Class: AA/3

Category: Express

Description: Hammerfest

Speed Limit Imposed: None

Gain: 701ft

Distance: 25.8mi (TT segment 25.1mi used for CJE records and PRs)

Max Grade: 5.1%

Rest Stops: None

Founders: Benny Budd and Joni King

Support: OHBTC and Paul Bales/Casey Jones Restaurant

Motto: “For the love of the people and the ride” - Michael Blaine

Course KOM: Davey Hearn (June 15, 2016 – 1:00:44, 24.8 mph)

Course QOM: Claire Chiamulera (Aug 22, 2012 – 1:07:56, 22.2 mph)

Course Honors: D.Hearn, M.Biffel, R.Golding, D.Kemp, D.Hoefert, M.Blaine, C.Chiamulera (Men: Course PRs => 24.5mph / Women: Course PRs => 21mps)

Ride Leader: Scott Walker

Riders: Robert Golding, Douglas Carter, Chuck Coe, Blake Altman, Mike Wilson, Paul Bales, Charles Sidwell, Michael Blaine, Travis Proctor

Weather: Overcast, 68 degrees with winds from the NW at 7

AMS: 22.5 mph in the front

Mishaps & Mechanicals: Rob flatted on the return up St Mary's.

Report: A good time.  I enjoyed riding much of the first half with Michie (Charles Sidwell).  I stopped to take a phone call at the bottom of 301 (I was concerned the call might be a mishap or mechanical, but it turned out to be a wrong number), which put me by myself for the return.  Hard to believe the CJE season is nearly over; just one ride left.  Hope to see you all next week –weather permitting!

Leader: Jim and Jane Hudnall

Members: Bob Howell, Holly Carr, Diane Harris, Matt Schwaller

Guests: none

Route: This 16-mile tour starts at the Accokeek Fire Station and weaves through Accokeek to Marshall Hall Road. From there it's down the hill to the Potomac River for a break. The return goes up Barrys Hill and then follows Accokeek Road back to the fire station.

Weather: Pleasantly cool - temperatures in the high 60's - with partly cloudy skies. A beautiful, early fall afternoon.

AMS: 15+

Mechanicals/Mishaps: None

Report: The riders stayed together for the ride until the near the end. The low-traffic roads and pleasant scenery makes this a great route for all classes. Come ride and watch the leaves turn to gold during the next few week. After the ride, Holly, Jim, Jane, Matt and Sheryl met at B&J's for sandwiches.

Leader: Barbara Haney

Members: Ron Haney, Dave Schnirel, Larry Peed, Holly Carr, Alan Kurzweil, Jim Hudnall, Ken Meredith, Tom Roberts, Kishia Clemencia

Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/16958870 heading down to Nanjemoy via Chx/Riverside and back by Bowie Rd/Mason Springs/Livingston, ˜1300' elev

Weather: Very pleasant, upper 60s to lower 70s, light winds, mostly sunny

AMS: in the 16s

Report: We enjoyed near-perfect conditions today, as we took familiar roads but in the (very slightly) less-traveled direction, incorporating the new(ish)ly repaved Riverside and Livingston, which are still a pleasure to ride on. At the midpoint stop in Nanjemoy we watched a very tall tree on Liverpool Point Rd be sawn down piece by piece by the tree men. Thanks to all who could come out for a great morning of riding!

Ride leader: Steve Palincsar

Members: Ron Altemus, Joan Oppel

Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/16915779 Nominally 28 miles, but since all participants rode to Fort Hunt, actual distances ridden were 40 miles or more.

Weather: Low 60s at the start, rising to mid 70s and sunny - an absolutely lovely day.  We could have used this weather over the weekend.

Mishaps and mechanicals: none

AMS: With over a hundred turns winding through the neighborhoods, speed is out of the question.  We averaged approximately 11 mph.

Ride Name:  Gallant Green-But from another direction.  Take 2.

Leader:  Bob Howell

Members:  Holly Carr, Janell Saunders, Linda Bankerd, Sherwood Byers, Barbara Haney, Ron Haney, and Matt Schwaller.

Guests:  None.

Route:  https://ridewithgps.com/routes/15899491.

Weather:  At the beginning heavy cloud cover and low70's.  At the end partly cloudy and mid 70's.

AMS:  15.8 at the rear.  16.2 at the front.

Distance:  After using Old Village Road twice instead of 3NT to avoid wet pavement and wet leaves we logged 50.9 miles.

Mechanicals and Mishaps:  None.

Report:  After the weather we have been through the last few days we were able to get a ride in.  I thought it was a good turn out considering the heavy cloud cover at beginning of ride.  We did encounter small patches of misty rain at Woodville Road and Gallant Green Road.  But nothing after that.  We had 2 rest stops.  One at Moreland Market and one at Chaptico Market.  See the GPS route for the Hyways and Byways that we travelled today.  This route combines some roads that OHBTC use on Best of Brandywine on Thursdays and some of my favorite roads in St. Mary's County.  For most of the ride we stayed together or at least within sight of each other.  Holly and Janell shortened their ride due to prior commitments.  Always a pleasure to have Holly and Janell on rides even at a shorter distance.  Thanks to all who attended the ride.  Take care.  Later.

