Any DMV Cyclists?

GFreg

Hi guys! I was just wondering if anyone in the group likes cycling?

horror_hamster

i went on my first ride yesterday in two years! 7 miles from Leesburg toward Purcellville and back. my butt hurts but heck YES i loved it! just have to do it more often (great time to pick up an outdoor habit this close to winter, right?)

liveinthemix

Honestly I'm horrified of cycling on the roads in this area.. I'm not opposed to trail riding though.. but then I'd need a bike.. *adds to Christmas list*

GFreg

@horror_hampster; You were on the W&OD trail? That is a great bike path! Sounds like you had a good ride. Unfortunately it is quite a hike for me to get over there frequently but I did a charity ride on it earlier in the year and I really enjoy that path.

@liveinthemix; I know what you mean. The roads can be a bit scary for cyclists. I have recently joined the Potomac Pedalers cycling club. There are a bunch of club rides that have been developed to stay on bike routes or minimally traveled streets. They also accommodate to many different ability levels.

horror_hamster

I was on the W&OD trail. it's BEAUTIFUL. i forget that going west is all uphill though so it was a challenge for a first ride. It was great, however, and I will be riding it again.

Sweet_Potato

I bike to work everyday-- a little over 1 mile each way. It's even faster than driving! The street I take is wide and has a bike lane, so I'm not too scared about sharing the road with car commuters. I certainly don't look like your typical biker (pencil skirt, heels, giant purse and rusted beater bike) but I do wear a helmet.

liveinthemix

@horror_hampster; You were on the W&OD trail? That is a great bike path! Sounds like you had a good ride. Unfortunately it is quite a hike for me to get over there frequently but I did a charity ride on it earlier in the year and I really enjoy that path.

@liveinthemix; I know what you mean. The roads can be a bit scary for cyclists. I have recently joined the Potomac Pedalers cycling club. There are a bunch of club rides that have been developed to stay on bike routes or minimally traveled streets. They also accommodate to many different ability levels.

Once I get a bike I'll have to look into that..!! thanks for the info!

GFreg

I bike to work everyday-- a little over 1 mile each way. It's even faster than driving! The street I take is wide and has a bike lane, so I'm not too scared about sharing the road with car commuters. I certainly don't look like your typical biker (pencil skirt, heels, giant purse and rusted beater bike) but I do wear a helmet.

That sounds like a nice ride. My commute would be about 8 miles each way on roads with heavy traffic so I don't ride to work. I think I may have found a good alternative though so I will probably check that out and see if biking to work is a option. I would love be able to decrease how much I use my car. Yay for the helmet!

As for the Potomac Pedalers, it is pretty cheap to join, only $35 a year but the rides do not require you to be a member to participate. I would definitely recommend taking a look to anyone who might be interested.

slim_photographer

I ride during lunch at work. I go from columbia pike to a little before the falls church metro station. Because I'm a coward with wind chill I'm sticking to running until it get a litltle warmer, 50+. I used to do a 16 mile loop once a week during the summer. Maybe I'll do it more often this year.
Hector

GFreg

I ride during lunch at work. I go from columbia pike to a little before the falls church metro station. Because I'm a coward with wind chill I'm sticking to running until it get a litltle warmer, 50+. I used to do a 16 mile loop once a week during the summer. Maybe I'll do it more often this year.
Hector

That's awesome! Yeah it gets hard to ride when the temps drop. I have some winter gear but I don't think I would ride in much less than about 30 degrees. I wont ride when there is snow, ice or if it is raining heavily.