Leader: Joan Oppel
Members: Alan Kurzweil, Carol Torgan, Ellen Goodwin, LInda Blackman, Harold Datz and Rita Zeidner
Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/45332011
35 miles in and around the Ag Reserve from Riley's Lock. Climbing begins quickly but the route is very rural and scenic - going up Monevideo, along the historic section of Sugarland to White Ground and Old Bucklodge. A short section on Bucklodge then up and down Moore. We went across Peach Tree to Cattail, but then climbed Jonesville to Jerusalem Church and into Poolesville for a rest stop at the always welcoming K2. Whites Ferry to Edwards Ferry to Mt Nebo to River Road, Hughes to another section of Sugarland and Montevideo again.
Weather: Hot and humid. Good choice to start at 9 am
Mechanicals/Mishaps: none
Report: The riders split quickly into two groups with two faster riders off the front, only to be seen again at the rest stop. The rest of us stayed more or less together, regrouping frequently. About 5 miles from the end, two riders chose to head straight back on River Road, rather than take the quieter Hughes, Sugarland and Montevideo. And then about 2 miles from the end, two more riders took another shortcut while the ride leader continued on the "official" route to finish. Two deer crossed our path (without incident) - as well as one domestic cat who, as if she owned the road, crossed slowly right in front of a rider. (Well, it is possible that cats rule the world.)
