Intro

[tuanogus]

Just joined yesterday and was pointed to this local group. Looks like there's a semi regular meet at Rhodeside on Wednesdays? Is it the one in Arlington between Rosslyn and Courthouse? Not that I'd be able to make it for a while, but thought I'd ask because it's on my way home from work.

Any recommendations on NoVA rides? So far I've picked out a few roads around Fountainhead Regional Park. Eventually I'll wander off towards the foothills, but I'm looking for short treks near the city... but something that feels like I'm getting away still.

[Ducatista]

Welcome!

Yes, most Wednesdays we have anywhere from a handful of regulars to a gathering of 30+ bikes depending on the weather.  And yes, that's the very Rhodeside we meet at.

There's a good route that I like that is close to the city that goes through McLean and Great Falls on the VA side.  It's along Georgetown Pike and then Beach Mill.  Connect the dots and you'll see it.  There are lots of great roads back in that area.  Please take them slowly, since there tends to be a lot of debris along all of the roads in that area.  Just enjoy the curves and the beautiful area.

We look forward to riding with you and seeing you at Rhodeside whenever you can make it!

[LYD]

Welcome!!  I am also new to the group, but I live up in martinsburg, so I will try to get to rhodeside once in a while after it warms the hell up!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Slide Panda]

Any recommendations on NoVA rides? So far I've picked out a few roads around Fountainhead Regional Park. Eventually I'll wander off towards the foothills, but I'm looking for short treks near the city... but something that feels like I'm getting away still.

As you might expect, closer in isn't so great.  But you can head up/out along the Potomac in MD.  Their are a variety of ways to do it, but a good destination point is Whites Ferry.  (if you don't already know) it's a cable ferry that crosses from MD to VA and makes for a fun change of pace.

Ah down by Fountainhead is the Clifton area.  There are some fun roads down there and you can make a number of little loops if you're short on time.  But take it easy, there are a couple not nice turns.  For example one I call 'The Gazebo' it's a steep downhill to a 90 off-camber left, that cars going the other way like to set up wide on.  Also that area tends to collect a lot of debris and sand, so keep that in mind.  IF you forget, you'll add to my game of spot the run off marks.

Welcome.. once I put my wheels... forks, clip-ons headlight etc back on my bike it'll be ridin' time again!

[twolanefun]

Lots of good routes close in for warm-up rides, practice but the better stuff is a little farther away. What is your starting point and how long a ride do you want? Assume you are riding a Monster? - Gene

[tuanogus]

Thanks for the warm welcome and warnings. Very helpful. And yes, I bought a black M696 on Monday.

I live in Arlington just outside of Ballston, so typically starting/ending my rides there. I just started riding, so I'm looking for 1 hour loops that I can do in the morning before work or in the evening after work. I might be able to do 2-4 hours on a Saturday or Sunday. This is my first street bike and I didn't realize how tiring it can be to ride. I'm not ready to head too far out of town yet. I'm also not comfortable riding in a group yet (is that typical?). I can do 1 other rider, but 2 or more freaks me out at the moment. Hopefully I'll be ready for group rides by the time yuu get's his front-end back together. 

Right now I'm commuting to and from Georgetown via main streets (slow but "stimulating"). I've done a few miles on route 50 at higher speeds (fast, straight and boring). I guess something in between until I break me and the bike in (34 miles so far).

I plan to head up to Great Falls this weekend. Saturday, probably, as it looks to be the warmer of the 2 days. I've got a route mapped out that takes me through north Arlington.

Again, anything you all can recommend is greatly appreciated. We can talk about more epic rides at Rhodeside...

[dolci]

As one of the "newer" riders in the group, I understand what you're talking about; I do think you start thinking about things that you don't need to be thinking about with more people.  What usually seems to happen is that the larger groups will break themselves into smaller groups of similar ability and similarly styled riders. It took me quite some time to feel comfortable with any more than 2 other people with me and  I still prefer riding in a smaller group.

