Ron Altemus, Pat Sanders, Pat Walthers and Barry Winkleman joined me on today's ride.  Ron had revised the suggested route from the A/B group to eliminate a long stretch on Brandywine Rd.  We went over Martin, Molly Berry, Baden Naylor, Horsehead, Mt Pleasant, Woodville to join the main route at Gallant Green.  Brandywine continues to have a high number of fast-moving large trucks and we were happy to add a couple of miles and a couple of hills to avoid it.  Head winds made the second half more of a challenge but it was a beautiful fall day and we all enjoyed the excursion.

Joan

Leader: Barbara Haney

Members: Ron Haney. Holly Carr, Jan Tucker, Dave Schnirel, Linda Bankerd, Karen Morgan, Tom Roberts, Brad Francisco, Pete Czapiewski, Ken Meredith

Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/17707700, stopping at Hughesville and Moreland Market; one of the flattest B of B routes

Weather: Sunny, mid 50s to about 60, NW winds about 10-12 mph

AMS: 16.8 for leader

Report: We had a genuine AA contingent today (Brad, Pete, and Tom, joined at times by Ron and Ken) who we saw only at the rest stops; they posted AMS's above 19. We ABs took advantage of the tailwind to set a brisk pace to the first stop; however, when we then turned west and north the party was over, and we had to contend with a steady headwind that felt worse than it was because so much of the route was on open, unsheltered roads. This lasted the rest of the ride. Ken had to get home, so he skipped the Moreland Market stop, and we really missed his strong pulls from that point on. We took turns doing the work, nonetheless enjoying the sun, warm temps, colorful foliage, and fragrant fall air. It was a breezy, yet enjoyable ride; many thanks to all who turned out.

Note: The CCs rode a variation of the route that avoided the beginning stretch on Brandywine and took them on a slightly longer and hillier route to Hughesville, so we didn't get to see them at the rest stops like we usually do. 

Ron Altemus, Holly Carr and I were the CC group today, simply following along on Barb's chosen route. We enjoyed a pleasant ride, catching up on recent travels, recent life events and recent news.

Leader: Barbara Haney

Members: Ron Haney, Alan Kurzweil, David Schnirel, Mike Bivens, Jan Tucker, Larry Peed, Tom Roberts, Tom Short, Jim Hudnall

Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/17440368, a new route to La Plata via Hawthorne/Rose Hill/Rt 6, a stop at the Dash In, then a loop west of 301 over some lesser-used but good roads, Oak, Glen Albin, Springhill Newtown, back across 301 and over to Chapel Point and back via Valley/Hawthorne/Marshall Corner/Pomfret

Weather: Overcast, in the low 50s to start, then occasionally sunny, with a steady moderate NW wind, warming up to near 60

AMS: 15.4 for leader

Mechanicals/Mishaps: Larry was beset by unresolvable issues with his on-bike technology; Jim waited and then went back to check up on him, but by then Larry had decided not to continue. Having become separated from the group, Jim used his thorough knowledge of the roads to devise a shortcut that got him to the rest stop about the same time as we did. Hopefully Larry will be back at the next ride with the problem solved.

Report: We started with 10 riders. a nice turnout for this time of year. Despite several windy stretches on open roads, it was a pleasant day on the bike; we split and regrouped several times but in general rode together. The route gets a thumbs-up: there are some nice roads out there that are not over-familiar, and the La Plata Dash In is a good facility for a rest stop. Overall the drivers were courteous, the worst incident occurring on Chapel Point, where an oncoming van had to come to a stop to avoid colliding headlong with a car that was passing us. Fortunately this is a rare occurrence, but it is always scary and makes roads with wide shoulders ever more welcome, as well as making us appreciate even more those drivers who are patient...As usual, thanks to all who came out this morning!

