Leader:  Ron Altemus

Members:  Oswald Martin, Connie Quickstad, Michael "Sue" Murray. Dave van Ameyden, Tom Short, Steve Palincsar.  Not Pictured:  Chantal Briere, Bob Thompson



Route:  Regular routing to Bryan's Road and then exploration of the Timber Ridge subdivisions back to Marshall Hall Road.  Following a thrilling descent of Marshall Hall Road, out and back on Fenwick Rd prior to a rest stop at Marshall Hall Landing.  Return featured another out and back on River Rd before resuming the standard TdeA with the ascent of Barry Hill Road.  A short excursion left on Old Marshall Hall Road, then retracing and returning to the start.  https://ridewithgps.com/routes/49615056 30.4 miles 735' elevation change.

Weather:   Mainly partly sunny but periods of mostly cloudy; temp range mid 60s to low 70s; 10-12 mph winds out of the SW w/gusts close to 20.

AMS:  low to mid 12s depending on rider though Chantal and Bob had to have been much faster since they caught up with us at Marshall Hall landing.

Mechanicals/Mishaps:  no mechanicals; RL was on auto pilot and led the group out/back on Chester, adding additional mileage

Report: 

A pleasant ride is the best description.  An introduction to the delights of the greater Accokeek/Bryans Road Metropolitian Statistical Area for some members while providing the opportunity to observe the changing of seasons along this route for those that ride it a bit more frequently.  

Traffic was light for the majority of the ride though a new "Farm Market" had it's grand opening this weekend resulting in more cars than usual on Fenwick.  Barry's Hill was thankfully quiet.  The Charles County portion has recently been repaved as it lacks any road markings.  Unfortunately, the Prince Georges section, which is the climb, continues to deteriorate.  Any club members living in PG should petition their elected officials for road improvements on that part of Marshall Hall Road.

Chantal and Bob were delayed getting to the ride start. alerted us that they would be late, and thought they might catch up with the group.  They meet us at Marshall Hall landing, probably setting any number of PRs to arrive there so quickly.

Leader:  Ron Altemus

Members:   Patricia S, Cindy H, Ellen G, Joan O, Mary S, Lisa O, Janell S, Steve P with Belmont Bay as a background



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:   Great for the 3rd day of March; a bit cooler for the 3rd of May.  Temps starting in the mid 50s, climbing to the low 60s.  Brilliant sunshine, incredibly deep blue skies dotted with occasional puffs of white clouds.  Continuous 11-13 mph air of the NW, gusting to the low 20s at times.  No humidity.

AMS:  low 11s or slightly faster depending on rider/routing

Mechanicals/Mishaps:  one rider lodged a good size boulder in their cleat at Mason Neck Visitor Center and thus, couldn't clip-in.  Major ditch digging/extraction equipment was needed to remove it, but once that was accomplished, it was like it never happened.

Report:  a most excellent day bicycling even if the temperature was 12 degrees below the daily average.  It was nice having Janell and Joan back riding and both of them are doing fine.

The breeze seemed to keep the pollen at bay (or blowing past us so fast it wasn't a concern) and the sky was crystal clear blue.  Much of the route has extensive tree canopy on both sides of the road and the contrast of blue sky and numerous shadings of green was most delightful. 

A very congenial group staying together for the entirety of the ride; traffic was fairly light and non-existent in the Hallowing Point and Gunston Manor neighborhoods.  We only saw a few other riders - maybe the hammerheads rode earlier in the day.

Wildlife included osprey on next at the Visitor's Center, vultures and eagles soaring aloft, plenty of small brown somethings flitting about, and bird calls heard and identified but never seen.

Leader: Diane Harris 

Members: Theresa R, Pete C, Liam H, Larry M, Lou D

Guests: None

Route: Beautiful route from Davidsonville to the South County Cafe in Deale along quiet rural roads of Anne Arundel County. 

Weather: Mid 40s at the start, warmed up to the low 60s, sunny, breezy (no, not breezy, WINDY!!)

