Leaders: Joan Oppel and Ron Altemus
Members: Darrell Meyer, Rita Zeidner
Overlooking the Potomac from the Mt Vernon visible to the eye but way up river
Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/40798783 The mostly standard Mason Neck route, as Ron and I like to do it. Some riders chose to add some downs and ups on a couple of hills (ups/downs not on the official route).
Weather: Temperatures 41-44, pleasant enough for winter. Mostly sunny mixed with some clouds, winds in the 12 to 17 mph range, with the higher winds early in the ride. However, the wind was at our backs on the way to Mason Neck and the end of the peninsula, and in addition this route has a lot of sheltered areas and we only felt the wind occasionally.
Over looking Belmont Bay
Mechanicals/Mishaps: None
Report: This was a really nice day to be riding, especially with a route that provided for the wind at our backs when it was strongest plus a lot of sheltered roads. We took our break at the Mason Neck visitor center, overlooking the bay. And it was very windy there so we bird and wave watched for a while and then moved to the other side. At the Visitor's Center, we met up and chatted with the Potomac Pedalers club riders, also a small group. They were doing the same roads but with a different twist.
Wildlife - on the first part Springfield Road a very healthy-looking beautiful fox crossed the road ahead of us, sprinting full out. And then we saw eagles more than once, possibly the same eagles tracking our progress.
George Mason's historic home
All pictures thanks to Darrell.
