In a message dated 11/3/2003 6:11:39 PM Pacific Standard Time, sachs@erols.com writes: the note, Shawn. Couple of thoughts. First, I love the riding and the event, even if it is a 75 mi. drive from my house. That's about my limit (about same as distance to the Lenardtown "Amish" Century, way down at the Southern end of MD). That area in northern BC is just superb. Greenbelt is closer to the DC crowd, just at the intersection of I-95 and 495, but there is some traffic to get from usual starting points out to the nice riding, and I'd think that the College Park shop, in an intensely urban area, is less "friendly" for a casual event than Mt. Airy. But Larry may disagree, and may be thinking of a remote lot at the far northern end of the UMD campus... Larry can speak for himself.
So, one thought might be to do an additional event at Larry's shop, which is more or less equidistant from Balt. and DC, and also has lovely riding. In that case, if we can keep from organizing it to death, there is the possibility of abusing Larry's lot on a Sunday to allow people to actually show their bikes and maybe trade some vintage baubles ("bring blanket or table, we'll provide the portapotty"). At least one person did drive down from NJ for the weekend to do both rides, so there is more synergy than competition for many people.
so, the first thing I want to remember is that you "own" this ride, and I ain't gonna try to make it something that you don't want.
thanks again harvey
Shawn Downing - CTY / Johns Hopkins University wrote:
Harvey,
All I can say is 'Wow.'
Weather was a factor in the record turnout. I also think the slow building reputation of it is growing.
Great bikes, clothes, and people. I had a great time and was pleasantly shocked at the number of attendees.
I have been in contact with Larry Black and others about finding a route that would suit more fixed gear people. There is no such route in northern Baltimore County! Thanks to all who (organized) attended, tailgated, supplied donuts,( pizza and beer at Sanfords the second day)and rode.
First of all, CP is close to Beltsville's Ag center, a haven for racing and touring cyclists for decades. The pre war buildings are as interesting as the road names like Pesticide Lane and Entymology lane.In fact, we hosted a John howard Clinic in the 70's at the Log Lodge. The area boasts the CP airport that was a home of those two eartly bicycle pioneers, but as Tom Adams pointed out- when there's a vintage ride, we are history and other sightseeing is a non event.
As far as Mt Airy is concerned, thye lawn and lot are proven venues for events, and Fogle's Septic already knows where to put the potty and sink.
We have tents and bike parking stands for several dozen bikes. Sunday works well there.
The Moonlight DC ride is also a great fixed gear venue and that was a great ride for those that went.
As far as anecdotes go, the highlight for a few of us was at the end of our 'extended' ride all the way to Hains point and back. We were in the last mile. That I made it that far on an unrestored prewar BSA straightkicker with ash hoops and 70's stick-ons and stayed in the bunch was a feat. A sleek young achiever on his way snazzy Kestrel KM 40 was hammering along Beach not far from us. He pulled up at the last light and revved the the 78seat/73 head/650c to its red line and it seemed to purr so quietly.
He took the lead out and got a dozen meters ahead. With a kilo to go, what the heck. I jumped (sitting down, of course, because my front wheel's 60-year-old piano wire 15/17's were showing age and weighting the front was not working out) and sat on wile he pumped up the volume. Fellow old timers followed my lead and eventually out hammered the tri-man to his surprise- he'd been eyeing the aging drivers on our aged machines.
He turned at the end of the road and headed back downstream, possibly to the transition zone. We headed for our own transition zone- the next event in our sport was the eating, schmoozing , and boozing. Hope we do these more than once a year. And even though I'm favoring this side of the river, Wayne's place and the path was a treat.
Larry Black
Mt Airy, Md.