The group at Pisgah Park, being surveilled by an FPV drone

Leader: Steve Palincsar

Members: Lori Michaelson, Chantal Briere, Sonja Newman, Ray Luckenbach, Ellen Goodwin, Charles Williams, Joan Oppel, Patricia Walthers, Dave Van Amayden

Guests: none

Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/37944348 As planned, 49 miles, 1680' elevation gain.  For those of us who skipped the out-and-back to the end of Liverpool Point Rd, 47.3 and 1661' (per my Garmin)

Weather: Partly cloudy, hot and humid.  83 at 9 am rising to 90 by mid-day, with 7-8 mph breezes and humidity at 45%.

AMS: 13.6 for the trailing group, probably around 15 for the fast group.

Mechanicals/Mishaps: none

Report: A hot and humid one for the first day of summer, but the route was shady and the breeze helped keep us cool.  Nanjemoy is a great place to ride on a day like today, and the design of the route (thanks, Joan!) kept us in the shade, and on the shady side of the road, for almost the entire distance. 

The groups separated into a fast group and a less fast group almost before we left Pisgah Park, and by the time we turned on Annapolis Woods the lead contingent was well out of sight.  We found them waiting at our first rest stop at Friendship Farm Park, didn't see them at King James Church and sighted them again at Liverpool Point Rd, as they were returning from the out-and-back.

We stopped at the Nanjemoy store at around noon for lunch, some heading there directly and others going down to the end of Liverpool Point Rd (muddy with puddles, Joan said, and you had to view the river from a driveway since it was too hard to get down to the fishing spot) before the store.  As Joan predicted, those of us who went straight to the store skipped the out-and-back to Liverpool Point.  The stop at the store was terrific.  We enjoyed canine company for lunch, visible at the far left in the photo.

You'd be hard-pressed to find a better route for a hot summer day than this one.  We had everything you need for an excellent time: water at the Nanjemoy Community Center; food, water and sodas at the Nanjemoy store; shade everywhere; a light breeze to evaporate our (copious) perspiration; a great group to ride with; and a dog for company at lunch. 

Leader:   Ron Altemus

Members/Guests:  Robin Butler-LeFrancois, William "Soup" Cambell, Oswald Martin, Diane Harris, Beth Ingalls (guest), Theresa Rowell, Lori Michaelson, Sherwood Byers Sr, Leon Wells, Robin Garnett, Steve Perakis, Susan Altemus, Esther Stewart, Lou Dall'Orso.  Not pictured:  Walt Roscello, longer routes RL, Catherine Ade, Steve Palincsar, Dave Van Ameyden



Route:   From the Weis in Callaway, south on Piney Point Rd to Happyland, St Georges Church Rd, Flat Iron, Drayden, Cherryfield to the Drayden Schoolhouse.  Retracing back to Drayden to Piney Point Rd and Lighthouse Rd to a rest stop at the Piney Point Lighthouse.  Retracing back to Piney Point to explore St. George Island with out and backs on Thomas Road and Piney Point Rd.  Return via Piney Point Road to Tall Timbers Rd for lunch at Dent's, then Piney Point Rd back to the start

Weather:   Not as bad as feared!  Temp range of low 80s to mid/upper 80; plenty of sunshine and blue skies; SW 10-14 mph breezes kept the humidity comfortable enough.

AMS:   swept in the mid 12s.  Others were faster.

Mechanicals/Mishaps:   none

Report:  to honor Juneteenth, we visited the Drayden African-American Schoolhouse in St. Mary's County.  Our ride included explorations of Piney Point and St. George island.  Several  route options were available - 32, 42, and 49 miles.  Walt Roscello led for the longer routes.  Riders were able to chose how far to ride depending on how they were affected by the heat.  A few retraced from our Piney Point lighthouse rest stop back to the start; others did a variation on the 42 mile route.

Per St. Mary's County Department of Parks, the Drayden School is "Known as one of the best-preserved African American schoolhouses in the country, this recently renovated (2018), one-room structure stands on its original site and has not been significantly altered. Built around 1890, it continued use until 1944. "  Signage allowed riders to get a fuller understanding of the "struggle of the St. Mary’s County African American community during an era of segregated education."

