Begin your seasonal activities early by celebrating a Colonial Christmas at Mt Aventine and Mattawoman Creek Art Center.  Holiday festivities abound as these two facilities feature open houses.  We'll visit Mt Aventine at Chapman State Park first, as they are open 11 am-4 pm, then on to the Art Center in Smallwood State Park, also open 11 am-4 pm.   We'll spend 30-45 minutes at least at each location to fully experience both the facilities and the activities offered.  Items to note:  the driveway into Mt Aventine (listed as Ferry Road on the cue sheet) is not paved.  It is hard packed and most club members have successfully ridden it with a range of tire widths.  Also, the Open House at Mt Aventine is a fund raiser for the Friends of Chapman State Park and they do suggest a $5 donation.

Routing from the Village Green to Chapman Park will go via Strauss, Lower Wharf, MD-210, and Chapman's Landing.  We'll retrace from Mt Aventine to Lower Wharf and then utilize Hawthorne and Chicamuxen to Smallwood State park.  Return to the start via Chicamuxen, Hawthorne, and the Indian Head Rail Trail. The main roads have wide shoulders; the secondary are usually lightly traveled.  21 miles 860' elevation change. 

Ride leader will move at a pace to insure no rider left behind.  Limited cue sheets available at ride start.  Best to print your own or download route to your favorite device.

RWGPS:    https://ridewithgps.com/routes/44981064

Cue sheet:  https://bit.ly/Chap-Small   

Weather forecast:   https://bit.ly/4eZwIee

Ride leader:  Ron Altemus 703-618-2159 surlykm29er@yahoo.com; Joan Oppel  703-328-9863  oppeljs@gmail.com

Directions to Ride Start:  Take MD-210 (Indian Head Highway) to the town of Indian Head. At the top of the hill, pass Indian Head Elementary School on the right and turn right into Lackey Drive. Continue to pavilion parking on the left or straight ahead to IHRT parking on Dr. Mitchell Lane.

Advance registration is required.

All riders must agree to the Release and Waiver of Liability.