Not that he ever really lost it but it has been a long time since ComMUTter Man was ColoradoPassChaserGuy and even longer since he was YoungRacerKid.
Life and all that goes with it came between ComMUTter Man and his bike riding. In the last couple of years he became Hardcore ComMUTter Man but he kept lurking on RBR and thinking about all the rides other folks were doing.
In the dead of winter (about 2 months ago) he says to the 'Ol Biker, "We need to get out of the office and ride." The 'Ol Biker preached caution, "Let's wait for good weather." So ComMUTter Man held off.
Till today.
A couple of years ago ComMUTter Man had ridden 10 or 12 miles on the Tow Path with the 'Ol Biker on the way to an offsite meeting. That was nice but he figured more just had to be better.
Turned out he was right.
The plan was to get in some big miles. Maybe not a century but darn close.
ComMUTter Man remembered seeing a RBR ride report that went up the path to Whites Ferry where the riders crossed into Virginia.
The 'Ol Biker said. "Sure I know that route."
ComMUTter Man said, "Let's go!"
They went.
singlecross
04-24-2007, 02:49 PM
Nice SS 'cross bike, that's what I'm talkin' 'bout! Also looks like a trick MagLite rig on the front fork. Clamp on the fender mount? Details please?
singlecross
Nice SS 'cross bike, that's what I'm talkin' 'bout! Also looks like a trick MagLite rig on the front fork. Clamp on the fender mount? Details please?
singlecross
The bike is fixed not free.
There are 2 mag lights, one on the bars on one on the fork tip. ComMUTter Man modified some reflector brackets to get them on the bike. He is much happier with the MagLites than he was with a Nite Rider.
singlecross
04-24-2007, 03:57 PM
I assumed, incorrectly, SS with the rear brake. Neat seatstays though. Thanks for the info on the mag light brackets. I may have to try that as a "foglight" for my Maine coast fog season night commutes. She can get some thick up here...
singlecross
Of course the 'Ol Biker wasn't about to ride a straight line.
He took ComMUTter Man over to Balls Bluff before heading to Leesburg for a bit of lunch.
ComMUTter Man thought it might be tough riding after all that food.
ComMUTter Man was right.
The 'Ol Biker wanted to stop at the LBS to get some freebies.
While the 'Ol Biker was bugging the shop rats ComMUTter Man was checking out some sweet bikes-Moots, Merlin, Burley (sigh), Cannondale, BMC and many more. Sweet!
Then it was 35 miles of tailwinds on the W&OD (with a little off roading just for the heck of it). The 'Ol Biker sure knows how to lay out a route.
ComMUTter Man liked it and said to the 'Ol Biker, "Same time next week?"
ComMUTter Man got his groove back!
Timbo337
04-25-2007, 09:43 AM
Nice, can't wait to get back to Bethesda and on those trails again
Grasschopper
04-25-2007, 11:17 AM
Wow that first half really brings back memories of my ride from Pitt to DC on that trail...man there are some sketchy sections of that trail out in the sticks. LOL
Great photos... may have to do a similar ride this year when visiting DC.
Dave Hickey
04-25-2007, 04:42 PM
Great pictures.... What size tires are you running on the towpath? They look pretty standard(23c or 25c?) Any problems with the crushed gravel?
Great pictures.... What size tires are you running on the towpath? They look pretty standard(23c or 25c?) Any problems with the crushed gravel?
the 'Ol Biker was running Ruffy Tuffies which are a fairly fat 700x26, ComMUTterMan was running Panaracer 700x28s. No problems at all with any of the varied surfaces but they chose a dry day (them suckers as wide as they are just don't float on water).