A cool, dreary December day, with the constant threat of rain, detered many from coming out for this 33 mile B ride, which started from and returned to the Starbucks in the Manokeek Shopping Center. However, Ken Meredith and Chuck Coe joined me for a "winter training" ride where we all stayed together at a meandering, as opposed to hammering pace. This route, which reverses the Manokeek to Accokeet - the Long Way, (has the same long straights) crosses 228 at the start; passes the Accokeek Fire Station; and then goes down Barrys Hill. Therefore it has to go up Marshall Hall. While there may be some debate, I personally prefer going up Barrys Hill rather than Marshall Hall. We turned right at 210; down Chapmans Landing and then left on Hawthorne. The rest stop was at Halfway Liquors and then we returned east on Hawthorne to Marshall Corner. A left there to Middletown; left on 228 and then a return to the start. It did not rain, or even mist, and the roads kept getting drier as the ride progressed. Only incident was before the start when the valve broke on the front tire of my road bike. Switched to the hybrid and forgot how heavy it was, but it does have fenders. AMS of 15.0.