Co-Ride Leader: Calvin Conyers

Riders, Calvin Conyers, Mia Haynes, Reginald Stokes and Rodney Palmer

Because of the rain for Saturday's rail trail ride, we decided to get together and ride the trail on Sunday. There was a large tree down and lying across the trail near the beginning, however by the time we returned  it had been cut and removed. There were no other issues however we did see where another tree had been removed. The weather was perfect for riding.

Leader:  Calvin Conyers. (Reggie Stokes co)

Member: Rodney Palmer, Mia Hayes, Reggie Stokes

Mechanicals: None

Report:  With the change in weather, decision was made late to group for ride on Sunday morning to finish before game times.  It seemed like there were a few other folks out on the trail with the same idea.  Since Rodney P and I arrived a bit early, we added about 3 miles as warmup before the start.  The weather was very nice, cool, and comfortable, making for a very enjoyable ride.  Everyone stayed together and had a great time.  This was Rodney's first ride in about a month.  I am sure his bike missed him.

Ride Leader:  Blake Altman

Date: October 2, 2016

Ride Name:  Gallant Green (from another direction)

Ride Distance:  51 Miles (planned), ~12 Miles (ridden)

Average Speed of the Ride:  Not Important

Ride Class:  AA/3 Sport

Mechanical Issues: None

Mishaps: One rider down (see ride report)

Weather:  Upper 60’s overcast with some misting rain

Guest Riders:  None

Member Riders:  Darin King, Matthew Lewandowski

Ride Report:

We started before the B riders and had uneventful and fairly fast ride until the end of Gallant Green road.  That is where the ride went badly wrong.

It started misting rain partway down Gallant Green and the road was wet.  Darin was leading and I was close behind him; Matthew was a bit back.  Darin and I crossed the angled railroad tracks safely but Matthew went down hard.  We turned back and found that Matthew had some road rash and was having significant pain in his right arm also his helmet had damage showing that he had taken a head hit.

Darin called Maureen, Matthew’s wife, but did not get an answer.  After some back and forth, we decided that I would ride back to the start and get Matthew’s car and drive him to the hospital to have him checked out.  By the time I got back, Maureen was there and she took him to be evaluated.  I took Matthew’s car and bike and my back my house; Darin continued on alone on his bike.  My son Drew was impressed that I left with only a bike but returned with two bikes and a car.

Later in the day, I took Matthew’s car and bike back to his house; Drew followed in his car to give me a ride home.  I spoke to Matthew and Maureen and it seems like he will be okay but will be off the bike for a while.  I don’t want to comment on the specifics of his injuries without permission, but I invite Matthew to leave a comment on this if he wishes.

Needless to say it was not a good ride.  Please be careful out there.

It rained for most of the week but today the forecast was for possible early morning rain but clearing with some sunshine by the afternoon, so I decided it would be okay to ride.  Initially there was only Chris Fairhall at the start location, then Ken Meredith came.  Okay, so now there's 3 of us.  Then came John Fairhall (any relation to Chris?), Kathleen Hayes, Randy Sim, and Nigel Samaru.  Seven in all.  The roads were wet, enough to cause rooster tails from the rider in front of you.  Even with all the rain, the roads were fairly clear of wet leaves so that wasn't really an issue.  We stopped at the High's store for the rest stop which was 1 mile from the planned stop because no one was really interested in going down to the water.  Plus, it started to sprinkle.  After the stop, one rider dropped his chain which became lodged between his small ring and the frame.  With a little work, it was released and we continued on with no further incidents.  By the end of the ride, the sun was starting to show itself more but still not enough to dry the roads.  Ride leader ended with a 14.6 ams.  Home to rinse the bike and catch the rest of the Redskins game.  Thanks to all who came out and braved the wet roads.

Ride Leader:  Calvin Conyers (for Jackie Schoch)

Members:  Ron Artemus and Micheal Dong 

Weather:  Overcast and dreary, cool

Mishaps:  None

Route:  Altered to Smallwood Park, Pisgah Store, Marshall Corner to White Plains.  Return via Rail Trail

Report:  After receiving information from Micheal Dong that the heavy rains from the previous night had downed a number of large trees across the trail, the group decided to venture to Smallwood Park, Pisgah Store, then the White Plains trail end.  Although the skies always looked threatening, we got only a few drop as we approached White Plains.  The cool temps (66) made for a delightful ride, sharing a number of good stories.  Can you imagine riding a bike transporting a deer underneath you?   Yes, we laughed a lot.  I ended up with a total of 37 miles without knowing it.  For rewards, Micheal and I visited George's for barbecued ribs and wings.

To the matter of the trees on the trail, we did see the remains of some Very large trees that had fallen across the trail completely blocking it.  Ironically, a rider had just mentioned a week ago what he thought was the trail's largest tree.  Unfortunately, that  was one of the trees downed.  The trail staff did an excellent job of rapidly clearing the trail so you will have no problem getting through now.

Here's wishing a speedy recovery for Jackie as she conquers a medical challenge.