Ride leader: Steve Palincsar

Members: Dave Van Amayden

Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/16403357  A longer version of one of Debby Bowman's routes, modified and added to by going up Rt 6 to Old Ridge Path Lane and thence to Nutwell, Nutwell Sudley, Sudley, Swamp Circle and a rest stop at the 7-Eleven at Deale.  After a little backtracking to Franklin Gibson, the rest of the route is identical to one we did earlier this summer. 

Weather: Sultry.  80s at the start, and when we finished the car was moving up and down between 94 and 102, mostly hovering around 100.  Breezy, especially in North Beach and Chesapeake Beach.

Mishaps & mechanicals: none

AMS: 13.1

8:45 arrived and, as feared, no one came.  I set out beset by the usual litany of bad things that run through your mind when you're embarking on a 52 mile ride 30 miles from home by yourself, leading a ride nobody turned out for. 

By the time I got to the vicinity of Deale it was obvious that everyone was either up in Thurmont doing the Civil War Century or hiding out in front of an air conditioner, because instead of the dozens of cyclists typically seen on the roads between Harwood and Deale I saw one here, two there, a group of five there.  We saw the same thing at Rose Haven and North Beach: on any normal Saturday you'd see groups, often large groups, of cyclists at the Chesapeake Market but today we were virtually alone.  Even Sweet Sue's had but two.  (I do hope they had a good day doing a hilly hundred miles in the Catoctins today!)

The addition of Nutwell and the roads to Deale was excellent - shady, scenic, redolent of memory, and a rest stop 3 miles earlier and before tackling the rise on Franklin Gibson was welcome.

Even better was the discovery at the 7-Eleven that the other bike there at the store belonged to someone I knew, Dave Van Amayden, and he was there to join my ride!  He arrived late, after 9 due to an unexpected errand, but he'd printed a copy of the cue sheet for himself and thought he could catch me at the first rest stop - as indeed he did.  And that utterly transformed the day.

It was a hot day, but this is a cool, shady route.  There were a few spots where we rode out in the sun for as much as a mile or two and the sultry heat was evident, but inevitably we'd run into deliciously cool shady spots - sometimes only a dozen yards long, but at other times the shade extended for long distances.   The overall result was a pleasantly cool ride.

Ride Leaders: Randy Schoch (Jackie is sick)

Members: John Riconda, Belinda Acre, Jane & Jim Hudnall, Ron Altemus, and Steve Palincsar.

Guests: None

Weather: Very Hot!

Route: IHRT 

Mishaps & Mechanicals: None

AMS: 12mph (for the leader)

Good turn out to ride this morning. There were many trail users including bikers, walkers, joggers, and many dogs taking their humans for a walk. We didn't see a lot wildlife out and about today (a few deer, wild turkeys, and crains). Member Bob Moye was riding the trail today. Because of the extreme heat, John and I took our rest break at the "Jim and Jane" bench then returned to the Village Green for 16+ miles. The rest of the riders did the whole trail. I headed straight home to prepare for the wedding rehearsal of my daughter (Heidi). 

Ride leader: Steve Palincsar

Members: none

Weather: sunny, hot and humid.  High 80s at the start, rising to high 90s by early afternoon.

Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/16289097

Mishaps & mechanicals: none

AMS: 12.5

You could say this was a ride that did not happen: no one showed but the ride leader.  The CC group on the Tuesday and Thursday rides has been shrinking over the past few years, and now is at the point where injuries, vacations and illness today reduced it to nothing.

The AB group was taking its time getting organized this morning, and I saw no point in waiting so that I could be dropped at the park entrance, so I took off at 10:35 or so.  The ABs passed me on Cross Road Trail, and by the time we turned left on Surratts they were gone.  It was 11:30 when I reached the entrance to Cosca Park, and I realized I wanted the break now so I turned into the park. 

When I left the park I figured if I went to Miller Farms, either the ABs would have left by the time I got there, or they'd see me and roll out as I was arriving  (we have, after all, seen this all happen before)  and one thing I didn't think I needed today was to see them disappear yet again, so when I got to Thrift I went down the hill.  After all, I don't even really like Miller Farms, and everyone on my ride agreed with the route change.

