Leader Jackie Schoch and riders were Randy Schoch, John Rigonda, Larry Peed, Jack Hammond, Jonathan Berry, Richard Harrington, Jimmy Butlett, Jon Agazzi, Jim Hundall, Jane Heidnall, La'Tasha Banks, Jeanne Ulrich.  What a great day for a ride and everybody enjoyed the company.  Some of us ate at the deli after the ride.

It was a cool, sunny and windy day, low 60s at 10:30 but feeling even cooler, and the 10-15 mph wind at ride start gradually increased with gusts up to 30 mph as the day wore on.  Given the wind in the forecast I wasn't expecting a large turnout.  Surprise: it was guest day at Best of Brandywine, and I didn't get the memo, so 16 cue sheets had to do for 24 riders.  Fortunately, no one got lost.

In the group were Richard Harrington, Larry Peed, Jack Hammond, Lou Dall'Orso, Mike Saizan, Dave VanAmayden, Jim McDermott, Joan Oppel, Tom Roberson, Barry Winkleman, Loretta Troen, Jane and Jim Hudnall, Tom Short, Paul and Linda Bankerd, Dana Middleton, Sharon Miller and guests Fred Warwick, Sunil Bhimani, Chris Zabriski, Matt Hucvh and Jeff Ashby (several from Bowie, the rest from Andrews AFB).

The route was 38 or 32 miles, down North Keys and back on Cross Road Trail, 301 and Old Indian (punctuated by a sudden stop at Old Indian and 301 and a cleat that failed to release leading to a slow speed fall for Paul, fortunately no harm done) to a descent of Trumps Hill, a climb back up Croom to Mount Calvert, then a fast twister on Duvall (and today the gate on that false left was open, luring a pack in) to Croom Airport down to Patuxent River Park. 

After the rest stop at Jug Bay some of us stopped for a second break at the Nottingham store (not the fast folks, of course, they kept on going) we took the optional six mile loop down Candy Hill, up Tanyard and back to Candy Hill on Croom, returning to the firehouse in the teeth of 30 mph gusts on Candy Hill and North Keys.

A day for streaming eyes, streaming noses, pollen everywhere, and a great day to practice those crosswind riding skills.  13.9 mph average for the last ones in, so a fast day as well.  Our guests seemed to enjoy their introduction to the Brandywine area, and I hope to see some of them again.

[Jim got a few photos before his camera battery died]

Sometimes the difference between a perfect weather forecast and "Oops, where'd that rain come from?" is only 30 minutes. Like today.

It started out sunny, even warmed up by 10:00 (the first six miles coming down from Accokeek by way of Old Marshall Hall to Poplar Hill and back, then down Barry's Hill were pretty chilly, but as usual things started changing as I passed Lantana Drive). Forecast called for increasing cloudiness but a 10% chance of rain until 4pm, and still a 60% chance of no rain even then, plenty of time for a ride.

A fair number of true believers thought so, too, including Randy and Jackie Schoch, Thomas Short, Mike Bivens, Tyler Crane, Richard Harrington, Darryl Lowery, Erica Kane, Sharon Miller, Jim Hudnall, Dan Donahue and Sam Perry, and guest Robert Golding.

The route was another variation on the "Poorhouse to Poorhouse" theme, Carmelite Monastery and then Poorhouse Road to Pisgah, with what I hoped would be a couple of tweaks to stop the "vanishing peloton" effect: Pomfret Rd. to Marshall Corner, then a jog down Bensville to the IHRT before the usual Turkey Hill/301/Mitchell to Mt. Carmel. That plan went out the window as soon as we turned on Pomfret. The Fast Folks formed up, arrowing through the stiff headwind, and quickly vanished.

Turning off Marshall Corner onto Bensville, Sam and I spotted Mike helping Richard fix a flat tire (defective valve, we later learned). We briefly saw the group at the monastery, but they slipped quietly away. Saw them again at Pisgah store, even rode with them for 3/4 of a mile, but once we made the turn onto Pisgah Marbury it was vanishing time all over again, the peloton gaining two tenths for every mile traveled.

It was 1:15 when I arrived at Bryans Road, and everyone had left but Sam, Dan and Jim, a little after 1:30 when I got to Accokeek, last one in with a 13.6 mph average. It was undeniably rain as I left the firehouse -- but I was in the car by then. Those inclined to see the glass half empty would probably have called it a near-run thing, but for one whose glass is half full, it was a perfect day for a bike ride!

Some say "Pictures prove it happened," and here are some Jim took today.

Today's ride was a combo offering at a B pace led by John Gorman, and a CC led by Belinda Acre (super congrats for offering to co-lead!!). Temps were about 70 degrees with a cloudy sky. Today's ride was a self-created twist on "Gallant Green", using the zig-zag off of Brandywine Rd to Baden Westwood to (OMG!) Croom Rd,  (which John didn't walk), R onto Dr. Bowen/Woodville, then finally the downward direction thru the "McMansions" of Wilkerson/Celestial/Truman Manor, then up Gallant Green, (R) past Moreland's store, heading back using the connecting roads to Brandywine to the lot.  The CC- group consisted of members, Sarah Clement, Diane Gorman, Jennie Ann Swartz,  (guest Patricia Frausto), (returning guest LaTasha Banks who had not done more than 16miles before, Great Job Today, especially w the /Croom Hills)!!!), Diana/Dan Donahue, and (the Best Cycling Coach) Calvin Conyers, who greatly encouraged rode & walked alongside thru those needed encouragement navigating the Croom hills.

