someday. I'm pretty upset that I came that far and couldn't ride. :( :mad:

Dharma, how'd you fair?I was worried about you when people said you dropped off. I'm really sorry to hear about that, but I'm glad you made it out and home. I feel like I should have at least escorted you back to the lot and made sure you were ok, and I'm genuinely sorry about not doing that. :( Hopefully everything will be ok. I'm sure you know this, but thyself to a doc post-haste.

Dharma did great, btw. She rode down shockabilly for the first time, and I dont think she veered off any bridges into the rocks. :)

Everyone who is interested: Next weekend, Elizabeth Furnace, casual. It would be nice if someone who knows the standard MORE fireroad climb to bear wallow downhill route would volunteer to help me with this one, just so I know I have a competent sweeper along.

[Squirrel Girl]

Yay Dharma! Let us know what you thought of FH your second time around. I still don't ride down Shockabilly!

Sorry, Jabs. I'll be in Indiana for Turkey Day. Looks like my sister thinks we can go kayaking, even though the weather is predicted to be the same as today, but sunnier. Brrrr! My brother says he can't go kayaking with us because his wetsuit is at the drycleaners. :rolleyes:

Actually, if the EF ride is on Sunday I'll be back that day, but I might be too busy to make it.

[jabberwocky]

Yay Dharma! Let us know what you thought of FH your second time around. I still don't ride down Shockabilly!

Sorry, Jabs. I'll be in Indiana for Turkey Day. Looks like my sister thinks we can go kayaking, even though the weather is predicted to be the same as today, but sunnier. Brrrr! My brother says he can't go kayaking with us because his wetsuit is at the drycleaners. :rolleyes:

Actually, if the EF ride is on Sunday I'll be back that day, but I might be too busy to make it.I was thinking Sunday, actually.

And someone on the ride today was asking why I was your little monkey. So I had to explain it. I need to either bribe or force you (or maybe both) to make you change that cursed signature. :)

[Squirrel Girl]

I was thinking Sunday, actually.

And someone on the ride today was asking why I was your little monkey. So I had to explain it. I need to either bribe or force you (or maybe both) to make you change that cursed signature. :)We'll see about Sunday.

I figured that whole "little monkey" had run it's course, so I turned off my signature line about a week ago. I don't see it anymore. Do you?

If I could think of something clever, I'd replace it and have something new show up instead.

[Squirrel Girl]

I need to either bribe or force you (or maybe both) to make you change that cursed signature. :)What was I thinking?????? I, voluntarily turned it off? Now I'll turn it back on so you can bribe or force (or both) me. Sounds fun! :) Though, now that I have my new Lake 301s I'm not sure what I'd want in a bribe.

[werace424]

Well BARB, :eek:
It seems that "Jabs", (Monkey Boy) is a nice guy and maybe you should just let him off of the hook. Maybe if you don't he will tell everyone how much you love being called BARB! ;)

WERACE OUT!!!

BTW, Great ride, lots of fun and a relaxed ride for me.

[Squirrel Girl]

Well BARB, :eek:
It seems that "Jabs", (Monkey Boy) is a nice guy and maybe you should just let him off of the hook. Jabs, aka Monkey Boy IS a nice guy. But I can't let him off the hook. That's what our relationship is based on. Giving each other a hard time! (not that kind, Craig). Just insulting each other and generally playfully yanking each other's chains.
:)

[dharma]

Yay Dharma! Let us know what you thought of FH your second time around. I still don't ride down Shockabilly!


First thing first - Heidi, glad that you are feeling better now, but agree with SG, hope you get things checked out to make sure you are OK!

As for the ride today, I have several thoughts. It's interesting what a range of emotions mtb can elicit. I started off pretty anxious and nervous (mostly bc of how poorly I failed on my first FH attempt, yes under very different circumstances, but still, a debacle none the less!).

Once we got going, nerves went away. Learned a lot about riding lose in the arms and letting the bike and shocks do the work over the roots and rocks, and being less tentative was very helpful. Not going to lie, poor sweeper (thanks for your patience, Ken) had to wait on me...a lot :o

But, between my bike and my feet I made it through (read: UP). Certainly I was frustrated at times (many, many times) but the guys were amazingly patient, encouraging and supportive - and got me down a couple very steep sections, including schockbilly! :eek: :D

So all in all - vast improvement for me personally, which is all that matters! Sure, I still have a ton of work to do and lots and lots of areas where I can improve, but overall I am quite pleased with how far I have come in a couple months, and ultimately that is all that matter! :)

Dharma did great, btw. She rode down shockabilly for the first time, and I dont think she veered off any bridges into the rocks.

Everyone who is interested: Next weekend, Elizabeth Furnace, casual.

I did manage to stay on all bridges, and I'm positive that I'll take a PASS on Elizabeth Furnace. Baby steps, baby steps. Let me give FH a try a few more times and let the shoulder have a bit of a rest! I've got some heat on it which feels great!

