An annual event and this year the weather turned out to be warm and welcoming. There were 13 of us: Steve Palincsar, Leslie Tierstein, Debby Gebhardt, Dan Wells, Susan Golonka, Jessica Hirshhorn, Walt Roscello, Janell Saunders, Pat Walthers, Pat Sanders, Polly Choate, Jim Hudnall and Jane Hudnall.

Our tour took us along the Potomac from Old Town to the Jefferson Memorial, MLK Memorial, Lincoln, WWII and then to a rest stop just outside the White House plaza. Janell and Leslie rode from there to the new DC REI while the rest of us headed on for more touring.

We took the 15th St cycletrack to the Pennsylvania cycletrack to the Capitol. Some folks had never ridden the cycletrack so that was a new experience. We waved to the Supreme Court, Library of Congress, several Smithsonian museums and the Washington Monument. Everyone took a loop around Hains Point - with a firm foot down stop at the final stop sign: a cop was waiting there to issue tickets to stop sign scofflaws.  Thanks to the cyclists further back from the sign for shouting warnings!

By the time we were ready to head back across the 14th St bridge, several group members had dropped off or gone ahead. At Gravely Point, a few more had left cars there - and Walt Roscello graciously agreed to lead the remaining 3 or 4 back to Jones Point so I could head in the opposite direction for home.

A fun day, good group of folks to ride with, the best day of the year to ride in DC since there is so little traffic!

Thanks to everyone! Happy New Year - 

Joan

Photos

Ride leader: Steve Palincsar

Members: RitaZ, Randy Sim, Larry Peed, Janell Saunders, Emily Helmes, Dennis Benson, Lou Dallorso, Jessica Hirschhorn, Joan Oppel

Guests: Lynn, Kurt, Darrell, Bruce and Sarah

Weather: sunny (until late in the ride, when it clouded over), windy, high 30s at the start and low 50s by the end of the ride.  Brisk for sure, without a doubt a Polar Bear ride, but thanks to the sun very pleasant and comfortable.

Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/18249505  45 miles, 1865' of elevation gain

Mishaps & mechanicals: none (that I know of, anyway)

AMS: 12.5 for the leader, faster in the lead group.

15 riders drawn from Oxon Hill, Potomac Pedalers, the Wednesday Irregulars and the Arlington Babes & Babe Magnets On Bikes converged on Gwynn Park HS to bid the old year "Goodbye and Good Riddance to Bad Rubbish" and get in those last few miles before heading home to ring in the new year.  It turned out to be a wonderful day, brisk, cool, sunny, with a noticeable but (aside from a few miles on Croom Road between Nottingham and Baden Naylor that several skipped, turning on Nottingham to shorten the ride by 4 or 5 miles) not really punishing wind (it was pretty bad on Croom, though). 

The ride name was a call-back to a series I did back at the turn of the Century, where I introduced turns we never used to take and went on roads in directions we never did, all in the cause of trying to surprise riders.  And as it turned out, not only were those unexpected turns surprising, but there always turned out to be other surprises as well.   And so it proved today.

I stopped using Gwynn Park HS as a ride start mostly because there were no rest rooms any closer than the recycle center on Dyson at Missouri, but went back there for today's because they'd removed the portolet from N Keys Park for the winter, and it being a Saturday, the recycle center was open.  And surprise, today, there were two portolets on the school grounds!  Some surprises are good ones.

Unofficial OHBTC Leader:  Ron Altemus
Members: Holly Carr, Jane & Jim Hudnall, Loretta Troen

Guests:  Cathy Miller

Route: From Belle Haven Park, south on the Mt Vernon trail to the mansion, VA-235/Jeff Todd Way to Telegraph, south on Telegraph to US 1, Lorton Road/Workhouse Rd to the Workhouse Arts Center.  Ride was scheduled to retrace the same route but Holly, Jane, Jim and I altered the route at Kingstowne, going across Beluah to Franconia and then noodling through Bush Hill to the "hole-in-the-wall" which allowed us to pass under the Beltway and follow Eisenhower & Alexandria City streets back to our starting point.  Total r/t mileage from Belle Haven was over 40; advertised trip was 42 so our changes didn't adversely affect year-end mileage goals. 

Weather:  Partly sunny to partly cloudy, winds, w/gusts from the south, temp range of 38-48 degrees.

