Leader: Steve Palincsar
Members: Walt Roscello, Ron Altemus, Patricia Sanders, Harry Kidd, Joan Oppel and Anonymous User
Guests: none
Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/42241189 36.5 mi, 1828' elevation gain
Weather: The Capitol Weather Gang gave it a 9/10 today and I agree; a thoroughly lovely day, only by a bit of chill at the start keeping it from a full 10. The National Weather Service forecast predicted 55 at the start rising to 67 degrees with light winds. The 55 was spot on, but by 2 pm it was actually 71. Clear skies, bright sun, a splendid day to be out riding.
AMS: 12.1
Mechanicals/Mishaps: none
Report: We had a friendly, chatty group today. It was great seeing Patricia Sanders again and she seemed to be recovering very well recovering from her crash earlier this year.
Turning off Martin onto Molly Berry, we saw a sign warning of the closure of Molly Berry December 11, an update from the earlier projected 11/27 date. What the sign didn't say (and what we should be aware of) is that Molly Berry Rd will be closed between Croom Rd and Van Brady Rd from Dec 11 for the reconstruction of a bridge over Mattaponi Creek, which will take approximately 12 months. [Official notice] There are quite a few routes we won't be able to use for most of next year.
We rode down Mount Calvert Rd across some very rough washboard and visited the historic site, then rode back up to Duvall and down Croom Airport to a rest stop at the Pavilion at Patuxent River Park.
After the break we rode up the wonderful smooth new pavement on Croom Airport, then took Duley Station to Bellefield, where Joan filled us in on the Washington Post story about the runaway zebras owned by Jerry Lee Holly, former owner of historic Bellefields.
After that unscheduled break we continued on to Van Brady, Molly Berry and up North Keys, then turned onto Cross Road Trail and took it to Cherry Tree Crossing, Old Indian Head and North Keys back to the park.
We could hardly have hoped for a more enjoyable experience or a nicer day in mid-November.
