Today's ride was a Holiday (Columbus Day) ride offer for us excused Fed workers, led by Ride Leader John Gorman.  Well the transistion from the  end of summer to Fall/Winter(?), happened overnight from Sunday into Monday, w/ a starting ride temp of high 40s. So out  came the tights, windbreakers, headcovers, light gloves to start off, though I quickly got out of the tights at the 1st rest stop. 

Joining me in the 44 miler,  was repeat ride guest Michael (Mike) Halls, who dialed it back to ride at my B-pace.

Diane Gorman was joined by member Jerry Finan,  who each just wanted a simple CC ride pace using the IHRT for 26miles. (Offering rides from the IHRT White Plains location offers riders to come out and use just the trail and/or shorter ride options along w/ longer or more demanding ride class offers. Just something to keep in mind to expand rider participation.) 

Maybe the cooler temps and a Monday had something to do w/ only 1 guest joining me for the ride, or the fact folks don't realize that rides can actually start on the lower end of the Indian HD Rail Trail in White Plains (MD-301 / Theodore Green Blvd), and still incorporate many of the standard OHBC (Pisgah area roads) into ride routes (Ride W GPS).  Today's ride is one that I created.

A first rest stop was at Smallwood Park Marina (mile 16), from here we went south on Chicamuxen, L on Smallwood Church Rd to RT 6  (down hill past St. Ignatius), (I see why that uphill way on the INDHD100 is a bear),  then a quick L is a climber to Hilltop Rd back to Annapolis Woods/Ripley/Hawthorne back to Livingston to the IHRT and back. Geez, those Pisgah area roads are some wonderful quiet, low traffic enjoyable cycling roads. Especially using those same roads downhill vs climbing back up to Bryans Rd starting points!

Final ride stats: Miles 44.47, ams 14.90, time 2.59. No ride issues to report. Another great day of enjoyable cycling.

On October 14, the National Law Enforcement Memorial Ride will start at National Harbor and loop down though southern Maryland to honor and raise funds for law enforcement personnel who have lost their lives in the line of duty. Members of OHBTC will join the ride as Road Marshals to help participants follow the route and with minor repairs. Joining leaders Jim and Jane Hudnall were Linda and Paul Bankerd, Monica Irmler, Richard Harrington, Lou Dall'Orso, Larry Peed and Walt Roscello who rode from home. Michael Besche signed in but waited for a friend who was late arriving and never caught up with the group. The weather was great and we rode on roads we usually don't ride on. Walt had a blowout just before the finish but changed the tube quickly and met the group at B&J's Carry Out for lunch. After lunch he discovered the tire was flat again. With threatening skies, Larry loaded the bike in his truck and gave Walt a lift home.

The weather couldn't have been better for this great ride over mostly flat roads. A group of 13 riders showed up ready to ride hard. We had a great pace line for most of the ride and only one casualty. John Giglio had a crash, but was able to finish the ride. He told everyone that after riding in groups for 5 years this was his first crash. Thank you John for being such a good sport.

Others that attended the ride include Richard Edelman and Chantal Briere who had a great time riding together. The pace line included John, Ken Meredith, Al Manlely, Blake Altman, Carol Harris, Bob Thompson, Robert Golding, Charles S. and Hugo Molina. Thank you everyone for coming out and sharing the wonderful day with me.

Jackie Schoch leader, riders were Randy Schoch, John Riconda, Larry Peed, Jimmy Bartlett, Vicki Garlock, Jane and Jim Hudnall, Richard Harrington, La'Tasha Banks. What a great turn out for our first 11 AM starting time for Fridays.  It was a great ride.  Saw a lot of creatures today like, deer, turtle crossings, squirrels, hawk and a strange snake that was a tan color.  I wonder what kind that  is so if anybody knows let me know.  First I thought it was a stick but then I saw its eyes.