[Slide Panda]

Thanks for the warm welcome and warnings. Very helpful. And yes, I bought a black M696 on Monday.

I live in Arlington just outside of Ballston, so typically starting/ending my rides there. I just started riding, so I'm looking for 1 hour loops that I can do in the morning before work or in the evening after work. I might be able to do 2-4 hours on a Saturday or Sunday. This is my first street bike and I didn't realize how tiring it can be to ride. I'm not ready to head too far out of town yet. I'm also not comfortable riding in a group yet (is that typical?). I can do 1 other rider, but 2 or more freaks me out at the moment. Hopefully I'll be ready for group rides by the time yuu get's his front-end back together. 

Ah sorta my neck of the woods.  I'm down in Shirlington these days, but I've lived all around Arl for a while.  There's some other CAM'er hiding out in ARL as well.

It's good that your taking note of the fatigue factor it is important.  But as you'd expect, as you get more miles under your tires, the more you can endure.  TwoLaneFun belts out 800 mile days.. some say.  My best is about 600 in a day and man I was beat... One small tip to help fend off fatigue - Ear Plugs.  Might not seem to make a lot of sense, but give it a go.  I find that wind noise wears me down over time.

And it's totally normal to be uncomfortable in a pack at 1st.  It's extra discrations, worries etc that take part of your mind off the task at hand.  When you're 1st settling in having 1 or 2 more experience riders with you is plenty and can be very helpful.  You go in the middle, you follow the leader who works to set a reasonable pace and good lines for you to watch and follow.  The 3rd rider can watch you, comment after on anything that could be worked on... and can fend off any asshat tailgaters should the pace be moderate enough to pick one up.  You'll hear it hear time and again - ride your ride.  That means many thing, but don't try to play keep up, if something isn't comfortable for you, don't do it etc.

On a related note I've found that going out in groups of CAM and or MAD (the official ducati club of the area) is much better than some of the more public group rides I've been part of.  Better mentalities and skill sets

[twolanefun]

From Ballston take Glebe Rd north past Marymount U and hang a left on Chesterbrook Rd, take it to the end and turn right on Kirby Rd, follow Kirby Rd to Rt. 123, turn right then take a left on GW Parkway (North), follow GW Parkway to on ramp for 495 south, stay to the right which is the off ramp for Rt. 193 Georgetown Pike, turn right and follow Georgetwon Pike west. Stay on Georgetown Pike, you will come to a stoplight, which is the entrance to Great Falls Park(old Dominion Dr), shortly after that light is River Bend Rd, turn right onto River Bend Rd and follow it until it turns into Beech Mill Rd stay on Beech Mill to the stop sign(Walker Rd) turn right, then left onto Beech Mill Rd again. Follow Beech Mill Rd to the next Stop sign, turn left onto Seneca Rd, follow Seneca Rd unti it ends at Georgetown Pike, turn left on Georgetown Pike, follow that into Great Falls Village at the stop light turn right on Walker Rd and follow that all the way to the end, turn left on Colvin Run Rd, it will end at a stoplight, turn left onto Rt. 7. Follow Rt. 7 to Towlston Rd, turn left onto Towlston Rd at Stop sign turn right onto Bellview Rd. Follow Bellview Rd unti it ends at stop sign, Old Dominon Dr. Gravel tends to collect on the inside to middle of this road just be careful and take an outside line. At the stop sign turn right onto Old Dominon Dr - at this point my guess is you will be ready to head home, there are some other roads to get you back but if you just stay on Old Dominon it will take you back to Glebe Rd. - Enjoy - Gene

[tuanogus]

 

Thank you, twolanefun! I'm just waiting for the caffeine to set in... and for it to warm up a few more degrees outside.

[tuanogus]

Excellent ride! Chesterbrook and Kirby roads were a pleasant surprise!

I've mapped the route using Google Maps in case anyone is interested.

[dolci]

Nice!  Looks like fun. [moto]