Despite the heat and humidity of early August, 19 riders turned out to enjoy this pretty - and pretty challenging - route.

The forecast called for a hot, humid day, but except for a few isolated sunny patches we didn't feel it: riding on shaded roads with a good breeze makes a huge difference, and we had both.

This was a joint Oxon Hill/Potomac Pedalers ride. Among those signing up as Oxon Hill members were Debbie Bowman, Mariel Lidral, Kevin Porter, Holly Carr, Dieter Jobe, Linda and Paul Bankerd, Vic Calderola, Mike [illegible], Ellen Bauman and Linda Molesworth [pretty sure some of whom are PPTC but not OHBike]. Also seen and known to be an OHBike member, but not signing on the OHBike signup sheet, was Karen McMillan. I brought 26 cue sheets and we ran out.

Early in July, realizing what a hellish summer we were going to have, I modified this route to add a stop at Scott's store on Welcome Rd near Fire Tower before the stop at Nanjemoy. It was a fast group and folks didn't stay long there, but shortly after I left the store there was the entire group, turned back by an accident that closed Rt 6. We detoured up Annapolis Woods, then took Poorhouse, Mason Spring and Ironside to get around the closure, unfortunately bypassing the lovely climb up Durham Church. That added 10 miles to the distance by the time we arrived at the Nanjemoy store.

The difference between the 70 and 52 mile versions of this route is a loop from the Nanjemoy store left on Riverside to Holly Springs, then back to Nanjemoy via Hancock Run and Adams Willet; the 52 mile route skips that loop. Most of the group did the shorter version, but we had at least a half dozen that took the Riverside loop, and as usual, it was lovely: cool, shady, beautiful and almost traffic free.

Since we'd all added 10 miles on the way out to Nanjemoy, I modified the return route to cut off 10 by skipping the section along Smallwood Church and Mason Spring to Pisgah, staying on Chicamuxen all the way to Hawthorne. Although it may be hard to credit, even Chicamuxen was cool and shady except for a few exposed spots.

My computer read 0 and recorded nothing today (must have messed up the sensor when I cleaned the bike yesterday) but Debbie, who rode along with Vic and me all day, finished with 69.3 miles and a 14.4 mph average.  By the new standards, just barely-scraping-by B.  By PPTC standards, a CC pace -- after all, PPTC class standards shift the speed range down for hilly terrain and up for flat terrain, and as many PPTC riders remarked, it was "a flat ride."  I'm not really sure the OHBike Board intended for a ride like this to be classed as CC, though.  What do you think?

All in all, a wonderful ride. I think some of the PPTC riders from the "other" part of Maryland will find their way back for the Indian Head 100.

Joining Randy Schoch were John Riconda, George Martin, Larry Peed, Brookey Givens, and Jean Davis Barger on this fairly cool (80*) but humid morning.  This was Jean's first ride in awhile and she wanted to try a ride that wasn't difficult.  John, Larry, and Brookey rode at a fast pace while George, Jean, and I swept the rear.  Besides visiting, we saw and heard wild life (turtles, birds, deer, etc.) and other human trail users (walkers, joggers, skaters, bikers).  It was a great ride with no problems (other than Jean dropping her chain which she fixed in no time). 

Not all that warm by current standards, 80s at ride start and low 90s shortly after noon, but humid. Kind of hard to say who came today, as there were effectively three rides: the Official B ride, the impromptu CC ride (Joan's, but nobody came) and the unofficial C ride (Randy and friends). Signed up for the B ride were Sonja Newman, Larry Peed, Mike Saizan, Tom Short, Mike Bivens, Dana Trevas, Sam Perry, Jane Hudnall, Richard Harrington, Tom Roberson and leader Steve Palincsar. Lou Dallorso was seen early in the ride, and John Early joined at the rest stop.

Joan and Steve, riding at what until last month had been a mid-range B pace, but now is a just-barely-over CC (did you know they moved the goal posts a few days ago?) were dropped early in the ride but rejoined the group (or, at least, the just-barely-scraping-by stragglers) at the IGA on Aquasco Road.

Richard took some photos before we left the parking lot:  https://picasaweb.google.com/110125906362162717921/BestOfBrandywineRide8212

Ten veteran club riders came out and rode a spirited pace on our weekly ride to the Potomac River.  Storm clouds and thunder lurked about, and forced an early departure from our river rest stop.  But, as is frequently the case of late, no rain fell in the locale. 

Joining ride leader Shane LaBrake were Kirsten Watts, Randy Schoch, Debi Jiggitts, Sonya Newman, Calvin Conyers, Reggie Stokes, Diane Harris, Walt Roscello and Jane Hudnall.

