This weekend I participated in the Rappahannock Rough Ride. It offers a number of alternatives – 33 and 58 mile road rides or 20 and 30 mile off-road efforts. Having ridden the short road ride last year, I came back this year for the longer road loop. While it was a lovely ride – all apple orchards and horse farms – I can’t say that it was among the better supported rides I’ve done this year.
So, what went wrong, and how could they improve it?
A recent DC Examiner piece noted that Ron Carlee, Arlington’s County Manager, recently submitted a memo to the Arlington County Board on the impact of immigration on the administration of government in Arlington. From the memo (PDF):
“Much has been reported lately of an immigration ‘problem’ in parts of Northern Virginia. There is no such ‘problem’ in Arlington County,†County Manager Ron Carlee wrote in a Sept. 11 memo. “Much of what is being said about immigration is political rhetoric during a hotly contested campaign season.â€
This is exactly right. Mr. Carlee goes on to lay out the facts:
 During a time of rapidly increasing diversity, we have experienced the following:
- The lowest crime rate in our history.
- The most rapid increase in property values in our history – now stabilized.
- Some of the best schools in the nation.
- Some of the highest incomes in the nation.
- Full employment resulting in labor shortages.
- Extensive private commercial investment.
- Expansion of retail and leisure activities.
- Lowest tax rate among major jurisdictions in Northern Virginia.
I’d like to see more local governments taking the time to make similarly honest and public statements about the actual impact of immigration in those jurisdictions.
Browsing around my usual cycling sites this evening, I came across a link to this old Nike commercial. Watching it – especially the part where the kids rush to the window to wave to the rider as he goes by – reminded me of the highlights of this weekend’s ride out in Berryville. Or of any ride, really.
As much as I enjoy the self-reflection that hours of solo cycling can bring on, or the sheer physical pleasure of a good hard ride, I have to say that many of my best moments on a bike come from those fleeting moments of connection that you get when you wave to a perfect stranger who waves back as you pass by.
On this Sunday’s metric century there were, of course, the kids. Three little girls on a porch who jumped up and down waving as I waved that hand-cupping wave that you use for little kids. Then there was the Duane Allman lookalike who returned the slight extension of my hand as I flew past his trailer. But my favorite one, the one I just happened to catch, was the fellow sitting in a chair near his house a bit off the road through the hollow. Most of us were concentrating on the upcoming climb, and looking straight ahead at the road. I just happened to look over, and noticed this gruff looking (much) older man in a Stetson who looked just as likely to be annoyed with us invaders as anything else. I raised my arm in a speculative wave and much to my surprise, he raised his, too. Even with a bit of a grin, as best I could tell through the trees.
The (comparatively) cool air of today has reminded me that summer is over, and that soon I’ll be dressing in layers and spending too much time daydreaming about permanently avoiding winter with a move to Grand Cayman or Dubai. It also reminded me that most of the racing calendars will be tapering off, and that it’s worth reviewing what’s left. (And no, I’m not even going to talk about cyclocross, because I don’t have any room for anymore bikes. For a good cross listing (and all of your road racing needs), go here.)
The calendar I threw together earlier this year turned out to be useful to a number of people, so I’m updating and sharing it again. As before, this listing is not at all comprehensive – it’s just a list of DC area cycling or amateur athletic events that I either want to participate in or go just go watch. There are less actual races, and more organized recreational efforts. If you’re in the DC area, I hope that you’ll give it a read and see if something catches your interest, either as a participant or spectator.
Historic Back Roads Century – September 16, 2007
Berryville, VA
The Potomac Pedalers Touring Club (which you should join for the cue sheet library alone) is sponsoring this supported century. There are full, metric, half, and quarter century options, so something for everyone. It hadn’t been on my radar, but it’s 1) in a part of VA I’ve not seen, and 2) put on by a club I like to support. See you there.
RABA Heart of Virginia Bike Festival – September 15 & 16, 2007
Ashland/Hanover County, VA
The Richmond Area Bicyclist Association is putting on the Heart of Virginia Century and Bike Festival this weekend. It offers 25 and 40 mile “Historic Rides”, along with two metric centuries and a full English century course. I really should have posted about this earlier. I think it’s the first year they’re doing it, and it would be great to hear that it was a success. If you live in the area, consider giving it a shot.
