It was a chilly day that got more windy and chilly as the day went by.  Ride leader Holly Carr was joined by J&J Hudnall, Richard Harrington, Mike Bivins, Janell and my long lost friend Delane Rouse!  Riding again with Delane and friends was awesome.  But, this ride is gaining a reputation for blowouts.  We had 3 flat tires in 30 miles.  Perhaps we should find a new route.  But where would we go for our Starbucks at the end?     Photos

Leader Claire Chiamulera was joined by members Drayton Reese, Blake Altman, Ken Meredith, Danzie Seaward, John Choate, John Giglio and David Kemp. It was a treat for me to ride to the start at Oak Ridge Park, just 6 miles from home.  Blake and David had the same idea, but put in some more serious pre-ride miles. We started with clouds and a stiff wind, but by the rest stop at the Amish school, the sun had broken out. The group rode a strong pace, enjoying the rolling, peaceful roads of southern Maryland’s Amish community. We mostly stayed together, with a few riders engaging in occasional off-the-front attacks. A good dose of hills kept us climbing, but the hills were well spaced to allow time for recovery. Even so, by the final climb, my quads were done. Ride leader finished with a 17.0 ams. Photo

It wasn't raining in Fort Washington but the roads were wet early Saturday morning so I delayed the ride by 1 hour, starting at 11:00 instead of 10:00.  Three people braved the wet roads with me on this ride - Benny Budd, Joni King, and Michael Blaine.  We had a good ride in spite of the wet roads, even enjoying the peeks of sunshine along with the wind.  A large bird joined us briefly (a buzzard?) when it took off from the right side of the road, right next to Mike...it was close enough to see the pattern of it's brown feathers!!  We ended with a 17.0 ams.

Leader was Jackie Schoch.  Riders were Randy Schoch, John Riconda, Jimmy Bartlett, Mike Bivens, Jane and Jim Hudnall, Ruddy Elly.  Jeannie Ulrich parked at Livingston Rd (224) and Calvin and Celeste Conyers parked closer to White Plains, which was a good idea since this is Celeste first ride on the trail since her accident.  Before the ride started, I told everybody that if the weather doesn't look good at "Old Woman Run" we will turned back.  When Randy and I got to Old Woman Run there wasn't anybody waiting so I told Randy, "well, I guess they want to keep on riding."  After we had our break at White Plains it started to sprinkle and off we went, but it got a little harder as we went.  I know one thing: you learn how hard you can push yourself when it is raining. :o)  Ruddy Elly got a flat so Jane and Jim stopped to help him.  They said that it was kind of hard to check for the hole in the tube when it is raining.  Jimmy got picked up by Calvin and Celeste.  Jackie, Randy, Jane, Jim Ruddy, Celeste and Calvin had dinner at the deli.  I have to say, "Mother Nature, I get the hint, if there is rain in the forecast, I will cancel my ride". Two times in a row and I finally get the hint. Photos

Best of Brandywine: Marlton Croom Station. Leader: Steve Palincsar. Summer came early today. Sunny, breezy, up to 70 degrees, and how wonderful it was to be wearing shorts and short sleeve jerseys! (Note to doubters: Jim's got the pictures to prove it.) The group today consisted of: Richard Harrington, Patricia Sanders, Jay Lewis, Alan Kurzweil, Tom Roberson, Joan Oppel, Linda and Paul Bankerd, Jim and Jane Hudnall, Dave VanAmayden, Ken Meredith, Sharon Miller, John Early and -- joining us at the rest stop -- Sam Perry. The route today was a variation on an idea originally led by Mike and Regina Saizan two or three years ago that pushed the northern boundary of the Thursday Brandywine rides across the 301 frontier to Upper Marlboro. Today's route followed Old Indian Head, down Trumps Hill and Croom Station to Old Crain Highway and William Beanes. At least, it did for most. There were a few who mistook Crain Highway for Old Crain Highway and headed off on 301 towards Anne Arundel County. We tried to regroup, even tried to phone, at Old Crain but to no avail, and so pushed on to the Safeway. There we lost Tom Roberson, who kept on going on 301 back to Brandywine, and found Sam Perry, who came late to the firehouse, found no cue sheets (we started late and I thought everyone who was coming had done) but managed to interpret my cryptic email comment about the "northern frontier" and joined us at the Safeway. At length, the stragglers from 301 rejoined, having gotten in a few bonus miles. So, too, did Paul, who dropped his chain on Croom Station. The official route was 36 miles. It was such a beautiful day many decided to extend the route: after coming down Van Brady, going left on Molly Berry and turning on Croom, instead of going up to the Nottingham store for a second break, we went left on Mattaponi and right on St. Thomas Church to Fenno to the Merkle Sanctuary, picking up the route at Candy Hill for a 40 mile total. Total elevation, 1880-2000', average in the mid-13s. Photos

