A note about weather: Lets hope the ever changing forecast cooperates!  If there is heavy rain in the AM I will probably bail due to conditions on the C&O.  I’ll still ride to Baked and Wired for a coffee, but I’ll put something up here. No rain date planned right now – I think my next free weekend is at the end of October.  If it isn’t raining, but the forecast predicts rain is likely – we can make an executive decision at Baked and Wired.  Perhaps we do an out and back on the W&OD and visit Port City and/or Mad Fox – turn it into a metric century or half metric.

Date: Saturday August 11th, 2012

Departure Time: Meet at 0800, depart about 0820

Departure Location: Baked and Wired in Georgetown

Route: I’ve updated the route and made a cue sheet. Route is HERE and the cue sheet is below:

Hoppy100 Cue Sheet

Note that I haven’t field verified the route or the cue sheet – so there are bound to be errors.  Thank goodness for smartphones!

Remember to bring food and water and cash (for the ferry and tasting rooms).  This is will be a casual ride, not a sufferfest – so the slowest or most tired person sets the pace – don’t be shy! If you want to jet ahead for some reason that is fine too, just don’t expect everyone to chase you down.  Port City closes at 8pm, so we have a while to get there – though it would be nice to be finished before dark.  I picked the Argonaut as a stopping point since they are a fun and relaxed place with a great outdoor patio.  If that doesn’t suit your dietary needs or is too far from transportation, feel free to bail out at any time.

Remember:

1) We might get lost once or twice.

2) Nobody will be dropped, this is a long day so it needs to be fun as well.

3) We may deviate from the planned route for any number of reasons.

4) Food stops will happen.

5) Nobody under 21 should plan on riding.

6) Zero tolerance for getting on a bike if you have had too much to drink.

7) I take no liability/responsibility for anyone other than myself. Ride along at your own risk.

That is an attention grabber, isn’t it?  World famous bike blogger Brian from Tales from the Sharrows recently rode into the wilds of Northern Virginia to Consume Mass Quantities (of breakfast burritos) and upon return noted the following on Twitter:

This was immediately taken as an opportunity and challenge by fellow #bikeDCer Lisa.

And I hopped on the bandwagon and got overly excited.  Soon a plan was born and a date was set.

Now, perhaps I shouldn’t have gotten so excited – a similar food tweet followed less than 24 hours later, but questioning whether it was worth the hassle to bike less than 10 miles for falafel.  Then again, maybe Mr. Sharrows likes beer more than falafel (by 90 miles +/-)

So Yeah

So yeah, I am planning to ride a stupid amount of miles under the guise of training for fall century rides and along the way I’ll stop and sample some beers (Note: not get drunk, that would be bad).  After a little bit of thought I’ve decided to do this on August 11th as a totally unofficial pre-DC Beer Week event, and I’d love for anyone else to join me. Here is a rundown of the plans at the moment:

Date: Saturday August 11th, 2012

Departure Time: TBD

Departure Location: TBD

Route: Depart a mutually convenient location in downtown DC, travel north on the C&O canal towpath to Whites Ferry, ferry across the Potomac River, Route 15 to Leesburg to W&OD Trail, to Lost Rhino Brewing Company, to Port City Brewing in Alexandria to Argonaut on H Street NE (or other bar suitable for post-century riders).  Something like this:

And here is a link to the Ride with GPS map.

Things I can Guarantee:

1) We might get lost once or twice.

2) Nobody will be dropped, this is a long day so it needs to be fun as well.

3) We may deviate from the planned route for any number of reasons.

4) Food stops will happen.

5) Nobody under 21 should plan on riding.

6) Zero tolerance for getting on a bike if you have had too much to drink.

7) I take no liability/responsibility for anyone other than myself. Ride along at your own risk.

Does this sound fun? Reply below and let me know if you’ll be joining me!

First, from the 37th most popular bike blogger in DC (but No. 1 in our hearts), I got a Tales From the Sharrows pin.  This pin, plus a nice padded mailer that can be used to catch crumbs from lemon bars (sorry, no photos or leftovers) was acquired for a mere $5 contribution to WABA.

Second, from ultra-blogger Prolly is not Probably, I got some grey beard stickers, and a surprise flag hatchet.  I like Prollys blog because it used to be all about fixies and FGFS, but has branched into some intense love for photography, touring and road bikes.  Plus he owns a Geekhouse and a Bishop, both of which I somewhat am in love with. Mad respect for this guy, his skills, and the fact that he is making a career out of it.

The haul.

affixed.

Now what to get for my blog?