Sun. May 11
Sunday Espresso Ride
8:30am, Dean & Deluca, Georgetown
Info

Sun. May 18
Southern Maryland criterium
La Plata, MD
Info

Sat. May 24
BikeJam criterium
Baltimore, MD
Info

Sun. May 25
City Bikes RFK criterium
Washington, DC
Info

Sat. May 31
Michael P. Murad road race
Poolesville, MD
Info

Sun. June 1
CSC Invitational
Arlington, VA
Info

Tuesday night sprints

Thursday night sprints

Friday juniors ride

Cabruce road racing skills clinics
(Winter only)

MABRA email list

NCVC email list (Yahoo)

GamJams

Virginia Cycling Association

Cabruce clinics mail list

Mid-Atlantic Cyclocross

BikeReg.com

USA Cycling

Because we are dedicated to advancing amateur competitive cycling, membership in NCVC is open to any individual who will agree to abide by and uphold our constitution, bylaws, and club procedures, as well as represent our sponsors in the best possible manner. Our club prides itself on its members contributing to its success both on and off the bike, so you will be expected to volunteer for our various race, ride, sponsor, or charity event promotion efforts. You need no prior race experience to join, although it does help to be an avid rider with the desire to race your bike.

Our clothing and equipment purchases occur in mid-Winter and late summer so joining before those happen will provide you with the best opportunity to get fully involved in the identity and benefits of membership in NCVC.

2008 Poolesville Course Report: 2008-April-16

The graveled section of River Rd is really just hard-packed clay. In previous years, fresh gravel and the passage of cars created a set of parallel tracks, each of which could hold one bike. Swapping back and forth between the tracks required riding through deep, loose gravel in sections. That parallel tracks don't exist this year.

The challenge will be the dozens of potholes on many of the good lines. The NCVC road crew will shave the entrances and exits to the potholes, but filling them is impossible--it just creates a quagmire. The density of potholes on River Rd ensures that pinch flats will be common. Bring wide tires.

A transit of River Road.

	You can't see the downhill yet, but Edwards Ferry Rd ends in about 200m. During the race, large signs will warn of the turn onto the dirt section of River Road.
	The pavement ends at the T-intersection. The course turns right. The bravest will be the last to brake.
	The pavement ends and the gravel begins at the apex of the right turn. Overrun the turn and end up in the woods.
	In past years River Rd was only two parallel tire tracks, separated by a scary mound of loose gravel. The 2008 road surface is the smoothest it has ever been in eight years. The base is hard-packed clay with only a few loose stones.
	But the old tracks are packed with potholes. In some cases, the car track is not the optimal line. The potholes cannot be filled. The crack NCVC chain gang will prepare the course one week before the event by shaving down the upstream and downstream edges of the most severe holes. Pinch flats will be common. Wide tires are indicated. Hang on to the bars.
	River Rd runs nearly straight, but several bends cut down the sight lines. Here's one of the first ones. The road is only a car-width across.
	We're halfway through now. The road slopes downward until 250 m before the exit. Speeds are high. It's not uncommon to ride the entire section in the 53x15 or bigger.
	Is that a hint of pavement I see? But it's only for a moment. We've reached the lowest point on the course, and we'll cross the one-lane bridge.
	The road pitches up in the final 300 m after the bridge. We're nearly out of the dirt section now.
	The dust thrown up by the field is omnipresent and choking. Visibility is still good, though. In the distance, you can see the pavement.
	We've almost reached the pavement. Another transit of River Rd is behind us. Soon we'll be on familiar ground.
	One last obstacle awaits before we rejoin the pavement. The gravel on the turnout onto Elmer School Rd is several inches deep. Turning through the apex is difficult.
	Pavement at last: 1.4 miles after we started, we rejoin the pavement on Elmer School Rd. Only 8.5 miles remain until we do it all over again.