Ride Reports

Ride leader: Steve Palincsar

Members: a few people signed the waiver, but they were either doing the 47 mile route or riding with the Bs so I rode alone until I connected with Debby and Sarah coming from Northern HS at the 2nd rest stop.

Weather: Low 70s, humid, sometimes sunny and sometimes cloudy; occasionally it looked as though it was contemplating raining and once or twice there were a few drops of rain in the wind, but no rain, no thunderstorms, just pleasant cool riding conditions.

Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/21433428   Same as Nancy's only with more rest stops identified.  Debby pointed out, I was wrong and this route doesn't actually make all the stops, there's one on Dalrymple just off MD-2 that we pass by.  And as it actually transpired, once Debby and Sarah went left on Franklin Gibson at the intersection with Leitch I decided to skip the excursion into Deale and the rest stop at the 7-Eleven and stayed on Franklin Gibson down to Nutwell Sudley, shortening the route by 3 miles.

Mishaps & mechanicals: none.

AMS: 13.7

Leaders: Jim and Jane Hudnall

Members: Tom Reitter and Jay Lewis. Tom Roberts and Larry Peed arrived late, took cue sheets for the CC Ironsides 33 and caught up with us on Smallwood Church Road.

Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/21496121. 32.6 miles, 990 feet.
From Bryans Road Shopping center, down Chapman's Landing and through Glymont. Crossed MD-210 to Woodland to IHRT. Right on Hawthorne, down Chicamuxen, left on Smallwood Church Road to Mason Springs with a stop at the Pisgah Store. Then Bicknell back to Chicamuxen, right on Livingston, over to the IHRT, up Bumpy Oak and back to Bryans Road.

Weather: Very pleasant with clouds and sun. No rain!

AMS: 15 mph at the back, a bit faster than most CC rides with the two strong riders joining us mid-route.

Mechanicals/Mishaps: No problems. 

Report:  We offered a shorter and slower ride than the B Riverside 44, hoping we could attract more CC riders. We only had two other riders sign in with us: Tom Reitter on his heavy touring bike because of a broken derailleur on his road bike and Jay Lewis, who has been off his bike for a while. Neither had a problem with the faster than usual CC pace.

We started with the B riders and stayed together until after the turn onto Hawthorne. We rode with three B riders on the back until our route turned onto Smallwood Church Road and the B's continued straight. Tom Roberts and Larry Peed caught us before we reached Mason Springs Road. At the Pisgah Store, Jay continued on and the other five of us enjoyed a leisurely break at the store. 

It was an easy ride with very little traffic and beautiful scenery. The rain during the past few weeks has made everything green but held off for today's ride.

Photos of the CC and B riders on facebook.

This could become one of my favorite rides in Charles County because of the long stretches of lightly traveled roads, specifically Riverside Rd with its shaded gentle rollers.  It includes 2 stretches on the Indian Head Rail Trail, one on the way out, the other on the way back.  I was joined by members Charles Williams, Kenneth Mundy, Sean Lawson (guest), Richard Anderson (guest), Sonia Newman, Chuck Coe, Jan Tucker, Janell Saunders, David Schniril, Phillip and Tiffany Mitchell, Ken Lemmert, Ron Haney, Theresa Rowell, and Lou Dall'Orso.  The riders separated into their respective groups, the high B's and the rest of us, regrouping at the first rest stop.  We continued on to the second rest stop (the Pisgah Store) and then the rest of the ride.  We completed our final secton of the IHRT before our final treat, the climb up Bumpy Oak.  Everyone made it back to the start without incident.

Ride Leader:  Mia Haynes

Members:  Rod Barnes

Another ride with just Rod and I.  The temps were in the 70's and the sun made an appearance. As we rode we saw an owl, plenty of rabbit and deer, cows - that mooed, and ducks with their young; along with dogs walking their owners and a stray cat.  Needless to say, the trail was busy this evening.

Mechanical:  About 8 miles before the end of our ride, one of the spokes on the back wheel of Rod's bike broke. 

All and all it was a good ride.  Thanks Rod for coming out.