Signboards provided information and though the schoolhouse was not open, we could peer through the windows into the classroom.

Photo credits to Robin B and Robin G

From the schoolhouse, we traveled to the Piney Point Lighthouse for a rest stop, then a tour of St George Island.  In 1776 during the American Revolution, British troops tried to land on the island but were repulsed by Maryland militia.  Years later, during the War of 1812, the British were more successful and occupied both the island and Piney Point.  They felled numbers of the loblolly pines to ship back to England for use as masts and spars on British ships.

On the return, we stopped at Dent's market/deli in Tall Timbers for lunch.  Not only was the food good, but the a/c was really appreciated.  Thanks to all that came out for this ride.

Leader: Walt Roscello

Members: Steve Palinscar, Catherine Ade, Diane Harris, Theresa Rowell, Dave Van Ameyden, Sherwood Byers, and some others registered with the other group

Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/51291575

The route as described by Ron, with a few extra out-and-backs after the school and on the island, then touring the neighborhood past Dent's store.  All but Steve, Catherine, and I went straight back on Rt. 249, whereas we skipped the last out-and-back but took Rt. 244 and Chingville Road which was a good route.

Weather: As Ron said, not as bad as feared.  In the morning (1 hour earlier start) there was still a bit of cool air to be found in the shady forested areas.  We were fairly comfortable until the last seven miles or so.  Still, the car said we had hit 95 degrees by the end.

AMS: Around 15 mph with some casual riding in the neighborhoods

Mechanicals/Mishaps: none, though there was a stop to check after Sherwood and another rider rode over a piece of metal on the shoulder

Report: See Ron's report and the comments above.  The fact I most noted at the schoolhouse is there was no public high school at all for African Americans in St. Mary's county, so some went over to Pomonkey in Charles County or attended a Catholic school.

At the Piney Point lighthouse pier, we observed a group (school?) of skates, and Catherine and I even saw them go into a spiral formation briefly to hunt something.

In addition to the good fresh food available, it was much appreciated that Dent's has crushed ice and a water dispenser on their soda dispenser, so we were able to enjoy ice cold water for a bit while there and afterwards.

Leader:   Ron Altemus

Members:   Robin Garnett, Susan Altemus, Esther Stewart, Jackie Schoch, Fran Jezisek, Gene Villiva, Leesha Saunders, Carl Hattery



Route:   Fav Friday Indian Head Rail Trail, Livingston Rd parking lot eastward to White Plains trailhead.  After a conversational stop, westward ho! back to the start.

Weather:   high overcast but still sunny; temps starting in the mid 70s rising to the mid 80s; not much in the way of air movement; lots of humidity

AMS:   varied by rider; sept in the low 11s

Mechanicals/Mishaps:   none

Report:  Nice to have Jackie back triking.  Since it was a bit hot even early on, not too many other trail users, and their numbers seemed to drop as the temps rose.  Wildlife sightings included deer, squirrels, a young rabbit, turkeys, snakes and turtles, along with countless smaller brown something birds seen, others unidentified and only being heard.  No eagles visible on the nest near Livingston Road..

Leader: Joan Oppel

Member: Pat Walthers

Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/37926433

Weather: Sunny, mid 70's to start, mid 80's and higher in the direct sun at end. Bonus stat - Low humidity! 

Mechanicals/Mishaps: None

Report:  This ride was posted late on the prior afternoon so no surprise that attendance was meager. But the route traced some of the roads for the Rural Legacy, in the opposite direction of its routes. And thus we paid attention to opposite side road surface issues as we biked, to report them to the folks who will mark some significant road hazards before the event.

We went to the Jug Bay visitor center this time instead of to the Pavilion and - with the observation tower, where the view did not disappoint.

