Leader: Steve Palincsar

Members: Catherine Ade, Randy Schoch, Dave Van Amayden


Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/44756436  Today's ride was set up as an event with two routes, the one shown above (57 miles, starting at Mechanicsville Elementary School) and a shorter version beginning at John Baggett Park (47 miles, the same route but for the distance on the Three Notch Trail and Old Village Rd between Mechanicsville ES and Baggett Park).  As it happened, no one elected to start from Baggett Park.

Everyone planned to ride the 57 mi route, which did a loop from the Shell Station northeast on Sotterley Rd, an out-and-back eastward on Steer Horn Neck, passing Sotterley Plantation and returning on Vista Rd to Three Notch Highway.  That was the plan.  But, as they say, "Everyone has a plan until..."

Weather:   50 at the start rising to 59 under mostly clear to clear skies and windy: 9 mph at the start rising to 17 mph, with gusts up to 17 mph at 9 am rising to 31 mph by mid-afternoon.

AMS: 11.7

Mechanicals/Mishaps: none

Report:   Weather was the biggest story today, and there was plenty of it.  I left Alexandria just after dawn in heavy overcast and drizzle that became serious rain as I crossed the Potomac. The rain stopped and the sky cleared just north of the St Marys County line, as predicted.  The wind was as predicted too.

The wind was at our backs as we headed south, and the trip through the Loveville Mennonite area down to Leonardtown was a delight.  So too was the stop at the Leonardtown Wharf.  But once we left Leonardtown  and started riding across the wind on Hollywood Rd we began to notice just how strong and gusty the wind actually was. 

By the time we reached the rest stop at the Shell Station on Three Notch Highway, 27 miles into the route, we were ready to shorten the ride.  The plan was to continue on Sotterley, skip the out-and-back on Steer Horn Neck and return to Three Notch Highway on Vista.  

The Shell Station is at a crossroads and there was plenty of traffic passing when we left the rest stop. Randy got separated from the group when we left, but we didn't know it. 

A few tenths down the road we stopped so Catherine could close her seat bag, and we discovered that Randy was missing.  We went back to look for him, but no sight of him.   We eventually reached him by phone and learned he'd made a wrong turn leaving the rest stop and then recovered by heading up Three Notch Highway.  He was now well ahead of us.

We decided to shorten the route even further by cutting off the loop to Sotterley (the shortcut is shown in green in the route above) and continued on, hoping to catch up with him.  From this point on we were riding into what surely seemed like the predicted 30 mph wind. 

After yesterday's winds the Post ran an article that said "the windiest day of Washington's Autumn blew in on Saturday."  I was out riding in Nanjemoy on Saturday.  Today was worse.  Much worse.

When we reached Mechanicsville Elementary School we were tired and very, very glad we'd made that ten mile cut in the route.  Randy's truck had already left.  We finished with 45.8 miles, 1598' of elevation gain and an average speed of 11.7.

Leader - Randy Schoch

Members - Gene Villiva, Susan Altemus, RL Randy, Oswald Martin, Mark Garrison, Donaro Gardner, and Leesha Saunders.  Not pictured - Ron Altemus, photog.

Weather - Partly sunny, cool (60's), and breezy.

AMS - Varied per/rider.

Mechanicals/Mishaps - None.

Report - An average turnout of some of our Friday regulars.  Susan was riding her new and beautiful E-bike. Ron confided that he now has to work keeping up with Susan.

There were a lot of other trail users this morning. It is great to see so many others using the trail. We also saw member Bob Moye getting his morning work out. With so many others using the trail, we didn't see very much wild life. I want to encourage any of our members that are free on Friday mornings to come and join us most every Friday (weather permitting). See yens soon.

Leader: Steve Palincsar

Members: Pat Walthers, Janet Shipko

Guests: none

Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/44754918

Weather: Sunny with clear skies, just a few thin clouds, and breezy: 8-10 mph winds with gusts up to 18.  High 50s at 10 rising to high 60s by early afternoon.  If you were used to these temperatures you'd say this was perfect cycling weather.  We were just getting used to them, so it was windbreakers and tights all day for us.

AMS: 12.9

Mechanicals/Mishaps: none

Report: When we were last here a month ago (Sept 21) they were repaving Nottingham Rd.  Today's route was all about experiencing all that freshly repaved smoothness.  We went down Martin, left on Molly Berry and took Candy Hill to Croom, Croom over to Brooks Church and Tanyard to the start of Nottingham; then followed it all the way to its and at Croom.  We then went left on Croom and left on Candy Hill, and left again taking Nottingham a second time to Fenno.

