Leader: Joan Oppel

Members: Chantal Briere, Connie Quickstad, Pat Walthers

Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/56115420

Weather: About 80 to start, 90 at the end. Some mild breeze to help while riding. 

Report:  Everyone said they enjoyed the route and the ride! A quick route put together to get to Nanjemoy from Livingston Road parking lot. We took Chicamuxen and Pisgah Marbury to Mason Springs, which becomes Ironsides. Then a right on Baptist Church - the longhorn cattle were out, including (look carefully at least one very young calf). 

Baptist Church becomes Liverpool Point directly to the Nanjemoy Store. It was very pleasant in the shade at the picnic tables.

Return was Gilroy/Bowie and then on Smallwood Church to Chicamuxen, including Marbury Run. 

Wildlife (not) sighting: We almost got fooled but even a quick passing look revealed the truth: colors all wrong, not moving feet. Definitely a wooden non mallard.

Photo credits to Connie.

Today was a terrific urban adventure for the Monday Club! 

RIDERS: Frieda Achtentuch, Peggy Alfonso, Suzanne Allan, Robin Butler-LeFrancois, Andrea Clayville, Jessica Hirschhorn, Barbara McCann, and Marie Morris (guest registration)

The Gaggle of Gals met at Hains Point on what looks to be the last decent day for the week, as Mother Nature will be increasing the thermostat tomorrow. 

Weather clear 71 feels like 76, Humidity 83% Wind 3.6 from ENE

Average speed 11.0 mph

Rumor had it that the shenanigans on the National Mall were not fully cleaned up, leaving considerable detritus and detours, so we took Independence Avenue instead.  

City riding certainly involves lots of red lights, and we made sure to account for everyone and stay together on our route. 

We skedaddled through the city, seeing some great neighborhoods, stopping at Lincoln Park to see the two historic outdoor sculptures:  Emancipation and Mary McCord Bethune.  Then we continued toward The Arboretum for a short break before looping around, up and down the Gem of Botany that sits right in Washington DC.  We looped around the Conifer section which is my favorite, then all met at the columns. 

The Arboretum was nearly empty today, which enhanced the treat for all of us. 

At the Bonsai Exhibit we split into 3 groups:  1. Seeing the exhibit 2. Waiting outside in the shade or 3. Heading back. 

We zoomed down 11th Street and across the Navy Yard ("watch the cracks!" ) and Yards Park before arriving back at the Pro shop for a final sit down and iced cold diet cokes. 

This is a really fun, different ride that I am looking forward to repeating as part of the Mondays with Jessica series. 

Leader:  Ron Altemus

Members:  Pat Walthers, Randy Sims, Janell Saunders, Joan Oppel, Dave Van Ameyden, Patricia Sanders



Route:   Casual tour of Mason Neck,  visiting Mason Neck Park, Hallowing Point, Gunston Estates, Gunston Hall, and Pohick Bay Parks.   Approx. 30 miles, 954' elevation change

Weather:   Mostly cloudy though sometimes thinning enough that sunlight filtered through; temps mid 70s to low 80s; 8+ mph air out of the eastern quadrant; unpleasant humidity at start lowering to moist as the day progressed.

AMS:  swept in the mid 11s.  Others could have been faster

Mechanicals/Mishaps:  dropped chain quickly remedied

Report:  Other than a little slow in getting everyone started, a pleasant ride with moderate temperatures and decreasing humidity.  Randy's first time riding on Mason Neck; the rest of us have done it before but keep coming back because it is a nice ride with some scenic views, a bit of history, and the possibility for some hill work for those desiring same.

Traffic was normal for a Sunday morning/mid-day, which is to say not very much.  We didn't see many other riders for whatever reason though the mountain bike parking lot had users for those trails.

The out and back on Belmont Blvd provided an opportunity to see firsthand what is this year's summer attire for the well-dressed garden scarecrow.  Janell took "her" picture per the accompany photo :

The trail descent down to High Point Road has gotten a bit more treacherous very close to its end.  A couple of tree roots have gotten some size and traveling over them provides enough of a jolt to shake loose any fillings one might still have left in their mouth.  The RL will alert the Mt Vernon supervisor, requesting some remedial action.

Leader: Joan Oppel

Members: Peggy Alfonso, Debbie Bowman, Chantal Briere, Suzanne Brown, CeeCee Bullock, Mary Ann Owsley, Deb Reynolds, Patricia Sanders, Bob Thompson, Dave Van Ameyden

Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/49813739

Weather: Mid 70s to a high of 90 - very humid

Report:  A lovely hilly ride, a quick visit to Merkle and then to the Patuxent River Park Pavilion. We used the bathroom and replenished water - but a family reuion was setting up with a noisy catering truck so we moved to the  Croom Airport historic display to eat snacks - unfortunately the benches were in the sun so we just stood around under the trees. 

Thanks to a good group who regrouped several times for slower riders.

Leader:  Ron Altemus

Members:   Gene Villiva, Peter Stelman, Jackie Schoch, Maureen Flynn, Bob Rourke, Paul Adams, Mark Garrrison, Oswald Martin, Astrid Caldas, Carl Hattery



Route:  Indian Head Rail Trail, heading east from Livingston Rd parking lot to rest stop at White Plains trailhead, and then returning westward to ride start.

