Unofficial OHBTC Leader: Ron Altemus
Members: Holly Carr, Jane & Jim Hudnall, Loretta Troen
Guests: Cathy Miller
Route: From Belle Haven Park, south on the Mt Vernon trail to the mansion, VA-235/Jeff Todd Way to Telegraph, south on Telegraph to US 1, Lorton Road/Workhouse Rd to the Workhouse Arts Center. Ride was scheduled to retrace the same route but Holly, Jane, Jim and I altered the route at Kingstowne, going across Beluah to Franconia and then noodling through Bush Hill to the "hole-in-the-wall" which allowed us to pass under the Beltway and follow Eisenhower & Alexandria City streets back to our starting point. Total r/t mileage from Belle Haven was over 40; advertised trip was 42 so our changes didn't adversely affect year-end mileage goals.
Weather: Partly sunny to partly cloudy, winds, w/gusts from the south, temp range of 38-48 degrees.
AMS: ~12 mph
Report: The Mt Vernon district supervisor, to fulfill a promise made earlier in the year, announced the beginning of this week his "Tour de Mount Vernon." Though not listed on the club's ride schedule, a number of OHBTC riders expressed interest and those mentioned above actually did the ride. 45 riders were allegedly signed up - I'd estimate about 30 were on the ride. The initial pace on the trail heading to the mansion was very slow so when we reached Alexandria Ave, our group used neighborhood streets to take us down to the trail at Fort Hunt. This diversion was a bit longer than the trail so we were now behind the group of riders which had picked up speed. The supervisor was in the rear, and from the mansion down to route 1, we had a police escort, lights flashing, on VA-235, and then crossing Rte 1. A great way to cycle! From that point on, for the most part, we rode in the road, utilizing parallel trails or sidewalks only in high congestion areas. After a pleasant interlude at the Lorton Workhouse Arts Center, Loretta and Cathy headed home via VA-123/Fairfax County Parkway bike trails. As mentioned above, the rest of us deviated from the route - much flatter and except for Beluah, less traffic. A club member did comment that the route was a bit hillier than he might have thought. It's too bad that Bike Florida is still about 2 1/2 months away as this ride would have been the perfect tune-up. A 2017 ride is under consideration. Stay tuned.
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