My Oyster

Sunday Outings on Two Wheels...

Jean bought a bike this week - a blue Trek. So now we can expand our Sunday morning outings here in DC to include cycling.

This morning for our first cycling adventure we wanted some nature - so of course the "natural" choice was Rock Creek Park.

We loaded the bikes onto the new bike rack, picked up some breakfast at the local Dunkin' Donuts, and headed down to the Creek.

We got there at 9am and still were lucky to get a parking spot. It is a beautiful weekend here in DC and I think everyone who didn't go to Rehobeth or Bethany was down in RCP.

I have spent many, many, many hours running and cycling and driving in Rock Creek Park, but always appreciate it enormously. It's just beautiful. And soooo convenient.

Here is where we parked for breakfast.

We biked for a couple hours - up into Maryland and back.  I already have some ideas for our next outing.

Two Wheels on Opossumtown Pike...

OK.  I just love the name of that road. 

Today Vijay & I did a 57 mile ride way outside the city - starting somewhere north of Frederick.  We found ourselves pedaling on Opossumtown Pike several times - and I giggled, silently to myself, every time.

I really wanted to ride into THE Opossumtown.  But we never did.  Maybe the Pike doesn't really lead to the town.

The rides up in Frederick County are really beautiful and worth the drive.  Rolling hills.  Farms.  Old stone houses.  Covered bridges (2 this time).  Meandering creeks.

This is Vijay on a small road along a creek...

And here we are at a rest break...

Two Wheels Through the Blossoms

I took my Roubaix out this morning for the first ride of the season. A bit late this year I guess - but just in time for peak cherry blossoms.

I did one of my favorite rides - which is out my back door through downtown to the Capitol back to Hains Point - which juts out into the Potomac River and is surrounded by cherry trees - then back into Rock Creek Park and north up to...somewhere. Maybe not far from Rockville.

Downtown was just buzzing - tons of blossom peepers and the parade was getting ready to start.  It looks like there is a Japanese street festival this year too.  I think that is new.

Two Wheels on the Road to George's House...

Vijay and I hit the trails and roads to Mount Vernon this morning. 

I haven't been in DC much and haven't been cycling - so we thought this trip to Mount Vernon (home of George Washington) would be an easy 40 mile roundtrip. 

It is an easy ride and it is along the Potomac - so very scenic - especially as the leaves are starting to change here. 

You go by National Airport and through Old Town Alexandria - where we stopped for a snack.

I have done this ride before a few times and remembered that, despite the beauty and history, I don't really like it.

If you ride on the bike path - you need to go slow because it is packed with people.  WIth dogs, with kids, with dates (hand-in-hand).  There is a LOT going on on that path.

If you ride on the road, the George Washington Parkway, you have to deal with some pretty fast and aggressive car traffic.  There weren't actually a lot of cars, but the ones that were there, were not happy to see Vijay and I sharing the road with them.  We had honking, and hollering, and got buzzed.  Not fun.  Very stressful when you are going 25 miles an hour on two very narrow wheels.

It was great to catch up with Vijay though and I do like Mount Vernon - once you get there. 

Two Wheels in Brookeville, Maryland...

Brookville Academy - Brookville, MD, originally uploaded by pvan75.

Ouch. Ouch. Ouch.

I have not been biking much since last fall. Vijay convinced me to go this morning for a 45 mile ride out in Montgomery, Howard & Carroll counties. That seemed doable.

The 45 mile ride somehow became a 60 mile ride on some very, very hilly terrain. My bum hurts. On top if it, he picked me up early 5:45am so we could beat the heat. That is pretty darn early for a Saturday.

The ride was beautiful though. One town we passed through was Brookeville. I had never been there. It seemed like one of those very old rural Maryland towns.

Brookeville was settled by Quakers late in the 1700s and was formally incorporated as a town in 1808. During the Civil War, Brookeville was a stop on the underground railroad.

The building above is Brookeville Academy. It was founded in 1808 largely by Anglicans and won acclaim as an academic and character-building institution for a century.

Nice building even today.

“I may be a living legend, but that sure don't help when I've got to change a flat tire.”

~ Roy Orbison

OK, so I am not a living legend.  But I do have a flat tire. 

I am not a "hands on" kinda guy that likes to tinker with things and keep trying til I can fix something.  It seems ridiculous to me.  Just get someone who knows what they are doing. 