AMS: Ride leader with 14.4, some riders finished with 16+

Mechanicals/Mishaps: None

Report: A cold start with the temperature in the mid 40s,  eventually getting into the low 60s. It was cold! And windy!! This route took us along rural backroads of Anne Arundel County to Deale, providing a good mix of flat roads and climbing. We stopped at the South County Cafe to enjoy well deserved  snacks and (for me) a hot drink.  For one rider, the pace of the group was such that he encouraged us not to wait for him, as he would meet us at the rest stop. The group separated at the rest stop with 2 riders continuing on while the rest of us waited. The remainder of the ride was as nice as the first 30 miles with long stretches on quiet backroads with less climbing. All in all, in spite of the wind, a really nice ride.

Leader:  Jackie Schoch

Members:  Ron Altemus,  Paul Adams, Maureen Flynn,  Donaro Gardner, Vicki Garlock, Carl Hattery,  Oswald Martin,  Denny Miller, Connie Quickstad, Bob Rourke, Leesha Saunders, Peter Stelman,  Esther Steward, Gene Villiva, 

Guest:  None

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

Weather:  cloudy, 56 degrees at ride start but sun breaking through it felt like 61.  

AMS:  varied by rider

Mechanicals/Mishaps:   None

Report:   It was a perfect day for a ride and everyone enjoyed themselves. Ron saw a water snake on the trail.  A group of us saw 4 geese on top of the beaver dam.  After the ride some of us went to Lunch Box for lunch.

Lunch at South County Cafe

Ride leader: Steve Palincsar
Members: Joni Forman, Lois Lightfoot, Karen Morgan, Lisa Petersen, Patricia Sanders, Mary Scala
Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/54852607 a 32 mi visit to Deale for brunch at the South County Cafe, followed by a trip south on Rt 2 to Fairhaven to ride the newly-reopened McKendree Road.
Weather: Sunny with a light layer of clouds, around 60 at the start rising to an unanticipated 70 degrees by early afternoon, and far windier than expected: a 5 on the Beaufort scale ("fresh breeze," enough to have blown at least one empty trash wheelie bin and one plastic garbage can lid into the road).
Mishaps and mechanicals: none
AMS: 12.5

A beautiful sunny, breezy day and a very pleasant ride.  We never need an excuse to visit South County Cafe, and the route there on Greenock, Brooks Woods, Nutwell, Franklin Gibson and Deale Rd never fails to entertain and thrill -- especially today, with cross winds over 20 mph on the descent into Deale.  This was our first visit to McKendree since it was closed last fall for the replacement of a culvert.  As far as I could tell as I was flying by (McKendree is a twisty roller coaster at the point where you pass the culvert) they did a lovely job, too.  I wasn't entirely pleased with the route, though: I was sure there was a traffic light at Fairhaven and MD-2 but no, just a stop sign; we should have stayed on Rt 2 rather than turning off onto Old Solomons Island Rd, avoiding the crossing.  I'll modify the route to make that change.

Ride leader: Steve Palincsar
Members: Ron Altemus
Weather: 52 and raining at the start.  The rain stopped at 10:30 leaving us with a breezy, very damp and chilly-feeling 52 degrees and overcast skies that only cleared reaching 60 a couple of hours later, as we were finishing the ride.
Route: we abandoned the planned route and rode the IHRT from end to end instead.
Mishaps & mechanicals: none

Ride Report:  Although there was no rain in the forecast when I left home, the sprinkles began as I passed Old Fort Rd.  By the time I reached Bryans Road, it became light rain.  The forecast now said "rain ending at 10:30," and Ron and I decided to wait for the rain to stop. 

Blanket, a Gnome white-noise relaxation program I've been experimenting with includes "rain" as one of its settings.  It's similar to sitting in a car hearing the rain tapping on the roof and the windshield, and the real thing quickly had the same soporific effect as the imitation. 

It was a shock leaving a warm, snug car to ride, and I never warmed up.  It was quite pretty on the IHRT, everything looking plump, green and freshly watered.  Birds and rodents were out in force, but we saw only one cyclist, a very determined young woman head down out on a training ride.

I think Ron and I both enjoyed the ride and I'm not sorry I didn't cancel. I think switching routes was a good idea, too.  We'll ride to St Ignatius and La Plata another time.

Leader: Connie Quickstad

Members: Peter Stelman; Oswald Martin; Donero Gardner; Ron Altemus; Maureen Flynn and Carl Hattery

Guests: Suzanne Allan

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

Weather: another beautiful day, everything was green including lots of pollen flying around; 76 degrees at the start of the ride and 82 degrees at the finish; a little on the humid side.