AMS:  ~12 mph

Report:  The Mt Vernon district supervisor, to fulfill a promise made earlier in the year, announced the beginning of this week his "Tour de Mount Vernon."  Though not listed on the club's ride schedule, a number of OHBTC riders expressed interest and those mentioned above actually did the ride.  45 riders were allegedly signed up - I'd estimate about 30 were on the ride.  The initial pace on the trail heading to the mansion was very slow so when we reached Alexandria Ave, our group used neighborhood streets to take us down to the trail at Fort Hunt.  This diversion was a bit longer than the trail so we were now behind the group of riders which had picked up speed.  The supervisor was in the rear, and from the mansion down to route 1, we had a police escort, lights flashing, on VA-235, and then crossing Rte 1.  A great way to cycle!  From that point on, for the most part, we rode in the road, utilizing parallel trails or sidewalks only in high congestion areas.  After a pleasant interlude at the Lorton Workhouse Arts Center, Loretta and Cathy headed home via VA-123/Fairfax County Parkway bike trails.  As mentioned above, the rest of us deviated from the route - much flatter and except for Beluah, less traffic.  A club member did comment that the route was a bit hillier than he might have thought.  It's too bad that Bike Florida is still about 2 1/2 months away as this ride would have been the perfect tune-up.  A 2017 ride is under consideration.  Stay tuned.

Ride Leader:  Blake Altman

Date: December 31, 2016

Ride Name:  About Nanjemoy

Ride Distance: 47 Miles

Average Speed of the Ride:  18.3

Ride Class:  AA/3 Sport

Mechanical Issues: None

Mishaps: None

Weather:  Lower 30’s to mid 40’s, some wind, sunny

Guest Riders:  None

Member Riders:  Steve Koegle

Ride Report:

My computer said it was 46 degrees at the ride start – not.  According to Steve’s phone it was 33 degrees which felt about right.  We were both well prepared so the cold wasn’t an issue especially with the sunny skies.  We had the wind against us on and off down to the rest stop but it wasn’t’ too bad.  We only stopped briefly since we were at the end of route 6 at the river and the wind off of the river was making it feel pretty cold.  We should have had a tail wind all the way back from the rest stop but it seemed to vary a bit; sometimes it was behind, sometimes against, and sometimes from the side.  We had a nice run the last couple of miles to the end; we were making 25 MPH thanks to the wind and Steve leading the way.  Steve and I were wondering, where are all of the other winter riders?  Anyway, we had a good ride.

Substitute Leader:  Ron Altemus

Member:  Steve Palincsar

Route:  Departure from Livingston Road rail trail parking lot heading east to White Plains trail head; returned to Livingston Rd and then continued to IH trail head; final return to the parking lot.  The official 26.2 mile route.

Weather:   West winds gusting to a max of 14 mph coupled with periods of sun or dark clouds resulted in temps fluctuating between 38-43 degrees.  All in all, a seasonal day, though.

AMS: ~12 mph

Report:  Forecasts of gale force winds with wind-chills in the 20s apparently were sufficient impediments to riders thinking of attending today's IHRT ride.  For Steve and I, the wind wasn't noticeable outbound to White Plains.  Heading back, the occasional gust let us know air was moving, but it wasn't anywhere as bad as predicted (or feared).  Stiffest gusts were encountered right before the IH trail head, but after turning, we floated back to the parking lot barely pedaling.  Only saw two other riders on the trail - one of which was using his bicycle for transport witness the cigarette he was puffing on as he pedaled along.  A few more walkers or joggers, but the trail was definitely underutilized today.  Wildlife fans:  no eagle spottings but two raptors (assume hawks) were observed just east of the 2 mile marker.   

 We gathered at Mr Henry's for our annual holiday walk. The weather cooperated with mild temps compared to bone chilling temps of prior years. 21 members and guests strolled down Penn Ave SE, and saw the beautiful poinsettias, miniature trains and villages at Botanical Gardens. Next we walked to see the Capital Christmas tree with ornaments from Idaho. Continuing to the east side of the Capital, we walked through the Capital Hill neighborhood, enjoying the Victorian homes. 19 folks stayed for dinner at Mr Henry's. Those on the walk included: Polly Choate, Gil Dutchover, Leslie Tierstein, Janell Saunders, Diana Donahue, Jim and Jane Hudnall, Barb & Ron Haney, Walter & Holly Carr, Joan Oppel, Jerry & Elaine Reynolds, Kenny Mundy and friend Miriam, Roslyn Rubin and friend Gary, Beth Baines, Dale Hunt and Catherine Kitchell. Thanks to all who came out! Nice way to close out the year!

Leader:  Ron Altemus

Members:  Jane & Jim Hudnall, Pat Walthers

Route:  As advertised:  https://ridewithgps.com/routes/17563411 - a flattish (940 ft) Espresso route stopping at the La Plata Dash-In, then heading down to Port Tobacco and back via Rose Hill and Pomfret.  CC group altered the return (as explained below):  west on MD-6, north on Valley, up Hawthorne, down Bumpy Oak, IHRT/Lower Wharf and then up MD-210.

