Leader: Connie Quickstad

Members: Peter Stelman; Oswald Martin; Donero Gardner; Ron Altemus; Maureen Flynn and Carl Hattery

Guests: Suzanne Allan

Route: Indian Head Rail Trail heading east from Livingston Rd parking lot to rest stop at White Plains trailhead.  Return westward to ride start.

Weather: another beautiful day, everything was green including lots of pollen flying around; 76 degrees at the start of the ride and 82 degrees at the finish; a little on the humid side.

AMS: 11-13 depending on the conversations!

Mechanicals/Mishaps: None

Report: a smaller group today compared to the recent Friday rides but always enjoyable and the perfect ride for catching up with everyone and a chance to chat with our guest Suzanne and share information about the Club.  The trail was quite busy with other cyclists, joggers/walkers, skaters and one lucky dog getting a ride with his human in a very nice bike trailer!

Lots of flora and fauna:  wild turkey, deer, water snake, turtle, eagles, butterflies and a Great Blue Heron…makes this trail one of the best to ride in southern Maryland.

A great way to end the week and get ready for the weekend.  See you next time!

It was a day for new friends, a great urban ride, stunning Azaleas, and adventure! 

RIDERS:  Jessica Hirschhorn (leader) Ron Altemus (sweep)William Fuchs (friend of Anne W), Anne Wittenberg, Claudia Kidder (a DC Brompton rider, non member), Lori Michaelson, Sara Rhoades, Tony Rickert, Lynn Schoenfelder, and Leslie Tierstein (who rode with us to the Arboretum then peeled off)

19 miles

Average speed 9.0 (LOTS of stop lights!) 

899'  , most in the Arboretum. 

ROUTE:  Hains Point, down the National Mall, through the neighborhoods of Capital Hill and others, to the Arboretum for some challenging hills and simply beautiful land/plantings.  

We had a mid ride stop in Lincoln Park, to see the Emancipation Sculpture and the Mary McCloud Bethune sculpture. 

The azaleas were a tad past peak but still exploding with color.  We rode through the conifer section which remains my perennial favorite.  We had a great stop at the Capitol columns (of course) . 

A cold, cloudy, windy RAIN greeted us as we arrived at the Arboretum, but we took protection under the office /bathroom entrance, and, on cue with our multiple apps, stopped after 30 minutes.  The sun came out and the clouds were gorgeous. 

We rode home via 11th Street and Navy Yard, and stopped at Potbelly's in Yards Park for lunch, snack and bathroom.  It was a cool and windy afternoon and some of us elected hot soup to warm our cores. 

Our final stop before the Wharf and home was the Titanic Memorial. 

Lynn, Ron, and I did a final "victory lap" around HP after we ended. 

Ride leader: Steve Palincsar
Members: Jackie Schoch, Deb Bowman, Anonymous User, Deb Reynolds, Dave VanAmayden, Mary Scala, Patricia Walthers, Ron Altemus, Patricia Sanders, Joshua Garrison
Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/44893538
Weather: Sunny, around 72 at the start rising to 82 and partly cloudy by early afternoon
Mishaps & Mechanicals: none
AMS: 13.0

It was a beautiful day for our first ride of the season in the St Marys/Charles County "Hidden Amish" area, and everyone seemed to enjoy themselves.  Several, like me, are just getting their season started and it's great to do a ride early on that's not too difficult but is brimming with beautiful scenery to light up long-dormant memories and revive the enjoyment that's almost been forgotten over the winter, and this route fit the bill perfectly, a veritable Hall of Fame collection of scenic rural riding.  The rest stops at Clover Hill Dairy and Gilbert Run Park helped maintain the party atmosphere.  TL;DR: a fabulous ride.

Leader:   Ron Altemus

Members:  Sherwood B, Maureen F, Cecil S, Sarah R, Susan A, Peter S, Fran J, Connie Q, Bob R, Robin G, Mark G, Paul A, Linda B, Donaro G, Leesha S, Jackie S, Esther S



Route:  Indian Head Rail Trail heading east from Livingston Rd parking lot to rest stop at White Plains trailhead.  Return westward to ride start.

