Leaders: Lisa Petersen and Rick Hagen

Members: Ron Altemus, Patricia Sanders

Guests: none

Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/50948813

Weather: Sunny, 64 to 82 degrees, 5 mph winds from the south. Very nice day and so enjoyed after a long winter.

AMS: 10.8 mph

Mechanicals/Mishaps: none

Report: We started at the Glenn Dale Community Center in Glenn Dale Md. where there is plenty of parking, bathrooms, water and vending machines (unlike the official trail parking lots). We rode southwest from there on the Washington Baltimore & Annapolis trail to a pond near the southwest start of the trail, then took a half a mile detour on Glenn Dale Rd. to see the ruins of the old Glenn Dale Hospital, formerly a tuberculosis sanatorium closed in 1981 due to asbestos. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glenn_Dale_Hospital From there we took the WB&A trail northeast toward the other end of the trail in Odenton.

The full length of the trail is 13 miles thanks to a new bridge over the Patuxent River connecting two existing shorter segments into one. This was once a railway line, nice and straight, except now there’s a dogleg near the middle to go over the new bridge. The trail is all nicely paved, about 10 feet wide, and passes through forest, along marshes and power lines, runs past peoples’ backyards, goes over rivers and mostly over and under roads (short tunnels). Elevation gains are gentle except for the hill north of the new bridge that switchbacks up a half a mile at an average 3.5% grade.

We stopped at Rieve’s Deli in Odenton for some food and conversation at an outdoor table.

We explored two spur trails near the new bridge: one was to the Patuxent River where the original rail line went over a now-missing bridge, and the other spur took us to the power lines west of the new bridge and abruptly stopped. There we found a rider with a flat tire and loaned her a pump so she could limp back to her car with her slow leak. There are at least 3 self-serve bike repair stations with pumps along the trail, but none where she was.

Wildlife: turtles on logs in the marshes, geese, squirrels.

Leader: Diane Harris 

Members: Theresa R, Liam H

Guests: None

Route: Manokeek Village Center to Mount Carmel 

Weather: Initially cloudy followed by the sun coming out, temperature a comfortable 64°

AMS: 13.8mph

Mechanicals/Mishaps: None

Report: The 3 of us took advantage of good weather and dry roads to ride to the Mount Carmel Monastery in Port Tobacco, founded in 1790 by four Carmelite Nuns. The route started in Accokeek and along the way took us to Bryan's Road,  a portion of the Indian Head Rail Trail, past the beaver lodge near the trail access at Bumpy Oak Road, and the club's trailside bench in memory of our past president Randy Schoch. We exited the trail onto Middletown Road where the vehicle traffic was heavier than expected and were met by one of the 3 climbs of this route. Mitchell Road takes us past the College of Southern Maryland campus to Mount Carmel Road and the Monastery. We enjoyed the quiet of the grounds as we rested, talked, and ate our snacks. Then, the return to Manokeek Village Center by way Hawthorne and Bumpy Oak Roads, the remaining significant climbs of the route. A great way to spend a mild late winter day.

Leader:   Ron Altemus

Members:   Steve Palincsar, Dave Van Ameyden



Route:  From Pisgah Park, Mason Springs/Smallwood Church to Chicamuxen, then Riverside, Sandy Point and Jacksontown to rest stop at Nanjemoy Store.  Adams Willett/Hancock Run to MD-6, Poseytown/Bowie to MD-6 then Mason Springs back to the start.  https://ridewithgps.com/routes/54133983  34.5 mi, 1390' elevation change. 

Weather:  overcast start as fog slowly lifted; brisk upper 40s slowly warming to mid 50s upon our return and then the sun came out so mid 60s by the time returned home; 5-7 air out of the south.

AMS:   swept in the low 12s

Mechanicals/Mishaps:   none

Report:  when this ride was posted, weather forecast called for low 60s at ride start warming to low 70s - thought this might be the first day to ride in shorts.  NOT.  It was chilly at ride start and didn't seem to warm up.

As always, riding in the Nanjemoy area is a real joy.  Little to no vehicular traffic and plenty of woods to look at on this route.  Signs of spring:  frogs vocalizing on Hancock Run as the day warmed; crocus blooming, also on Hancock Run and at King James Baptist Church, as pictured below:

Leader:  Ron Altemus

Members:  Maureen Flynn, Gene Villiva, Peter Stelman, Esther Steward, Carl Hattery



Route:   Indian Head Rail Trail, east from Livingston Rd parking lot to White Plains trailhead.  After a brief rest stop, return westward to ride start

Weather:   Continued cloudy/overcast with moist air; temps 50-55; 6-7 mph breezes from the NE

AMS:   swept in the mid 10s

Mechanicals/Mishaps:  none

Report:  dreary, dreary, dreary with coolish temps, all of which probably accounted for only 1/2 dozen of us riding today.  For a couple of riders, their first ride of the year and they kept their exertions to about 15 miles.

