We held our annual Mountain Bike Turkey Day ride at Rosaryville state park in conjunction with the Bike Doctor. We were able to rake the group into two groups, with the first group out of the gate "A" riders, after the dust settled the second group started. Both groups met up on the trail to make sure no one was left behind. The First group picked up the inner loop in a figure 8 pattern, and the second group did the half loop on the inner loop. At the end of the inner loop everyone regrouped and finished up the ride.

Everyone had a great time

Barry Howard

Ride Coordinator

Leader:  Ron Altemus

Members:  Joni Forman, Joan Oppel

Guest:  Carla Porter

Route:  https://ridewithgps.com/routes/17777853  A combination of Bumpy Oak, the Indian Head Rail Trail, Middletown/Turkey Hill, and Mitchell delivered us to the quiet confines of the Mt Carmel monastery for our first rest stop.  Continuing on Mitchell/Valley, Rte 6, and Poorhouse brought us to the Pisgah Store.  Final leg took us Mason Spring/Pisgah Marbury/Bicknell to Chicamuxen, then Hawthorne, Lower Wharf, and Chapman's Landing as we wended our way back to the start.

Weather:   Plenty of sunshine, temp range of 43-47, 13 mph WNW winds. 

AMS:  13.4 sweeping, undoubtedly faster for some riders.

Report:  We were happy to welcome a couple of Burke Babes to our ride this morning.  The CC group broke apart a bit for the first leg but Jim Hudnall rode with the touring contingent (basically for the whole route).  Mitchell Rd had an overeager driver or two, fortunately nothing serious occurred.  The tailwind that propelled us as far as Valley disappeared when we headed west on Rte 6.  Poorhouse was a bit of a slog at times but after our Pisgah store rest stop, the wind didn't seem as bad.  We rode back with a number of the Bs from there as they too had split into a faster group and others.  Item to note:  we not only visited Mt Carmel but also tracked across mighty Mt Pisgah and rode by Mt Aventine on Chapman's Landing.  So a three mount day!  All in all, another great day and ride.

Leader: Barbara Haney

Members: Ron Haney, Larry Peed, Jill Patterson, Jim Hudnall, Karen Morgan, Pete Czapiewski, Tom Roberts

Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/17777853 (for a detailed route description, see Ron Altemus' CC ridereport), a clockwise loop from Bryans Road that took us as far south as Port Tobacco after a stop at the Mt. Carmel Monastery, then back via Pisgah / Marbury and up Chapmans back to start

Weather: low 40s to start, never even reached 50, steady, chilly winds; windchill started in the 30s and ended in mid-40s. The sun was out but wasn't helping much.

AMS: 15.8 for leader but faster at front, around 18 or so

Mechanicals/Mishaps: One flat tire in the early miles on the Rail Trail, one mirror malfunction

Report:  No, it wasn't Polar Bear weather yet, but despite the sun, it felt undeniably chilly this morning and never really got much warmer. Finally everyone had to admit that winter gear was unavoidable: tights, shoe covers, and multiple layers were essential. We welcomed Jill as a new club member, then set off with Larry leading at a healthy A/AA pace. Jim stopped to adjust his mirror on Bumpy Oak, later joining the CCs. Pete had a flat on the IHRT, with Jill, Karen and Barb deciding to pedal on and let the guys take care of the mechanical. We regrouped at Mt. Carmel, a pleasant stop on their sheltered porch with the opportunity to warm up indoors and admire the handmade knits for sale. At Pisgah store, Pete, Tom, Jill and Larry stopped only briefly; the rest of us stayed a bit longer enjoying the sun with the CCs, then joined them for the final miles. It still felt cold back at the cars. Thanks to all who came out despite the chilly breezes--riding into the wind builds character, right?

We were able to hold our Sunday morning ride at Cerdarville just after the cold front had came thru and covered the trails with leaves. The leaf covered trail was hard to follow and hard to see the roots in the trail, but we managed to have a great time.

Barry Howard

Ride Leader

Leader:  Kirk Saunders

Members: Tom Short , Joan Oppel , Patricia Sanders , Holly Carr , Pavo , Karen & Stu Morgan , Cathy Wilson , John Kady , Barb & Ron Haney , 

Guests: Jill Patterson & Andy Felschon

Route: The route started off down Chapmans Landing looping Glymont & over to The Indian Head rail trail . Much of the route followed 224 Chixamuxen rd deep into Riverside to the Nanjemoy store . Pigsah saw us next & we ended up on the Indian Head rail trail once again before the climb up Bumpy Oak to finish .

Weather: Incredible . Mid 50's at the start , Low 70's at the finish . Calm wind all morning & we felt some tailwinds heading back to the start

AMS: 17.2

Mechanicals/Mishaps: I had a front flat tire . Glass

Report:   12 riders showed up hoping for one more glorious ride before the Cold front hit town . We were not disappointed with fabulous weather the whole ride . Riders were constantly peeling off layers through-out the day . The ride started off at a good b-pace as I was in front trying to take it easy . After that several groups would form then come back together again . Many riders were in good form at the end of the season & the front group was cooking at times . Joan , Patricia & Holly rode their on pace & we saw them at the rest stop . Much Thanks to Tom for stopping with Me during my flat repair . Several riders mentioned this was one of the best rides of the season & one to reflect back on over the winter . A Really Nice Group of People made this a easy ride for me to lead & alot of fun for all of Us .

