Basement Blog

Date/Time:
09/14/2008 07:11 AM

Route:
Route to North Point State Park via Boston St, Ponca St, Holabird Ave, Wise Ave, North Point Blvd, North Point St, Old Bay Shore Rd. Paused at beach. Return via an unmapped road, Sparrows Point Rd,  North Point St, North Point Blvd, Wise Ave, Holabird Ave, Ponca St, Boston St, Charles St. [Google Map]

Traffic:
Easy going most of the way.

Length:
approx. 35.1 miles

Bike:
Jamis Durango Hardtail Mod. with 26×2.2 Maxxis Holy Roller

Weather:
started out warm and humid, but bearable; ended very sunny, hot and humid, heavy air.

Condition:
The first half of the route was quite pleasant. The beginning of my return trip was okay and interesting as I took an unmapped road that wasn’t open for general traffic. I don’t know why this road was closed–it was in a very good shape. It was a very nice and without any traffic a safer route than North Point Street. Riding back toward home quickly became more difficult with every additional mile. The uphill ride on Charles Street pushed me to my limits. I brought two bottles of water, but they were not enough to keep me hydrated and cool enough. The bike began to feel heavier, my neck started to hurt, my legs started to hurt, and feet as well as my hands tended to fall asleep. I made it back home and was ready to get out again soon, but overall it pretty much tired me out for the rest of the day. Mistake #1: I should have had enough water last night and this morning before I started my ride. Mistake #2: I underestimated the weather and even wore a longsleeve tee. (lol.. stupid I know). Mistake #3: I might have underestimated the switch to the mountain bike after having ridden the (lightweight) 3-speed for the past few weeks.

Despite the difficulties on my way back, it was again a remarkable trip through so many different, very different places each with their individual smells. A feast for the senses. From city alleys with a mix of garbage and dead animals, to the harbor with a surprisingly strong fish odor, to an industrial area smelling like electronics, metal, steel and tar, to a road that somewhat smelled like old socks (lol), to a field with a familiar farm smells, through a park with a familiar pleasant wood-smell, to the beach with a nice view across the water… all these impressions makes it all worth the troubles on my return. I’m curious about riding this route this winter. I hope we will get some snow, too.

Heartrate/Elevation:

Date/Time:
08/29/2008 02:45 PM

Route:
A few beers later it was time to take the route back into the city via Bay Shore Road, North Point Road, North Point Blvd, Wise Ave, Holabird Ave, Ponca Street and Boston Street. I tried to avoid the lower part of Charles Street and turned right onto Howard Street instead, which was probably more insane than Charles. The street was jammed with cars, the sidewalks were jammed with people. I made a right onto Read Street and followed my standard route on Lovegrove St, N Charles St and back on Lovegrove St. [Google Map]

Traffic:
Heavy rush-hour and holiday traffic.

Length:
approx. 17.4 miles

Bike:
Jamis Durango Hardtail Mod. with 26×2.2 Maxxis Holy Roller

Weather:
Wet and rainy.

Condition:
It was tough to get started after food and beers, but after a mile on the saddle I was fine and comfortable with the ride again. The traffic was even heavier than that morning, the rain was a bit stronger and longer lasting than before–it definitely was more uncomfortable to ride, but it never felt out of control or undoable. With a good focus I continued to ride and pass all obstacles and didn’t really mind the cars all around me. During most of this route I again didn’t find myself in threatening or dangerous traffic situations. Maybe I just got used to riding through rush-hour traffic, or it didn’t intimidate me as much because the density slowed the speed of traffic down enough to feel safe. I felt strong enough to ride without a break and could have continued further. It was just later that day when I got some rest that I suddenly turned very tired, but in a good, refreshed and not painfully exhausted kind of way.

