Perfect weather for biking this day - warm sun and pretty fall colors:  14 riders joined the ride leader for a tour of both the Indian Head Trail and some of the pretty roads that lead to the south and east.  We had one guest visiting from the Eastern Shore, Arlene, and Linda Bankerd, Mike Bivens, Vicki Gorlock, Richard Harrington, Alan Kurzweil, Darryl Lowery, Steve Palincsar, Larry Peed, Mike and Regina Saizan, Randy and Jackie Schoch and Tom Short. After heading toward Indian Head, we swung back to visit Pisgah, then on to Welcome and the Welcome store (nice guy runs the store, he and his wife are bikers).  Around Mill Swamp and then heading toward Rose Hill on Route 6, Steve had a flat.  Six of us helped to fix it. Though we found a tiny bit of glass in Steve's tire at the spot that the tube punctured, the tiny bit had stubbornly buried itself in the tread and would not come out.  We finally added a heavy boot to that section of the tire, installed a new tube and rode back uneventfully, though late.   

With Temps near 70, ride leaders JulieAnn K. And Calvin C. thought it was too nice to stay indoors and wanted to ride. Our small and might group of seven took off and enjoyed the day. Starting in White Plains, we rode the rail trail to Indian Head, Md. Straight out took a quick break (Calvin was busy talking to people on the trail) When Calvin and Herman made it to the end, Herman took off for home. We all headed back to White Plains. We all did at least 26 miles; Darryl was at 30 before we started the ride. He rode up from his house. GREAT JOB! William Came back after some time off; congrats on the 26. Celeste was a driving force on the trail. Dean my son, new to biking, proved he could keep up and shocked me. He rode back at the B pace with William. We also practiced/learned how to do a pace line... Why was I in front all the time? Thanks for the fun on a short notice Sunday Ride .. Ride on.

Leader:  Darin King (for Claire Chiamulera)
Members:  Ken Meredith, John Giglio, Blake Altman, Chris Zabriskie, David Kemp (partial), George Chiamulera (partial)
Guests:  Rob Golding
Metrics:  http://ridewithgps.com/trips/975153
Pictures:  https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.545744025441598.141075.147336598615678&type=1&l=3c9096efb9

A beautiful, breezy fall day with a starting temperature in the 50's was a marked improvement over Saturday's chill.  The main group left Laurel Springs Park looking to maintain an A pace.  Shortly after the start, David Kemp joined us shortly after the start and elevated the pace beyond the group's skill level...so we quickly brought things back to reality (sorry Dave). 

Chris was coming off of yesterday's "Waterman's Half Triathlon", and John was recovering from a recent crash...both rode incredibly strong.  Aside from a couple simple mechanical glitches (dropped chains, etc.), nothing prevented us from arriving at Gilbert Run (our rest stop) at 17.8AMS.  After spending a little extra time to soak in the fall feeling, we left Gilbert Run and circled past Oak Ridge Park.  We soon discovered that Claire had sent out a delegation to meet us.  Hubby George was waiting at Cooksey's Store to join us for a few miles.  Since our route guided us near the Chiamulera Estate, George agreed that it'd be OK to detour and check in on Claire.  Naturally, she was out exercising in the neighborhood, but we tracked her down.  She seems to be in relatively good spirits...only 6-8 weeks minus 1 day before we see her on the road again!

The day continued to warm as we finished up at 17.4AMS.  Smiles all around.

MAY METRIC 40 MILES

What a lovely day for a bike ride!!!

Thanks for the support today…Michael S, Regina S. And Jan T.! It made all the difference.

Haven’t been on my bike in 3 weeks and I was definitely feeling subtly breathless from a few inclines and Thrift Road. Sunday’s temperature mainly in the 70’s, conditions slightly breezy at the beginning, but sunshine abundance was just around the corner.

It was so nice to not have to depend on our cue sheets, streets were clearly marked. (May Metric Ride)

I enjoyed the quiet but quick start to the first rest stop at mile 14.9 – Merkle. Facilities were open and we were able to get water and use the rest rooms. At mile 27.6 took advantage of the porta-potty rest stop at North Key Community Park and from there it was pedal-power all the way to the end!

Nice ride, nice camaraderie!!!

”Even if you’re on the right track, you’ll get run over if you just sit there.” - Will Rogers

It was a cold and chilly October day, as the c /cc, took on Goose Bay. Our pack was nine strong all there to say Happy Birthday to JON…JulieAnn and Calvin led from the rear, as we all shifted through our bike gears.  At Goose Bay we had so much fun. After a round of Happy Birthday, we took off on our return.  A few from the B group joined us. I would Like to thank everyone who came to brave the cold morning temp: Ken, Walter, Holly, Chuck, Steve, Ron and  Pat.  At the end of the ride as we packed up to go, April rode up finished the ride and said good bye.