Leader:  Mia Haynes

Members:  Paul and Linda Bankerd, Sherwood Byers, Daryl Coston, Dana Trevas, Steve Forman, Rodney Palmer, and Calvin Conyers

Guest:  None

Mechanicals/Mishaps:  None.

What an absolutely beautiful day for a ride, at completion it was 73 degrees – great.  As I pulled into the overflow parking lot, I noticed a lady placing “Skate Race” signs on the side of the road.  She informed me that roughly 20 people would be racing on the trail; however, we didn’t encounter them until we were well on our way back.  The trek up to the Indian Head side of the trail was ours for the taking, there was a sprinkle of traffic here and there.

Dana pulled out ahead of us, Sherwood and I quickly caught up.  I have to admit, I am very proud of myself, as I was able to maintain a nice pace with Sherwood and hung in there with him.  He went up Bumpy Oak and added additional miles to his ride.  Meanwhile, Daryl had caught up to us and stayed with Dana and me to Indian Head.

Sherwood soon joined us on our break at Indian Head.  While there, I received a call from Calvin asking where we were.  He thought the ride started at 10.  So on the return trip we picked up Steve and soon thereafter, picked up Calvin and Rodney. The gang was back together when Linda and Paul joined us.

At that point, the trail became busy.  The Skate Race was on and we passed them, roller blading along.  Then there were the walkers, runners and of course animals.  We saw a couple of squirrels run across the trail; Daryl pointed out a huge beaver damn; and there were a couple of bald eagles – one was perched on a tree branch and the other was coming in for, what I felt was a very graceful landing. 

Thanks to everyone for coming out, it was a wonderful ride as always.

Members: Alan Kurzweil, Walt Roscello, Sarah Clement
Guests: none
Ride leader: Debby Bowman
Route: 33 miles, 970 feet of climbing, https://ridewithgps.com/routes/11513612
Average speed: just under 14 mph
Weather: Warm sun, 72 degrees, SW winds 10-15 mph
Mishaps and mechanicals: Ride leader underestimated Beltway traffic
Farm animal roll call: We passed a horse that wanted to race us, but just as he started to run he remembered there was a fence keeping him in.

There's an episode of Seinfeld where Elaine tells Jerry about getting stuck in traffic on the Van Wyck Expressway while driving to JFK airport; Jerry nods knowingly, saying, "Nobody beats the Van Wyck." Well nobody beats the Inner Loop in Montgomery County either, but a certain ride leader thought she could do it on Saturday morning. Surely if I start the ride in White Plains at 11:00 I'll have time to run a quick errand in Rockville at 9 am, I thought. Ha ha ha, no. And stop calling me Shirley.

When I arrived at the IHRT terminus at 10:59, Alan and Walt were ready to go. Thank you Alan and Walt for your patience and understanding!! As I was hurrying to get ready to go I looked up and saw Sarah, who had also been delayed in getting to White Plains. At least we didn't need extra time for layering on warm clothes, as the weather was positively springlike.

Once we were on the road, things were uneventful. The route was the same one that I had led on New Year's Day, and was a modified reversal of the route Steve had devised for the Jim and Jane bench dedication a year ago. We began by crossing 301 at the stop light and taking Demarr Rd and St Charles Pkwy to Radio Station and Charles St. Due to the flat terrain I had expected a fast pace, but a steady headwind kept us in check. After taming the Beast of Bel Alton we crossed back over 301 to Chapel Hill (the easy way) and a stop at St Ignatius, where we said hello to the Pope and took a moment to enjoy the view. After the break we continued down Chapel Hill to Causeway, Port Tobacco Rd and Rose Hill (the hard way), then took Bumpy Oak to the IHRT back to White Plains. While riding the trail we passed one inline skater who was probably part of the race that Mia's group had seen. 

Walt had ridden from home so he left the trail early to head back and get changed for the volunteers dinner. Once back at the parking lot, Alan and I admired Sarah's new car and we all agreed that we hoped to be able to continue riding into the winter months. Then Sarah headed for home while Alan and I drove up the road to Mexico. We had timed the ride perfectly, with enough time to get changed for dinner and get to the restaurant just as the thickening clouds announced the arrival of the cold front and its winter winds.

Thanks very much to Sarah, Walt and Alan for joining me for another great bike ride!

The Post

Class: AA/3
Category: Sport
Description: A cup of coffee and a quick spin
Speed Limit Imposed: None
Start: 0930
Location: Manokeek Village Center

The Course

Distance: 34.8 miles
Gain: 943ft
Rest Stops: None
Max Grade: 7.6%

The Ride

Ride Leader: Scott Walker
Riders:  Blake Altman, Steve Koegle, Mike Wilson, Tom Roberts, and Pete Czapiewski
Weather: Sunny, 53 degrees warming to 63, w/winds from the SSW at 8.
Moving Time: 1:43:29
AMS: 20.1
Mechanicals: Dropped chain to start the climb up Pomfret
Mishaps: None
Report:  Blake, Tom, and Mike rode from home and Pete rode in from Friendly.  A tall, chai tea latte at 09:15 and we were off.  Mike circled back towards home early in the ride and Blake did the same very late (Blake w/only about a mile to go before we returned to the parking lot).   Thanks to all for coming out.  Riding fast and tight with you all was, and always is, great fun!!  I’ll post up a similar ride soon (early Dec) for a late Sunday morning start (maybe 11:30ish).

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