My spirits improved somewhat on Floral Park, and when I got to Danville I decided that the best way to alleviate emotional distress was with some serious physical pain so I turned left and went up Danville.  After all, given the apparent collapse of the CC group, who knows when I'd get the chance again?

After a break at the WaWa (and the ice dispenser came in handy today!) I continued on Cedarville and turned on Country Lane into Pinefield.  Pinefield was a mess today: milled pavement, bituminous paving machines in operation, missing street signs -- you name it, they had it today.  Eventually I got myself sorted out and picked up the route on Falmouth.  On Dent Road I saw Larry Peed driving his truck and he expressed concern: I guess the AB group sent him out to see if I needed rescuing.

Given the precarious state of the CC group right now, I think perhaps a change is needed: in future I'm going to post rides with the caveat that if nobody confirms by the evening before that they will be coming, the ride will officially be cancelled.  I might still come to the ride start, but if I do I might start well ahead of anyone else and will just be out riding on my own.  I certainly don't want to have this again.

Leader: Barbara Haney

Members: Ron Haney, Jim and Jane Hudnall, Larry Peed, Bob Howell, Tom Short, Tom Roberts, Lou Dallorso

Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/16289097 (the intended 40 mi route)

Weather: 80s to lower 90s, with humidity pushing heat index to 100

AMS: 16 for leader

Report: The recent stretch of great weather may have lulled us into thinking the worst of summer was behind us, but it was back with a vengeance today. Combined with the later start time, it let us know that we may have lost some of our midsummer acclimation. We got off to a bumpy start (literally--Cross Rd Tr's pavement has seen better days), then had some excitement on Surratts west of 5 when a car that had passed us didn't clear the lane fast enough, causing an oncoming car to stop suddenly and a third car to slightly rear-end that one. At the welcome break in the shade at Millers Farms, Larry had the good sense to call it a day and was picked up by Ellen. The rest of us slogged on in the heat, took an interesting tour of The Preserve, and stopped once more at Wawa on McKendree, where we were alarmed to see the Hudnalls arriving in a pickup truck with their bikes. Fortunately, all was well; Jane had temporarily felt the effects of the heat, and they had gotten a lift to the stop by a good Samaritan (coincidentally a landscaper who had done a project for the Ulrichs). After the brief rest and some nice AC in the truck, she was better than new and led us out from Wawa at a brisk pace. No other incidents, but by then we were all ready to call it a day and decided to save the Pinefield loop for another time, staying on Cedarville, cutting out a few miles, and keeping together to make sure we all got back ok. A very long report on a short ride! 

Leader: Barbara Haney

Members: Ron Haney, Kishia Clemencia, Jim Hudnall, Charles Sidwell, Tom Roberts

Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/16355330, deisgned by Ron Altemus to be an easy, short (30 mi) recovery ride the day after the IH 100: no hills to speak of, several miles of IHRT

Weather: Summer returning after yesterday's great conditions: low to upper 80s, more humid, and a fairly strong N/NW breeze 

AMS: 16.7 for leader/sweeper

Mechanicals/Mishaps: Rear flat on Hawthorne about 8 miles from the finish; the tire, besides needing a boot, was in on its last legs and needed to be carefully monitored until the end of the ride.

Report: Six of us turned out to ride today, some for post-century recovery, others who couldn't ride the IH 100 due to work or volunteering. The mood today was leisurely: no one seemed to be in a hurry to start; we chatted about the Century in the parking lot and finally rolled out about 10:10. We enjoyed the lack of hills and moderate pace, regrouping with the CCs at White Plains trailhead for more chatting. Eventually we rolled along, riding against the rising headwind until Ollie's, taking a slightly shorter break (due to lack of seating), then continued with the last bit, in which we stopped to repair the flat, thankful for the shade, since it was really heating up by then. A nice spin in good company, as usual.

Leader:  Ron Altemus

Members:  Steve Palincsar, Sam Perry

Route:  https://ridewithgps.com/routes/16355330  30 miles.  Bumpy Oak to the IHRT and on to White Plains.  Marshall Corner/Hawthorne/Chapmans Landing all part of the return.

Weather: Plenty of sunshine, blue skies, unexpected W/NW wind, temp range of 74-86 w/low humidity and dew point.  It was getting warm at the end.

