Leaders: Ron Altemus
Members: Donaro Gardner, Janell Saunders, Joan Oppel, Tom Short (B - RL), Steve Palincsar, Janet Shipko, Linda Bankerd, Norm Lisy, Pat Walthers, Patricia Sanders. Not pictured: Anon User
Route: Scenic tour of the back roads in Nanjemoy. From Pisgah Park, Mason Springs to Rt 6, then Bowie, Poseytown (with wisteria in full bloom!) and MD-6 to a bio break at King James Church.. After the break, Hancock Run to Adams Willet and a rest stop at Nanjemoy Store. Continuing via Jacksontown, Sandy Point, Riverside, and Chicamuxen to Smallwood Park for a another bio break. Final return via Chicamuxen, Marbury Run, Bicknell, Pisgah Marbury, and Mason Springs back to the park. https://ridewithgps.com/routes/44716810 35.7 miles, 1457' elevation gain.
Weather: excellent. Temp range of 58 > 72 under blue skies w/plenty of sunshine; winds of 7-9 mph out of the southern quadrant, occasional gusts up to 14 mph
AMS: CC/C leader swept in the upper 11s
Mechanicals/Mishaps: your friendly neighborhood ride leader (aka your faithful correspondent) left his phone and car keys on a picnic table at the Nanjemoy store while affecting a clothing update. Fortunately, after returning to the store from a mile or so outbound on Jacksontown, both were retrieved as Ms. Debby Ruiz had seen them and were holding them at the front counter.
Report: thanks to Tom Short for leading a B class add-on to this ride. It was nice to be able to offer the option of faster cycling to those so inclined. (See Tom's report for full details.)
For the CC/C version, we cycled in continually rotating groups, the only constant being the ride leader sweeping. Only routing was to take advantage of an encounter from Thursday, on the ride Joan led from Accokeek. When the group pulled in to the Pisgah store for a snack, a woman came out of the store and walked directly over to Joan and said, "Do you ever ride in Nanjemoy?" After receiving a "yes" response, she proceeded to say that the wisteria was in full bloom, especially on Poseytown. Indeed, that was the case as Joan's wisteria wishes were fulfilled.
Bowie Road also provided a nice view of a number of cows, Outstanding in Their Field. Thanks to Janell for capturing this scenic.
For those in the rear, the ride from King James' Church to the Nanjemoy store, and then onwards via Jacksontown/Sandy Point was ridden without any vehicular traffic in either direction. One of the great reasons for riding in the Nanjemoy area.
Roadside Memorial on Riverside Rd Photo credit: Steve Palincsar
Our rest stops at the store and Smallwood Park were unhurried as all enjoyed both conversating and the great weather. A very good ride!