Just a few other trail users - random cyclists, some walkers, a runner or two, plus one family with daughter on her new bike complete with training wheels.  Future club member!

Wildlife sighting consisted of a pair of bald eagles in a tree at the east end of Bumpy Oak pond.  Wildlife heard were spring frogs, lots of them, from Pomfret to Bumpy Oak on our return.  

Ride leader: Steve Palincsar
Members: Patricia Sanders, Donaro Gardner
Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/40426586
Weather: A foggy, damp, overcast morning, in the high 40s/low 50s when we started. It staying overcast and chilly for the rest of the morning and past noon.  At almost exactly 2 pm, as we were turning onto Bumpy Oak about 5 miles from the end, the sky cleared and the sun came out, causing temperatures to leap up by around 10 degrees.
Mishaps & mechanicals: none
AMS: 11.7

A wintry-feeling morning, with a damp that seeped right through your clothes, and winter landscapes everywhere you looked.  I noticed in my yard that bulbs are starting to push green shoots up through the ground, but none of that was apparent on our route to Goose Bay.

That all changed at mile 28.3, when the sky suddenly cleared, clouds replaced by a blue sky that caused the temperature to shoot up to the low 60s, and suddenly spring looked ready to take over.  It won't be long now.

Today Liam Healy and Robin Garnett joined me for a great ride to LaPlata.  This casual paced ride on this wonderful day considering the recent weather we have been experiencing was epic.  It was not without a fault.  One ride succumbed to a flat tire, not surprised  due to the amount of debris.  Most of the roads were swept after the ice melting rendering nice riding.   Thanks to all who joined me.

Leader:   Ron Altemus

Members:  Bernard S, Steve P, Dave V, Patricia S, Ellen G, Janell S, Theresa R, Diane H, Don G



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

Weather:  bright sunshine producing brilliant blue skies; temps starting 50sih climbing to the low 60s; negligible air movement

AMS:  swept in the low 11s; everyone else faster

Mechanicals/Mishaps:  none

Report:  first ride of the year for some and what a great day to be out cycling.  Not much in the way of traffic making for long stretches to enjoy conversation and sightseeing.  We stayed pretty much together for the entire ride.  Only wildlife sighting of note were three wild turkeys in the Fenwich Shores non-subdivision.    

Janell captured the group at our rest stop at Marshall Hall landing with Mt Vernon on the Virginia shore directly above Patricia and Diane.

Leader:  Ron Altemus

Members:   Gene Villiva, Donaro Gardner, Robin Garnett, Esther Steward, Carl Hattery



Route:   Standard Friday fare - Indian Head Rail Trail east from Livingston Rd parking lot to rest stop at White Plains trailhead.  Reverse course to a westerly direction back to ride start.

Weather:   temp range of mid 40s to mid 50s as increasing sunlight chased the last remnants of fog away whilst warming the day.  Inconsequential airs.

AMS:  varied by rided

Mechanicals/Mishaps:   none

Report:  first time in weeks that we've had a good turnout for a Friday ride and the weather didn't disappoint.  As per Friday protocols, we broke up into groups of like minded riding styles and pace, reconvening at the rest stop.  Fair number of other trails users, the majority of which were walkers.

The wind gusts present earlier in the week brought down a number of pine trees along the trail between Middletown and White Plains.  And in places, there were still some small piles of snow from the January snowcrete occurrence, though the trail was completely clear and dry.  As always, the Parks staff had made sure the fallen trees did not interfere with cycling, as pictured below:

Carl rides past several fallen pines.

A small pile of snow is visible farther up the trail.

Riders:  Jessica Hirschhorn, Linda Blackman, Debby Gebhardt, Ellen Goodwin, Doug Kay, Nancy Kay, Marcy Kelley, Lisa Oken

Our Posse of 8 felt lucky and incredibly grateful to ride our bicycles in the Ag Reserve today.  The sun was shining, the temps were reasonable, the clouds were spectacular, and the peeking sky was robin's egg blue. 

We stopped for rest and green room at our favorite farm (see photos) that is a retirement home for foxhounds.  Two horses wearing wool coats were in the field today. 

We stayed together for rolling hills (1800', 29.5 miles), enjoying the remaining melting snow, the winter fields, and the glorious views. 

We were happy to get out before our next forecast pummeling tomorrow. 

Leader:  Ron Altemus

Route:   https://ridewithgps.com/routes/40798783  30 miles, 954' elevation change .

Weather:  cloudy until mid afternoon when the sun made a brief appearance; temp range upper 40s/low 50s; 4-7 mph air out of the north

AMS:  12ish

Mechanicals/Mishaps:  none

Report:  everyone seemed to have an enjoyable ride as there were no complaints.  Minimal traffic most of the ride.  A few other cyclists riding including a pair on the trail