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

The ride started out and quickly broke into 2 groups.  The first part of the ride to St. Ignatias had no incidents.  It was right after the rest stop that problems happened.  The first group left and had no issues, but the second group with the ride leader had one huge problem.  The ride leader stopped looking at what was in front of him and looked to his right to spray his water bottle before taking a drink.  Well that drink never came because he had crossed wheels and started veering to the right.  So his front wheel touched the person in front of him, and as it was said he went down with a thud.  The good news is he rolled and was able to get up.  Nothing was broken, just a lot of road rash that is healing.  He cleaned up and the group split from there where the group that was riding with him headed to complete the route and he and the VP headed to get him home.

Leader Jackie Schoch and riders were Randy Schoch, Larry Peed, Steve Palincsar, Richard Harrington, and George Martin.  What a great day for a ride.  It was shady when we started the ride but on the way back we noticed the sun a lot.  Randy and I saw 2 doe and 3 spotted babies.  They just stood there and watch us going by.  There were a lot of walkers and some bike riders on the trail which was great to see.

"It's not the heat, it's the humidity."  Except when it's both the heat and the humidity.  As it was today.  Good thing we got back before the real heat started: in the 80s when we set out, a mere 90 degrees when we finished shortly after 1 pm, quickly rising to almost 100 a half-hour later; and a good thing there was a nice breeze.  Except for the final four or five miles, it felt comfortable all morning.

Considering all the weather hysteria on the radio today, we had a great turnout:  Larry Peed, Linda Bankerd, Sonja Newman, Pat Sanders, Loretta Troen, Mike Bivens, Mike and Regina Saizan, Erica Kane, Randy Schoch, Sam Perry, Jane and Jim Hudnall, Dee McChesney, Lou Dallorso, Holly Carr and leader Steve Palincsar.

The route had 2300' of climbing, more than usual for a Brandywine ride (and 30% more than Tuesday's ride to Fort Washington).  For the most part it was continuously rolling, with nothing steeper than 9%.  We had rest stops at Nottingham Store and the visitors center at Patuxent River Park. 

A minor noteworthy event: today we completed the long-term strategic objective of riding every through-road in every direction in the Brandywine area, by riding Croom northbound between Brooks Church and Baden Naylor, and northbound between Molly Berry and St. Thomas Church.  There are still a few roads we've never been on, notably two that go from Croom down towards the Patuxent, but they both peter out and never come in sight of the river.  (We do go down Magruders Ferry and River Airport, both of which have river views.)

No mishaps or mechanicals to report, although Sam did suffer a cramp around 7 miles from the end, which he was quickly able to walk off.

Sixteen riders showed up to ride to the river on a beautiful summer evening.  Two new riders on the route - Cameron and Mahmood (sorry, I cannot make out the spelling of their last names) arrived with their friends Dee and Tim McChesney.  As Cameron and Mahmood are relatively new riders, Jane Hudnall graciously offered to ride sweep with the four of them.  Thanks Jane!

Riding a bit further ahead were Ron Leak, LaTasha Banks, German Deortube, Sam Perry, Calvin Conyers, Kirsten Watts, Jim Hudnall and Ride Leader Shane LaBrake.  Jackie and Randi Schoch along with George Martin rode at a slower pace, but we all arrived to the firehouse within a few minutes of each other.  

There were no issues to report from the main group of eleven riders.  I had to leave before Jane arrived with her group, so I'm not sure how they all fared on the return from the river.  Jim readily left the firehouse to take his van to them in the event that anyone needed SAG support. 

Thanks to both Jim and Jane for their assistance with the ride, and I should acknowledge how nice it is to lead a ride with at least eight other active ride leaders in the mix.  Made my work very easy!  Thanks all.