Leaders: Ron Altemus & Janell Saunders
Members: Janell, Anne Wittenberg, Greg Acs, Bernard Stewart, Joan Oppel, Patricia Sanders, Pat Walthers at the Marshall Hall landing. Observational note - Mt Vernon, on the Virginia shore, is visible over Bernard's right shoulder.
Route: Usual TdeA routing to Marshall Hall Rd, then a tour of South Hampton>Timber Ridge developments leading back to Marshall Hall Rd. Down the hill to an out and back on Fenwick and the a rest stop at the landing, as pictured above. Return featured an out and back on River, the climb up Barrys Hill, another out and back on Old Marshall Hall Rd before the final leg of Accokeek Rd/Livingston Rd to the firehouse. https://ridewithgps.com/routes/44628163 32.6 miles, 771' elevation change
Weather: Excellent early fall day with temps starting in the mid 66s, rising to the lower 70s; brilliant blue skies under intense sunlight; 5-7 mph airs out of the southern quadrant.
AMS: swept in the mid 11s; others might have been marginally faster.
Mechanicals/Mishaps: one tumble after not being able to unclip at a stop sign. Said rider announced that was our "excitement for the day," adding that they weren't hurt, not even their pride, since all of us have suffered the same mishap at some point in our cycling endeavors.
Report: The combination of the great weather and congenial ride attendees resulted in a most excellent tour. We basically road together, sometimes closely, other times with a bit of separation, but always in conversational cycling mode.
Not too many wildlife sightings - several deer, some vultures, assorted other miscellaneous birds. Domestic animals were in abundance, particularly on the out and back of Old Marshall Hall down near Chapin Farm: cows, sheep, miniature pony, and large pigs were all observed.
Of interest: 1) near the end of Fenwick, there is a"modernist" house that has been under construction since we began riding down there. There had been signage (now gone) for the architect that had designed the house and a name given to the house. It is now up for sale though unfinished: https://bit.ly/FenwickHouse 2) on River, the former Denison orchard which was subdivided into four lots still has three for sale. But the fourth now has construction underway. They will have a great view of the Potomac.
