A simply glorious day on Kent Island.  

RIDERS:  Jessica Hirschhorn, Karen Dickey (she lives on Kent Island and is an Ironman Triathlete!  What a great addition to our club), Lynda Honberg, Ron Honberg, Renee McCullough. 

We did the usual 8 out 'n backs Octopus ride, plus an additional few miles to Metapeake Pier, a really beautiful landmark. 

Our small group stayed together, and enjoyed the water views, view of the Bay Bridge, Fishing Pier, Wedding Venue, and Crabber marina ("Bloody Point") with lighthouse. 

Total 40 miles. 

Weather was perfect and the sky was spectacular. 

Leader:  Ron Altemus

Members:  Bob Thompson, Chantal Briere, Ray Luckenbach, Gene Villiva, Lisa Oken, Patricia Sanders (enjoying the rocking chairs and view from the state park visitor center.)



Route:  casual tour of Mason Neck, starting with an out and back on Belmont Blvd with some of the group venturing down to the gate at the George Mason University Carter Center before retracing on Belmont Blvd.  Gunston Rd took us to the Mason Neck trail followed by a short spur on Springfield before rejoining the trail.  We left the trail at High Point Rd to head down to the Mason Neck State Park Visitor Center.  Retracing on High Point, we used Gunston Rd to tour the Hallowing Point and Gunston Manor neighborhoods and then back to the trail.  Gunston Hall and Pohick Bay Park were visited including a spin through the latter's campground.  Three hardy (masochistic?) souls rode down to the water and back up the hill.  We returned to the trail and then another out and back into the golf course before the final short stretch on Gunston Rd to the ride start.

Weather:  mostly sunny with occasional patches of white puffy clouds. tems starting in the mid 80s but only rising to the upper 80s, 7-9 mph air movement out of the NW, and, unfortunately an increase in humidity such that sweating occurred.

AMS:  12s

Mechanicals/Mishaps:  none

Report:  typical pleasant ride on Mason Neck with stretches of car free cycling along with short periods of more vehicles on the road.  This was Bob's first time riding this route so it was nice being able to introduce him to this part of Fairfax County.

Leader:  Dave VanAmeyden

Members:  Bob Thompson and Chantal Briere

Guests: Ginny and Reed Hoofnagle. One other from Potomac Pedalers.

Route: A rare "inside the beltway" ride that eschews the quiet and scenic Maryland rural routes for the excitement and bustle of the city and suburbs of Virginia.  We started in Arlington, riding up to Rosslyn and to McLean, down through Falls Church and into Springfield, then went around Lake Barcroft, and back up into Arlington to the St Katherine's Greek Orthodox Church, who were holding their annual Spring Greek Festival.  RWGPS tallied 1,868' of climbs.

Weather: Hot!  Started in the mid 70s and got up to 90 at the end. Next spring we may want to start the ride earlier if the weather forecast has this kind of heat.

AMS: 12mph, due to hills and many, many stops. 

Mechanicals/Mishaps:  One of our guests had trouble with their rear derailer limit stops.  About half-way through the ride, one the bolts from a cleat fell off.  Luckily, the route was about 1/3 of a mile from their house, and they broke off. 

Report: Started off well, making it through the hills of Arlington and McLean. The heat and sun started to impact us when we made our way through Falls Church. Traffic was not light but manageable. We stopped at a Giant grocery store instead of a gas station. (Photo by Karl Moritz)

We finally got to St. Katherine's by 1PM, but by that time we were hot and the lines for the food were long. The remaining riders had biked to the start and lived only a couple of miles away, so they went straight home from the church. The ride leader made his way back to the start, went home, and took a long nap.

Leader:  Ron Altemus

Members:  Maureen Flynn, Peter Stelman, Leesha Saunders, Oswald Martin, Mark Garrison, Don Gardner, Esther Steward, Connie Quickstad, Denny Miller, Carl Hattery.  Not pictured:  Dan Donahue who met us enroute after starting at White Plains



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:  Getting warmer but humidity remains low.  High overcast but still plenty of sunshine; temp range mid 70s to upper 80s; marginal air out of the SW

AMS:   varied by rider (RL swept in the low 12s)

Mechanicals/Mishaps:  none

Report:  A preview of summer riding temperature-wise though thankfully without the humidity.  Another nice turnout of club members while the trail didn't seem to have a lot of other users, especially between ride start and Bensville.  Club member Bob Moye passed us traveling in both directions, looking good.

Plenty of wildlife.  Peter airlifted a box turtle to safety and later saw a female snapper laying eggs.  Fortunately, he made no effort to assist with the delivery.  Bird sightings included a juvenile bald eagle on the nest just east of ride start; white herons/common egrets in the beaver pond just west of the ride start; great blue heron; and, numerous brown somethings flitting along the trail.

Connie photographed this deer taking a drink in Pages Swamp near the east end of the trail.  The deer then resumed eating the leafy foliage along the banks of the swamp.

Some plants have started flowering and butterflies were in abundance partaking of the tasty nectar while also pollinating the plants.  Yellow and zebra swallowtails were observed, along with many brown/orange Pearl Crescent butterflies as pictured below.  Your faithful correspondent does not remember them in such profusion in years past.  Usually, it seems to be the swallowtails that we see the most.

It's always nice to see a black snake on the trail.  This one was a good 4 feet plus.

Bob Moye related that saw a racoon, rarely seen on the trail, plus a mink at the bridge over Mattawoman Creek. One of the joys of riding the IHRT is the varied wildlife - you just need to be in the right place at the right time to observe some interesting stuff!