Weather:  mostly gray overcast w/occasional sun; temp range mid 70s to lower 80s; some breeze out of the western quadrant; per the humidity scale, moist but not sticky

AMS:  upper 11s for RL, others faster

Mechanicals/Mishaps:  none

Report:  nice turnout missing some Friday regulars who are traveling, recuperating, or visiting family.  Very uneventful, good number of other trail users who where either cyclists or walkers.  Of interest - one mom riding with her daughter and son, probably 7-9 yrs old age range.  As Jackie passed on her trike, the daughter yelled out "I love your bike!"

Minimal wildlife sightings included a couple of dead frogs on the trail (which is unusual at this time of year.  Normally we see them in the spring during the mating season.  Not that they don't mate year-round, though).  Eagle on the nest near the parking lot.  Those of us bringing up the rear on the return saw a beaver swimming near its lodge in the Bumpy Oak pond.  He/she was really motoring, creating a wake as they went about busy beaver business.  Another example of being in the right place at the right time to see wildlife in action.

Members:  Connnie Quickstad

Leader:  Janell Saunders

It was just Connie and I today and the evening was quite pleasant.  Low 80s and a beachy feel to the air.  We took the standard tour and added the new neighborhood before heading down to the river for a quick break.  The usual "tokers" were there as well, but we still enjoyed the view of the water before a couple of skidoo riders showed up to use the boat ramp. We headed back up Barrys Hill. I so wish PG county would repave their half of that road! As it was, there was some black top patching which was still loose and spitting up when ridden over. We skipped the out and back to Mayoane, saw a small herd of deer on Accokeek rod and ended the ride with no issues.  

We had a great group and a great ride today.  One registrant was not an OH member. Two riders had never ridden in the Ag Reserve, and it was great to introduce them to this local gem. 

RIDERS: Peggy Alfonso, Yolanda Carlton, Mark Garrison, Jessica Hirschhorn, Joan Oppel, Catherine ORiordan, Carol Torgan, Anne Wittenberg 

29 miles, 1664' 

The temp was a bit lower (80's) but the high humidity kept it clammy.  a little drizzle appeared as we were driving to the start, but stopped by the time we saddled up.

We all stayed together and enjoyed the corn (way higher than knee-high), soy, peach and apple orchards, and cattle. Very low traffic today! 

We took a rest stop at the Foxhound Retirement farm on Old Bucklodge (see photos) and stopped to talk about , sneak in to visit, and read the new plaque on Jerusalem about the Rosenwald School. 

Members:  Bernard Steward, Mark Garrison

Leader:  Ellen Goodwin

Report:  Our silent partner on this ride was the HEAT.  It was a hot one.  But that did not deter our small but enthusiastic group of 3 as we set out to ride 40 miles for the promise of cold watermelon.  The three of us stayed together for the most part in the initial half.  In the second half one rider went ahead and finished sooner than the others.  We were thrilled to have snacks and watermelon at the end of the ride!

Mishaps:  None

AMS: about 12 in the back

Leader: Diane Harris

Members: Jenn, Patty, Randi, Eric, Lou, Josh, and Mario

Route: 2026 Annual Watermelon Ride. The route took us from the Indian Head Village Green to Goose Bay by way of the Indian Head Rail Trail and mostly back roads of Charles County. 

Weather: Starting temperature was 77° rising into the 80s and humid. There was occasional breeze. 

AMS: Ride leader 12.9, others 15+

Mechanicals/ Mishaps: None. There was an incident involving a wild turkey that ran in front of one of the riders on a descent. Fortunately, there wasn't a crash but feathers were seen flying.

Report: The 49 mile group was composed of several class riders so the plan was to separate into 2 groups, those who rode at a faster pace and those who rode at a more leisurely pace. I would ride with the latter group. Separation came on Bumpy Oak Rd where the road was closed due to a tree that had fallen due to recent storms and wind. We were able to walk our bikes around the workers clearing the tree and debris. At the Goose Bay Marina and Campground we rested, ate snacks, replenished fluids, before resuming the ride. The second half of the ride surprised us with another road closure due to a downed tree and wires. Once again we were able to get around the tree, carefully avoiding the poison ivy that was in our path.

The rest of the ride was uneventful. With ~8 miles to the finish, we stopped once more at the Pisgah Store to get fluids to last us for the remainder of the ride.

Thanks and much appreciation go out to Jackie for the watermelon, and Steve, Ron, and Lou for waiting for our return. 

The HEAT, while a tad better than over the weekend, likely kept the number of riders down, and we certainly could not blame them.  However, the temp and breeze really helped, and the big heat did not come until the end of the ride. 

RIDERS: Jessica Hirschhorn, Joan Oppel, Linda Blackman, Chantal Briere (who had a flat at the end, and a kind driver with a pickup truck got her back to Indian Head Village Park) , Barbara Butcher, Donaro Gardner, Chris Moriarity,  Patricia Sanders, and Connie Quickstad. 

We got word from Jackie that Bumpy Oaks was closed to cars due to a tree down, but a detour would have added a fair number of miles on a hot day, so we decided to chance it. Our guess held, as cars were not permitted but bikes could safely squeeze by. 

We had the usual nice rest stop at Goose Bay, all sitting on the shady porch, where our wonderful SAG (Steve P) joined us. 

We arrived back to be greeted by Jackie and cold drinks, ice cold watermelon, and snacks. 

A good time was had by all!