Please join us in Parkton, Maryland, north of Baltimore, for a vintage ride starting from our home on Saturday, July 14 at 10:00 am. The ride will be approximately 28 miles, and appropriately for the first mountain stage of the Tour (on the telly later), it's a bit hilly around here. The ride's as flat as I can make it and still stay on quiet roads. I'm inviting fixed gears, but admit it will be challenging for a fixer, and even a bit of a workout for a 42x24 with that classic Campy low. To quote Ken Sanford regarding fixed: "Its not the climbs so much as the steep dropoffs." I'd recommend brake(s). I'll have a cue sheet with a bailout, but its so pretty riding around here, you'll want to do the whole ride, the last two miles or so being a rollercoaster of a downhill.
We'll provide hotdogs/brats for the grill, a few sides and refreshments. Feel free to add to the menu if you wish.
We like to ogle bikes, not just ride, so bring a favorite bike or more, vintage, bobish or fixed, stands if you wish and let us see your cool stuff. We can line them up on the porch and in the yard for spillover. I've been a fan of Rondonneur bikes lately. It would be a treat for me to see them and appropriate for the terrain.
Feel free to come early to talk and unload bikes. Please be prepared to ride at 10:00 am as we may need to beat the heat. We'll try to make the trip worth your while. Please e-mail me to let us know you're coming and we can give you directions if necessary. Reply to this address or dartley@baltimorecountymd.gov Mapquest gos wrong 1/2 mile from our house when coming from the south. We'd love to have you join us!
Happy trails,
Dan Artley in Parkton, MD