AMS: 11-13 depending on the conversations!

Mechanicals/Mishaps: None

Report: a smaller group today compared to the recent Friday rides but always enjoyable and the perfect ride for catching up with everyone and a chance to chat with our guest Suzanne and share information about the Club.  The trail was quite busy with other cyclists, joggers/walkers, skaters and one lucky dog getting a ride with his human in a very nice bike trailer!

Lots of flora and fauna:  wild turkey, deer, water snake, turtle, eagles, butterflies and a Great Blue Heron…makes this trail one of the best to ride in southern Maryland.

A great way to end the week and get ready for the weekend.  See you next time!

Ride leader: Steve Palincsar
Members: Patricia Sanders, Connie Quickstad
Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/54729183  32 miles, 1570' elevation gain
Weather: Sunny,around 70 at the start rising to around 80 by early afternoon
AMS: 12.3
Mishaps & mechanicals: none

An early preview of Rural Legacy roads, designed for scenery and easy (relative to the area, of course) terrain.  We went down North Keys, took Molly Berry to Van Brady, then up Van Brady to Duley Station and down Croom Airport to the Patuxent River Park Pavilion for a rest stop.  After the break we backtracked to Duvall, took it to Mt Calvert, then Croom to St Thomas Church, Mattaponi back to Croom to Nottingham, then around the bend to Tanyard, across Croom to Brooks Church, then Croom back to Candy Hill, and Molly Berry and North Keys back to the park. 

A very pleasant route, and a treat to see the area again after what seems like many months. The only issue noted was remembering the large groups we used to have riding from North Keys Park on Thursdays and seeing how few we can muster now.

It was a day for new friends, a great urban ride, stunning Azaleas, and adventure! 

RIDERS:  Jessica Hirschhorn (leader) Ron Altemus (sweep)William Fuchs (friend of Anne W), Anne Wittenberg, Claudia Kidder (a DC Brompton rider, non member), Lori Michaelson, Sara Rhoades, Tony Rickert, Lynn Schoenfelder, and Leslie Tierstein (who rode with us to the Arboretum then peeled off)

19 miles

Average speed 9.0 (LOTS of stop lights!) 

899'  , most in the Arboretum. 

ROUTE:  Hains Point, down the National Mall, through the neighborhoods of Capital Hill and others, to the Arboretum for some challenging hills and simply beautiful land/plantings.  

We had a mid ride stop in Lincoln Park, to see the Emancipation Sculpture and the Mary McCloud Bethune sculpture. 

The azaleas were a tad past peak but still exploding with color.  We rode through the conifer section which remains my perennial favorite.  We had a great stop at the Capitol columns (of course) . 

A cold, cloudy, windy RAIN greeted us as we arrived at the Arboretum, but we took protection under the office /bathroom entrance, and, on cue with our multiple apps, stopped after 30 minutes.  The sun came out and the clouds were gorgeous. 

We rode home via 11th Street and Navy Yard, and stopped at Potbelly's in Yards Park for lunch, snack and bathroom.  It was a cool and windy afternoon and some of us elected hot soup to warm our cores. 

Our final stop before the Wharf and home was the Titanic Memorial. 

Lynn, Ron, and I did a final "victory lap" around HP after we ended. 

Ride leader: Steve Palincsar
Members: Jackie Schoch, Deb Bowman, Anonymous User, Deb Reynolds, Dave VanAmayden, Mary Scala, Patricia Walthers, Ron Altemus, Patricia Sanders, Joshua Garrison
Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/44893538
Weather: Sunny, around 72 at the start rising to 82 and partly cloudy by early afternoon
Mishaps & Mechanicals: none
AMS: 13.0

It was a beautiful day for our first ride of the season in the St Marys/Charles County "Hidden Amish" area, and everyone seemed to enjoy themselves.  Several, like me, are just getting their season started and it's great to do a ride early on that's not too difficult but is brimming with beautiful scenery to light up long-dormant memories and revive the enjoyment that's almost been forgotten over the winter, and this route fit the bill perfectly, a veritable Hall of Fame collection of scenic rural riding.  The rest stops at Clover Hill Dairy and Gilbert Run Park helped maintain the party atmosphere.  TL;DR: a fabulous ride.