Heartrate/Elevation:

Date/Time:
08/29/2008 10:09 AM

Route:
Same as previous route to North Point State Park. Start at Cathedral Street in Mt. Vernon, to the Inner Harbor, Aliceanna Street, right onto Boston Street. Turned right into Ponca Street before 895 and 95, a short about 1 mile long segment leading through a business park/industrial area, then left into Holabird Avenue. Continued on Holabird Avenue all the way straight for several miles, crossing Dundalk Avenue and Merritt Blvd. Later Holabird Ave becomes Wise Ave which I followed straight for several miles. I crossed a bridge and turned right into North Point Blvd at the end of Wise Ave. Further straight on North Point Blvd to the exit/entrance to 695 I turned left into North Point Road. I followed North Point Road a bit further, made a u-turn and turned right into Bay Shore Road, which led to the parking lot and the final destination the Trolley Pavilion [Google Map]

Traffic:
Heavy (holiday) traffic.

Length:
approx. 15.5 miles

Bike:
Jamis Durango Hardtail Mod. with 26×2.2 Maxxis Holy Roller

Weather:
Wet and rainy.

Condition:
This was the first real rain-ride for the season. The weather had been wet since I got up that morning. High humidty, light, soft rain throughout with occasional stronger showers. Luckily this wet had not been cold, so it turned out to be unpleasant but bearable. More annoying than the weather was the traffic which turned out to be much more busy than two weeks ago when I rode this route on a Sunday morning. Holiday traffic in addition to the regular business traffic probably made it even worse than on regular weekdays. However, during most of this route I didn’t find myself in threatening or dangerous traffic situations. Most of the route offers enough space for cars and cyclists. It’s only the narrow segments that felt a bit too cozy to me. The route was very flat and easy to ride. I found myself in a good, focused shape.

Heartrate/Elevation:

Date/Time:
08/17/2008 07:03 AM

Route:
New route in preparation for the upcoming summer-outing at the North Point State Park. Route started to the Inner Harbor, Fleet Sreet, right onto Boston Street. Turned right into Ponca Street before 895 and 95, a short about 1 mile long segment leading through a business park/industrial area. Passed a club named ‘Nightshift’ and turned left into Holabird Avenue at the end of Ponca. Continued Holabird Avenue all the way straight for several miles, crossing Dundalk Avenue and Merritt Blvd. Later Holabird Ave becomes Wise Ave which I continued straight for several miles. I crossed a bridge, continued a few miles, and turned right into North Point Blvd at the end of Wise Ave. Continued straight on North Point Blvd to the exit/entrance to 695 and turned left into North Point Road. Made a left into what I believed was Bay Shore Road, but the map shows it might have been a bit too early. [Google Map]

Traffic:
Easy going most of the way.

Length:
approx. 34.3 miles

Bike:
Jamis Durango Hardtail Mod. with 26×2.2 Maxxis Holy Roller

Weather:
very pleasant, nice air quality.

Condition:
I decided to take the mountain-bike out again because I didn’t know what terrain and pavement condition I would run into. But this route turned out to be a winner. It was smooth, flat, beautiful and quite interesting. From city to industrial, from industrial to places that reminded me of NC, Key West or even my old hometown in Germany. This route very much felt like it could have been one of my old routes in and around Mönchengladbach. I even saw a man on a beach bike. It was a very pleasant ride and I was in a good shape for it. I will definitely take this route more often in the future. I hope traffic will be as pleasant on the day of the summer-outing as it has been today.

Overall I’m very pleasantly surprised what a variety Baltimore has to offer. When I first moved to Baltimore I felt stuck and unable to ride the bike at all because traffic felt threatening and dangerous and there didn’t seem to be any streets safe and bike-friendly enough for a longer trip. The more I have learned about Baltimore during my rides in the past few months the more it has felt like a home to me. I have come to the conclusion that my first impression was quite wrong. There really are some great routes and places out there, and streets that are quite easy and safe to ride. It just takes some time, some great resources like bikely.com and a few miles on the road.