Members: Janell Saunders, Alan Kurzweil, Mary Edington
Guests: Stephen Cohen
Ride leader: Debby Bowman
Route: 30-39 miles, 1800 feet of climbing for the full route, https://ridewithgps.com/routes/17580247
Average speed: 13 mph at the back
Weather: Another great fall weekend -- warm sunshine, cloudless blue skies, temps in the 60s
Mishaps and mechanicals: None
Farm animal roll call: Horses at numerous farms, a donkey, some unimpressed cows, a couple of llamas on Baden Westwood just before the turn to Westwood Rd

Despite the cold temperatures overnight, we had near-perfect weather for a bike ride this afternoon. Even the usually cold North Keys Park was comfortable in the warm sun. Our route was basically a variation on the top half of the Patuxent River Rural Legacy ride, which was the last time yours truly has ridden in the Brandywine area. We began by heading down Martin, Molly Berry and Baden Naylor to Baden Westwood, Westwood and Bald Eagle School, then up Croom and down Tanyard to Nottingham, Fenno and Merkle. After leaving Merkle we rode up St Thomas Church and continued north on Croom. From there the full route went up to Mount Calvert Rd, then down Duvall and Croom Airport Rd all the way to the Jug Bay picnic area for a second stop. The final leg went up Croom Airport and included the Duley Station-Cheltenham-Old Indian Head-Van Brady loop on the way back to Molly Berry, N Keys and the park.

The ride was pleasantly uneventful. We spread out on the hills and then regrouped again at the turns. All five of us enjoyed the first stop at the Merkle visitors' center. After that we split up. Alan and Stephen rode ahead, planning to do the Mount Calvert-Duvall-Croom Airport loop but skipping the down-and-back to the second stop at the picnic area. Mary opted to take the short cut noted on the cue sheet, turning left onto Duley Station from Croom Rd instead of continuing up to Mount Calvert. Janell and I rode the entire route, including a quick stop at Jug Bay.

The Brandywine area is beautiful in the autumn afternoon sun. Thanks to everyone for enjoying it with me on today's ride!

On this cold Sunday, where the early morning temperature was 27 degrees when I woke up, Ron and Barbara Haney, Ken Meredith, Brian Dupuy, all OHBTC Club members,  and one other who joined Linda Bankerd & Sherwood Byers (Ride Leaders), for this late morning ride. About 9 miles into the ride another rider joined, but did not sign in for this wonderful ride to Mason Springs.  If not for a flat tire and a truck driver who ran through a stop sign on Mason Springs Road which almost plowed into us, the ride would have been pristine perfect.  The sun made the temperature very comfortable as we rode along and viewed the leaves changing their colors and hardly no traffic or wind to worry about.  What a wonderful ride.

Thank you to all that came to ride.

Wasn't sure if I would  have riders this morning as other B rides (or combination rides with the B class) were put on the schedule, giving club members and guests other options.  I was happy to be joined by Stuart and Karen Morgan, Cathy Wilson, and Kirk Saunders on this cold but clear morning.  The temperature at ride start was 38 degrees but we used the climb up Berry Rd to get us warmed up.  This was Kirk's first time back on Accokeek Rd since club member, Lou Dallorso, was hit by a car on this road.  There was traffic but fortunately no mishaps.  This was a good group, staying together throughout the ride, with regrouping at the top of any hills encountered, specifically, Dr. Mudd Rd.  Uneventful ride with the exception of me having my first Moon Pie ever!  300 totally empty calories.  Thank goodness I was midway through the ride with time to work it off!

Ride leader: Steve Palincsar

Members: Pat Walthers, Lisa Oken, Holly Carr, Joan Oppel, Walter Measday

Guests: Jill Thompson Riese, Jenn Weiss, Robin Frei, Alicia Shephers (the last 3 from Arlington Babes on Bikes)

Weather: A cool, brisk, sunny, windy, absolutely beautiful autumn day, with temperatures in the 40s at the start rising to no more than 52 by early afternoon.

Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/16208021  A new take on a Harwood-to-Deale ride including 18 miles of absolutely flat touring through riverside and bayside neighborhoods at Chalk Point, Franklin Manor and Deale Beach - the last never before visited by any bike ride I've ever been on in over 30 years of riding in the area.  The final 20 miles after the flat touring and the last break includes around 900 feet of the 1300 feet of total elevation gain and includes Nutwell Sudley, Nutwell, South Polling House, Polling House and Harwood Roads, all in the uphill direction.

AMS: 13.0 -- pretty amazing, when you consider that for the flat 18 mile section in the neighborhoods we were typically going no more than 10 mph.

Mishaps & mechanicals: none during the ride. 

This was my second attempt to lead this new route; the first had to be canceled due to storm warnings along the Chesapeake Bay.  It turned out to be a thoroughly perfect ride, autumn glory in the form of brilliantly colored leaf displays and brisk temperatures that made for absolutely delightful riding.  The section in Deale Beach was charming and made for excellent riding.  I'll definitely go there again!

We were joined by a contingent from the Arlington Babes on Bikes, and I look forward to seeing more of them on Oxon Hill rides.  We were also joined by Walter, riding at a C pace, who might have taken the alternate route that inluded more in the flatlands and skipped the hilliest parts of the return.

It's as well it was one of the best rides of the year, because it turned out to be my final ride of 2016, the result of a fall at home just before dinner leading to a broken collar bone that will keep me off the bike for the rest of the year. 

Ride Leader:  Blake Altman

Date: November 12, 2016

Ride Name:  Casey Jones to Cobb Island

Ride Distance: 51 Miles

Average Speed of the Ride:  18.7

Ride Class:  AA/3 Sport

Mechanical Issues: None

Mishaps: None

Weather:  Upper 30’s to 50’s, sunny, windy

Guest Riders:  None

Member Riders:  Scott Walker

Ride Report:

Well I thought I might be riding by myself but about 10 minutes from the ride start time Scott rolled up.  We waited until a few minutes after 9:00 but no one else showed up so off we went.

We had the wind mostly behind us for a quick trip down to the island.  They are getting ready to pave Rock Point Road and there is about 3 miles of milled pavement.  Fortunately, the shoulder wasn’t milled yet but there was a lot of dust and gravel on it.  At one point we had to leave the shoulder to get around a stopped pickup.  We had to be very careful about getting back over with the lip to the un-milled pavement; fortunately there were no issues.

After a quick break at the store on Cobb Island we headed back into the wind.  It was definitely a harder for the return with the wind in our faces all the way back up Rock Point Road.  We saw another group of cyclists heading the other way as we approached 301; one of them looked like Bruce Wright.  Could it be another OHBTC ride?  There wasn’t another ride in the area on the schedule.

Once we turned on to 301, the wind was unexpectedly and magically at our backs!  Scott said it must be temporary.  He was right; 2 minutes later the wind was in our faces and we worked against it the whole way back.  Still, it was a good ride.  Thanks for joining me and keeping me from riding alone Scott!

When I got home my wife said I looked like a chimney sweep from all of the dust stuck on my face from the milled pavement.

Ride Leader: Randy Schoch 

Members: Jim Hudnall, Steve Palincsar, Carl Hattery, Judy Mutty, Bev White, and Bob Howell.

Guests: Belinda Acre.

Weather: Clear, very windy, raw and low 50's!

Route: IHRT 

Mishaps & Mechanicals: None

AMS: 12 mph (leaders)

Few riders and very few trail users on this morning's ride. Jim, Steve, and Bob were part of John Gorman's ride and met up with us at the Village Green. Bob Moye was NOT on the trail today? The first leg of the ride to White Planes wasn't too bad but on the way back the wind picked up and gave us a challenging "head wind" to overcome. After the ride, I went to George's to pick up and take home lunch for Jackie (she is having serious medical problems and won't be riding in the near future). When Jackie is able to ride again, we are going to start the IHRT ride at the parking lot on the trail at Rt. 224 for a 20 mile ride distance.