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.

Thursday Feb. 9th. John and Holly met at Jim & Jane’s house at 6am and the four of us started heading south in the van. We arrived in north Florida, not far from Jacksonville later that evening, and spent the night in a motel.

Friday Feb. 10th. In the morning we drove to Jacksonville, unloaded our boxed bikes and camping gear at the Greyhound Bus Station, parked our van in a garage, then boarded a 9:30am bus to Tallahassee. The warm sunny morning started clouding and occasional drops of rain landed on the bus windshield as we headed west. When the bus arrived in Tallahassee, the terminal was very busy, and some of the waiting passengers watched the four of us assemble our bikes and occasionally asked us questions as we worked. It was near 2pm when we started biking east toward the KOA campground. The terrain was rolling hills and we rode through a light shower, which stopped shortly before getting to our destination. After setting up our tents and starting a fire, we got more light rain. For dinner we cooked noodle soup, and added salmon. 1127 feet of climbing, 27miles.

Saturday Feb. 11th. It was a little chilly leaving the campground. We rode about seven miles to Monticello where Bob Bencic came to join us. By this time it had warmed up and become a beautiful sunny day. The five of us then rode 16 miles to Greenville, where we visited the Ray Charles Memorial Park. Along the way we had a strong westerly tailwind. Leaving Greenville, Bob headed back to Monticello and the four of us continued to ride east toward the Suwannee River State Park Campground. Arriving there, we were told there were no more campsites or cabins available and they recommended a motel 12 miles further east in Live Oak. Before leaving the Suwannee River, we took a pleasurable tour of the park and then rode to the Sunshine Inn. 66miles.

Sunday Feb. 12th.  The strong westerly winds had blown all night and it was 25 degrees around daybreak. We cooked oatmeal and chili in the motel room while waiting until ten o’clock before the temps got above freezing. We then layered our clothes, and started riding, but the wind was not as favorable as it had been. Another cold night was predicted, so after having lunch in Lake City we continued riding to a town called Macclenny where we spent another motel night. 60miles.

Monday Feb. 13th. Another cold morning, 23degrees at daybreak, but this time the temperatures started rising faster and we were able to get started at 9:30 am. We biked nine miles on the road shoulder before reaching the Jacksonville/Baldwin trail. It was a very nice trail and a pleasure to ride on. After riding the trail for fifteen miles we reached the west edge of Jacksonville. By this time it was much warmer as we rode through the back streets and side streets of Jacksonville working our way to the center of the city. Arriving at the parking garage we rode our bikes through the car entrance and up to the second level where our van was parked. 31miles.