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.

It was chilly and overcast at the ride start, and it took a real leap of faith to believe it wouldn't rain. We started off with windbreakers, wind vests, arm warmers, even tights and full-finger glove liners, but by the first break at Magruders Ferry, the heavy arm warmers and full finger gloves came off, and by the second break at Nottingham store, summer had arrived - up to 80 degrees by the end of the ride, clouds replaced by sunny blue skies.

The group today consisted of Dana Middleton, Holly Carr, Jimmy Bartlett, David Ostermann, Alan Kurzweil, Lawrence Peed, Barry Winkleman, Regina and Mike Saizan, Thomas Short, Sharon Miller, Loretta Troen and Karen Morgan, with John Early joining us at the first rest stop. And a fast group it was, too - last ones back averaged 14.9 mph.

At the start we zigzagged every possible which way to avoid Brandywine down to Baden Naylor, then Baden Westwood to Croom to Magruders, the Croom Rollers from Magruders to Tanyard, then around the Tanyard Loop to Fenno past Merkle, down the now lovely, smooth pavement to St Thomas Church, and left on Mattaponi and Croom to the Nottingham Store. We returned from Nottingham by way of Candy Hill, Molly Berry and Baden Naylor, and straight back on Brandywine.

It's been quite some time since we've been all the way down Baden Naylor and Baden Westwood, and today it all seemed fresh and new. Altogether, a wonderful ride!

Under overcast skies, Ron Leak, Mike Bivens, Jimmy Bartlett, Lea Pyne, Larry Perkins, and Peter and Jeanne Ulrich, joined me for a ride to Marshall Hall and back. This was Larry’s first ride with the club and he thoroughly enjoyed himself. We were all thrilled by the new Porta-John at Marshall Hall placed where we take our break. After our rest stop, we warmed up on Barry’s Hill, then on the Firehouse. A good time was had by all. Looking for a ride to start your season? Come and join us! Free ice cream at B&J’s for everyone who rides up Barry’s Hill! Not really, but join us after the ride at B&J’s. This is a no-drop ride open to all classes.

I was joined by David King and Ken Meredith on a casual ride down the IHRT.  We decided to stay on the trail and not really push it so we averaged around 15 mph.  There were no incidents and it was nice to ride at a conversation pace.