Weather:   exceptionally nice day - blue skies w/plenty of sunshine, temp range mid 70s to low 80s, 10-12 mph air out of the NW, low humidity

AMS:  swept in the mid 11s

Mechanicals/Mishaps:  none

Report:  another great turnout with a couple of newer members, a long time regular finally having a free Friday, a couple of others needing some leisurely miles, along with most of the usual suspects.  Assortment of other trail users including walkers, joggers, mothers w/strollers, and bicyclists.

Wildlife consisted of squirrels, fox, turkey, numerous unidentified birds, and turtles, either basking on logs in the various ponds or marshes, with a couple needing rescue crossing the trail.   Fran transported a small (3-4" long) snapping turtle down to the creek's edge, being careful to pick it up well behind its midsection, though the neck didn't come out to try and devour her.  Sorry, no picture, which is a shame as I don't recall anyone every moving a snapper.  Painted or slider, yes.  But snapper, NO!  It helped that it was a youngen.)  And Peter helped a box turtle make it to the other side (turtle picture below taken by Peter).

Kent Island welcomed us, with sun, some pretty good wind, and a short sprinkling. 

RIDERS were: Pam Alexander, Ron Altemus, Susan Altemus, Karen Dickey (A Kent Islander!) Jessica Hirschhorn, MaryClare Muzyka, Phong Nguyen, Barbara Raimondo, Sara Rhoades, Brenda Ruby, Anthony Schreiber (training for Ragbrai), Tracy Threefoot, Doug van Zoeren, and Cecil Rhoades. 

We had a great mix today, including 6 non  members (4 from the Kaiser Retired Physicians group) who loved the ride and planned to become members. 

We did the usual Octopus Ride (8 out 'n backs) with great views of the Bridge, Chesapeake, Osprey nest, golf course, crabbing marina and lighthouse, fishing pier, and Silver Swan wedding venue beach. 

The WIND got us on the way south to the lighthouse, but PUSHED us back up afterwards. 

No mechanicals, no one lost, no one hurt.  A GOOD DAY enjoyed by all. 

35 miles of flatness (but wind gave us "Dutch Hills")

Leader:  Ron Altemus

Members/Guests:  Susan Altemus, Ann Kellogg (g), Diane Donahue, Ken Baron (g), Gene Villiva, Mike Diggs (g), Leesha Saunders, Kelly Diggs (g), Paul Adams, Bob Rourke

Route:   the Indian Head Rail Trail in its entirety - Village Green eastward to White Plains trailhead.  After a rest stop that varied in length, return back to the ride start.  Approx. 27 miles r/t

Weather:  most spectacular - temps starting in the mid 60s rising to low 70s under sunshine filled blue skies with a bit of obnoxious 12+ air out of the Sw, noticed only on a few stretches during the return.

AMS:   varied by individual.  RL swept in the mid 11s.

Mechanicals/Mishaps:  after the ride, heard that one rider had a tumble or two due to the uneven nature of trail to surrounding grass on the return.  Said rider was evidently okay as they came back to the Village Green riding their bicycle.

Report:   a bit faster than our typical Friday IHRT rides, probably due to the guests that joined us.  The trail itself was very busy with plenty of other riders interspersed with walkers,  joggers, and runners.   Given the large human presence, wildlife sightings were reduced along the trail, though turtles were observed in some of the ponds (plus turtle rescue) and birds heard but mostly unseen.  No large mammals but kamikaze squirrels were present.

A nice way to start the 2026 cycling season.  Hope to see many of you on upcoming club rides.   

A glorious, sunny and warm day for a ride.  The early wheat is brilliant green and we all enjoyed riding our bikes in the beautiful rural countryside.  A terrific way to start the season. 