Fenno to Merkle and a rest stop, and the usual route on St Thomas Church to Croom, right on Mount Calvert, no dogs today (whew!), right on Duvall to a freshly repaved Croom Airport -- well, at least from Park Entrance Rd to Croom, but that's OK because from Park Entrance Rd down to the Pavilion was in fine shape and didn't need repaving.

After our break at the Pavilion we enjoyed being able to ride Croom Airport without a single bump, patch or pothole.  Here's a hearty Thank You for that!   From that point on, a fairly standard return on Duley Station with a bit of Bellefield, Cheltenham to Old Indian, down Van Brady to Molly Berry, North Keys back to the park.

We finished a couple of minutes after 2, having ridden 37.6 miles and climbed 1,986 feet.

Leader:  Ron Altemus

Members:   Joan Oppel, Randy Schoch, Pat Walthers, Harry Kidd

Route:   starting at Pisgah Park, we traversed Mason Springs, Bowie, Baptist Church, Ironsides, and MD-6 took us to a bio stop at King James Church.  Continuing via Hancock Run, Adams Willett, and Liverpool Point to a rest stop at the Nanjemoy store.  Next let utilized Jacksontown, Sandy Point, Riverside, and Chicamuxen to another bio stop at Smallwood Park.  Final return featured Marbury Run, Pisgah Marbury, and Mason Springs back to the park.   https://ridewithgps.com/routes/44716810  35.7 miles, 1457' elevation gain.

Weather:   cloudy/overcast to start, becoming mostly cloudy with some sun/blue skies at Smallwood Park; temp range 54-63; 7-9 mph air movement from the NW

AMS:   swept in the low 11s; riders at the front slightly faster

Mechanicals/Mishaps:  none

Report:  the route was developed to afford plenty of cycling on less vehicular trafficked roads and that was truly the case.  Bowie, Baptist Church, Hancock Run, Adams Willett, Liverpool Point, Jacksontown, Sandy Point, and Pisgah Marbury were almost vehicle free.  The other roads had very little traffic, too.

The big fun part of the ride was being greeted by four turkeys (two Toms, two hens) as we came up to the Nanjemoy store.  They took a serious liking to Joan and stayed close to her side during our rest stop at the store.  The Toms were in full display; the hens showing them almost complete indifference.  They live at the house just east of the store and their appearance is evidently not uncommon as we were told they would hang around until the owner came to shoo them back home.

Leader: Joan Oppel

Riders: Ron Altemus, Dave Van Ameyden, Linda Bankerd, Harold Datz, Walt Roscello, Randy Schoch, Pat Walthers, Rita Zeidner

Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/44740215  From the firehouse at Accokeek to Pomfret,  to a nice stretch on the trail, to a climb up Mt Pisgah, then to Pisgah (off route to Pisgah Park) and from there to Bicknell and eventually Hawthorne and Lower Wharf to Chapman's Landing. Climb up Barry's HIll and end at the firehouse.

Weather:  Slightly chilly at ride start and everyone wore a jacket. Wind from the north at 12-14 mph. Ride leader's Garmin had a steady temperature of 55 throughout the ride. Ron's device said 61 near the end.

Mechanicals/Mishaps: None

Report: A mix of sun and clouds today, a number of miles with the wind at our backs, a number of miles on tree-sheltered roads - as well as several segments where we got familiar wih the wind. The oficial rest stop was at the Pisgah Store but everyone preferred Pisgah Park so off route went. Walt split off to do 5 additional miles and the rest of us cruised back to the firehouse. 

Leader - Randy Schoch

Members -  Mark Garrison, Susan Altemus, Donaro Gardner, Leesha Saunders, Oswald Martin, and RL Randy .   (not pictured:  Ron Altemus, photog)

Route - IHRT

Weather - Wonderful, sunny 60's, with light breeze.

AMS - Varied per/rider

Mechanicals/Mishaps - Mark had a tangled chain before the start.

Report - A good turnout of our regulars. Ron, Mark, and I managed to straighten out Mark's chain before the ride start and he had no more trouble for the rest of the ride. There were quite a few other trail users this morning. Even though the temp. was a little chilly at the start we saw several dogs walking their masters, kids in strollers, bikers, and walkers. A nice brisk ride and a short rest break at the White Plains Rest Area. We had a tail breeze on the return leg back to the parking lot. Jackie is recuperating from her heart surgery and not able to ride for awhile.  