On a Tuesday morning when the weather forecast was "Iffy" at best (Humid, Possible showers, etc) Ron  Altemus, Robin Garnett, Oswald Martin, Donaro Gardner, and Linda Bankerd Joined Sherwood Byers, Ride Leader for a ride to Great Falls Park.  Two of the riders had never been Great Falls, nor had they never ridden the C &O Canal.  I was a bit concerned due to it's not so kind gravel trail, but they did just fine.  The ride started on time and continued to Fletcher's Boathouse for our first stop.  After a short respite, we continued our trek.  There was a short detour about 2 miles from Fletcher's, but was easy to navigate through it.  Not mush wildlife to be seen but there was a deer in the water in the canal eating the vegetation (Personally, I have never seen a deer in the water).  Someone thought he was stuck in the mud, not the case at all.

A short stop at lock 6 for a photo op and quick visit of the lock house for rent we continued.

Continuing to Great Falls we stopped at the overlook where a lot of time viewing the falls and taking photos as some had never seen Mother Nature's work. 

A visit to the parks visitor center we rested for a while then continued up the trail for a little exploring the condition of the trail for further use.  It was time to turn around and retrace the route to the ride start but a decision was made to deviate from the Memorial Bridge to get away from the work being performed in preparation for the Military Parade.  The fencing everywhere made it difficult to ride.  it was thought that we could cross the 14th Street Bridge to make the passage easier, no it did not. The fencing was everywhere.  After crossing the bridge, we were in "Happyland".  Smooth riding to our vehicles.

No Mishaps or Mechanical issues were reported me during this ride.   The weather was perfect.

I wish to thank all of the riders who joined me today.        

Leader:   Ron Altemus

Members:   Susan Altemus, Esther Stewart, Astrid Caldas, Robin Garnett, Walt Roscello, Carl Hattery, Leesha Saunders, Fran Jezisek, Raul Adams, Gene Villiva, Donaro Gardner, Bob Rourke.  Not pictured:  Pat Colvin



Route:   Fav Friday IHRT - Livingston Rd parking lot to White Plains and return

Weather:   temps starting in the low 70s warming about 6 degrees, mostly sunny with still a high smoky haze from Canadian wildfires, 3-5 mph SSE air movement

AMS:  varied greatly between individual riders,  Swept in the low 10s

Mechanicals/Mishaps:   none known

Report:   quite the turnout with at least one rider doing their first ride of 2025.  Numerous small groups or pairings rode at their preferred rate of travel allowing for the ultimate in casual conversational cycling. 

Conflicting accounts as to the number of other trail users as some commented that the trail seemed busy while some thought it rather deserted.  But since we were widely spread out, it's possible both viewpoints were equally valid.

Not as many wildlife sightings as the previous week:  one eagle visible on the nest near the ride start, a single turtle noted alongside the trail while many others sunning on logs in the various bodies of water, plenty of small birds flitting by too quickly to be identified and lots of bird sounds.  

Robin captured the triptych below of a turkey crossing the trail, probably to get to the other side.

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Leaders: Rick Hagen & Lisa Petersen

Members: Steve Palincsar

Guests: none

Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/46951571

Southeasterly from Waysons Corner Park & Ride along the service road, to Greenock Road/Route 259, then south on Brooks Woods to Bayfront Rd/Route 258. North on Route 2 to Nutwell, then Nutwell Sudley Rd south to Bayside/Route 258. Swamp Circle Rd took us to Deale-Churchton Rd and the South County Cafe. Followed Deale Road up the hill to Tracys Landing to Route 2, then south to Jewell Rd just to McKendree and north to Bayfront Rd again. West on Bayfront to Fishers Station, carefully cross Route 4, and enter the Pindells, except one rider wanted to ride OVER Route 4 by continuing on Bayfront and then south on So. Md. Blvd. to Upper Pindell. That road and Pindell takes us past Jug Bay to the Route 4 Service Road to get back to the cars.

Weather: Sunny, temps 76-84, humidity averaged 60%, and no wind.

AMS: 12.6 mph

Mishaps: Rick’s bike was shifting gears to smaller cog on its own, so Steve suggested turning the barrel adjuster on the rear derailleur half a turn counterclockwise and that solved the problem.

