Today's ride was a combined ride start with Steve P's B-pace was a similar extended route. Today's temps of course (after several days this week near 60) for us weekend only riders, was only in the low 40s w/ 10-15mph winds, but very clear and brillant sun. Ride leader John Gorman, was joined by members Pat Walthers, Belinda Acre, and Kenny Statom. I had never gone as far south as this PG/Charles County route travels, but for those who enjoy a nearly flat with long stretches of straightways before the reststop at mile 15, it offers a wonderful fairly traffic-free rural ride. We and the B group gathered together at Moreland's Store about the same time. Thanks to Steve P's suggestion to avoid a major steep hill midway thru Celestial Ln, we took a left on Young Rd which added 2-4 miles onto the cuesheet, but our cassettes, chains, and legs were happier for it. (no need to waste a nice ride because of non-level ground) Considering eventually, this route takes you back thru the hills of Molly Berry, and N Keys, before heading home on Brandywine Rd. Also this route, which Belinda availed herself to, offers a shortcut at mile 26 and goes straight back on Brandywine to the parking lot. I would highly recommend this route to C riders using the 31 mile short cut (this shortcut elminates the hills on the return), and others who are looking for a ride that doesn't leave you exhausted at the end. No mechanical problems to report. The ride leaders' pace was 13.34 between sweeping/leading/covering .
