The morning started with heavy fog, misting the windshield during the drive to the ride start.  All was dry in The Plains, VA (and stayed dry throughout the ride) and 25 riders enjoyed a very scenic up and down ride through Aldie and Atoka back to The Plains.  The sun finally showed itself 8 miles from the end of the ride but the route itself got many compliments.  Total mileage was just under 46 miles.  Oxon Hill was represented by Michelle Dyer, Alan Kurzweil and Tom Roberson (it was a joint ride with Potomac Pedalers).    

The weather wasn't at all what I was expecting from the weekend's weather reports.  It was cool, overcast, misty, and the roads were wet.  Bob Thompson, Chantal Briere, Blake Altman, Liam Healy, Ken Meredith, John Clark, Jack Gardiner, Nancy Avitabile, and Richard Edelman braved the wet roads and mist to join me for this ride.  We quickly split into 2 groups but met at the rest stop.  Nancy and Richard went on ahead while the rest stayed a bit longer to give me and Liam a chance to take advantage of the break.  The 2nd part of the ride was at a more leisurely pace, with the group staying together, soft pedaling when needed to let those behind catch up.  Towards the end of the ride the sun came out.  All in all a good day.  Ride leader averaged 15.6 mph.

Four riders (Jack Hammond, Grant Bagley, Jimmy Bartlet, and Paul Bankerd) signed up for the slower version of the two St. Patrick's Day Extravaganza rides departing from and returning to John Baggett Park in Laurel Grove.   The group enjoyed some of the best scenery Northern St. Mary's & eastern Charles Co. have to offer.  Weather conditions were outstanding!   There were no mechanicals or flats.  

Grant shifted to the B pace riders early in the ride.   Jack was able to set a longest ride mark for this young cycling season.   Jimmy, on the other hand, set a cycling career distance and average speed record when he finished with 45 miles at an AvS of 13 mph.   Congratulations, Jimmy!

We finished up at Laurel Station, next to the park, for lunch & green beer or green ice cream, depending on your orientation. 

 

Ride Leader Sharon Miller was joined by Grant Bagley, Linda Bankerd, Rita and Harold, Darryl Watson, Chuck Coe, and Steve Palincsar as we piggybacked on the Donahue's C/CC ride which began at Baggett/Laurel Grove Park. Steve started at the Northern Senior Center, so we met him about 4 miles into the ride.  It was a glorious day with start temps in the low to mid 60's climbing to the mid 70's by ride's end.  We rode together until six miles into the ride, Grant had a flat in his tubeless tire.  He was able to get enough pressure in it to make it back to the ride start where he changed the tire followed the cue sheet backward till he saw some from the group.  Our group was split after the stop for the tire repair, with some riding on ahead.  Several of us joined riders from the C group at the rest stop/outhouse at the Amish School where we were being observed by a young Amish boy from across the road.  Ride leader's average was 14.5. Thanks to Dan Donahue for a great route which included the Three Notch Trail and scenic country roads! 

Nobody wore green today for the ride. For shame! Neither did yours truly. I have no green gear.  Next year I must be prepared!  Ride leader, Charles "Michie" Sidwell, was joined by Diane Harris, Michael Blaine, Blake Altman, John Giglio, and David Kemp, who met up with us along the route.  We started the ride by discussing the politics of gasoline taxes.  The jury still isn't out, and everyone had their own opinions.  We picked up the pace a bit on Chicamuxen Rd on our way down to Riverside Rd.  We breaked at the store on Liverpool Point Rd.  David and Mike decided to break off from there and head back.  Blake, Diane, John and myself continued the ride. We rode on a little known road called Smith Point Rd.  I'll be sure to include this road in more future routes.  It is a nice, charming little country road.  We picked up the pace again on Ironside Rd and Mason Springs Rd.  Blake broke off at the Pisgah Store to head back to his home in LaPlata.  Diane, John and myself went the rest of the way.  We took the IHRT back to Indian Head.  We saw lots of cyclists and pedestrians enjoying the trail.  So nice to know people are utilizing this county treasure.  The pizza place wasn't open for some strange reason.  No one was really up for pizza after the ride anyhow.  Couldn't ask for better weather for cycling. Wish it could be that way all the time! [Photos]

Leader Holly Carr. The Clan included Al Manley, Richard Harrington, Herb Pruitt, Mike Bivens, Jan and Ron Tucker, Randy and Jackie Schoch, Janell Saunders, Kenny and Jake Mundy, Danzie Seaward, Mike Besche, Jim and Jane Hudnall and a few others I can't spell.  We left the Gwynn Park HS; weather was perfect.  The trees were in bloom and it was beautiful.  The deli has a beautiful back yard with a fountain.  Lunch was great.   We all toasted to the Irish. [Photos]

Well, the Class D riders must have been out doing a jig or celebrating the wearin’ o the green because none showed up at the ride! So ride leader, Judy Mutty, took herself, her shamrock socks, and her new Trek FX 7.3 on the ride. It was a bit overcast but Spring was bursting. It was a lovely ride down to the Bladensburg Waterfront Park, along the new 1.5 miles extension along the Anacostia River, back to College Park, by the College Park Airport and around Lake Artemesia. Fear not, Class D’s, there will be an encore of this ride. Stay tuned.

Ride leader Jane Hudnall with Jim Hudnall, Steve Palincsar, Richard Harrington, Jay Lewis, Thomas Short, Ken Williams, Dana Middleton, Sonja Newman, Jim McDermott, Norm Lisy, Mike and Regina Saizan, Sam Perry and Diane Harris. The B riders gathered with the CC group led by Joan Oppel at the Brandywine Fire Station parking area for a great ride. Diane arrived late but caught up with the B group.  We headed down Van Brady by Mattaponi Creek and then back up North Keys to Ashbox and Cedarville. The B's met CC's for a rest stop at the Wawa on MD-301 and then headed down Danville and up Floral Park to finish the ride. The weather was perfect! Five days ago we started with balacavas and booties; today we wore shorts and sunscreen.
 

This version of the regular Thursday ride was somewhat impromptu.  Ride leader Joan Oppel posted a note to the e mail list on Wednesday (and added the ride to the schedule).  Lots of people wrote back with enthusiasm about a slower shorter version.  Joining up with Joan to make a great group were Jimmy Bartlett, Bernie Cohen, Calvin Conyers, John Early, Jack Hammond, Randy Schoch, Dana Trevas, and Pat Walthers.  We did a 27 mile loop, meeting the faster group at the WaWa on 301.  Our group stayed together and enjoyed a beautiful warm (hot?) day with low humidity (a treat!).  

Ride leader Joe Montminy. We had 16 riders for the first Wednesday evening  Casey's ride of the year. The 82 degrees at start time was a definite factor in the turnout despite having to start at 5:00 pm. Club members riding included: Jan Tucker, Ken Meridith, Rich Lear, Drayton Reese, Josh Hettel, Brad Renter, Jeff Lagana, Michael Blaine, Blake Altman, Brad Fransico and guests Andrew Harris, Mike Petrakis, Paula Martino and Rob Golding. We had a couple of flats on the return trip but overall an excellent first ride.