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.

Ride Leader Jane Hudnall with Jackie Schoch, John Riconda, Peter and Jeanne Ulrich, Celeste and Calvin Conyers, Richard Harrington, Herman Young, Shane LaBrake, Kristin Watts and Mike Bivens enjoyed beautiful weather on the first Tour de Accokeek of the season. Mike rode from home to get a few more miles. Spring has arrived early in southern Maryland - a delight for everyone who rides a bike. Even the bass fishermen were out enjoying the great weather at the rest stop on the Potomac.

Leader Ron Leak was joined by Reginald Smith, Ken Meredith, and Brad Renter on a ride down the IHRT.  The weather was great.  So off we went.  Approaching Indian Head, it went from Sunny to Sunny with drizzle.  As we turned around, we saw a rainbow.  The rain stayed with us until we hit Bumpy Oak. The reason this ride is captioned with “and Surrounding Roads” is due to foot traffic on the trail.  It was a great day to ride.

March 13 - Southern Exposure: Mattawoman Creek Water Views   Leader: Steve Palincsar

Three days ago winter came calling; today it was early summer.  Clear blue skies, breezy, low 60s as Norm, Darryl and I rode down from Accokeek, but it was 77 by the end of the ride and most definitely was shorts and short sleeve jersey time. 

In the group today were Randy and Jackie Schoch, Jimmy Bartlett, Thomas Short, Larry Peed, Linda Bankerd, Richard Harrington, Norm Lisy, Mike and Regina Saizan, Darryl Lowery, Jim Hudnall, Mike Bivens, Jay Lewis, Miche Sidwell, Joan Oppel and David VanAmayden.

The route, found at http://ridewithgps.com/routes/973442 came down Chapman's Landing, jogged over to Potomac Heights on Glymont, then followed the IHRT to Mattingly.  We went left on Mattingly almost to the end (well, the cue sheet turned around at Mattingly Park, but only the leader actually followed the cue sheet, everyone else going all the way down to the end of the road and the very bottom of the hill) for a spectacular view of the Mattawoman Creek.  We then retraced on Mattingly and followed Strauss to Hawthorne, Bicknell and Sweetman to a rest stop in Smallwood Park, with another view of Mattawoman Creek.

 After the break we took a loop around the park up past Gen. Smallwood's house, then took Smallwood Rd. to Mason Springs and a second rest stop at the Pisgah store.  From there it was Pisgah Marbury, Chicamuxen, Hawthorne and over the hill on Livingston back to Bryans Road.  Total, 38 miles and 1224 feet of climbing, Lanterne Rouge finishing with a 14.0 average.

On a sunny, but breezy afternoon with the temperature in the mid 60's, five riders (Richard Harrington, Jimmy Bartlett, Mike Bivens, Dana Trevas, Theresa Jackson and trip leader Walter Carr) set out on the familiar Tour de Acokeek.  After a rest stop at Marshall Hall Landing watching the returning fishermen, we returned safely to the firehouse via the infamous Berry,s Hill Road.  No unusual events (flats or falls).

Leader John Early was joined by Janell Saunders, Jim & Jane Hudnall and Robert Golding. The five of us had a delightful ride on this sunny mild day full of blue skies. There were no flats or breakdowns. All went well, other than a large truck that buzzed us while riding on Duley Station Road.

Ride leader Blake Altman. Members Drayton Reese, Ken Meredith, Nancy Avitabile, Richard Edelman, Diane Harris, and guest Bill Homan joined me for the 48 mile Hidden Amish ride. It was a clear sunny day but somewhat windy. Temperatures at the start seemed a bit chilly but we warmed up quickly in the sun and it got fairly warm by the end of the ride. Ken had his new bike which he seems to really like!  Nancy and Richard pulled away from the rest of us after we crossed Route 6. We regrouped briefly at the first rest stop and then split up again afterwards.  The rest of us rode together and we took a brief second rest stop after crossing Route 235. The back group had an “A” ride average at the end.  I imagine Nancy and Richard’s average was more like an “AA” pace. It was a nice ride with no problems.

Sat March 10. Gallant Green (Truman Manor the Hard Way, Even Longer). B, 45 mi. Leader: Steve Palincsar Winter came calling today, and he brought his friend, the wind, along for company. It was a clear, sunny day but although the temperatures almost touched 50 the booties, balaclavas and wind layers never came off, thanks to the wind. There was a big crowd at the Brandywine Firehouse, with both my B ride and John Gorman's CC 35 mi version drawing good crowds. Polly's ride was canceled. Among the B's were Richard Harrington, Mike Bivens, Jan Tucker, Cathy Wilson, John Rady(?), Sam Brasel, Janell Saunders, Ken Meredith, Holly Carr, Jane and Jim Hudnall, Herb Pruitt, Michell Dyer and guest Danzie Seaward. The route was an extended version of one of the routes we do on Thursdays from the Firehouse to the Moreland Market by way of Dent and Dr. Mudd for the first rest stop, where we met with John's CC group. After the break, both groups headed south on Gallant Green to Truman Manor, dividing when we got to the grade on Celestial - John going left on Young to bypass the hill, while the B's went up it to Wilkerson, back to Aquasco and east on Dr. Bowen (backwards from the usual) to a second rest stop at The Little Store. [p] From the second break it was a tough slog into a 12-23 mph north wind on Brandywine to Croom (the Fast People motoring off in a pace line, leaving a trail of stragglers behind), where we turned left and went back to Malcolm, then north on Horsehead over to Baden Westwood and east on Westwood to Bald Eagle School. It's the first time I've been down the hill on Westwood in years; the new pavement is simply marvelous. From there, a quick jog over Nelson Perrie to Molly Berry and Martin to North Keys back to the Firehouse. Lanterne Rouge and the Cycling Snails finished with 14 mph averages; who knows what the Fast People did, they were gone when we arrived. [Photos]

Today's ride was a combined ride start with Steve P's B-pace was a similar extended route. Today's temps of course (after several days this week near 60) for us weekend only riders, was only in the low 40s w/ 10-15mph winds, but very clear and brillant sun. Ride leader John Gorman, was joined by members Pat Walthers, Belinda Acre, and Kenny Statom.  I had never gone as far south as this PG/Charles County route travels, but for those who enjoy a nearly flat with long stretches of straightways before the reststop at mile 15, it offers a wonderful fairly traffic-free rural ride. We and the B group gathered together at Moreland's Store about the same time. Thanks to Steve P's suggestion to avoid a major steep hill midway thru Celestial Ln, we took a left on Young Rd which added 2-4 miles onto the cuesheet, but our cassettes, chains,  and legs were happier for it.  (no need to waste a nice ride because of non-level ground)  Considering eventually, this route takes you back thru the hills of Molly Berry, and N Keys, before heading home on Brandywine Rd.  Also this route, which Belinda availed herself to, offers a shortcut at mile 26 and goes straight back on Brandywine to the parking lot. I would highly recommend this route to C riders using the 31 mile short cut (this shortcut elminates the hills on the return), and others who are looking for a ride that doesn't leave you exhausted at the end.   No mechanical problems to report. The ride leaders' pace was 13.34 between sweeping/leading/covering .

Leader was Jackie Schoch.  Riders were Randy Schoch, Brian Riley (Guest), Larry Peed, Jan  Tucker, Debi Jiggitts, Richard Harrington, Paris Watson (Guest), Jane and Jim Hudnall, Steve Palincsar and Jeanne Ulrich.  What a great day for a bike ride and it didn't RAIN.  A group of us had dinner at the deli.  A great time by all. [Photos]