Leader: Ron Altemus
Members: Denny miller, Sam Perry, Esther Stewart, Joan Oppel, Oswald Martin, Donaro Gardner. Not pictured: Robin Garnett and Jackie Schoch who eschewed Marshall Hall landing for a quicker return via Barrys Hill.
Route: Regular Tour de Accokeek routing to Bryan's Road and then an exploration of the Timber Ridge subdivisions back to Marshall Hall Road. Following a hair raising descent of Marshall Hall Road, out and back on Fenwick prior to a rest stop at Marshall Hall Landing. Return next featured another out/back of River Rd before resuming the standard TdeA with the ascent of Barry Hill Road. Final leg was a short excursion left on Old Marshall Hall Road before retracing and returning to the start. RWGPS: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/49615056 30.4 miles 735' elevation change.
Weather: Sunny; temps 56-57 degrees, feeling warmer in the sun with a tailwind, colder near the river with a headwind; said winds out of the NW 12-15 mph gusting to the mid 20s, most noticeable between Fenwick and Marshall Hall landing.
AMS: swept in the mid 10s
Mechanicals/Mishaps: none
Report: a good turnout for a nice morning ride. Vehicular traffic was light and we rode as a group, with some separation at times, for the entire route. The Bryans Road subdivisions continue to proliferate with building sites laid out on Matthews while Timber Ridge grows bigger. Fortunately, the areas closer to the river are still largely undeveloped and wildlife sightings are common. Along the marshy areas of both River and Barry's Hill, we observed large raptors in flight, the former probably a hawk, the latter an immature bald eagle.
Winter rides also provide viewing opportunities of the countryside unhindered by tree leaves. A nice view of Pomonkey Creek from Fenwick is one such example:
