Feb 20 - Presidents Day ride to Fort Washington. Leader: Steve Palincsar. Another day of clear blue skies, bright sun and brisk wind. Cooler today than earlier in the weekend: although the heavy gloves and the wind breaker came off a dozen miles into the ride, the balaclava never did. Joining me were Jim and Jane Hudnall, Holly Carr, Tom Roberson, Sue Gunter, Bruce Rolfsen and Jill Thompson-Riese. Bruce, Jill and I rode over the Wilson Bridge from Virginia, and Holly, Jim and Jane -- running late because they couldn't find their winter riding gear (if that's not a sign of unusual weather this year...!) -- rode from home and joined us opposite Oxon Hill Manor. Before the ride, Walter Carr wondered how we were going to get to Pisgah in only 30 miles - as well he should do, since we were going to Piscataway instead. Two Indian names, both places we ride to, both begin with "Pis," call it a "Brain-O". The route was very similar to the 40th Anniversary ride, except we went down Gallahan and up Livingston instead of the other way around, and instead of coming up Oxon Hill Rd. at the end, we turned left on Fort Foote (after waiting for the funeral procession with police escort) and up Loughran. Remarkable observation: we actually saw some snow on the shoulders of Old Fort Rd., perhaps enough to fill an 8 oz glass if you packed it down. So much for last night's weather forecasts!

A bit cooler start than Steve's ride yesterday, but Herb Pruitt and Ken Meredith (riding from the Accokeek firehouse) joined me for a B pace, and we agreed to do the 31 mile route. Herb and I were still feeling the affects of the "flat hills" yesterday, and thankfully, Ken was happy to keep us company.  No mishaps or incidences, and we enjoyed friendly conversation (I learned more about customized bikes and components, making me think about an upgrade) and good company.  Avg speed was 13.5.

Weather predictions all week had called for snow but not until later in the day so four of us chanced it staying dry for the ride.  Claire Chiamulera, Jack Gardner, and Blake Altman were with me from the start.  Dave Kemp joined us on Bumpy Oak Rd.  The roads were lightly traveled with nice stretches of flat and the occasional short climb.  A flat tire within 3 miles of the finish was the only excitement of the day.  Ride leader finished with a 16.4 ams.

Diane 

Leader Ron Leak was joined by guests Amy Odegaerd and Ed Novak along with members Jimmy Bartlett, Delane Rouse, Jim and Jane Hudnall, Larry Peed, Jeanne and Pete Ulrich, Richard Harrington, and Jennie Swart on a nice ride down to Marshall Hall.  The weather was really nice without much wind.  There were no issues on the ride.

Sat., Feb 18.  Patuxent Surprise.  Leader: Steve Palincsar

Another startlingly lovely February "early spring" day: clear skies, high 40s when we left, high 50s when we returned, but a moderate breeze (4 on the Beaufort scale, I'll bet) made it seem significantly cooler.  Among the Oxon Hill contingent who signed in were Mike and Regina Saizan, Walter Measday, Janell Saunders, Jim Hudnall, Herb Pruitt, Linda and Paul Bankerd and Sarah Clement, with guests and Potomac Pedalers bringing the numbers up to 21: 1 more than the number of cue sheets I brought.  This time, it was a 36 mile route (that actually turned out to be 38 miles) with an 8 mile shortcut, rest stops at Merkle and Jug Bay and a return up Cross Road Trail.  Two riders took the short cut.  If you were on the ride and lost a balaclava, contact Walter at imes@loc.gov.

Ride leader - John Gorman, was joined by members Diane Gorman, Pat Walthers, John Riconda, and guest Lisa Oken.  This route goes south from the school located on MD-214 E/(962) Central Ave, down Queen Anne Bridge Rd thru Harwood on slightly rolling rual well paved Anne Arundel County roads into Deale's dock area that looks onto the  Cheasapeake Bay. The return route takes you thru  additional rual wide-open horse farms, with much more climbing to get back to to Queen Anne Bridge Rd to finish. Lisa and John R. rode together to/fm at a faster pace, I swept from the rear. We had sunny skies, getting up to the mid-50s, w/ more of a  breeze than originally forecast, a nice riding day was had by all, with no incidents to report.

Leader was Jackie Schoch, Riders were Randy Schoch, Steve Palincsar, John Riconda, Jeanne Ulrich, Rudy Elly, Pat Myers, Delane Rouse, Jane and Jim Hudnall, Larry Peed, Sam Perry (who started the ride 15 minutes late but caught up with us). Randy had to turned around at Old Woman Run so he could get back for a meeting downtown by 6 pm.  It was a great ride going toward White Plains since the wind was at our back.  BUT going back the wind was hitting our faces which made it a little harder, but in all it all was a great ride. A group of us had  late lunch/early dinner at Calo Jero's Deli that was a great time for everyone.   Next week hopefully the weather will be nice, so if you come for the ride please wear your Oxon Hill Jersey, because a newspaper reporter will meet us in White Plains for a photo shoot.  I jokingly said to Jim, "What my ride is getting so popular that a reporter is coming."  The reporter is doing an article on the trail, so come out with your colors. 

Another terrific "winter" (so-called on the calendar) day for riding.  Comfortable temperatures the entire morning, some clouds early, then some lovely sun, low winds.  Lots of road work crews out but only minimal hold ups.  Linda Bankerd, Mike Bivens (Grandpa!!), Darryl Lowery, Steve Palincsar and Tom Roberson joined the ride leader for a pleasant jaunt around and to Pisgah.  Then a little side trip down the Indian Head Trail and back to the shopping center.  And we all had a real good time.

The ride leader was Jackie Schoch and riders were Randy Schoch, John Riconda, Paris Watson, Brian Riley, Yvonne and Henry Hoyle, Steve Palincsar, Larry Peed, Jan Tucker, Ruddy Elly, Jeanne Ulrich. The ride started out great but toward the end the temperature really dropped.  We had 2 guests, Parris and Brian, and hopefully we will see them again on a ride.  They learned about us from Bike Dr.  Thanks Bike Dr. for spreading the word. Jackie, Randy and Ruddy had dinner at CaloJero's and of course it was great.

Feb 9 Best of Brandywine: Surratts Backwards, S. Springfield.  Leader: Steve Palincsar.

Although the sky was clear and the sun was bright, it was back to balaclavas and booties, windbreakers and winter gloves today.  Any other February, we'd be raving about what a lovely mild day, but by current standards it was blustery and chilly, at least until well past noon. 

It was just me, Mike Bivens and Tom Roberson on a 36 mile route that went east on N. Keys to Molly Berry, up Van Brady to Cheltenham and west on Surratts Road to a rest stop at Louise Cosca Park.   After the break we went down Thrift Hill to Piscataway, up Berry Rd. to Accokeek, east to South Springfield back to Floral Park and Dyson, etc. back to the Firehouse.  

Jim, Jane, Holly and John are en route to Florida today.  I wonder where everyone else was.