Leader: Steve Palincsar. Yet another lovely early spring day: breezy, clear blue skies, 40s at 10 getting up to the mid-50s by the time we returned to Bryans Road. In the group today were Darryl Lowery, Ken Williams, Alan Kurzweil, Jim Hudnall, Richard Harrington, Mike Bivens, Linda Bankerd and Delane Rouse. The route was a reversal of the usual Chapel Point ride: up Locust Grove and across 301 to a rest stop at Wills Memorial Park (Johnny Boy's BBQ not being open yet) and then Glen Albin and Springhill Newtown to The Big Decision Point. At Wills Park, most seemed inclined to go left on Bel Alton Newtown to 6 (the 35 mile route) with only 3 wanting to go right to tackle the infamous "Beast of Bel Alton" on the 38 mile route, but at the T all were persuaded by Jim's explanation that there were more downhills going right. Perhaps the fact that going right provided a rest stop at St. Ignatius with bathrooms and a nearly unlimited supply of free ice might also have had a bearing on the decision. So, how bad is "The Beast of Bel Alton?" RidewithGPS shows the climb to be 0.4 mi long, gaining just over 100' of elevation. The steepest grade of the climb is 11.8%, with half of it at or above 6%. The worst thing about it, of course, is that it looks like a vertical wall as you approach it. It is considerably easier in the opposite direction: maximum grade only 7.6%, and although you gain more elevation you get an additional 0.3 mi to do it, most of it at a gentle grade. As expected, I was the last one up The Beast. There's a price to pay for having a Special Relationship with Gravity, after all. Total distance, 38 miles, my average 13.8. Lanterne Rouge. Photos

The gusty winds of yore had died down, temps were rising, with sunny blue skies. Leader Polly Choate was joined by John Riconda, Dee McChesney, Jay Lewis, Richard Harrington, and Belinda Acre on this 26mi C/CC ride. The 3 guys surged ahead.  We 3 ladies were joined by John Early at 301/Dyson Rd. We all re-grouped at Cedarville Deli, rediscoving it is closed on Sundays. The real pitstop awaited at WAWA. Some headwinds on the way back, we bid adieu to John at Danville Rd. All agreed -- good company and a pleasant riding day with 12.5mph for the leader who swept from behind.

Being much warmer and sunnier than the day before, ride leader Holly Carr met with Diane Harris, sister Theresa, Linda Bankard, Ruthann Cumberland, Janell Saunders, Mike Bivins and the Hudnalls.  We all enjoyed a B pace until low and behold, a extraordinary tire blowout occurred on the way back.  Not to worry, Jim Hudnall "gave Diane the Boot" and the tire was good enough to get her back to Starbucks, where we all enjoyed some mojo.  Good trip, good folks, great day!

Members John Giglio, John Choate, Ken Meredith and Claire Chiamulera joined me for the Doncaster and Nanjemoy ride. The temperatures were in the mid 30’s at the ride start and it got up to the low 40’s by the end of the ride.  Fortunately, the winds were down from the day before!  We had a nice ride down to the rest stop at Linda’s Store where we stopped for drinks and a bathroom break. We stood around talking for a while in the parking lot which felt good in the sun. However, we stopped too long and were chilled for a bit once we started up again. It was a very pleasant ride with everyone staying together though out the ride and everyone taking turns at the front. We finished up with a 17.5 MPH average which isn’t too bad for this time of year.

Rider leader John Gorman was joined by member Walter Measday and PPTC guest Chris Bradshaw. This ride was a combo start with Steve Palincsar's 45 mile post.  Well the event of the day was the WIND advisory posting for the metro area, which by start time had sustained winds of 15-25 gusting near 40, with temps of maybe 40, well either we are simply gung ho or crazy(?).   We pushed off into some serious head/crosswind conditions, I and Joan Oppel committed that we almost got blown over. Lucikly upon starting down Rossback and Patuxent River Roads, the buffering of the large trees allowed the ride to be bearable.