Rappahannock Rough Ride – September 22, 2007
Little Washington, VA
I did this last year – a great ride in the foothills of the Shenandoah, amongst apple orchards and horse farms. It’s not an easy ride, but it’s a rather enjoyable day trip. My aim for this year is the 57.9 mile ride. Map here. As you can see, there are plenty of other options – either short road rides or off-road efforts. This raises funds for the Fauquier Free Clinic.
Southern MD Amish 100 – September 22, 2007
Leonardtown, MD
Patuxent Velo club runs this century, taking riders through a part of southern Maryland that offers great rural cycling (watch out for the speeding buggies, though). I’m opting for the Rappahannock Rough Ride this year, but will probably try this ride next year.
MS150 City to Shore Bike Tour September 29 & 30, 2007
Cherry Hill, NJ
I’d been thinking about doing this for a couple of years, but as with the Schuylkill Century, it turned out to be a continuing casualty of my other ambitions, so I’m putting this here in case anyone else might think it’s a nice way to spend a weekend. Named by Bicycling Magazine as the “Best Cycling Getaway in NJ,†the flat terrain takes you “through the blueberry fields and the NJ pine barrens and into the sweet smells of salt water taffy and ocean air in historic Ocean City, NJ.” This ride is fully supported with catered rest stops, bike support, and SAG transportation. If a group wants to do this, they could drive out Friday night, and drive back right after the ride on Sunday. Cyclists collect a minimum of $250 in donations to participate – if you do this, you can count on a donation from me (just email me). More here.
The Nation’s Triathlon – September 29, 2007
Washington, DC
Getting past its somewhat obnoxious name, I think that this tri could be a lot of fun, both for participants and spectators. A few hundred brave souls will jump into the Potomac at Georgetown Harbor, get out and ride down around Hains Point, and then run around the Mall. Normal registration is closed, but I think you can still bribe your way in with a $300 “charity” registration. If we get to next summer, and everyone who swam 1500 meters in the Potomac is still alive, I might take a crack at it.
Venture Quest AR September 30, 2007
Fountainhead Regional Park – Fairfax Station, VA
Unfortunately, I’m no longer planning to do this. It’s a “Long Sprint Adventure Race (Sport Level)”, which means 28-35 miles over 5-9 hours. As usual, it involves trekking, paddling, mountain biking, and navigation. Teams of three navigate a course with segment breakdowns ranging from 3-8 miles of paddling, 8-13 miles of trekking, and 10-16 miles of mountain biking. As with Rocky Gap, competitors are broken into teams of three & solo racers in women’s, men’s, masters, and co-ed divisions. Info here.
Seagull Century – October 6, 2007
Salisbury, MD
Probably the most famous century ride in the Mid-Atlantic area. Last year’s storm resulted in less than a third of the usual participants, but I’m sure they’ll all be back this year. Riders have metric century (100k, 62miles) and century (100 miles) options, which they can decide on at any time until the 20 somethingth mile of the ride. See this for more info. Also, note that decent pretty much all lodging fills up quickly, so reserve your room now, if you’re thinking about doing it. Most of the hotels in Salisbury are booked already. I’ll be in San Francisco this year, so have fun without me.
Monster Mash Mountain Bike Race – October 13, 2007
Annandale, VA (Wakefield)
Benefiting the Trips for Kids Foundation, this cross country MTB race at Wakefield is probably your last chance of the year to participate in an easy local MTB race. Classes for everyone, and registration is $35. I’m in.
Backyard Burn Trail Running Series – 10/21/07 – 12/02/07
Triangle/Annandale/Fairfax Station/Clifton, VA
I really don’t enjoy running at all, but if ever there were a competitive running even that could pique my interest, this would be it. I’ll probably give at least one of these a go. Put on by the good folks at EX2 Adventures, you have a choice between 5 and 10 mile off-road loops through metro area parks.
18 hours on the Farm – November 17 & 18, 2007
Goochland, VA
Rescheduled from August 18th to November 18th. Man, this MTB relay race will be cold. The idea is that you and three other riders take turns on a 9.5 mile course for 18 hours. The registration page describes the course has having a “1500 foot elevation gain per lap, open fire roads to technical climbs and twisting single track[.]” As I sit here considering it, I’m realizing that I’d really like to do it. And if you’re reading it and getting a feeling that I might have *you* in mind as a teammate, well, consider yourself recruited.
A number of the late season events I listed in my earlier calendar have been canceled – no Powhatan Tour de Vin (wine sales down?), WABA Booth’s Escape ride (I understand that it requires traveling along some rather unfriendly highways . . .), or Buff Betty Adventure Race (boo! c’mon, girls!).
