The hains point morning rides are still a thing but mostly just tues and thurs starting at 6:30. they’ve been off and on over the winter but i think once we get a little more light and higher temps then they’ll come back. A and B (sometimes C) groups, well organized and pretty safe (compared to the nooner).
James, as far a racing here’s what i’ve done
Greenbelt - Great twilight and you can ride to/rom. Been going on forever and the best workout you can get…volunteer for this people…the club (RV1) that puts this on is tiny yet the probably produce the most races of all the clubs in the DMV. I’ve lived and raced coast to coast and this is a true gem, be a shamed to loose it
Stokeville Strade, Little switzerland etc - 3 part gravel series thrown by Legend MTB racer and DC local rider chris scott. Races and well done and more 50/50 split road/gravel
Monster Cross - Basically a roughish gravel race and classic on the early calendar
Armed forces classic - Has a 2 part race component to it as well, crystal city and clarendon cup, crazy fast A-Game races
Giro Di Coppi - Hopefully happens this year
Poolesville road race - another classic that has not happend since covid but…
Hagerstown twilight classic/tour of washington county - The friday nigh crit is a classic and super fun
Tour de Tysons - Great course and you can ride to it. did not happen do to covid but should be back if they can get their permits (tougher to get every year)
Bunny hop - classic office park crit
Ride Sally ride - another office park crit but they just repaved it and was fast and fun
Gonzo Tourture race - great climbers course can be done on a road bike and crazy good workout
just check bike reg. unlike other regions bike reg for gravel and road is pretty reliable source
Didn’t know this! I’m an early bird when it comes to riding so maybe I will try to make it out there some time! Feel free to follow me on Strava and I’ll follow back (always love connecting with local riders): James Kim [Nightcrawler]
Nightcrawler because I almost always ride before the sun rises, even in the summer haha. Full-time dad and that’s how we do it in our family at least!
Are the morning rides as fierce as the noon ride? What’s the average speed of each group in the morning? And how many minutes of riding?
The Virginia Cycling Association is having their annual scheduling meeting tomorrow so expect to see more races announced next week. MABRA’s annual meeting is not until mid-late February so you won’t hear many confirmed race dates until then. I have seen the preliminary schedules for both series’ and you can expect plenty of races for both.
Wintergreen is not happening this year per the promoter. Logistically that event is hard to put on and they are having trouble getting enough volunteers.
Here is the 2022 VCA schedule as a google calendar. Still lots of VCA events to be added to this calendar over the next few months. MABRA will have a different calendar once they release theirs.
It’s a good course and a very well-run event. I did that distance in 2017 (I signed up for the longest route, but knee pain in the weeks prior encouraged a change of plans). The route includes the climb up Route 33 to High Knob (which almost all participants do), plus a 1,500 foot climb up Reddish Knob (the highest point in Virginia). It bypasses the gravel portions and is about 2 hours shorter, but retains the beauty of the longer course. I think you’ll really enjoy it.
Great advice on the local rides! Another fun ride that’s relatively new is the Maryland Endurance Challenge with 3, 6, and 12 hour options. Welcome to the DC area!
and that’s how we do it in our family at least!