Leader: Ron Altemus
Members: Esther Stewart, Robin Garnett, Sue Gunter, Connie Quickstad, Mark Garrison, Susan Altemus, Pat Colvin
Route: Outbound via Ironside, Baptist Church, GIlroy/Chickamuxen, RIverside, and Liverpool Point to a rest stop at Nanjemoy Store. Return took us back to Riverside, then Smith Point, Maryland Point and MD-6 to a second rest stop at King James Church. Final leg was MD-6 and Ironside to Friendship Landing and the park.
Weather: delightful - sunny, temp range of 70-77, some air out of the SW, and NO humidity!
AMS: mid 12s
Mechanicals/Mishaps: nothing notable
Report: more like an early September ride than one in August, especially coming after a couple of weeks of oppressive heat and humidity. For two riders, their first time enjoying the quiet roads and rural splendor of Nanjemoy.
At the corner of Baptist Church and Bowie, unfortunately there were no longhorn cattle to view but that provides a reason to come back and ride again in this area. As we got to our turn onto Gilroy, we had a quick glimpse of the 50 miles A/B riders going past in the other direction. Gilroy itself was almost completely sans traffic. Crossing MD-6 onto Chickamuxen, a few cars passed us but once on Riverside, we rode for long stretches without any vehicular traffic. Riverside's rollers looked daunting to some but were successfully ridden by all members of our group.
The Nanjemoy store parking lot was empty when we arrived and we enjoyed a relaxing break under the roofed picnic area. As we were leaving, the parking lot quickly filled. Maybe word had gotten out that bicyclists were in the area. Back on Riverside, the rest of the rollers were met with the same results as those before - everyone kept rolling down and up. Smith Point provided a bit of excitement with a couple of loose smallish dogs but fortunately they seemed to only want to run alongside us and bark.
At the King James Church rest stop (pictured below), we found water, Fritos and potato chips delivered earlier by Steve Palinscar. A nice setting in the shade, of course, affording another chance to socialize before the last 4 miles back to the ride start. Our C/CC rides tend to be a bit leisurely, social with lots of conversation. Today's was no exception making if a very fun ride.