Walt rode his new recumbent from his home near LaPlata and then back again. 

Diane worked on a high cadence spin most of the ride, and Sonya and Jane made a rapid run to the river from the outset.  Six of us stayed in a cluster a bit behind them, and Calvin and Randy rode sweep. 

The weather was warm and humid, but that seemed to affect the riders little.  Kirsten actually posted her fastest AMS to date!

There were no mechanical issues (apart from Walt making a few adjustments to his new bike), and a fun time was had by all.

Today's ride went off without a hitch.  I was joined by Jeff Lagana and Holden Hudson.  This evening, we switched up the route a little bit.  We headed toward Route 6, did Dubois and Old Stagecoach, and came back via Bowling Road, did some of the Three Notch Trail, and then wandered around Hughesville a bit through back neighborhoods.  By the time the ride was over, we did about 35 miles.

Partly sunny and cooler today.  It's amazing how comfortable the 80s feel after a July in Hell.  Present at the festivities today were Larry Peed, Tom Short, Randy Schoch (who took off on his own, as usual), Linda and Paul Bankerd, Mike Bivens, Sonja Newman, Mike and Regina Saizan, Tom Roberson, Alan Kurzweil, Jeff BNrady, Herb Hanm, Richard Harrington, Jon Agazzi, Sharon Miller and Steve Palincsar.

The route, another new combination, went down Livingston to Hawthorne, up Mason Spring, Poorhouse to Burch, then Rt 6 to Blossom Point to the rest stop at Goose Bay.  Return was via Fire Tower, Annapolis Woods to Ripley, Hawthorne all the way to Lower Wharf, then Chapman's Landing back to Bryans Road.  Noteworthy was the repaving - fresh, brand new, still going on in the opposite lane, on Hawthorne all the way from Ripley down to the Chicamuxen intersection.

As for the ride -- no idea.  I was dropped and no longer part of the ride by mile 3.   Note to all: it's all very well and good for Southern Exposure to become an A ride, but if so, you ought to list it that way in the schedule and you need to find some A riders to lead, because it's for sure it ain't me, babe.

Richard took some photos:  https://plus.google.com/u/0/photos/107113808916139260792/albums/5771445813522075313

Beautiful morning for an early ride! Michelle Wilkens, Dana Middleton, Mike Bivens, Ken Meredith and German De Ortube were among the early risers today. Thanks for coming out. 

What a great day for a ride, great temperatures, inspiring people and a  beautiful sunny day ! From the movie containing the 123rd greatest philosopher of all time, Jack Nicholson, It was "As good as it gets". The ride was a combination of a longer 39 mile route and a shorter 29 mile route. The first stage started at the fire house in Accokeek, picking up the 29 mile group at the Safeway at Bryans road. The 39 mile route had 9 riders while the 29 mile route had 10 riders. We had a returning member and two guest as well to join us.

Many thanks to all for the great asistance. George Martin, CC Co-ordinator, took the front lead position to start the group off then rode sweep, Larry Perkins and Harry kidd  marked turns. Co- Leaders Herman Young and myself also road sweep.

There were no mishaps except for a thrown chain which was quikly replaced.

The riders listed below comprised the group:  (Please forgive any names that may have been mispelled)

Herman Young, George Martin, Reggie Stokes, Ami Hartimi, Larry kidd, Jimmy Bertlift, Daniel Thompson, Brookey Givens, Pat Walthers, Larry Perkins,  Walter Carr, Polly Choate, Julie Kowalewski, Clay Rogers, Diana Donahue, Pat Colvin, Belina Acre, Ann-marie Harris, B.J. Harris.

Reggie Stokes, Co-Leader

Herman Young, Co-Leader 

 

 

Another great turnout for the weekend riders of Oxon Hill. Fourteen riders and the Rider Leader rode the extended version of an oldie but goodie, Pilgramage to MT Carmel.  I think before the route was over there became a belief that hills were possible in Southern MD.  A former President rode amongst us.  Welcome back to Kevin Colvin.  There were no mechanicals today.  Although there were two designated rest stops we made an unofficial third  stop at Johnny Boy's for cola and lemonade.  In attendance were Jim & Jane Hudnall,Steve Palincsar, Jim McPherson,Larry Green, Richard Harrington, Tom Roberson, Linda & Paul Bankerd, Stephen OKeefe,Tracy Krulik, Tom Dillickrath.  Despite the humidity and heat a good time was had by all.  Ride Leader swept with an AVS of 14.5