What a beautiful day!  It started out cool but sunny.  A little breezy.  A vest and arm warmers were in order.  I was joined by Ron and Barbara Haney, Bob Thompson, Chantal Briere, Kim Rosenfield, Theresa Rowell,  and Ken Meredith,  who rode to the start from home.  The first part of the ride was mostly flat and the group was able to stay together.  The newly paved Old Indian Head Rd was a pleasure to be on in both directions.  The first part of the ride was mostly flat but after the rest stop we got to do some climbing, specifically the rollers of Baden Naylor (where Ken left us to go home), the steeper section of Molly Berry, and the two tiered Martin Rd.  After those, smooth sailing to the end.  Beautiful day, no mishaps.  Kim did well, recovering from an ankle sprain and not having been on the bike for the last 3 weeks.  45 miles with ride leader's ams 15.6.

Leader: Walt Roscello

Members: Chantal Briere, Bob Thompson, Tasha Harris

Guests: none

Route: Starting at Thomas Stone, straight north to Rt. 229, Bealle Hill, Piscataway then on to Gallahan and turn west on Old Fort for the roller coaster and then Fort Washington Park.  Return started out the same but went directly to Livingston, then my "special" climb up Chatsworth to avoid traffic, back on Livingston to the end and then used the usual tricks to get to Bryans Road from which we returned via Bumpy Oak. https://ridewithgps.com/routes/16761828

Weather: Overcast, mid 70's, wind moderate from the NE

AMS: a bit over 14.0

Mechanicals/Mishaps: none

Report: This was a special event, a duathlon if you will, so we started out not riding, but taking the tour at Thomas Stone.  We each learned something about the Declaration of Independence, and the ranger did a good job of making us think what a commitment it was to act against the King rather than the usual patriotic story that makes it seem like an obvious choice.

The riding gave us some challenges but no mishaps.  There was more traffic than anticipated on many of the roads, but no dangerous incidents.  (Maybe due to the late start, 11:15 after the tour was completed.)  Turned out there was a headwind most of the outbound leg, but it did give us some benefit on the return journey such as the 18 mph run down the western section of Livingston.  There was a section of milled pavement in Fort Washington but we got through it fine.

The group of four stayed together for the entire ride despite the leader bringing up the rear on hills, checking for invisible riders who might need assistance 200 yards back.  Gallahan Road continues to be a nice respite among the narrow and busy roads in that area, and Old Fort "Snake" Road is still fun (we did it both directions!).  The view from Fort Washington is still excellent, from the Wilson Bridge to the North down past the Moyaone reserve to the South.  Despite the challenges, everyone enjoyed themselves.

Leaders: Jim and Jane Hudnall

Members: Michael Besche, Alan Kurzweil, Larry Peed, Ernie Hazera

Guests: None

Route: Followed the arrows for the Indian Head 100 doing the 26 mile route: Indian Head to IHRT, right on Hawthorne, right on Ripley, right on Poorhouse, straight on Bicknell, left on Chicamuxen and right into Smallwood State Park. Because this was a class C ride, rest stops were often - at the Pisgah General Store, Mattawoman Creek Art Center and the Marina at Sweden Point. Then an easy 8 1/2 miles back to Indian Head. https://ridewithgps.com/routes/16566028

Weather: Partly sunny, breezy- a feeling of the predicted weather front headed this way.

AMS: around 13.9 - faster than a C ride but a comfortable pace for all who rode.

Mechanicals/Mishaps: None

Report: This ride was planned to encourage seldom seen C riders to come out and ride. It didn't work out that way. Instead, we had a group of strong cyclists who wanted to do an easy, casual ride. It gave us time to visit, share stories and enjoy a beautiful morning on our bikes. We especially enjoyed a stop at the Art Center and relaxing at the marina. Casual cyclists, look for C rides on the schedule and come out for a group ride you'll enjoy.

Photos

Ride leader: Steve Palincsar

Members: Debby Bowman, Dave VanAmayden, Ken Mundy - at least, those were the ones signed on the CC signup sheet. 

There was also a B ride: Linda Bankerd, Sherwood Byers and guest Renee McCullough; but in practice it really was just the one ride, B's riding at a BarelyB pace and CCs riding at a Used2B/BarelyB pace, everyone staying pretty much together and spending time together at the rest stops.

Weather: How strange.  Low 70s, sunny at the start, windy, humid; and then it became overcast and some, disregarding the 10% chance of rain in the forecast, started imagining they felt rain.  But of course it never rained, and other than a few tantalizing glimpses of blue sky in the distance, it never got sunny either.  As it turned out, though, it was excellent riding weather, if a bit humid.

Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/16334871  Just under 62 miles, just under 1600' of elevation gain.  Not at all hilly for the distance and there were many miles of near flat, but there were also sections with some pretty intense rollers on Sandgates, Macintosh, Sotterley, Friendship School and Bishop.  Many of these roads featured in the Southern Maryland History tours a few years ago, when we stayed at Greenwell State Park, and we rode right past Greenwell today, and visited Sotterley Plantation for a rest stop, coming on a day when they were hosting a Farmers' Market. 

Mishaps & mechanicals: none.  We played "Marco - Polo" in Poleska, and the Mantraps claimed no victims today.

AMS: 14.0 at the back.

Half Pone Point

Steer Horn Neck Road

Leader:  Mia Haynes

Members:  Reggie Stokes, John Riconda, and Calvin Conyers

Guest:  Jules Pinkney

Mechanicals/Mishaps:  None.

Another busy day on the trail.  There were two events taking place:  a 5k walk/race and a 1 mile pit bull walk.  And yes there was a DJ playing and other vendors were there as well.    

The five of us set out for our ride and we maintained a nice pace as we headed to the Indian Head side.  As we were resting, Jim and Jane Hudnall came onto the trail with their C group.  Jim of course, stopped and took a picture of me and my group.  It was nice seeing them.  We enjoyed a nice ride back; competing with the sudden strong headwind, taking in the scenery, and noticing we saw only one squirrel during our entire ride.

Thanks guys for coming out.

Ride leader: Steve Palincsar

Members: Ron Altemus, Joan Oppel, Barry Winkleman

Weather: fabulous.  In the 80s, sunny, breezy.  There was some humidity but I did not notice it, and there was some temperature and I did not notice it either.  What more can you ask?  It was the last day of summer and the first day of autumn, but other than the sun being lower in the sky it was more summer than autumn today.

Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/16714240  36 miles, 1600' of elevation gain.  The route took N Keys to Brandywine and Old Indian down to US-301 and Old Indian to Cheltenham to Duley Station, Croom to Mount Calvert, Duvall and Croom Airport to the Patuxent River Park Visitors Center for a rest stop.  Returning up Croom Airport, we went down St Thomas Church to Mattaponi, following the route to Merkle we used while they were replacing the bridges on Fenno.  After the second rest stop at Merkle we went around Tanyard and across Croom onto the new bridge on Brooks Church (and a very nice little bridge it is, too) and north on Croom to Candy Hill and then took Molly Berry to North Keys back to the park.  Lots of farm and forest scenery, some elevation but no steep grinding climbs, and totally suitable for Joan's second week back from her fateful encounter with the Man Traps of Polska.

Mishaps and mechanicals: none

AMS: 12.8

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, Blake Altman, Mike Wilson, Mike Isbill

Weather: Sunny, 89 degrees with winds from the WNW at 4

AMS: 21.0

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

Report: Six depart on this week’s earlier 5:15 launch.  (Bruce lead an additional group at 5:30).  Beautiful weather for this late-season ride, but lots of debris headed north on 301 from prior heavy rains.  Next week we depart at 5:00; unfortunately the 2016 CJE season is running out of daylight and will end soon.

Leader: Jim and Jane Hudnall

Members: Larry Peed, Lynne Blake-Hedges, Sheryl Romeo, Matthew Schwaller

Route: This familiar route departs from the Accokeek Fire Station and winds through Accokeek and down Marshall Hall Road to the Potomac River. After a rest stop, we retrace the route to Barry's Hill and take Accokeek Road back to the fire station.

Weather: Lovely, mid-70 degree weather with light clouds and a gentle breeze. 

AMS: 16 at the front to 14 for the sweep

Mechanicals/Mishaps: None - a perfect ride!

Report: The group started together and then spread out a bit down Marshall Hall Road. Congratulations to Sheryl for overcoming back trouble and returning to riding and to Lynne who did the ride in under an hour - a personal best! This is a great ride for all classes - you can ride as fast or as slow as you like and enjoy some great roads with almost no traffic. Take off early from work and join us next week.

Ron Altemus and Steve Palincsar and I were today's group, with Ron and me as leaders so Steve was nominally the only "attendee".  

As part of my strength training post-accident, we climbed the popular "western slope of mighty Mt. Pisgah" and all made it safely to the summit. Humid but with welcome clouds, it was an enjoyable ride.  Our group added a round trip to the river shore inside Smallwood State Park, finishing with 32.6 miles.