Weather:   Sunny day, temps in mid to upper 40s, NW winds 12 mph

AMS:  13.34 mph

Report:  With the eminent possibility of rain tomorrow, this Wednesday outing allowed our smallish CC group the opportunity to get in some riding in most pleasant weather.  The outbound route was indeed "flattish" but at the rest stop we discussed options to save wear and tear on Jane's almost fully recovered knee and revised our travails as detailed above.  What we lost in elevation gains by eschewing Rose Hill and Pomfret we made up for with an additional 1.6 miles in distance traveled.  Larry Peed turned and joined us on Valley and stayed with our group until his final spring up MD-210.  Consensus of the group - "It was a fun ride" plus nice to ride with the Hudnalls prior to Jane regaining her B level cycling shape.  Of note:  "Expresso" in the route title refers to the Starbucks in the Manokeek shopping center, not "express-o" speed of the ride.

Leader: Barbara Haney

Members: Ron Haney, Alan Kurzweil, Rob Golding, Larry Peed, Holly Carr, Ken Meredith, Lou Dallorso, Pete Czapiewski, Tom Roberts

Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/17563411 clockwise loop from Manokeek Village south to La Plata and Port Tobacco, return via Rose Hill, Pomfret, Rt 210

Weather: mid 40s to 50 or so, breeze about 10 mph from NW, clear sunny skies

Report: Despite ride leader's failure to make use of the Yahoo mailing list to notify of the late and unusual addition to the schedule, we had a very good turnout (including a CC contingent led by Ron A) due to holiday schedules, brilliant sunshine, and no chance of rain. The first part of the route, aided by a tailwind, was a fast, flat dash to the La Plata Dash-In; although the front group did not exactly stick to an A pace, we had soon regrouped (and were met by Tom R, who had gotten a late start and made a heroic effort to catch up) and tried to stay somewhat warmed up in the sun. The remainder of the ride featured a cold headwind (except for some respite on Valley) and climbs of Rose Hill and Pomfret, but with the final flat miles, the front group, thanks to some strong and generous pulls (by everyone except the hanging-onto-the-back ride leader), reached Manokeek with an AMS of 18.8-19; shortly thereafter all riders were accounted for. Thank you to all who came out to enjoy the sun and brisk breezes today!

Leader:  Ron Altemus

Members: Linda Bankerd, Holly Carr, Joan Oppel, Ken Meredith, Steve Palincsar, Tom Roberson, Tom Short

Route:   https://ridewithgps.com/routes/18200307 Outbound via Pomfret, Valley, MD-6 to a rest stop at Scott's. Return across Annapolis Woods, Poorhouse/Bicknell/Sweetman, Chicamuxen, Chapman's Landing.

Weather:  Temp range of 59-61 degrees; southerly winds 12-14 mph; overcast with a bit of sunshine on Bicknell and most ominous clouds on Hawthorne/Lower Wharf but no rain.

AMS:  For the CC contingent, truly a languid pace.  B groups was 25-33% faster at a minimum.

Report:  What a difference a week makes - last Tuesday's SE ride temps were 25-30 degrees colder than the early April conditions we had today.  Though no designated A/B leader, the group split in half per individuals usual riding speed.  CC'ers saw the other half just as they were ready to leave Scott's store.  Details of their total ride must be left to the imagination.  For the rest of us, another pleasant ride in Southern Maryland.  Tom R shortened his ride by going across Poorhouse after the climb up Port Tobacco Rd (MD-6); Joan had time constraints so she zoomed up MD-210 to gain precious minutes.  Another eagle spotting - on Pomfret in the flooded reaches of Mattawoman Creek.  I surmise the same as viewed on Friday's IHRT given the eagle's propensity to silhouette itself in the upper reaches of a tree. 

This ride was posted late Christmas afternoon when the leader's Monday schedule suddenly opened up. 10 riders turned out! Jim Hudnall did a quick overnight cue sheet and while it turned out to be a multi-class ride, the group wasn't really too stretched out.  32 miles with a climb of the Marshall Hall hill and a group picture at the White Plains Indian Head trailhead, which you can see on Facebook. 

The most notable event of the day: a bird pooped on Barb Haney's jacket. Larry had hand wipes which made a gross situation tolerable enough for Barb to finish the ride.

Riders today: Jim Hudnall, Jane Hudnall, Holly Carr, Larry Peed, Pat Walthers, Barb Haney, Pat Sanders, Steve Palincsar, Janell Saunders, Robert Golding.