Ride Leader:  Shane J. LaBrake
Date:  17 April 2013
Ride Name: Tour de Accokeek
Ride Distance:  17 miles
Average Speed of the Ride:  14.5
Ride Class:  Posted as "All"
Guest Riders:  James Denmark and Misko Beaudrie
Member Riders: Kirsten Watts, Chris Backhaus, Ron Leak, Reginald Stokes, Dwayne Davis, Calvin Conyers, and JulieAnn Kowalewski

Notes:  Holly Carr was at the start of the ride but took off on her own longer training ride.  Tony Terry left from the firehouse after the group and met us at the river. 

A large and happy group had a very spirited ride on a lovely April evening.  As we left the parking lot, I "joked" that we should give the Casey Jones riders a challenge.  While we can't say we reached their AMS, I do believe this may have been the fastest AMS for such a large group on this ride in a very long time, indeed - if ever.  Every rider averaged over 14, and we had headwinds from a few different directions.  (What's up with these windy Wednesday's - four in a row!)

While there were times when the riders stayed close, other times there were some wide gaps, but everyone rode strong and happily!

There were no mishaps or mechanical issues.  Everyone made it up the point of elevation and grade in good spirits, good form, and good humor - especially for so early in the season.

Honestly, this was perhaps the funnest ride I have ever led.  While we always have fun with good people along, everyone tonight was truly happy and had a genuinely fun time.  Kudos to all! 

  

Ride Leader: Dan Donahue

Members:  Jack Hammond, Vicki Garlock, Russ Shettle, Robin Ganett, Dana Trevas

Guest:  Gunnar Rempel

Class- CC

Distance:  27 mi. advertised; actual distance 20 mi. for main group; 23 mi. for hill climbers

Lead element AMS-15.6 mph (Congratulations, Vicki-you’re almost an A rider!)

Sweep AMS- 13.5 mph

The morning was picture-perfect for a spin down and back on the IHRT.  The sky was blue, and temps were in the high 60’s.  Trailside scenery showed the unfolding of Spring’s advance in So. MD.   A bald eagle was spotted perched on a tree at the Bumpy Oak Rd. swamp/pond.  The ride truly was “nice and easy” until we got to the 10 mi. mark in the ride.  The trail had been closed for SMECO maintenance activity.  Riders from the Rt. 224 intersection could see SMECO bucket trucks farther down the trail.  At this point options were explored for by-passing the trail closure section.  My suggestion of taking Rt. 224 down to Rt. 225, and then picking up the trail again, wasn't suitable for all riders.  A rider who had previously been hit by a car didn't feel comfortable riding on Rt. 224 with no shoulders.  Another option considered was returning back down the trail, climbing Bumpy Oak Hill Road, and circling back to Indian Head for lunch.  The majority of riders decided to call it a day and head back to White Plains.  Russ and Jack decided to tackle Bumpy Oak hill and ended up with a total of 23 mi. at an ave. speed of about 12 mph.

Future potential spin-offs from this ride include pre-ride or post-ride yoga and specific rides designed to find and climb the most difficult hills in So. MD. 

Photos, thanks to Vicki

Who says there are no hills in Southern Md.?? Eighteen riders including Randy and Jackie Schoch, Larry Peed, Phil Greer, Dana Middleton, Lou Dall’Orso, Janell Saunders, Linda and Paul Bankerd, Steve Palincsar, Jim Hudnall, Darin King, Ken Meredith, Regina and Michael Saizan, Loretta Troen, Tom Robinson, and Joan Oppel, joined me for a hilly 42 mile ride. Along the way we climbed Chapel Point, the Beast of Bel Alton, Rose Hill, and Bumpy Oak. We stopped at St. Ignatius Church and Johnny Boy’s for a well-deserved rest. A good time was had by all. Let’s ride!

Class: B
Ride Leader: Janell Saunders
Distance: 32.5
Gain: 1086

Ride Leader: Herman Young

Ride Leader: Jane Hudnall
Riders: Jim Hudnall, Eric and Caleb Peterson

Jim and I were happy to see Eric and his eleven year old son Caleb waiting for us when we arrived at the Tucker Road Community Park. After waiting until 2:00 pm, we headed out to the Temple Hills Road end of the trail, took a break and then returned to Tucker Road. Although Caleb is a new rider, he was eager to do more so we header east toward Oxon Hill Road. After two more miles, Caleb and Eric headed back to the start for a total of 10 miles. Caleb enjoyed it so much, he plans to return next Sunday to do the entire trail.

The Henson Creek Trail Ride is designed for new riders and people who want a casual Sunday afternoon ride on a bike. Bring your spouse, child, a friend or just yourself and do as little a 6 miles or as much as 12. The trail has recently been improved with underpasses at Bock Road and Brinkley Road making it safer and more fun to ride. New members are especially welcome. Hope to see you on Sunday, April 21, at 2:00 pm.

 

A wonderful day to ride in Southern Maryland. I was joined by Darin, Scott, Jarvis, and John for a 18.3 AMS ride. We hit some sections of the ride with some pace especially on Middletown Rd and enjoyed some inclines of the day at Mill Hill, Hawthorne Golf Course, Rose Hill, Livingston, and Barry's Hill. I thought of renaming the ride the tale of two lies because I didn't ride sweep the entire time like posted and we ended up at 18.3 AMS instead of 17 AMS.

We held our Sunday morning Mountain Bike ride at Cedarville State Park starting at 10:00am. Due the poor weather, we had a very small turn out. While the trails were passable they were quite wet. Riders included Barry & Matt

A great group of club members Tom Short, Jean Wright, Al Manley, Steve Koehle, Ken Meredith (of course, it was the Ken Meredith ride), Chantal Briere, Mike and Regina Saizan, Larry Greene and 7 guests to the club joined us on a great day to be on a bike. The temperature at the start was 57 and 63 when we finished. Had some head winds coming back, but that builds character. A big thank you goes to the Brandywine Fire Station. They're very accommodating in allowing us to use their parking lot and bathroom facilities.

Richard Edelman lead the 36 mile ride and was the only rider to have a flat tire.

Ride Leader: Polly Choate

What a fantastic day to ride! Perfect weather and enthusiatic cyclists!  17 headed out of Bryans Rd for the Pilgrimage to Mt Carmel 25 miler.  With leader Polly Choate were members Monica Irmler, Reggie Stokes, Walter Carr, Hans & Des Holken, LaTasha Banks, Herman Young, Gregory Fisher, Chris Backhas, Branlon Baker, Mary Caxy, Calvin Conyers, Pat Colvin, Gary Swartz, and guests Barbara Heffernan and David Potter. Several were new members and for some it was their first ride of the year.   Maybe it was Spring Fever but at the lead, Polly missed the first turn at Pomfret but shouts from the group brought her back, and Barb missed the turn into Mt Carmel and Herman and Reggie rode back to get her.  We passed Jack Hammond going the other way on the IHRT, and Paul Bankerd joined us for awhile near Mt Carmel.  By consensus, the route was modified to delete Rose Hill but the group went on to climb up Bumpy Oak with aplomb!  At ride's end, everyone had fun chatting and getting to know one another.