RIDERS:  Peggy Alfonso, Caresse Bullock, Donaro Gardner, Joshua Garrison, Deb Reynolds, Jessica Hirschhorn (Lead/Sweep), Lois Lightfoot, Susan Luckenbach, Larry Malone, Karen McMillan, Steven Palincsar, Connie Quickstad, Darryl Watson

We started with 5.5 miles of smooth, quick downhill on the IHRT, then traveled a big loop to include Bumpy Oak, Marshall Corner, Ripley, Poorhouse.  We stopped for bathroom and rest at Scott's Store, then home via Fire Tower Road, Annapolis Woods, Poorhouse and back on the IHRT. 

Total 35.1 miles. 1039' 

Average speed 11.8 for the sweep.  Other results may vary. 

Leader:  Karen Morgan

Members:  Carl Hattery, Jan Johnson, Sue Murray, Mary Ann Owsley, Tom Short, Jill Thompson, Patricia Walthers and Jim Cavanaugh.

Route:  Indian Head Rail Trail to Bumpy Oak for a big loop to include Ollies Bar/Grill and Pisgah Store.  We traveled down to General Smallwood State Park then returned on Chicamuxen to Hawthorn then the IHRT back to Village Green.

Weather:  Beautiful blue skies with light winds, high 60's to low 70's.

AMS:  Rider leader clocked an average of 10mph.  Most of the riders had a higher AMS.

Mechanicals/Mishaps:  None

Report:  Delightful spin thru rural Maryland.  We rode at a leisurely pace and the riders regrouped regularly so we all stayed close together.  There were a few more cars than expected, but they were all respectful.  A breeze picked up at Smallwood State Park, we all concluded that it provided a nice little tailwind for the ride home.

Ride Leader: Diane Harris 

Members: Soup C,Laura C, John C,Pete C, Lou D, Liam H, Larry M, Cindy M, Pete M, Taylor M, Theresa R, Patricia S, John S, Jordan T, and Leon W

Guests: None

Route: IH 41 Goose Bay and Pisgah

Weather: Perfect! Cool at the start but warmed up nicely, sunny clear skies, breezy at times

AMS: Ride leader 13.1, the faster group ~16

Mechanicals/Mishaps: nothing major, a dropped chain

Report: 17 riders made up the B/CC group with the expectation the group would split up between the faster riders and those with a more relaxed pace. That's what happened and as ride leader, knowing the front group would manage themselves, I kept pace with the second group. There was a regrouping at the rest stop at Goose Bay where riders relaxed, ate snacks, and used the restrooms before starting the second half of the ride. Goose Bay is a marina and campground and we got the opportunity to see the machinery which placed large boats stored on land back in the water. This turned out to be a beautiful day for a ride on the lightly traveled backroads of Southern Maryland. Thanks to all who came out for this ride. 

Leader:  Jackie Schoch

Members:  Ron Altemus, Susan Altemus, Paul Adams, Maureen Flynn,  Donaro Gardner, Robin Garnett, Carl Hattery, Fran Jezisek, Oswald Martin,  Denny Miller, Connie Quickstad, Bob Rourke, Leesha Saunders, Peter Stelman,  Esther Steward, Gene Villiva, Yacoub Elayyad

Guest:  None

Route:   Indian Head Rail Trail heading east from Livingston Rd parking lot to rest stop at White Plains trailhead.  Return westward to ride start.

Weather:  cloudy, 53 degrees at ride start but sun breaking through at White Plains with temps quickly climbing to the low 80s.  7-10 mph air out of the southern quadrant

AMS:  varied by rider

Mechanicals/Mishaps:   None

Report: This was one of the biggest Friday ride with a total of 18 counting the leader.  It was a perfect day for a ride and everyone enjoyed themselves.

Someone saw a fox and I saw a deer with its baby.  The mother just looked at me probably thinking that is a strange bike rider.  With me riding my Trike it probably thought I was strange.