Leader: Tim Murphy
Members: Michael Dong, Dick Patton, Melissa Newberry, Diane Coontz, Sheryl Romeo, Jane Hudnall and Jim Hudnall
Guests: Tyler Hill and Tom Hill
Route: Tour de Accokeek
Weather: temps in the low 80s, no head winds, party cloudy skies made for a great first day of summer.
AMS: 14.9 in the back and 17.0 in the front.
Mechanicals/Mishaps: Right before the rest stop at the River. Michael broke part of his drive train. This resulted in him not be able to pedal and his bike could only coast.
Report: The first day of summer and we had a great day with great weather. I hoped to go to B&Js after our ride. But due to some mechanical problems I decided to go home after an extended ride.The group started out together and stayed together until Marshall Hall Road. Diane Coontz got her first road bike and enjoyed keeping up with the pack. The bike and her hard work is making her into a stronger rider and she is leaving the CC ranks and is becoming a B Rider and this is what the Tour is all about. Jim stopped several times to take our pics. He had some mechanical problems with his phone as it over heated in his bag and wouldn't take any pics at one of the stops. At the rest stop we learned of Michael's mechanical problems. Tyler volunteered to ride back and get his truck to pick up Michael and take him home. Only one problem as Tom Hill his brother had the keys to truck. They coordinated a key swap. Tyler is a strong rider and came to pick up Michael after an extended break at our rest stop. Several riders took their normal break and left to conquer Barry's Hill. On the way back I was flagged down by a Damsel in Distress standing along the road side. I thought she might need medical attention so I stopped to check on her. No. There was 2 "Free" dressers on the side of the road, in front of someones house and this lady needed help getting them in her car. This was a first for Diane and I. We loaded one of the dressers in her mini van. I told her there wasn't room for the other dresser. But she was determined to get them both in. And she moved things around and ordered Diane and I to move things around and then she moved the front, non driver side seat forward and ordered Diane and I to move the first dresser forward and there was just enough room to get the second dresser in her van. She said thanks and was on her way. and so were we because we were afraid that she might order us to ride to her home and help her unload. LOL. Next was Diane's attempt to conquer Barry's Hill. She has been on several rides and hasn't conquered Barry's Hill. But she was determined to make it to the top today. And today was her day. With hard work, grit and determination Diane rode to the top of Barry's Hill and was one Happy Rider - And this is what the Tour de Accokeek is about - becoming better and stronger riders. Diane's goal is to become a strong B rider by the end of the summer and she is well on her way.
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