Heartrate/Elevation:

Date/Time:
08/10/2008 08:35 AM

Route:
Continuation of previous Falls Road/Kelly Avenue route(s). Kelly Avenue turns into Cross Country Blvd, which I continued until its end. Then I turned left into Fallstaff Rd. Next right into Park Heights Avenue, then second left into Seven Mile Lane. I continued straight. Seven Mile Lane becomes Colonial Road after crossing Reisterstown Road. At the end of Colonial Road I turned right into Deerfield Road. Then I continued straight until the end of Deerfield Road, turned left into Milford Mill Road. I continued straight and turned right into Scotts Hill Dr, right before 695. [Google Map]

I should have continued straight, cross 695 and make a right into Scotts Level Road. But it was time for me to return anyway. After a short break I returned the same route back, via Falls Road and North Charles St.

Traffic:
Easy going most of the way. Got busier on the way back, but still good enough to ride.

Length:
approx. 25.5 miles, 2h 15min

Bike:
Windsor Wellington 3.0 road-bike with 700×23c Maxxis Xephyr

Weather:
warm but pleasant

Condition:
At first I was nervous about taking the road bike out again. Not only am I still more at home on a mountain bike, it also was the first time to ride a longer route on it, and I was worried I’m too heavy for a lightweight bicycle with such thin tires. But the ride went very well, and actually much better than riding the mountain bike with its fat tires. All the hills were not a problem at all, the distance felt very easy, and I could have continued for a good while longer. If I hadn’t had other plans I probably could have made it a 30-35 mile ride. The road bike has become my friend after adjusting the saddle and handlebar. I think I will continue to use the road bike for longer routes and keep the MTB for inner city riding.

If the city streets were in a better shape I might even use it in the city. This was the only problem I experienced today: Getting out of and into the city on the road bike. Many roads are in such bad repair… Potholes, drain pits, cracks, bumps and waves in the pavement felt at times so rough I really was quite worried about the bike. Without any suspension every little bump seemed to have a huge effect on the bike as well as me on the saddle. But fortunately the bike took it very well and didn’t fall apart. The streets became much better once I left Falls Road and entered Cross Country Blvd.

Overall it was a very pleasant ride, and I was in a good shape for it today. Next time I will try to leave earlier and make it a longer trip, maybe up to 35 miles or a bit further.

Heartrate:

Date/Time:
08/03/2008 08:34 AM

Route:
Followed my last route again on West University Parkway, left onto West 40th Street toward the Rotunda, right onto Evans Chapel Road right before the grocery store, then left into Roland Heights Avenue, immediate right to Lawrence Avenue, at the end onto Woodheights Avenue and then finally a right onto Falls Road right before the intersection of Falls Road and West Cold Spring Lane. I continued straight on Falls Road, then left turn to Kelly Avenue which becomes Cross Country Boulevard. Continued straight for a while, then u-turn and followed same route back to Falls Road. Continued straight on Falls Road, turned left onto North Charles Street. [Google Map]

Traffic:
Easy going most of the way.

Length:
approx. 17.5 miles

Bike:
Jamis Durango Hardtail Mod. with 26×2.2 Maxxis Holy Roller

Weather:
quite warm but bearable, not too humid

Condition:
To be honest, after waking up sweaty I didn’t feel like riding this morning. I felt I needed another day off but I forced myself to go out and was pleasantly surprised to find that it was more pleasant outside than inside the house. I tried to take it easy during the first few miles, but near the Rotunda I was tired already and wanted to return. I pushed myself further finally reached Falls Road where I again had some doubts about this trip. The uphill segments were more painful than last time I rode this route, but I made it, turned left into Kelly Avenue, just to find another ascent. That’s when I had real doubts I could really take this route to Frederick/Hagerstown one day. Not unless I seriously trained for climbing hills.

