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.

The Temperature was not as warm as forecast, but it was still warm enough for 11 riders to show up for the Seagull Warm-up. The riders (Reggie Stokes, Michael Bivens, Pat Walthers, Walter Carr, German Deortube, Jimmy Bartlett, Randy Schoch, Barry Winkelman, Calvin Conyers, JulieAnn Kowalewski and Larry Perkins) enjoyed the brisk cool air.  Everyone was pleased to see Calvin show up with at least 15 minutes before the Start.  This was JulieAnn's first co-leader ride and she did a great job as a leader. 

What a beautiful slightly crisp 58 degree cloudly ride start from Davidsonville Elm School in AA County. Joining rider leader John Gorman were fellow members Judie Artman, Linda Molesworth, Alan Kurzweil and Jim McPherson. This slightly self-created route went down MD-214 E before using the standard roads getting onto MD-468/Muddy Creek south. 

The first early break is at the Galesville Pier, then further south (not often done this way), continued further south on Muddy Creek into Shady Side winding thru some side residential streets w/ a reststop w/ views of the Bay Bridge on the Chesapeake Bay, w/ one more dead end water view at Griener Ln. Then the long straight way back up Muddy Creek before heading  L westbound thru Chruchton/Deale. From here we followed the standard Nutwell Sudley roads (hill work) thru rural horse farms back to Harwood/(Southern HS), and back up Wayson/Queen Anne Bridge back to the school lot.  The ride finished up in brillant sunshine.

Rider leader's stats from leading (because he knew the roads) for most of the ride and then sweeping at the end of the ride: 14.90 ams, time of 2:51 42miles. We kept a fairly close pace together for the majority of the day. No mechanical or other noted concerns to report.

Joining Randy and Jackie Schoch on a cool Friday morning for our last 9AM start until next summer (we go to 11AM next month) were Calvin and Celeste Conyers, John Riconda and Larry Peed.  This was a very enjoyable ride, but not much traffic (human or animal) out and about.  We were greeted by a fisherman at Bumpy Oak Pond and on the way back we saw a large black snake on the trail.  Larry and John picked up the pace on the return leg and were back long before we finished.  After three young riders sped by us, Calvin tried unsuccessfully to catch them and then decided to ride back with the slower trio.  Calvin had to take Celeste to work and John went home, but Larry, Jackie and I went to George's BBQ for lunch.

Pleasant day for riding yesterday. I was joined by five riders using the B ride's cue sheet for the 32 mile Mt. Calvert route. With me were Roger Cubbage, Patricia Sanders, Steve Palincsar, Loretta Troen and John Early. The riders were a little frisky, keeping close distance with the B riders ahead of us. We had two stops, The Moore Store for hydration and the Mt. Calvert Plantation. The ride leader swept the rear with an AMS of 14.2 mph.

A beautiful day with great company. Thanks to all who came out for my first-led ride.  I brought up the rear with Richard Harrington leading off.  Jim and Jane Hudnall, Mike and Regina Saizan, Tom Short, Michelle Williams, Sharon Miller, Erica Kane, Lou Dall'Orso and Vicki Garlock enjoyed beautiful scenery and a great day to Mount Calvert.

We started Shane's 51st Birthday Ride/Tour de Accokeek with 13 riders.  Joining ride leader Shane LaBrake were OHBTC members Kirsten Watts, Ron Leak, Jim Hudnall, Jane Hudnall, Club Pres. Mike Bevins (Thanks Mike!), Delane Rouse (Thanks Delane!), Sam Carts, Jeanne Ulrich, Calvin Conyers, German Deortube and Brookey Givens.  Guest rider James Denmark rounded out the group.

This ominous number manifested itself with two riders dropping off for different reasons.  Ron Leak was experiencing unknown issues with his new Felt carbon and chose to cut out early and ride back home while home was still close.  Meanwhile, Sam Carts left home without his cycling shoes and tried to make do with his sandals.  Early into the ride though, a cut on his foot caused him too much grief, and he too took an early exit where he was close enough to home to make the ride there without too much difficulty.

Other than that, the ride proceeded smoothly on a warm and slightly humid late September evening. 

On our return to the firehouse, we were greeted by club member Janell Saunders happily showing off her braces-free smile.  Very nice! 

Also, as ride leader riding sweep, I was welcomed back with a round of "Happy Birthday" from the folks still present.  A heartfelt thank you to all who came and joined in the lovely chorus of birthday wishes.   

On this super fine fall day - slightly cool, bright blue sky - a super fine group of riders headed out on a "new" route: Northern Exposure.  The CC's on hand were Paul Bankerd, Vicki Garlock, Steve Palincsar, Randy and Jackie Schoch and Pat Walthers.  The route explored areas east and north of Bryans Road, where we usually don't ride.  Most of the early roads were wide and with fairly quiet traffic.  Some of the later roads were narrower and had more traffic but were quite manageable.  We climbed two pretty nice hills, just because they were there (St. Mary's View off of Floral Park and Livingston about 3 miles after that).  The CC's stayed together - one was on her first road ride since childhood and another was practicing for a week tour in Texas Hill Country. And we all had a super fine time!

Ride Leader Sharon Miller was joined by Linda Bankerd, Mike and Regina Saizan, Mike Bivens, Tom Short, Larry Peed, Richard Harrington, Jim Hudnall and Lou Dall'Orso along with Joan's CC group for a ride on a beautiful fall day.  We headed out on a new route dubbed the "Northern Exposure" that took us north of Berry Road in Waldorf and included 2 very nice, dare I say it, "hills". Some of us were surprised at the number of houses in the "new" subdivision off of Floral Park.  We enjoyed the change of pace and after the ride enjoyed some watermelon.