Training

Dupont Circle-Great Falls, VA
70 miles (62 completed)
Friday, May 25

My 70-mile ride started out normally enough; rain was forecast but nothing severe enough to keep me from spending my day off (and 30th birthday!) from a great training ride. I got to Dupont Circle, my favorite part of DC, in good time and found parking near the Lauriol Plaza at 18th and T streets, an easy walk to the circle (and Afterwords, where I could use the restroom!). It was a good crowd of riders, maybe 40, and the cool, overcast weather helped us ride out (I thought driving Dupont Circle was treacherous--try biking it!).
All was good as we biked along the Potomac, passing monuments and the Watergate and lots of morning holiday traffic. We crossed into Virginia and rode on the Custis and Washington & Old Dominion trails, which were mostly flat. My chain fell off once but I got it back on and caught up with the group. In Great Falls we entered a park and had a good rest with Park Service food *yummy* Well, not really, but bagels and bottled water are good things after 30 miles.
After leaving the park, I found myself keeping pace with some musical riders I shall hereafter refer to as Salsa and Bitter, their Team Altoids names. I noticed my chain skipping, which was annoying. On another stop, I asked Salsa about the problem and not only did he explain it, he found it--a link on the chain too tightly connected. I could ride the bike, just not efficiently. But I think I delayed his trip to the restroom.
On our last stop, we happened to pass Whole Foods and I could not resist getting a wheat grass shot, which Salsa and Bitter also downed. We loved it, I think. While we were feeling all warm and renewed on the inside, we were feeling very wet on the outside--the forecast rain came all at once with miles to go on our ride. So we rode. And rode. My chain fell off again and it skipped in every possible gear, but the three of us made it back to Alexandria, where we popped into a tony Marriott to use the bathroom ("Just act like you know what you're doing" said Bitter as we walked through the lobby soaking wet, wearing skin-tight clothing and Camelbacks, clicking our cleats on the marble floors).
The rain was good for me--I learned a little bit about how to ride on wet and slick surfaces, which we'll surely encounter on the AIDSRide. But I was soaked. Thoroughly. Riding in the rain is a bonding experience and when these kind Altoids found out I would be driving back to Baltimore soaking wet, Salsa offered me a shower and change of clothes. Then when Salsa found out that it was also my 30th birthday, he and Bitter took me out for dinner and ice cream. It was a truly unexpected way to turn 30, but another example of the kindness of strangers and the incredible people you meet on the AIDSRide. "Come Sail Away" will always bring up a special memory. Thank you both!

Viers Mill to Jones Mill
Sunday, June 3
Washington, D.C. 32 miles

I decided to take it easy this weekend for training, since I had some work-related events to staff Saturday and I'm planning to attend an overnight biking-camping ride this coming weekend in Northern Virginia. So Jen, aka Bitter Altoid, had a great idea to do a short Sunday morning ride from her apartment in Adams-Morgan. I'll make any excuse to get near Dupont Circle, so I thought this was a great idea. We were joined by two past AIDSRiders, Jill and Roger (who's training for the Alaska AIDSRide--ReCyclers are so inspiring!).
The ride route began as urban as it gets--biking from Adams-Morgan through the beautiful Rock Creek Park. Many of the streets through the park are closed to vehicles over the weekend to allow cyclists, rollerbladers, runners, and walkers total control of the space. It was refreshing to bike streets without worrying about vehicular traffic.
We rode out around 9:30 a.m. and enjoyed a mix of terrain. I also had the joy of biking up a steep but even hill on Forsythe Avenue near the iconic Mormon Church along the D.C. Beltway. Beautiful old homes hanging on that hillside. When we got to Jones Mill we turned around and headed back. Biking in D.C. is so interesting for a planner (or architect or anyone interested in design) because it's a history of District urban development. From the peacefulness of Rock Creek to the leafy rowhouses of Mt. Pleasant and Adams-Morgan to the horizontal, urban core of Dupont Circle, it's a treat to observe such diversity in this beautiful city. Thanks to Jen for another great ride.

Warrenton, VA, bike-and-camp weekend
June 9 and 10 140 hilly miles

This was a fantastic training ride. The terrain was more difficult than I anticipated, but I should have looked closer on a map to see that we were biking 140 miles over two days in the Shenandoah region of Virginia. Hills are to be expected.
Saturday started out and finished up well. We began in the picture-perfect town of Warrenton (where coincidentally Patti is working on a courthouse project for grad school at the University of Maryland). The 80-mile route was challenging but I feel that I kept up well. In fact, I was in the group of first-finishers. At the end of the day's riding was an overnight camp at Willow Creek Farm, outside Culpeper, a beautiful homestead where a family opened up their home to 33 AIDSRiders to shower, eat, and camp on their grounds. We had a delicious dinner and full breakfast the next morning. Yes mom, I did send a thank-you note.
Sunday's ride, which was a shorter 60-mile route, did not go as well. I was sore from the ride the day before and I couldn't get my legs to cooperate. I didn't keep up with the fast kids, which really upset me. I also took a wrong turn down this fantastic hill--fantastic until I realized I'd have to bike up the hill to get back onto the route. Rider 1282 was not pleased.
We were cheered on by ride "sweeps" who drive up and down the route to make sure riders are well hydrated and are making good time. When I finally got near Warrenton, the starting point, I was warned of "one last big hill." Boy was that right. This hill kept going and going and going and I passed by tandem bicyclists who had to take a break in the middle of the hill. But I made it to the top and as usual, I didn't lift myself off the seat to do it. I think it's cheating to stand on hills. Of course I was in the very highest of the granny gears, but that's what they're made for! This was a good training ride for a number of reasons. One, it made me much less cocky going into the AIDSRide. Back-to-back riding, camping, and negotiating space with other cyclists all add stress to the body and soul. And bike. I was sore Sunday and Monday and Tuesday. So I feel that I'm at least prepared for how my body will react to days two and three of the AIDSRide.

The beautiful farm where we camped, just outside Culpeper, Virginia. Dennis and Donna opened their home to us, making us a wonderful dinner Saturday evening and hearty breakfast Sunday morning. Dennis sells his produce at the Dupont Circle farmers market every Sunday; I hope to see him there soon.