Am I missing something? Have you ridden one of these events and enjoyed it? Let me know.
the SUV, naturally.
And I’m not talking about this, but the ridiculousness that just occurred at the end of my evening workout yesterday.
As I was heading home on Wilson Blvd. (in Arlington), I had an SUV pretty much try to shove me into a row of parked cars. As it came over on me, I put my hand on the SUV (which speeds off, natch), and then I hear from the loudspeaker of the cop car behind me, “DO NOT HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF YOU.”
WTF?!?
So I slow up to ask the cop why he’s concerned with me touching the SUV when it’s the ()*@#!@!ng *SUV* that nearly ran me into the cars. Officer NoClue proceeds to tell me that I *invite* that behavior by riding on the right side of the lane, and that if I can’t keep up with the speed limit (ha!) then I should get off the road. I tell him that he’s full of shit and needs to stop making things up (and what he makes up extends into the absurd, including Wilson Blvd. being a 45mph street – I bet those folks that get speeding tickets on it regularly would love to find that out . . . ). We argue for a bit (I would have loved a ticket), and he pulls off when the light changes.
I’m drafting and filing an informal complaint that 1) recounts the incident, 2) explains the law (since the officer clearly has no clue) and 3) asks for an apology and an assurance that he now understands the law. If I don’t get #3, we move to a formal complaint, which I’ll make a point of pursuing with vigor. Arlington is generally a great place for cyclists (and, in my general experience, has an excellent and cyclist-friendly police dept.), and we don’t need cluelessness like this patrolling our streets.
Related: Bike laws of Virginia. Read them. Know them. Live them. Argue them with cops who like to make things up.
And these are the top five spots in the 2007 edition of the Shenandoah Mountain 100 – (L to R) Chris Beck, Harlan Price, Jeff Schalk, Floyd Landis, and Gerry Pflug. For the details on the race, check out Sue George’s report at Cycling News. For a better handle on the vibe of the weekend, check out Joel Gwadz (whom you should be reading anyway). For my view . . . well, you’re going to have to wait for that. The bitterness of someone who didn’t finish takes a while to subside, I’m discovering. A few of my pre and post race photos here.
Floyd Landis (3rd place) congratulates Shenandoah Mountain 100 winner Jeff Schalk (who won by such a wide margin that yes, he did have time to change his shirt . . .).
Photo by MJ. (I couldn’t have possibly taken this, as I was still suffering somewhere waay back on the course . . . ).
Update: don’t miss Harlan Price’s account of his day long battle at the SM100.
To try something I really have no business doing. Enjoy the Labor Day weekend.
I had friend in high school, and reading over the outpouring of praise for John Warner (here and elsewhere) brings to mind something she often said about her boyfriend – “But he’s really great when he’s not hitting me!”
Yeah. Some things really shouldn’t be overlooked.
I really don’t understand this rush to praise – as decent and honorable – someone who hasn’t been that at all, when it’s come to the important things over the past six years. Does it arise from some need to convince ourselves that there really are decent Republicans left out there? The traditional aversion of the eyes from the bad that comes when someone announces a retirement? Perhaps that he’s been your Senator for as long as you can remember?
What purpose does it serve to excuse his real and substantive failure to stand up for the Constitution, the military, and basic human decency these past few years?
Remember the Arlington County/Earthlink wifi project I wrote about back in April? Well, Earthlink did secure a contract with the County, but now that’s been put on hold as a result of Earthlink’s financial problems (as has Alexandria’s network, which has been partially built).  The good news is that no one’s relying on either of these networks at this point, but it does highlight the importance of building contingencies for situations like these into municipal wifi contracts. It will be a shame if that equipment in Alexandria simply sits on the poles while Earthlink sorts itself out (Om Malik is reporting that Earthlink is considering selling its municipal network division).
Virginia Del. Kris Amundson (D-Fairfax) recently asked what we think she might want to share with the National Conference of State Legislatures attendees at their annual conference in Boston. She’ll be on a panel called “New Ways to Communicate with Your Constituents.†She’s received some good answers already, so I’ll stick with a few big picture themes, and then a couple of tips on direct interaction.
Big picture:
A few practical tips:
You know, I could go on for weeks about this. I’ve worked in state and federal government. My day job consists primarily of bridging the gap between the private and public sectors. I’ve been “blogging” for nearly a decade. I’m convinced that government could be substantially improved with increased transparency and honest communication between citizens and their representatives. So thanks, Del. Amundson, for taking the time to ask. And then thanks again, for taking the message to Boston.
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