Claire Chiamulera, Blake Altman, and John Choate joined me on a brisk fall morning to enjoy (?) a loop from the Bensville IHRT access path through Riverside and back via Rosehill Road.  We cranked out a solid A+ pace (18.4) and happened upon Jon Agazzi's Nifty Fifty group near the Nanjemoy Store in Riverside.  Spirits were high as we shared some conversation with Jon's group and headed back out to finish our ride.  Metrics:  http://ridewithgps.com/trips/972770

Now for the bad news:
After we crested Rosehill, we reformed our paceline and proceeded towards Rt. 225.  As Murphy would have it, the shoulder disappeared from under Claire's tires and she gracefully laid the bike down in a grassy ditch.  She had a lot of pain along her left side, particularly in her left hand.  After a quick medical assesment by our crack staff, and being that John's house was fairly close by, he graciously rode ahead to get his truck while Blake and I tried to keep the mood light.  John quickly returned with the SAG wagon and returned Claire to civilation, where she confirmed what we feared:  She suffered a broken bone in her left hand and some abrusions and swelling on her left hip and elbow.  Looks like Claire has 6-8 weeks of convalescing ahead of her.  Get well soon, my friend.

And we also had a mechanical along the way:
John suffered a broken front spoke fairly early in the ride, throwing his wheel slightly out-of-true.  Fortunately, the club's broken-spoke expert was along on the ride.  She (guess who) performed the necessary stress/tension analysis and deemed John's bike fit to continue.  John offered a short prayer to the Bianchi gods and we proceeded.  Naturally, the prayers and self-healing nature of the Bianchi resulted in, by ride's end, an in-true front wheel...so we're told.

Sympathies to Claire :(

Pictures:  https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.545735792109088.141071.147336598615678&type=1&l=5c0ada3d40

Jackie Schoch leader and riders were Randy Schoch, Larry Peed, Carl Hattery (1st time riding with us on Fridays), Vicki Garlock, Jim Hudnalll and Calvin Conyers.  What a great day for a ride.  The wind was strong in some places heading to White Plains, but on the way back it was really strong.  By the pond near Bumpy Oak Road I almost went side ways.  We all thought the wind would be at our back but I guess we stayed too long in White Plains because it was hitting us right in the face.
We didn't see any animals this week on the trail.  We had lunch/dinner at George's and it was great.

It was the only chance in a hundred years to ride on 10/11/12, and what a lovely day it was. Clear skies, sunny, breezy, a bit chilly for the first few miles but settling down to a refreshing 50s in the shade, low 60s in the sun. It felt like autumn, but still there were just the barest hints of color in the foliage. All in all, a wonderful day for a bike ride.

Joining me on this lovely fall day were Larry Peed, Loretta Troen, Jim McDermott, Karen Morgan, Jane and Jim Hudnall, Mike and Regina Saizan, Joan Oppel, Sam Perry, Ruddy Elly, guest Margie Khattab and one other whose name I just can't make out. Riding through woods and farmland on quiet back roads we took Baden Westwood to Magruders Ferry, then after the rest stop went north on Croom, around the Tanyard Nottingham loop, past Merkle on Fenno and St. Thomas Church back to the Nottingham store for a second rest stop.

Joan then led the Burke Babes (Loretta, Karen and Margie) back on Molly Berry and North Keys for a 32 mile route, while the rest of the group returned by way of Baden Naylor and Brandywine for a total of 37 miles.

Nine riders came out on a nice October evening for the last Wednesday night Tour de Accokeek for the season.  Joining ride leader Shane LaBrake were OHBTC members Kirsten Watts, Jeanne Ulrich, Freddy Telleria, Jane Hudnall, Jim Hudnall, and German Deortube.  Riding the route for the first time were Herve Yoerg and guest Michael Halls.  Club member Ron Leak stopped by to say hello but could not stay for the ride. 

Regretfully, we have a discomforting incident to report.  Jeanne Ulrich started early at a slower pace.  As she rounded the corner on Shiloh Church Road near the old church, she was chased by a dog and was bitten on the thigh by the dog. 

Some of us arrived at the site shortly after it happened, and she said that 911 had been called.  The entire group had assembled as the police and ambulance arrived.  Jane and Jim Hudnall volunteered to stay and insisted the rest of us ride through. 

As Jeanne was treated by paramedics, Jim rode back to the firehouse to get his van, and then drove Jeanne and Jane back to the starting point.  The paramedics offered to take Jeanne to the hospital, but she declined.  The dog owners were very concerned and said that this had never happened before. 

Jim and Jane reported that Jeanne seemed fine upon returning to the firehouse, and that she was able to drive and intended to go to B&J Carry Out.  All of us hope that the injury is minor and the recovery fast.

The remaining six riders split into two groups.  Shane, Freddy, Michael and Herve rode at a strong A to AA pace to the river rest stop, and then back to the firehouse.  German and Kirsten sustained a nice B pace throughout the ride. 

We all made it back to the firehouse safely with darkness closing in on us. 

Watch the website for upcoming Saturday or Sunday versions of this popular club ride.