Then something interesting happened. After I climbed that hill I didn’t feel any pain anymore…the road continued with a slight incline, but I had no trouble continuing my ride. The road was very nice, traffic was very easy, it actually felt as pleasant as a flat route. I finally began to enjoy this ride and thought that I could continue like this for the next hour. I decided to continue this route for a while, have a short break and return. This trip was almost like swimming in the ocean, having to fight some waves before you get into calmer waters. Once I passed these first hills it became a really nice ride.

The return felt much easier, too. Rewarded by a fast and long decline I felt energized enough to handle the uphill segments on Falls Road. I definitely want to try this route again and ride further, perhaps 25-30 miles, perhaps with the road bike once I get used to it.

Heartrate/Elevation:

Date/Time:
07/29/2008 05:53 PM

Route:
Took the road bike out for the first time for a quick, short trip to Lake Montebello and two laps around it.

Traffic:
Easy going all the way.

Length:
approx. 28 minutes

Bike:
Windsor Wellington 3.0 road-bike with 700×23c Maxxis Xephyr

Weather:
very hot and humid

Condition:
For the last few weeks I have ridden the bike daily, to the office in the morning and back home during rush-hour. The trips became shorter and more intense, especially in the afternoon, as I tried to rush back as quickly as possible through an increasingly uncomfortable heat and humidity. Today I decided to switch the bike and attempt another trip after I returned from work, taking out the road bike for the first time. I had to adjust the brakes, but I was surprised how well this bike could be handled despite the ultra-thin tires. I still have to get used to the brakes and handlebar, but I enjoyed riding so fast in comparison to my old MTB. The weather was hot and humid, I felt tired and not really up for a longer ride today, so I returned again after two laps. I plan to take this bike out more often as long as the weather allows, and keep the bike trainer for winter or rainy days.

Heartrate:

Date/Time:
07/13/2008 07:42 AM

Route:
When I looked at the map after riding Falls Road back on the 4th of July I found that if I had continued just a few meters further I would have reached the Robert E Lee Park I once visited a long time ago to take some pictures. I had no idea this park could actually be reached by bicycle. I followed my last route again on West University Parkway, left onto West 40th Street toward the Rotunda, right onto Evans Chapel Road right before the grocery store, then left into Roland Heights Avenue, immediate right to Lawrence Avenue, at the end onto Woodheights Avenue and then finally a right onto Falls Road right before the intersection of Falls Road and West Cold Spring Lane. I continued straight on Falls Road passing the Mt. Washington bike store and making a right into Robert E Lee park. [Google Map]

Traffic:
Traffic was manageable and felt easy most of the way. Only one short segment on Falls Road, I think between Cliffhurst Road and Clarks Hill, felt a bit uncomfortable as far as traffic was concerned. The road became more narrow, and although there was a speed limit of 25 mph, traffic continued with at least 35-40 mph. Measures to control the speed there would be desirable. But most of Falls Road still felt relatively safe to ride.

Length:
approx. 12.7 miles

Bike:
Jamis Durango Hardtail Mod. with 26×2.2 Maxxis Holy Roller

Weather:
warm but pleasant wind, not too humid

Condition:
Route was challenging but much more pleasant than when I attempted this route on the 4th of July. Uphill segments were not as painful as before, my heart rate was more under control, and I reached Robert E Lee park in only 28 minutes which surprised me. I always thought it was further away. In the past I found taking the bus and light rail to Mt. Washington more painful than riding the bicycle today. I was well rested and the weather was great. I will take this route more often to explore the park some more, and also Kelly Avenue, which will take me to the Frederick route.

Heartrate/Elevation:

Date/Time:
07/07/2008 05:48 AM

Route:
No outside route. Decided to do an interval workout in the basement instead: Spinervals 1.0 “No Slackers Allowed” with a mix of ladders, superspins, tempo sets and sprints..

Traffic:
None.

