Ride Leader Mike Bivens, wondering what happened to winter, was joined by members Alan Kurzweil, Randy and Jackie Schoch, Jimmy Bartlett, Erica Kane, Jim Hudnall, Linda Bankerd, Steve Palincsar (starting from and returning to the Accokeek Fire Station for an additional ten miles), Mike and Regina Saizan, John Early, Sharon Miller, Sam Perry, and Joan Oppel, and guest Carmen Leguto on this 38 mile B Ride. At ride start the temperature was in the upper 50s and at ride end, mid 60s on the last day of January! This was a longer route, but shorter cue sheet, having long stretches and fewer turns. The deviators, Randy, Jackie and Jimmy, did their own shorter route. John had an appointment and turned around to return near the halfway point. We left the shopping center on Livingston to Hawthorne and then to Chickamuxen where it becomes Riverside (and into Najemoy). Two cars passed during the more than five miles on Riverside. After a rest stop at the Nanjemoy Store, we continued the circle by coming east on Rt 6. This seven mile stretch was almost as deserted at Riverside and we were able to take advantage of not only the wide shoulders, but were able “to take the lane” as well. We returned on Mason Springs, with a second stop at the Pisgah Store, and then back up Livingston. The only incidents were Linda’s flat on Chickamuxen and Sam’s cramping coming back up Livingston. Sweeping from the rear, my average was 14.1 on a winter’s day that could not get much better for bicycling.