Again, thank you so much to everyone on the ride, I really appreciated the positive attitude and patience from you all. Thank you, thank you!

[Squirrel Girl]

Rah, yay! Dharma! I knew you'd do a whole lot better this time around at FH. Whether you'd enjoy it or not was another thing. Sounds like you did superb! By not being perfect at first, it gives you a chance to enjoy the learning.

I get motion sick, so I'd never do it, but it makes me think of flying. I'd enjoy LEARNING to fly, but after learning, I'd think flying would get boring (except looking down on geology).

So, enjoy yourself and have fun learning! It doesn't get any better than this! :D

Keep riding and before too terribly long, you'll be riding everywhere. I have full confidence that before too long you'll be a lot better than I am! :)

[markymark]

had a great time with u all althou i not say much on the ride but could see the body language everyone made sure all is ok and giving encouragements! u probably know by now that i was the lone deaf rider out there.

hope to do it again with u all... yesterday and today were the first time i have ridden with the MORE group. hitting my head why i didnt hook up with u all back in august when i moved here from california. september and october months - no MTBing... come november my green SC Bullit and I were seriously itching for a ride. this month alone i have gone 4 times... I am definitely going to make sure i do as much as i can.

look forward to MORE rides!

markymark

[markymark]

jabber - any plans to put up the group pix?

[Squirrel Girl]

Hi markymark! I was on the Jets/Sharks ride, so I'm sorry I missed you guys out there today. I would have gone, otherwise.

So tell me, if I'm graced by your presence on a MORE ride, what do I do to communicate with you? I haven't interacted with anyone who is deaf before, so I'm completely at a loss.

I'm glad you had a great time. Welcome to MORE! Come on more MORE rides! :D

SG

[dharma]

I smiled and clapped and jumped around like a fool after I did shockabilly. markymark gave me a thumbs up. perfect communication! :) in all seriousness tho - Barbara's question is a good one...i'd like to know for next time too. glad to see you are finally getting some rides in, welcome!

[jabberwocky]

Jabs, aka Monkey Boy IS a nice guy. But I can't let him off the hook. That's what our relationship is based on. Giving each other a hard time! (not that kind, Craig). Just insulting each other and generally playfully yanking each other's chains.
:)I would get seriously worried if SG stopped giving me a hard time. Because that could only mean she was saving up to give me a super hard time later on.

Don't worry though, every time someone asks me why I'm your little monkey, I just explain how much you love being called Barb. ;)

So all in all - vast improvement for me personally, which is all that matters! Sure, I still have a ton of work to do and lots and lots of areas where I can improve, but overall I am quite pleased with how far I have come in a couple months, and ultimately that is all that matter! :)You did great. Its very easy to forget how little time you've been riding. I think I had been riding a few months longer than you before I ever even went to Fountainhead.

I did manage to stay on all bridges, and I'm positive that I'll take a PASS on Elizabeth Furnace. Baby steps, baby steps. Let me give FH a try a few more times and let the shoulder have a bit of a rest! I've got some heat on it which feels great!Probably a good idea. The downhill at EF (especially the upper 3rd of Bear Wallow) makes shockabilly look like flat pavement. :) I bet it won't be very long before you can handle it, though.

jabber - any plans to put up the group pix?I actually didn't take any group pics (I got a few of various people coming down shockabilly though). If whoever took the group shot would email it to me I'll post it up (my email is in my first post).

[markymark]

i am not going to get too technical here.... to be able to communicate with the deaf it takes time to get use to it... it helps if one speak slightly slower and directly to me so i could lipread. keep in mind i will never get 100% of what u say. i wear an hearing aid and can hear u talk but i will not comprehend the words as thats why i lipread. with the hearing aid, it allows me to lipread better. but i do not wear my hearing aid on the ride as the sweat will ruin my aid.

using of body language and nonverbal communication helps a lot too.

it just takes time for develop and over time u will get better. same way with MTBing... u ride more, u get better. same with communicating with the deaf. the more u are with them the better u will get if u keep an open mind.

[yueq]

it just takes time for develop and over time u will get better. same way with MTBing... u ride more, u get better. same with communicating with the deaf. the more u are with them the better u will get if u keep an open mind.

I think we did alright :)

and got me down a couple very steep sections, including schockbilly!

The attached picture is one proof. :)

[dcraider]

But, between my bike and my feet I made it through (read: UP). Certainly I was frustrated at times (many, many times) but the guys were amazingly patient, encouraging and supportive - and got me down a couple very steep sections, including schockbilly! :eek: :D

Again, thank you so much to everyone on the ride, I really appreciated the positive attitude and patience from you all. Thank you, thank you!

When I say this, I'm sure I speak for all of us, I'm touched, sniff, sniff.