Length:
approx. 43 minutes

Bike:
Windsor Wellington 3.0 road-bike with 700×23c Maxxis Xephyr

Weather:
warm and humid

Condition:
Woke up well enough being excited and a bit nervous about starting the new job today. The workout felt a bit exhausting and unfocused, probably because I had all the other things on my mind. It definitely was a nice warm-up for the ride to work (not logged). The morning felt very hectic although I managed to do everything well in time. Perhaps I should make myself get up at 5am, but that seems quite extreme.

Heartrate:

Date/Time:
07/04/2008 09:45 AM

Route:
A few days ago I discovered somebody’s route from Baltimore to Frederick to Washington DC back to Baltimore on Bikely.com. I also found a route from Frederick to Hagerstown. I was very excited by the idea to ride from Baltimore all the way to Hagerstown. When I studied the satellite pictures I found that these routes really appear to be safe, low traffic, leading through quiet country roads, some even off the roads — and with a length of roughly 76 miles I thought this could be a nice day trip. Some of the pictures along the route, like this one at Panoramio, reminded me a bit of my old college town Furtwangen. This could be a really beautiful route.

From what I can see there are only two or three areas that may become difficult. The first may be to get out of Baltimore on Falls Road. I have never ridden on Falls Road except the lower part from Clipper Mill Road to Penn Station, which is really nice — but I am not familiar with the upper part of Falls Road beyond West Cold Spring Lane yet. Would it be safe to ride the bike in traffic? The second problem area may be connecting the route to Frederick with the second route to Hagerstown. The segment between these two routes looked a bit crazy to me on the map, and I’m not sure yet which path could be a good and safe one to link both of them together. The third and probably the most difficult part could be the climbs between Frederick and Hagerstown, maybe even more along the entire way. Would I have enough steam left to climb a mountain after riding 50 miles? I’m just a normal guy with his mountain bike…not a Tour de France champion

Before I attempt a ride of these proportions I decided to explore the Falls Road situation first. This was my goal for today. I followed the route from North Calvert Street, left to West University Parkway, left onto West 40th Street toward the Rotunda, right onto Evans Chapel Road right before the grocery store, then left into Roland Heights Avenue, immediate right to Lawrence Avenue, at the end onto Woodheights Avenue and then finally a right onto Falls Road right before the intersection of Falls Road and West Cold Spring Lane. I continued straight on Falls Road for about another mile and then decided to return on Falls Road all the way near Penn Station, following the bike route arrows (as in my previous route) until they disappeared. I didn’t really intend to ride along the Tour dem Parks route today, so I had no further directions or notes with me. [Google Map]

After this ride I have come to the conclusion that Falls Road could be a good way to leave the city. Traffic never felt threatening, dangerous or out of control to me, and there was enough room for me to ride and cars to pass by on their other lanes. I think continuing on this route could be doable. Today, however, I was not at all in a good shape — I already was exhausted when I got up and rode on University Parkway. Riding further uphill to the Cold Spring Lane intersection took a lot out of me, and the last series of hills on Falls Road just gave me the rest. The heat and humidity didn’t help there, too. I never had problems riding routes of 40 miles or more and think a route of 76 miles or so should work, too. However, the terrain around Mönchengladbach and the Netherlands is flat, but this route out of Baltimore might be more like a 76 mile long uphill climb. Of course I don’t know yet if this route continues somewhat flat before it’s time to climb the mountains in Frederick and Hagerstown. No matter what, this will be a challenge for man and material — and I will have to work on my hill-condition before I can really begin to think about attempting the full length.

Traffic:
easy going all the way

Length:
approx. 12.4 miles

Bike:
Jamis Durango Hardtail Mod. with 26×2.2 Maxxis Holy Roller

Weather:
post-rain, warm and humid, not very pleasant

Condition:
Found hills quite exhausting today. Was already exhausted last night when I rode back home from Happy Hour (not logged). I should have given myself more time for recovery. Might try this again next weekend. Overall it was more painful than refreshing today.

Heartrate/Elevation: