CAT 5 racing in Washington, DC area

Crimedog

I have tried doing some searching on the web and this forum, but I thought I'd post a message to get some advice. Where do I go to find out some more info on races in the DC area? Perhaps more importantly, what are some good clubs that a novice CAT 5 who wants to do some racign should check out?

My experience is that it is a hard niche to find. A lot of clubs are more into the Cat 3 and above guys, or just group rides. Any thoughts?

Thanks!

kins80

I guess I'm looking for the same thing. I'm not familiar with the categories, but I asume that a lager Cat # means that you are slower. If so, I am looking for the same thing. I bought my first road bike a week ago, and I am quickly becoming obsessed. I jsut need to find some people to ride with.

I live in Herndon, a little off of the W&OD trail around mile 20. If we are at about the same level, I wouldn't mind riding with you. On my last ride, I went about 18 miles, and averaged 14 miles per hour. I suspect that I will be improving from level somewhat quickly though. Let me know if you're interested in riding together.

Also, if you find any information about clubs in the area, please post it here.

wjbieb

Both of you can log onto
http://www.teamtripower.com
They have all levels of racing from juniors up to cat 5's and 4's, 3's....etc. They also have a good corps of people that go to the parkway on several occasions to ride good 50-75 mile rides. Check them out. I think they would be what you would need to get into racing.

slimer78

I am new to the area and have come off of a multiplre year layoff and have had a tough time finding decent places to ride up here. The trails I have been riding are way too crowded for my taste. If anyone could offer any advice on where to go I would appreciate it.

FatguyRacer

http://mabra.org/

Everything you need. It used to be known as USCF district 20, but now its Mid Atlantic Bicycle Racing Association. Lots of good clubs in your area. National Capitol Velo Club is the largest. Squadra Coppi and Whole Wheel Velo are a couple of good NoVA area clubs too.

Ashley3

It's interesting how many locals (DC area) are on this board, which I tend to think of in more global terms.

Is everyone familiar with the Davidsonville Park and Ride? It's right next to the exit off route 50 just after you cross into Anne Arundel County from PG county. (about 20 minutes -- if traffic is little, like on a weekend morning -- from downtown D.C., where I work.) Rides take off from there most Saturday and Sunday mornings. Some are more organized, while I usually hook up with several friends. On occasion, I've jumped in with other groups without objection. The southern part of Anne Arundel County and northern Calvert County are beautiful places to ride (although in tomorrow's newspaper you'll read the sad account of the rider who was killed in Calvert County last Saturday.)

FatguyRacer

I was thinking of hooking up with it tommorrow morning in fact. I havnt done this ride in 5 years and that was with the Snow Valley riders. I dont know a soul, so maybe they'll just let me sit on anyway.

Ashley3

Did you head out with the Snow Valley guys Saturday? I was up in New Jersey for a duathlon (miserably, would be the answer to the "how did you do" question, although I biked a bit better than last time out.)

About three or four Saturdays ago a buddy and I were on General's Highway up were it runs beside I-97, and we passed somebody going north just before the big downhill. Then he rocket by us on the decent. Could that have been you? The picture with your postings is the size of a postage stamp, but there's a striking similarity, near as I can tell.

FatguyRacer

My regular ride buddies bailed on me Saturday morning so i slept in until 8am. I rode on my own from Crownsville to Patapsco State park (in Elkridge) and back instead. It was 80 degrees when i started and 100 degrees when i finished. I finished my 50+ miler with a ride up both southbound hills on Veteran's Hwg past Benfield Blvd. I was seeing stars by the time i got to Ginas Cantina. At that point i'm 4 miles from home in Arden.

It might have been me, but im guessing not since i dont wear that older Bike Doctor jersey anymore. I see alot of other teamates still wearing it so it might have been one of them. Also, I wouldnt have passed you on that downhill. I would have waited for the uphill section to West Benfield Rd to pass you. Its safer to do so there.

My regular weekday route is the "'Round the Severn" loop. I do it at least twice a week. One day i go the inside route toward Severna Park first, the next day i go the other way toward Annapolis first. Either way is equally hard. Lots of uphills. The real leg breaker is up the hill on Ridgey just past the Weems Creek Bridge. Starts out ok but gets steeper as you get to the Rt-50 Overpass. Oy!

Ashley3

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My regular weekday route is the "'Round the Severn" loop. I do it at least twice a week. One day i go the inside route toward Severna Park first, the next day i go the other way toward Annapolis first. Either way is equally hard. Lots of uphills. The real leg breaker is up the hill on Ridgey just past the Weems Creek Bridge. Starts out ok but gets steeper as you get to the Rt-50 Overpass. Oy![/QUOTE]

Yes, I know that hill on Ridgley very well. I live off Epping Forest Drive, which is the first traffic light past the bowling alley as you head out General's Highway.
I did that loop, more or less, on Sunday, stopping off at the City Dock for coffee along the way.
Several of us leave from the Park and Ride either Saturday or Sunday most weekends (although not this coming one) for a ride down through south county into Chesapeake Beach. A very nice bit of riding -- 56 miles or so.
(Check your private messages for something else I thought best not to post.)

FatguyRacer

I did a ride last week from my house in Arden (end of Sunrise Beach Rd) to Quiet Waters Park and back doing a circular route to include a ride thru City Dock, Eastport, Forrest Drive and Harry Truman Blvd back to Crownsville Rd. HT Blvd probably the longest set of climbs in the area aside from Herald Harbor Rd. Im glad theyre not the steepest. I think the road by Camp Barrett and Pinetree still has that honor.

Im going to try to make it out to the park and ride this Saturday and Sunday. Except for about an hour with my buddies on Saturday, i've been going it alone for the last 10 weeks. I think im fit enough to hang with a fast group now.

Does anyone ride out of the Ramshead Tavern (formerly Rudys) on Tuesday or Thursday nights anymore?

Ashley3

I'm racing again this weekend, this time on the Eastern Shore on Sunday, so I won't be out this weekend. The rest of our group may, however. I'll email you if I get word. (We generally go earlier -- 7 o'clock or so -- from the Park and Ride.)
I don't get out of work early enough for evening rides, but I've been going from the Ramshead (which is two miles from my doorstep) with a friend or two a couple mornings a week at sunrise.

FatguyRacer

I caught the Thurday 424/50 ride last night. I joined TSV last week and figured id better start with the pain right away. These guys ride hard. I expected it and had it not been for Harwood Hill, i might have lasted longer. I got dropped within sight of the top of the climb. I rode a little recovery and short cutted the route and they caught me back up and i got dropped again when they upped the pace to close to 30mph. Next week i'll try to get a little farther. This might take a month of Thursdays to get thru the whole way. Oy!

__________________
John

1998 IF Crown Jewel