Great riding today. I was honestly taken back by your attempt at shock-a-billy, it really impressed me and I'm not easily impressed, especially by some girl with such an abrasive attitude. Way to take control of that trail today. So when do you want to start free riding and dirt jumping?

Take care of that shoulder.

Kris

[Pinoy Rider]

great riding with you markymark, I was either behind you or in front with you on the white FS Yeti.

[jabberwocky]

So who was it who took the group photo? I'd like to see it.

[Pinoy Rider]

The guys from Venezuala, not Minnesota :). They took a few. The rider on the sweet Ellsworth took some photos too I think.

[yueq]

The guys from Venezuala, not Minnesota :). They took a few. The rider on the sweet Ellsworth took some photos too I think.

I only took two, both when we were waiting at the picnic table. One was attached couple posts above. The other one was about the same.

I'd like to see the group picture, too. I thought that was Chris's camera, but apparently not.

[jabberwocky]

Group shot:

http://img99.imageshack.us/img99/5053/dsc02892hr5.jpg

[middle-ring]

so Jabberwocky, which one is you?

[jabberwocky]

Red shirt, arms crossed, right in the middle.

[middle-ring]

cool.
One of these days I might actually be able to ride when you guys go. Generally I don't ride on Sunday though. If that EF ride mentioned on the other thread was on Saturday I might be tempted to do that. But I'll probably stick to my normal Sat am FH ride.

[werace424]

Perhaps we should all put a name, bike, and riding time with the faces here.
I am Paul. the one on the far right, (as we look at the pic).
Trek Fuel EX8.
Been riding for about two years now.

I only suggest this so everyone there can compare their skillz and time with others on the ride.

[yueq]

I was there next to Paul. The blue bike I was holding belongs to Jab.

[dharma]

far left - red/white jersey
kona lisa ds
since labor day weekend, almost 3 whole months now! :)

[Cjones]

Great ride on Sunday! I love Fountainhead and that new teeter-totter is cool. Anyone know when the 2nd one is supposed to go in? Thanks for leading Chris.

Carey -- 5th guy from left, DirtRag jersey riding the Retrotec singlespeed.

[drewdane]

Group shot:

That's odd - why don't I see Gaz in there? :D

[jfbs67mtb]

I hope you guys like the picture. I was having problem to upload, so I gave it to chris last nite. I m the guy from Venezuela not Minesota :) ( down at the first row with blue sweeter)

[ken holmes]

Im Ken, second from the left kneeling in front of Dharma. I was riding the rigid titanium fatchance as sweeper. As for a little context, I have been riding fh for a long time as I was a MORE member back in 96-97 and remember the building of the fh trail and the raffle of the shockabilly for trail funds or whatever the procedes went for. I have been riding for almost thirteen years and just moved back to northern VA after being gone for a while.

that was my first group ride in almost two years! laid back group rides sure are nice! I'd like to come along on some more.

I have to give mad props to Dharma, I had know idea that you had only been riding three months!! Fooled me!

[yueq]

Im Ken, second from the left kneeling in front of Dharma. I was riding the rigid titanium fatchance as sweeper. As for a little context, I have been riding fh for a long time as I was a MORE member back in 96-97 and remember the building of the fh trail and the raffle of the shockabilly for trail funds or whatever the procedes went for. I have been riding for almost thirteen years and just moved back to northern VA after being gone for a while.

that was my first group ride in almost two years! laid back group rides sure are nice! I'd like to come along on some more.

I have to give mad props to Dharma, I had know idea that you had only been riding three months!! Fooled me!

Ken, you are one of the best sweepers I have seen. http://www.more-mtb.org/forum/images/icons/icon14.gif

[Pinoy Rider]

Ken, you are one of the best sweepers I have seen. http://www.more-mtb.org/forum/images/icons/icon14.gif

I am to the right of the boys from Venezuela. Between Yueg and Paul. I've been riding since 95 down in the Norfolk area. Moved here in 97 with my trusted 95 Stumpjumper that is still going strong. However, only riding occasionally at FH and Accotink/wakefield. The last two years I've been riding pretty consistently to justify my Yeti 575. Ken and Dharma it was great hanging back for a tad bit with you guys. Paul, Yueg, patrick, and the boys from venezuela it was great meeting and riding with you guys. Until next time, Jess

[dharma]

Ken, you are one of the best sweepers I have seen. http://www.more-mtb.org/forum/images/icons/icon14.gif

definitely! thanks for keeping an eye out and being so patient.

[markymark]

i am third from left in blue pullover. i started out MTBing in '95 and then had stopped in '99. i started doing it again last year for a bit then this spring i started going at it as much as i can and plan to continue!

[markymark]

my ride - green santa cruz bullit!

[Pinoy Rider]

The first thing I thought seeing your SC bullit was, it must be a blast riding it when things get rough.

[Squirrel Girl]

Keep riding and before too terribly long, you'll be riding everywhere. I have full confidence that before too long you'll be a lot better than I am! :)Could this be now already??? :)