After waking to rain, the brave were rewarded for coming out on this dreary summer-like morning with temps in the 70's!  Steve Palinscar, Mike and Regina Saizan, Mike Bivens, Jim and Jane Hudnall, Joan Oppel, Richard Harrington, Sam Perry, John Early, and Lou Dall'Orso joined me on a nice loop to Hughesville and back.  We saw the SMECO solar farm being built along the way.  While roads were damp at the start, they were soon dried by the breeze and glimpses of sun.  Calvin Conyers arrived late and opted to ride the loop backwards, meeting up with the group a little before the 2nd rest stop at Moreland's Store.  Afterward, many of the group stayed around and socialized, with Calvin even pulling out a chair!     

Six riders came out on an early October evening that felt more like late August.  Joining ride leader Shane LaBrake were OHBTC members Jeanne Ulrich, Calvin Conyers, Jane Hudnall, Jim Hudnall, and German Deortube.

Temps were in the low-80s and the humidity was high as we rode down to the Potomac and back to the firehouse.  Jeanne headed out earlier than the rest of the group, and we all met up at the river.  Jim and Jane kept their rest stop very brief as they wanted to get back to their car and make a 7:00 meeting.  The rest of us followed their cue, but mostly stayed together through the end of the ride. 

There were no mechanical issues, and it was a nice early Autumn evening ride for all.

I intend to post the ride again for next Wednesday, and that will likely be the last Wednesday night Tour de Accokeek for the season.  I hope to offer some Sunday afternoon versions of the ride though.  Stay tuned!

Sunday looked to be a great day for a ride. I wanted to do about 50 miles, not too early, not too far away so I posted something.  I like also to try out new ways to get around. it's probably better to make that disclosure in the ride description. Steve, Richard and Karen joined Paul and me. Paul and Karen opted for the shorter version. The first half if the route was in very familiar territory. Then we diverged. Kent Ave. in La Plata was not where it was on the maps. Crossing 301  from Washington Ave to Turkey Hill was nightmarish. Steve, Richard and I found ourselves in a labyrinth of streets trying to find Devonfield Ave. Steve and Richard eventually found an alternate route. Paul and Karen found the way, albeit there was something about going over a fence and crossing a field. We all got back back fine. We were not bored.

I was joined by Carole Harris, Cathy Wilson, John Kaduszuwski, John Choate, Al Manley, Ken Meredith, Darin King, Liam Healy, Chantal Brere, Claire Chiamulera, Blake Altman, and John Giglio on a 43 mile ride.    The weather was perfect for the ride.  I have to apologize to all the rides as the cue sheet was off.  But other than that there were no issues on the ride.  No other issues happened on the ride.

Members Chuck Coe, Scott Oglesby, Claire Chiamulera, Blake Altman and Guest Todd Steiner joined me on a brisk morning sampling of Southern Maryland's hills.  The "refreshing" early morning air gave way to a brilliant, beautiful morning for testing our climbing legs.  The 18AMS goal was dispensed with as the willing group all took generous pulls.  Special kudos to Chuck for soldiering his way along with a temperamental rear derailleur.  Our final 18.9AMS (http://ridewithgps.com/trips/950676) over the 2300' of climbing should serve as useful prep for the Bicycling Fall Classic Gran Fondo attendees (and good torture for those not attending).

And indeed, the third time was the charm.  Although two previous attempts to lead this ride (jointly with Sharon, as a birthday ride) were rained out, Saturday was sunny, cool and breezy: exactly the weather Calvin ordered (after all, when you say "Seagull", what else could you expect?) for the CC's.

We were a small group: Jim and Jane Hudnall, Paul and Linda Bankerd, guest Robert Golding and leader Steve Palincsar.  We stayed together, more or less, and regrouped often.  The route was a reversal of the usual way to Colton Point, with some new  diversions along the Three Notch Trail and Laurel Grove, an extended scenery break at the end of Beach Rd. before the rest stop at Colton Point, and an unscheduled stop at Quade's store on Bushwood Wharf for lunch.  By all accounts, the crab cake sandwiches were delicious (I'm taking that on faith, because I don't eat spiders of any kind, thanks just the same!). 

Although we talked at lunch of bicycle breakdowns (my shifter failing on the Indian Head 100, Robert having two rear derailleurs, a front derailleur and a chain fail within weeks) no mechanicals were experienced on the ride. I promised a 14 mph AMS and finished at 14.1.  All in all, an absolutely delightful ride.