Well it was a really windy ride on the trail today. Larry Peed, and Jane and Jim Hudnall joined me on my first ride as ride leader. 

It seems we survived Snowquester after all: in fact, in Alexandria and in Brandywine it was little more than a damp squib. All though the forecast called for low temperatures with wind-chill "feels like" temps in the low 30s, it turned out much better than that: bright sun, winds around 12-15 mph and temperatures that rose to 50 made for a fine day for riding.

Perhaps because of the challenging forecast, it was a relatively small group today: Mike Bivens, Tom Roberson, Joan Oppel, Darin King, Jim and Jane Hudnall, Lou Dallorso, guest Phil Greer and leader Steve Palincsar. The route was "doubly Thrifty" because today we crossed Rt 5 on Accokeek Rd, went down Gardner, up Floral Park and up Thrift Road to Cosca Park for the rest stop; after the rest stop we went back down Thrift Road, continued climbing Floral Park and crossed 5 again on Brandywine.

The main route was 33 miles: from Brandywine and Dyson (watch out for the standing water!) left on Cherry Tree Crossing, down Old Indian (illuminated sign warning of road closure in a week -- anyone know what's up with that?) and Van Brady, and back to the firehouse on North Keys. Since it was anyone's guess how bad the wind and temperatures would be, there was a 9 mile shortcut on the cue sheet: right on Cherry Tree Crossing, left on Old Indian and back to the firehouse. Tom took the shortcut, while the rest of the group did the extra 9 mile loop.

We actually saw some snow today, of a perfectly acceptable kind, too: off the road and the shoulder, melting and not much of it. Not my favorite (that's the Currier and Ives style, snow everywhere except on the road, with snow melt from the warm sun running across the road making me so glad I have a bike with fenders) but plenty fine compared to the forecasts; and there was a bit of runoff in several places, and clear evidence of road spray on some backsides to prove it, so it was a good thing to have fenders after all.

No mishaps, no mechanicals, not much speed due to the wind, but in all, a great day for riding. Jim took the group photo and some on-road shots, and Darin took some photos at the rest stop.

What a beautiful day for riding! Sunny, not too windy, 40 when we left Bryans Road according to the sign on the Shell Station, and 47 or 51 (depending on whether you believe the gas station or my car) when we returned. You'd never believe we had a winter storm warning hanging over our heads, with threats of as much as 4-8" of snow and winds gusting up to 25 mph.

We might catch it tonight, but today we had fun in the sun. In the group today were Darryl Lowery, Larry Peed, Scott Walker, Mike Bivens, Darin King, Linda Bankerd, Sam Perry, Joan Oppel and leader Steve Palincsar. The route went down Livingston and up Mason Springs, then took Poorhouse to Burch to Rt 6 over to Scott's store in Welcome. After the break, we went up Annapolis Woods and Ripley to Hawthorne, then Bumpy Oak to the Indian Head Rail Trail.

As you'd expect with the group today, there was a fast group and a not so fast group (and you can readily guess who was in which). The fast group disappeared on Annapolis Woods. We caught sight of them again at the IHRT, so they must have waited until their patience was exhausted and then took off. A pretty ride, 37 miles and 1300 feet of climbing (I guess that makes it "low elevation," the little rises on Mason Springs and Poorhouse notwithstanding). AMS of 15.5 and above at the head end, 14.2 back at the caboose.

Darin took some photos.

I could rename this ride to Hills and Headwinds (I don't care what Steve P. says, if I'm in first gear, it's a H-I-L-L)! I was joined by the Polar Bears; Steve Palinscar, Ken Meredith, Joan Oppel and Larry Peed.  Thanks to Steve for the route, and Ken for the cue sheets, as I forgot to print them out and have no printer at home.  I don't think it got above 40 during the ride, and the wind chill seemed to make sure of that.  We had no mechanical problems, and all were up for the ride.  This route reverses the standard course on Locust Grove, Bell Alton-Newtown, Chapel Point, and Pomfret which gives you new views of the landscape, including a great view from Chapel Point over the river as you head downhill.  We all stayed within the Low B range, which no one complained about. Ken was nice enough to make sure us slower folks made it up the climbs and allowed me to draft when the wind was unpleasant. Thanks to all for joining me.

Leader:  Darin King
Riders:  Blake Altman, Claire Chiamulera, John Giglio, David Kemp, Scott Walker

It seems that each successive ride over the last couple weeks has gotten colder and breezier...and I think everyone is getting tired.  We all showed up for more torture despite the the warm bed that beckoned us back...troopers all.  All were lamenting rubbery legs (except Blake who was holding his cards close). 

We managed to trudge into the wind and weather for the first half of the ride with great hopes of downwind sailing after our pitstop in Pisgah.  Since Blake didn't complain at the start, we were compelled to let him do the majority of the "dirty work" into the wind.  We were rewarded after reaching our northwestern-most point of the journey at Chicamuxen/Hawthorne.  The pace reached a consistent 20+ as we headed east and south to St. Ignatius.  We steadied our psyches at the church, preparing for the final miles back north into the gusts towards Casey Jones.  We finished up in the mid-17's for our 48 mile effort...darn good!

No mechanicals or medicals to report.

I think we'll take Monday off (?).

Heavily overecast skies, clouds in varying bands of gray, blue and silver, not a hint of sky visible giving way to blue skies and bright sun as we prepared to leave Oak Ridge Park.  One final stop at the portolet before turning onto Oaks Road, and the clouds once again blocked the sun. 

