Ride Leader Mike Bivens, wondering what happened to winter, was joined by members Alan Kurzweil, Randy and Jackie Schoch, Jimmy Bartlett, Erica Kane, Jim Hudnall, Linda Bankerd, Steve Palincsar (starting from and returning to the Accokeek Fire Station for an additional ten miles), Mike and Regina Saizan, John Early, Sharon Miller, Sam Perry, and Joan Oppel, and guest Carmen Leguto on this 38 mile B Ride. At ride start the temperature was in the upper 50s and at ride end, mid 60s on the last day of January! This was a longer route, but shorter cue sheet, having long stretches and fewer turns. The deviators, Randy, Jackie and Jimmy, did their own shorter route. John had an appointment and turned around to return near the halfway point. We left the shopping center on Livingston to Hawthorne and then to Chickamuxen where it becomes Riverside (and into Najemoy).  Two cars passed during the more than five miles on Riverside. After a rest stop at the Nanjemoy Store, we continued the circle by coming east on Rt 6. This seven mile stretch was almost as deserted at Riverside and we were able to take advantage of not only the wide shoulders, but were able “to take the lane” as well. We returned on Mason Springs, with a second stop at the Pisgah Store, and then back up Livingston.  The only incidents were Linda’s flat on Chickamuxen and Sam’s cramping coming back up Livingston. Sweeping from the rear, my average was 14.1 on a winter’s day that could not get much better for bicycling.

Ride Leader Janell Saunders was joined by Steve Palinscar, Blake Altman, Jan Tucker, Mike Bivens, Diane Harris, Linda Bankerd, George and Claire Chiamulera, Ken Meredith, Alan Kurzweil and Gordon Meure.  Mildly chilly at the start but very sunny.  The group stayed together till the Bumpy Oak portion to Hawthorne Road.  We re-grouped at the Goose Bay Marina and enjoyed a sit-down on the porch. Everyone made it back to the start without incident.  A nice ride for me for not having been on the bike since the 2nd. 

Leader Ron Leak was joined by members Sharon Miller, Claire Chiamulra, Michie Sidwell, Jeff Lagana, and Reese on a fun ride on and off the IHRT.  The kicker is Claire, Jeff, Reese and the ride leader also did the Bike Doctor Winter Training Ride prior to this, adding another 37 miles for the day, which actually finished up a little more than an hour before this ride started.  The weather was a little windy, which knocked down the 55 degree air temp into the 40s.  There were no incidents, and an enjoyable ride.

Leaders Nancy Avitabile and Richard Edelman were joined by Diane Harris, Cathy Wilson,  John Kady, Ken Meredith, R. Tripp and Blake Altman for a ride on an unseasonably gorgeous day. The temperature hit 52 degrees during our ride which made it feel like spring. The bridge at Patuxent River has been repaired and is now open. Now, if they would just repair the potholes on Queen Anne’s Bridge Road it would be perfect. With such good weather it is hard to complain. The roads were mostly lightly trafficked and course went from flat to rolling with a couple of climbs. We passed many other folks out on their bikes enjoying the day.

Leader: Steve Palincsar. Today's big surprise was the weather: 44 degrees, clear skies, bright warm sun at ride start, getting up to 54 with a freshening breeze by 1 pm – a perfect early spring day, and not at all what you'd expect for late January. There were two options, 36 and 28 miles, and all but two riders chose the 36. Attending from Oxon Hill were: Sarah Clement, Walter Measday and Walter Measday IV, Jan Tucker, Holly and Walter Carr, Mike Bivens, John Gorman, Pat Walthers, Jim Hudnall, Mike and Regina Saizan (and John Early, who intercepted us en route) joined by 9 riders from Potomac Pedalers.

Ride leader was Jackie Schoch with Randy Schoch, Jimmy Bartlett, Jan Tucker, Jim and Jan Hundall rode from the Village Green.  It was a sunny day but on the way back the wind was very strong.  At one time the gust of wind blew so hard that I couldn't pedal and was standing still.  We stop on the way back so Jim Hundall could give a bike rider a lesson on changing flat tires.  Watching Jim he should give a 101 class on changing tires.

Leader Jim Hudnall with Jane Hudnall, Tom Roberson, Joan Oppel and Mike Bivens set out on the "Nottingham 35" and were joined along the way by John Early. With temperature at the start of the ride in the mid-40's, the roads dry from the overnight showers, and little chance of more rain until the afternoon, it looked to be a pleasant day for a ride, and it was. The route was 35 miles on scenic roads with almost no traffic The group had an enjoyable rest stop at the picnic table at the Nottingham Store. Photo Album

Ride Leader Mike Bivens, on a beautiful winter morning where the temperature at ride start was in the low 50s, was joined by Alan Kurzweil, Randy and Jackie Schoch, Jim and Jane Hudnall, Paul and Linda Bankerd, Steve Palincsar (starting from and returning to the Accokeek Fire Station for an additional ten miles), Sharon Miller, Richard Harrington, Sam Perry, and Joan Oppel, on this 39 mile B Ride. This route had us leave the shopping center down Marshall Hall Road, up Barrys Hill to Old Marshall Hall Road, and after the rest stop (Wawa at Billingsley and 301), a long stretch on Marshall Corner Road, – thus the name. Randy and Jackie deviated from the route to shorten it, but still met everyone at the rest stop. Sam returned with them on the rail trail due to a prior appointment. The only incidents were Steve’s two flats within the space of 25 yards on Hawthorne. Apparently my assistance, failed to locate what was in the tire after the first, which ostensibly caused the second.  Sweeping from the rear, my average was 14.0 mph.

Leader Jim Hudnall with Jane Hudnall, Steve Palincsar, Tom Roberson, Joan Oppel, Erica Kane, Mike Bivens, Ken Meredith and  Diane Harris set out on the 27-mile “Cycle by Mattaponi” route and were joined along the way by Stephen O’Keefe and John Early. The temperature was in the mid-30’s, but with bright sunshine and several layers the cyclists were comfortable. After the rest stop at Wawa, most riders took Steve’s suggestion that we add six miles by doing Danville and Floral Park. Ken, John and Stephen continued on the 27-mile route, since they were getting extra miles by biking from home. Photos at Facebook

Mike Bivens (Ride Leader) was joined by just one other, Steve Palincsar, on a make-up of the ride postponed from the day before due to rain. At the start of this 32 mile ride, the termperature was in the mid 40s with very light winds. That changed after the rest stop at Chapel Point. The temps dropped to the very low 40s and the winds gusted to more than 20 mph. Not too bad on the rollers of Fairground Road, but a significant impediment coming back up the hill on Pomfret. No incidents and a meandering B pace of 13.5 mph.