Leader:  Connie Quickstad/Pat Walthers

Members: Mary Scala and Patricia Sanders

Guests: None

Route: Started ride at IHRT Livingston Rd parking lot; rest stop at Goose Bay Marina and return.  https://ridewithgps.com/routes/44564234

Weather: Temp was 76 degrees on departure and high-80’s on return; definitely warmer today but humidity was still fairly low.

AMS: 12-15 (average of 12.4)

Mechanicals/Mishaps: None

Report: Lovely lady’s ride!  We had a great pacer (thank you Patricia) and the ride was quite enjoyable.  Minimum traffic.  Temps started rising but thanks to some shady roads it wasn’t too bad.  Definitely felt the heat at the end of the ride.  Rest stop at Goose Bay was a very welcome break.  Chatted with a couple of folks on the deck, one gentleman who wanted to join the club a few years back but was deterred.  We told him it’s not too late if he changes his mind!!  Came across a deer crossing the road (Blossom Pt) so we slowed down in case there were others (there weren’t).  Overall, a beautiful ride, hoping for others to join us next time.  Have a great rest of your week!

Leader: Janell Saunders

Members: Connie Quikstad

Route: All class Tour de Accokeek

Weather: warm, pleasant

Just us two for the ride this evening. Low 80s and calm weather. We had shady roads to help with the warmer than expected temps. Going through the Accokeek neighborhoods, came to the house with the blue fountain flowing an a lovely garden. Added a couple miles by going through the newer neighborhoods before heading down to the Marshall road boat ramp for a short rest stop.  After climbing Barrys Hill, we turned left to do the road to the Chapin Farm, passing the smaller farm on the way.  We saw a small deer herd at the small farm as well as the big "hawgs" napping among the trees.  The Chapin farm had the cow herd grazing with a few very cute calfs as well.  At the farm, we heard what I believe was a peacock call behind the house. 

 Having trouble posting pics, will try later.

The simply magnificent weather continued, and we had a perfect day riding in the MoCo Ag Reserve.  The sky was brilliant blue and speckled with stunning cloud formations.  There was little humidity and little wind. 

RIDERS:  Chantal Briere, Barbara Butcher, Ed Comer, Cindy Halliday, Jessica Hirschhorn, Julia Madaras, Joseph McKenzie, Lori Michaelson, "Sue" Murray, Joan Oppel, and Lisa Oken (who rode from Riley's Lock).

The route took us down White's Ferry,  across Edwards Ferry, down Mt Nebo to River, and around, Sugarland,  and included a requisite stop at the Foxhound retirement farm on Old Bucklodge.  

We stopped at the new historical maker at the site of the Jerusalem School, one of three remaining Rosenwald Schools in Montgomery County.  See photo. 

There was one mechanical, a flat, expertly addressed by Joan O, the QUEEN of FLAT REPAIR.  

Unfortunately some riders chose to ride at a faster pace than the ride was posted, and, after the first mile or so, were never seen again. Not even at the designated stops or the parking lot.  On one hand, everyone deserves to ride their own ride. On the other hand, if a ride is posted at a certain class/speed it is the leader's concept to maintain the speed and the group cohesion as well as social connection.  (Stepping down from soapbox...). 

Leader:  Connie Quickstad 

Members: Janell Saunders, Mary Ann Owsley, Cindy Halliday, Jim Cavanaugh, Robin West & Pat Walthers

Guests: None

Route: Starting location was Waysons Corner Park & Ride;  MD Rt 4 to Plummer Lane, Greenock, Brooks Woods Rd, short rest stop at the Farm Store; continued to West Bay Front Rd, Solomons Island Rd, Nutwell, Sudley, Deale Churchton Rd with a rest stop at South County Café.  Tooled about waterfront neighborhood around Masons Beach Rd & Ave (think a couple of the road names have changed) then made our way back to Deale Rd, MD-258W, Southern Blvd and back to the start.

Weather: Gorgeous with blue skies!!  Temps ranged from 65-68 for the duration of the ride.  Some headwinds in the open field areas but not too bad on the climbs.

AMS: 11-14

Mechanicals/Mishaps: None

Report: Great Saturday to ride…no matter where you were riding but glad to have the opportunity to share the 30 mi CC with a nice group of seven.  Tons of riders in the parking lot with the various groups, we got started a few minutes after 0900.  Lots of turns starting out but then settled into a nice rhythm.  Beautiful scenery, not too much socializing on the ride due to narrow roads and moderate traffic in places. We did have a driver behind us on Brooks Woods Rd following behind us and then also stopped at the Farm Store, she wasn’t happy that we were riding and she couldn't pass, thought it was dangerous for drivers and riders.  It was unfortunate but does happen. Nevertheless, we continued; at the County Store Café, the group split, not ready for lunch!  They made their way back to the finish and Janell, Pat and I came in about 30 mins later.  The rolling hills on the way back were just enough to make it worth the cookies we ate but not bad enough to admit defeat!  Lovely way to start the weekend.  Stay safe.

Leader:  Pete Czapiewski

Members:  Steve Wartik, James Davenport

Guests:  Michele Tuttle (from Rita's group)

Route:  WC52 Deale-North Beach-Chesapeake Beach RR Trail-McKendree  https://ridewithgps.com/routes/54999242 

Weather:  Sunny, windy 14+mph, high 60s to mid 70s.

AMS:  15.3 mph

Mechanicals/Mishaps: Heavy traffic on the main roads. Close call with a truck on Friendship Road, but no one went down.

Report:  Beautiful sunny day for a ride, although the headwinds were challenging. I was substitute ride leader for Diane Harris, who couldn't make the rescheduled ride date. With our small turnout for the 52 mile A/B group,  we started with the 43 milers and mixed with Rita's 52 mile group at times. James finished with the 43 mile group, and Michele finished with Steve and myself. We skipped the dead end portion of the over-water trail in Chesapeake Beach, bringing our distance down to 50 miles.