Report: Ride leaders posted the ride with short notice therefore only the 1 other member came. Our small group had an enjoyable and uneventful ride in southern Anne Arundel County. We sat outside the South County Cafe to eat an early lunch, then zigzagged back to the cars on mostly quiet county roads. Steve did not want to cross the 4 busy lanes of Route 4 at Fishers Station Rd., so he went north to Bristol where he could use the overpass and then come south to Upper Pindell to meet the ride leaders and continue back to the cars.

Leaders: Lisa Petersen and Rick Hagen

Members: Ron Altemus, Robin Garnett, Tom Short

Guests: none

Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/50948813

Weather: Sunny, 70 to 80 degrees, no wind. Very nice day!

AMS: 11.2 mph

Mechanicals/Mishaps: none

Report: We started at the Glenn Dale Community Center in Glenn Dale Md. where there is plenty of parking, bathrooms, water and vending machines (unlike the official trail parking lots). We rode southwest from there on the Washington Baltimore & Annapolis trail to a pond, then turned around to go northeast to the other end of the WB&A in Odenton. The full length of the trail is now 13 miles thanks to a new bridge over the Patuxent River that just opened on May 26.

This was once a railway line, nice and straight, except for a dogleg near the middle to go over the new bridge. The trail is all nicely paved, about 10 feet wide, and passes through forest, along marshes and power lines, runs past peoples’ backyards, goes over rivers and mostly over and under roads (short tunnels). Ron was particularly impressed by the extensive trail markings on the pavement!  Elevation gains are gentle except for the hill north of the new bridge that switchbacks up a half a mile at a 5% grade. This hill was an enjoyable slalom ride down when we came back. We stopped at Rieve’s Deli in Odenton for some food and conversation at an outdoor table in the shade.

Wildlife: a deer at the side of the trail not bothered by the 5 of us passing within about 10 feet on bikes, many turtles on logs in the marshes, some woodchucks

Photos by Joan Oppel  Camera icons indicate historic bridges on the route

Leader: Steve Palincsar

Members: Greg Acs, Catherine Ade, Deborah Bowman, Margaret Draper-Harris, Ellen Goodwin, Harry Kidd, Joan Oppel, Deborah Reynolds, Walt Roscello, Robin Sparer, Dave VanAmayden, Pat Walthers, Anne Wittenberg

Guests: Lydia Cunningham, Johanna Nathanson, Regina Spallone

Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/50833754  40.2 mi, 1919' elevation gain

Weather: Sunny, 60 at the start rising to the low 70s.  The wind was predicted to be 7 mph with gusts up to 12, but after around the first 10 miles the gusts increased and steadied at 16 mph, according to Weather Underground.

AMS: 12.5

Mechanicals/Mishaps: none

Report: They call Thurmont the "Gateway to the Catoctins," and a glance at the route map above shows why: immediately to the west of the route are the Catoctin Mountains.  But stay to the east of Thurmont and Emmitsburg (the blue restroom icon at the north of the route is Mount St Mary's University in Emmitsburg) and you're in a rolling valley dissected with streams and made up of farms. 

In this part of Frederick County, many of those streams are spanned by historic bridges: wooden covered bridges, and iron and steel truss bridges built in the 19th and early 20th centuries (and rebuilt and reconstructed many times over the years, as cars and trucks smashed into the covered bridges and floods moved the truss bridges from their moorings.)

Today 13 members and 3 guests joined me in a meandering route through the valley on quiet farm roads to see the sights and ride through as many of those historic bridges as we could manage in a ride around 40 miles long.  (There are 55 and 60 mile variations on this theme in the Club RWGPS Library, some even visiting that amazing monument to questionable ingenuity, the Rocky Ridge Big Slide.) 

We stopped for a break at the Loy Station Covered Bridge Park, and again at Mt St Mary's.  The planned stop was at the student center, but we found open rest rooms at the Waldron Stadium and took our break there, eliminating the need to go through the tunnel under US-15.  At that same point, the rising wind found us, and the remaining 19 miles were a brutal slog against the wind. 

Many of us took an unscheduled break at the park at the Roddy Covered Bridge, and then we continued on to Thurmont where half the group skipped the stop at the High's.  By the time we passed through the Utica Rd Covered Bridge, few had thoughts of anything but finishing.