Leader: Joan Oppel

Riders: Lisa Petersen, Rick Hagen, Janet Shipko, Pat Walthers

Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/44690756  We headed to La Plata by way of Rose Hill, Chapel Point, Fairground, Springtown Newton and Glen Albin. Return was on Quailwood, Hawthorne, Marshall Corner, Pomfret, IHRT, more Hawthorne and Chapman's Landing.

Weather:  Absolutely beautiful. Sunny 56 at start and felt just a little bit chilly. Sunny 65 at the end.

Mechanicals/Mishaps: None

Report: A thoroughly enjoyable ride. Sun, beautiful cloud formations, mostly quiet roads (though some busy spots to connect the quiet). Chapel Point has been repaved (lots of that going on in many counties - infratructure funding?) but not the hill leading to St. Ignatius. Some of us climbed that for the first time.

Leader: Dave VanAmeyden

Members: Mark Garrison, Tamika Walker, and Justine Kayle

Guests: Alex Batkhan and Christine Buzzell from PPTC

Route: Started in Arlington, went north through Rossyln, up to McLean, then south through Falls Church and Springfield, then northeast around Lake Barcroft and back to Arlington, stopping 3 miles from end at St. Katherine's Greek Orthodox Church for their bi-annual festival.

Weather: Chilly at the start in the 50's then warmed up to the low 70's by mid-day. 

AMS: Leader and one other rider went 11, others went 13-15+.

Mechanicals/Mishaps: None!

Report: Was expecting a bigger turnout, given the closeness of the start to where many members live and the good weather. At least four riders rode from their homes. Three riders said they were "B" class and waited for the others to catch up at cue points until the half-way point, then they took off.  Two riders took a slower pace and ended just before 2PM.          

On a raining and windy fall Saturday morning at the Richmond Virginia Train Station, Oxon Hill Bike and Trail Club (OHBTC) members  Alan Kurzweil, Janet Shipko, Linda Bankerd, Sherwood Byers, Sr. (Ride Leader), Ron Altemus (Taking Photograph), Alec and Makenzie Villiva, and Gene Villiva,  joined me on a tour to Williamsburg and Surrey Virginia via Virginia's Capital Trail and the Jamestown - Scotland ferry.

After a short briefing, all were on the pedals to the trail head for a group photo. The rain was beginning to be steady and all knew we would be wet.  All was okay as the temperature was warming a bit.  Riding to Varina the regrouping point and the only stop for a while where you could make any purchases.  Continuing  on, a stop was made at the next trail head parking lot where there was a pear tree and some were gathered. I had already know about the tree and wanted some (They are very delicious).  Not wanting to spend a lot of time there because the rain was coming down pretty good and knowing the predicted weather and change of our heading, riding conditions would change about the time we would stop for lunch and the Indian Fields restaurant.  After Lunch the weather was as forecast, the sun was coming out and the breeze was on on our backs making the ride even more pleasurable.

Continuing on our trek to Williamsburg we crossed the Chickahominy Riverfront Park to regroup and rest.  With only about 12 miles to our hotels we had to move off the trail to roads where there were bike lanes and an easy ride. Some of us after a short rest met in the hotel breakfast room to eat before retiring.

On Day 2, Sunday there were varying plans by all.  Some relaxed in Williamsburg, some toured by their self, and some rode the ferry for the tour and lunch in Surrey.  But, for those who toured Surrey enjoyed the ride to the ferry then riding to Chippokes State Park to tour the history of the past.  After the tour we went to Meats of Virginia for a delicious lunch before returning to the ferry.  After returning to our rooms and freshening ourselves all met the Plaza Azteca for a group dinner.

More To Come...

Leader:  Ron Altemus

Members:  Gene Villiva, Robin Garnett, Susan Altemus, Fran Jezisek, Randy Schoch.  Not pictured:  Donaro Gardner, Mark Garrison



Route:   Indian Head Rail Trail, Livingston Rd parking lot to White Plains and return

Weather:  mostly overcast with temps hovering in the low 70s and air movement out of the south

AMS:  varies by rider but most probably in the upper 11s

Mechanicals/Mishaps:  none

Report:   not as big a turnout as usual since some club members are recuperating.  Only a fair number of other trail users, though we did see Bob Moye (always going in the opposite direction).  Rutting season has commenced so deer sightings are more common; otherwise, not much wildlife observed except a box turtle next to the trail.