The group was a small one: Ken Meredith, Joan Oppel, Barbara Hoover, Judith Artman and leader Steve Palincsar.  Judith is a new OHBike member who has done most of her winter riding on horseback rather than on a bicycle, and (as shown so well in Stieglitz's classic 1893 photogravure "The Terminal") horses keep you a lot warmer in winter than bicycles. It takes a bit of experience to work out the clothing you need to stay comfortable, and fortunately Joan had extra gloves and toe warmers.

 It wasn't the lack of sun or even the temperature in the mid-30s that dominated the day, it was the wind.  The forecast laughingly described it as 10 mph, but an experienced sailor in the group judged it as "at least 20 knots" -- a "fresh breeze" on the Beaufort scale that had us hurrying southeastwards on Hurry Road at 20 mph and then grinding at 10 mph to the northwest on Colton Point Road.  After the rest stop at Laurel Grove Park it was headwinds all the way back, briefly interrupted by Barbara's flatting on Old Village Road.  Lesson learned: if you have deep-dish aero rims, be sure you remember to bring your long-stem spare tubes. 

The planned route went west for four miles on Rt 6 to Keech, but when we got there we decided to stay on the Three Notch Trail to Oaks Rd: more shelter and a better chance to avoid the wind.  As we were leaving Oak Ridge Park, the sky cleared and we saw a few snow flakes drifting down to remind us that no matter what the groundhog said, it's still winter.

Members Michael Blain, Claire Chiamulera, Scott Walker, Darin King, Hugo Molina, and David Kemp joined me for this 46 mile ride.  It was a cold, cloudy, and windy day but we have all ridden in worse.

Hugo was on the fence about joining the ride given the cold conditions but was talked into joining us.  About 5 five miles into the ride he decided it was too cold and returned to the start.  We look forward to riding with you in warmer weather Hugo!

The rest of us continued and after a painful acclimation period, I at least, became reasonably comfortable.  We had a quick break on Riverside Road where we saw the first of many other bicyclists on another ride.  This was a bit of a surprise given the conditions and the location.  After a quick chat with a few of them we learned they were on some sort of “meet up” ride and not on a club ride.

We all rode in a pace line for the majority of the ride.  With so many strong riders all working together we ended up with a pretty respectable 18.5 MPH average for the ride.  Darin says this is too fast but I noticed he was one the faster leaders when taking his turn at the front!

Darin, Michael, Scott, and David rode to and from the ride and so got in some additional miles.  I heard later that Darin got a total of 73 miles for the day!

March: in like a lion and out like a lamb, so it stands to reason February would go out like a lion -- but today it was a bit more like that little Pekingese yapping at us as we were climbing out of Magruders Ferry: blustery and a bit ornery, but not nearly as menacing as perhaps it hoped to be. Mid 40s and sunny at 10:30, but windy enough to feel a bit chilly; warming up to 50 as we arrived at the first rest stop, but clouds obscured the sun sapping its warmth. Having faced down the Peke, we turned south on Croom and from then on, rode into head winds laughingly described on weather.com as "10 mph" (seemed twice that) which only added to the fun on the Croom Rollers and Cross Road Trail.

It was a large group for a winter ride today, 15 plus the leader, including Phil Creed (and who knew all this time he was a guest?), Larry Peed, Ken Meredith, Alan Kurzweil, Mike Bivens, Darin King, Joan Oppel, Richard Harrington, Loretta Troen, Tom Roberson, Linda and Paul Bankerd, Jim and Jane Hudnall, Sam Perry and leader Steve Palincsar.

The route was a little shorter than typical, 33 miles, but with a few more contour lines crossed than usual and 20 miles of headwinds, by no means an easy ride. Hard enough, in fact, that a sizeable contingent decided after the stop at the Nottingham store to skip Cross Road Trail and follow North Keys straight back. No mechanicals or mishaps today. AMS at the back of the pack somewhere in the 13.x range.

I would like to thank Nancy, Tiny and Brodrick for a great ride.. We did a quick 26, And then ate some Mexican food with Mieshie.  The ride was great! We all got some miles in after a long break. I look forward to a great season... Ride Leader Julieann Kowalewski

Ride Leaders: John Gorman and Reggie Stokes

Riders: John Riconda and Larry "Fast" Peed.

The 1pm start from the IHRT(White Plains), was sunny and temps were above 50, for the first time in long time, but by 1pm the winds had picked up to a steady 15mph w/ higher gusts. So heading up the trail we easily realized the resistence, making a simple flat trail an effort for a few of us who haven't cycled some 30 or 45+ days. " Fast" Larry and John R., quickly flew ahead, we re-grouped @ the initial left onto MD-225 to Chicamuxen, Reggie and John R.  decided to just ride the trail only, Larry/John G. continued on the route to the rest stop @ the Smallwood Park Marina. It was interesting that the winds seemed stronger on the trail vs the open roads. (I think as Reggie noted the trail tends to create a tunnel effect.) After leaving the Marina, we traveled on Sweetman, Bicknell, Pisgah-Marbruy, Mason Springs back to the TL MD-224/MD-225, making a R on Livingston and quick R back on trail for the final 10miles back to the start.

Well the route played out as I had hoped, offering a few low elvation changes combined w/ some steady peddling on the trail, in rembering how to change gears, etc after a lay off.

Larry and John's final stats: Total Miles 35, AMS 14.10,  riding time 2.29.