 The CCers AMS was 13.  John's B's group were members Jan/Ron Tucker, Tom Short, & guest Selven S (?), well they let the leader lead (slave maybe..lol), so THEY could draft most of the day (I finally figured that out w/ 8miles left to go), well it allowed me to finish 1st to the lot  w/ an all time high AMS of 16.26.  The CC group encountered 1 flat tire about 4miles from the finish, but the Donahue's assisted in getting it repaired, all riders finished, and all had a great day! 

 All agreed it was a nice experience (even if having to go thru the wretched hills of Croom and portions of Aquasco /Woodville, though John tried his best to map out a soft-hill route) to have two ride offerings, and the attending numbers reflected such.   Let's all think about offering dual rides w/ routes to match different rider's levels & experience. (Just something to consider.)  Folks enjoy riding, if they are having fun doing so and fellowship/support with the nearby company of others. 

  

Members Chuck Coe, Scott Oglesby, Robert Nunziata, Hoden Hudson, Brad Francisco, Clare Chiamulera, Eric Peterson and Jeff Lagana joined me for the 40 mile Hidden Amish ride. The weather was cloudy and misty with temperatures in the 60’s at the ride start; by the end of the ride the temperature had risen to the low 70’s and the sun was breaking out. We all rode more or less together until about 8 miles when Brad realized his computer had fallen off at a bumpy section in the road. Brad, Clare and the ride leader went back about a half mile to look for it and eagle-eyed Clare found it. The three of us rode together until we caught up to Eric. Then at Ryceville Road we saw the front group who had taken a “slight detour”. The group rejoined but Eric and the ride leader soon fell off the back; we then took an unscheduled break to get Eric some more water. The front group waited at the Exon station at Maryland 5 and we all rejoined and continued to the ride start together. It was a nice ride and except for the lost and found bike computer there were no issues.

Perfect day. Perfect ride, (almost). There were about 15 enthusiastic B level riders, separating into several groups, meeting up at the rest stops. I pedaled so furiously up Springfield Road that the air escaped from my rear tire. Two pump-ups, thanks to Mike Bivens, got me back to the end without having to do a major operation. 

Beautiful sunny day.  Perfect riding temperature.Six riders including the ride leader.  Larry Peed, Diane Gorman, Celeste Conyers, Calvin Conyers, Bernie Cohen, and Walter Carr trip leader.  Challenges of Surratt Road were met.  What goes down must go up.  So it is with Floral Park Road. the price is the climb up Thrift Road.  One flat within the last 1/2 mile and that rider was SAGed back to the start

Ken Merideth and Ron Leak were joined by 23 members and guests on a nice warm and humid day for an enjoyable metric century in Prince George's and a little bit of Charles Counties.  Ron Lead led the A/AAs out to MD-5 and Surratts Rd. and that was the last time the AAs were seen by the ride leaders.  Everyone made it back safely with little incident.  The issues in this group that the ride leaders assisted with and know about a flat tire, broken rear spoke, and a brake lock-up issue after hitting a massive pothole.  The other issue that was mentioned while on the road was leg cramping.

What a beautiful day for a ride.  The prediction for morning showers did not hold true and the temperature soured into the low 80's.  The CC 40 appeared to be an attractive route and distance for 18 riders some or whom were from the B class.  This added to the variety and excitement of the ride.  The ride was incident free and enjoyed by all.  I believe the ride was attended by more than the 18 as when I returned to the end of the ride several cue sheets that were left on my vehicle had been taken.  Thanks for riding and the increased numbers added to the excitement.

Leader was Jackie Schoch and riders Randy Schoch, Larry Peed, Jack Hammond, Jimmy Bartlett, Nancy Caplan (Guest), Linda Schwartz (Guest), Tim McChesney, Dee McChesney, Steve Palincsar, Brookey and Valarie Love and Jeannie Ulrich meet us at the usual place.  It started out as a great ride.  Except on the way I had some warnings but didn't take notice.  They were: 1.  Cows were down at the fence in the woods before you get to Bumpy Oak Road and I never see them there before.  2.  The clouds were getting dark as you were crossing Bumpy Oak Road and then Randy and I heard the thunder.   Then we saw Jimmy Bartlett and Jack Hammond heading back, since Jimmy and Randy are now pros for getting wet on the Friday rides they all agree it was time to head back.  BUT since I was the leader I had to catch up with the rest of the crew.  It was also my time to practice riding fast so I was doing 15 heading toward White Plains.  I also saw Larry Peed, Brookey and Valarie  heading back to Indian Head, but I kept going.  It only sprinkle on me for a few minutes so I was ahead of the storm.  When I got to White Plains everybody was dry, sitting around and talking. We waited until I noticed that the storm was going the other way.  Jeanne got to White Plains when we were getting ready to leave.  She said that it was raining hard so she found a port-a potty to stay until it was over.  After it rains you get to see a lot of wild life on the trail.  Jeanne took a movie clip of a big black snake crossing the trail.  I saw 2 small turtles heading toward the water, a wild turkey and of course the frogs were singing.
Just a note on a few things about this ride when the 1st group of riders were heading back to Indian Head, they were heading toward the STORM and they got WET.  When you see cows together in the corner of a field in the woods it means a storm is coming.  I should had known that since I lived on a farm.  I have to say the rest of us never got wet and we had a great ride.