AMS: upper 13s for the main group of CC riders

Report:  Short + flat = fast.  As advertised, a ride after the rigors of the IH100 for those looking to keep the pedals turning w/o too much effort.  Prez Sam signed in with the CCs to continue his return to more active cycling.  Either the route really agreed with him or he ate way too many Cheerios at breaksfast because he rode with the Bs to Ollie's and then went into A mode for the final leg. He was so far out in front that he didn't know that a tire had gone flat. 

Jim rode the trail portion with Steve and me with much conversation about the logistics of yesterday's event.  Sometimes 30 FLAT miles is enough and makes for a good ride. Today was one of them.

Leader: Tim Murphy

Members: Olga Roberts, Janice Creamer

Guests: Cheryl H.

Route: We did an improvised route that is all covered by SAG. We did the initial leg of the IH 17 from IH to Smallwood. Then rode from Smallwood and followed the IH 47 route. Please consider this route for next year's Century ride. As it's a great beginner/intermediate rider route that let's you visit three rest stops and touring a good portion of Southern Maryland.

Weather: You can't ask for much better. 60 at start and high 80s at the picnic.

AMS: 12 mph

Mechanicals/Mishaps: Cheryl threw a chain at the beginning of Rose Hill. We fixed it and made it up Rose Hill without having to walk up the hill. On the IH rail trail we stopped to fix one ladies front brakes that weren't working. We met her at Smallwood and she was grateful that she was allowed to continue on her journey and not having to turn back to Indian Head when she had only ridden about two miles.

Report: Janice rode with us for some of the ride. She continued on for the IH 61. Great job Janice. Olga and I helped with registration. This is my 2nd So Md Century and I look foward to next year.
 

Ride leader: Steve Palincsar

Members: Tasha Harris

Weather: partly cloudy, breezy, high 70s.

Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/7003225, modified here and there.  We had some bonus miles inside Gallaudet University because the West Virginia Ave gate was locked, so we had to backtrack to the Florida Ave gate and go around the corner; also, on the way back we skipped the hills in the North Ridge and went to the Dairy Godmother in Del Ray instead. 

AMS: around 10 mph - typical for a ride like this, but fully representative of a CC effort level.

Mishaps & mechanicals: I got a glass puncture and the back tire started going flat at the north end of Commonwealth Ave.  Even though I thought I could probably have made it to the Dairy Godmother before the tire went totally flat we stopped at the junction of the Wayne Anderson Trail & Commonwealth Ave and I changed the tube.

Fabulous day for a ride.  Thanks, Tasha!

Ride Name: Wayson’s Corner Lothian-Deale-Shady Side 45 Touring B (14-15)

Leader: John Gorman
Members: Brad Francisco  Guest: John White
Weather:  8:00am start. Cloudy mid 70’s, breezy, BUT Never had one sprinkle even, though the forecast w/ the storm offshore, showed potential 50% rain.  

Stats:   Rider Leader swept @ 14.9AMS/Elv- 1041ft/ 3:11hrs riding time/3:35 total elapsed time

We added 2-extra miles for 47.55 total.  

Mechanicals/Mishaps:  Perfect NONE!    

Report:  Both other posted rides canceled today due to the potential dire forecast for east of  95, I decided to take my chances on the 50% forecast that morning that I read. Glad two others joined me. When I saw Brad, I asked what are you doing on my type of ride and he said he would take it easy. Which he did and other than a few longer stretch of hills we all stayed together during the ride. The route, explores the Lothian gentle-rural rollers, the flat bayside views/community streets in Deale-Churchton (Franklin Manor) and out/back of Shady-Side, I decided to also include the end of Chalk Pt Rd. (rumor has it that NBC 4’s Wendy Reiger, lives down there on water.  We took Bay Front Rd W back thru the nice rural equestrian loop of Brooks Woods/Little Rds before heading back to the Wayson’s Corner Park-n-Ride.

With all the hot sunny days we had in August, it was nice to have a cloudy day w/ pleasant breezes, and NO rain at all. John White recently located from NJ, and currently resides in Alexandria got to see some new sights and Brad shared with him the various rides/road conditions in lower Prince Georges’s and and Charles Counties.

Thanks Brad and John for joining me on a nice ride today.

What do you do when only the ride leaders show up for the ride?  You do the ride...So, there you go .  We did the ride.