So that is what I did.  I invited Vijay over for dinner so he could help me change the tire.  The deal was though, that he had to sit and watch and instruct, but that I had to do it.  I really do need to learn how to change a bike tire.  And I did.

It wasn't so hard and I had very good company.  I can't wait to get back out on two wheels.  It has been months.  Too long.  Now I just need the rain to end and the temps to stay warm.

The End.

Two Wheels in Kennebec & Lincoln Counties...

Since I am home, I am able to do some road biking in scenic central Maine.  The roads here are perfect for cycling.  Hilly.  Curvy.  Beautiful sights to see.

My father charted a great 42 mile ride for me today.  Routes 105, 206, 17, 32.  Through Augusta, Windsor, Jefferson, North Whitefield, Somerville and some other towns.

It's funny.  Growing up, these back roads bored me to tears.  Now I love them.

Here are some pics from the ride.

Me in the driveway - before the ride

Along Route 105

Old Church and Old Truck

Country Store - Pig's Ears

Horse Racing at Windsor Fairgrounds

Route 105 Again

Two Wheels (and two legs) in Rock Creek Park...

Today Vijay and I biked 25 miles then ran another 3 miles.  We are training for a triathlon next month at Bethany Beach.  1 mile swim, 25 miles cycling, and 3 miles running - all give or take I think.  I have never done one before but Vijay inspired me to give it a shot.

We did the training this morning in Rock Creek Park.  It's a real gem.  The main section of the park has 1754 acres (7 km²) along the Rock Creek Valley — more than twice the size of Central Park in New York City.  It is great on weekends for all kinds of sports.  I will have to do a post on this one day. 

We started the ride and run at Pierce Mill.  The Mill, pictured below, is a beautiful old building and - well a mill too - right on the creek.  It was built sometime in the late 1700s or early 1800s.  More info on Pierce Mill here.

Two Wheels in Three Maryland Counties...

Montgomery, Frederick, and Howard counties.

Today Vijay and I did a 43 mile ride through those 3 Maryland counties. 

It was one of of the most scenic rides that we have done yet.  It was all farmland - lots of corn and sunflowers - and tree lined back roads.  Also very, very, VERY hilly. 

I am a lover of hills when on two wheels.  I think conquering a steep hill is 80% mental and 20% physical.  I am pretty good at them and really enjoy a hilly ride.  Today's ride was approaching too hilly even for me.  Probably less because of the hills and more because of the sun and heat.  The ride would be perfect in October.  Not as perfect in August.

Here are a few pics of me, Vijay, and the scenery.

Two Wheels in Fairfax County...

Cycling around DC is so much fun. 

This morning Vijay and I did an early morning 40 mile ride in Fairfax County.  We linked up with the Potomac Pedalers Touring Club.  The route was a bit more developed and less rural than is my preference - but there were some nice small towns and country roads too.  Some snaps below.

Of course, the highlight of these rides is always the breakfast after.  Pile all those calories right back on! 

Vijay and I were struggling to find a suitable place to nosh out there amidst the suburban strip malls.  Eventually, we gave up and hit the Landmark IHOP in Alexandria.  It was a bit of an adventure.  I love that it is co-located with a Comfort Inn and advertises its AC.  I knew there was nothing but fun waiting for us inside!

First, there was a wait to get a table.  Then while waiting, there was nearly a mini race war as a white (trash) woman became irate and offensive towards the non-white staff - whose English was very good - but clearly not their first language. 

I never understood getting on someone for how they speak English.  Most Americans are totally ignorant of the world outside their state and speak only English (kinda).

Sidetrack story...once in junior high, when a group of students were making fun of how the Franco-americans in Maine spoke English with a particular cadence and accent, my French teacher told them sternly that they should respect the fact that these Franco-americans are multilingual.  That always stuck with me.  I also know firsthand how hard it is to learn a language.  I don't have much patience for degrading people for having learned English.

So apparently this woman was upset with the wait for a table and felt the need to explain to the staff how things should work in "this" country.  She was ushered out a side door.  I love it - kicked out of an IHOP!!  That is perfect justice for her.  The staff and the clientele was actually very diverse.  There is a huge immigrant population in Alexandria and it showed there. 

From there things settled down and we were able to get a table and tie on the feedbag.

Here are some pics of Vijay and our food.