Leader: Holly Carr
Members: Huge turnout. We had 20 riders in the peleton: Mike Bivens, Bruce Wright, Larry Peed, David Dupois, Kim Rosefield, Debby Bowman, Phillip Mitchell, Joan Oppel, Vernon Daley, Lisha Peacock, Joel Katz, Steve Perekis, Dave Melville, Jim Hudnall, Norm Lisy, Linda Bankerd, Tom Short, Chantal Briere, Bob Thompson
Guests: Brian Wu, Grant Thorpe
Route: 48 miles
Weather: perfect
AMS: 16.3 hammer to the rest stop; relaxed to 15.7 on the way back
Mechanicals/Mishaps: Leader missed a turn.
Report: This year I had the honor of leading 20 riders around Calvert County. We left Linda Fresh Meadows Farm shortly after the A's left and headed down the road. The train was long, and Ken and Wes Meredith stayed with me, which was wonderful--for my confidence. I can see why the Yellow Jersey rider in the Tour De France, does not always like to have the Yellow Jersey. Having so many riders fast and up close is pressure. At times, I wished we could keep to a single file, and not ride double. Fortunately, when we noticed a "car back" the riders did pull over to form a single line. We rode in a group all the way to the rest stop, and as such, having a single line is important--so as not to frustrate the folks in cars. As we rounded a turn, there was Jim Hudnall, ready with camera to catch our pictures. Amazing! How did he get there? We rode past the bay, and it was beautiful. Jim treated me to a cup of coffee at the rest stop, and I sat down to savor it and enjoy. My peleton wanted their lunch, so off they went! Four of us finished the ride (Jim, Debbie Bowman, Joannie Oppel and I). The food was truly worth riding back for. But my favorites are the Donkey and the Zebra. Linda was a most wonderful host, as always, and told us what it is like to raise a baby Zebra from 5 weeks on. Zinny imprinted on her and not the other horses. So, Linda gets followed around by Zinny every place she goes. Zinny also has toys and will play. The Donkey was happy to receive pats on his nose. Linda's labs are gracious hosts; they amble around happily. I think my Irish Setters would make a real party of it and demand too much food and attention. So, best they stay home. It was a wonderful day.