Leader:  Ron Altemus

Members:  Susan Altemus, Jane and Jim Hudnall, Larry Peed, Lester Jackson, Herman Young, Jan Tucker, Belinda Acre, Calvin Conyers

Route:  the Friday original - Indian Head Village Green onto the IHRT out to White Plains and return

Weather:  a mixture of overcast, mist, and mostly sunny blue skies.  Temperature was in the low 70s when we started, with sun, but dropped down to 63 on the incline to Middletown as we rode through a brief mist.  Returning, we had warmer temps and sunshine from Bensville back to Hawthorn before it again clouded over.  (Today's forecast had 0% rain chance.  It's been quite the week weather forecast-wise:  it doesn't rain when meteorologists say it will and it does precipitate when they say it won't.  And they all still have jobs.)

AMS:  swept at 11.5.  The faster riders were faster.

Report:  A good turnout aided by the opportunity to actually have a club ride that wasn't canceled.  Two groups of riders:  Jane & Jim, Larry, Lester, and Jan were quickly out of sight; meanwhile, the rest of us moved along at a nice pace, with Susan heading back upon reaching the Hudnall Bench.  This was Herman's first club ride of the year so he didn't want to push it too hard, his pace afforded plenty of opportunity for conversation and wildlife sightings.  Observed today were white tail deer, turkeys, blue heron, bluebirds, pileated woodpecker, turtles, and one recently deceased garter snake and one very much alive green snake.  Lunch afterwards at George's BBQ made for an enjoyable day (again in two groups, the faster rides having finished and were leaving when the rest of us showed up).  Thanks for riding and see you all next time.

“For the love of the people and the ride” - Michael Blaine
Founders • Benny Budd and Joni King
Host • Paul Bales/Casey Jones Restaurant
KOM • Robert Golding (Oct 12, 2016 – 59:48, 25.2 mph)
QOM • Jill Patterson (Apr 12, 2017 – 1:07:30, 22.3 mph)
Honors • R.Golding • D.Hearn • M.Biffel • D.Kemp • D.Hoefert • A.Harris • M.Blaine • J.Patterson • C.Chiamulera

Class: AA/2
Category: Express
Description:  Hammerfest
Speed Limit Imposed: None
Colors: CJE kits always welcome
Start Time & Address: 5:30 pm, Casey Jones Restaurant, La Plata, MD
Location: Charles County
Distance: 25.8mi (TT segment is 25.1mi and used for CJE records and PRs)
Gain: 701ft
Rest Stops: None
Max Grade: 5.1%

Riders: Nine –Blake Altman, Brad Francisco, Charles (Michie) Sidwell, Mike Wilson, Darin King, Douglas Carter, Paul Bales, Gordon Schrader, Scott Walker
Weather: Overcast, 62 degrees with winds from the ESE at 9.
AMS:   21.5 mph (leaders / 4 riders)
           20.8 mph (chase-1 / 1 rider)
        ~ 20.0 mph (chase-2 / 1 rider)
           19.3 mph (sweep / 3 riders)
Mishaps & Mechanicals: None
Report: Dreary weather but a good ride.   I fell off the leaders ascending rt-6, but Darin provided the remaining pace, pulling us back onto Michie’s wheel just after the crest. As we approached the Penns Hill light I could see the leaders slowing waiting for the green.  Having rode this course nearly every week --spring, summer, and fall going on five years --I knew the light would go green before we reached it.  So, I hit the aerobars headed for the leaders, inviting Darin and Michie to take my wheel.  When the light went green I was less than 100 meters off and closing.  I made the turn south onto Kentucky, attacked, and pulled them in.  But Michie and Darin were no longer on my wheel.  And so it remained; now four in the leader-group with chase-1 and then chase-2 not far behind, but both alone and unable to close.  This ride is like that; fun, but sometimes tough when you’re caught out in the wind, alone and with no help.  Michie said it best: "

Leader: Tim Murphy

Members: Jim Hudnall, Jane Hudnall, Mike Fowlker, Tyler Hill and Randy Hadden.

Weather: The weather was cloudy and overcast. Looked like it might rain but didn't.

AMS: 2 riders ams of 17.5 to the river. the rest ams of 16.3 to the river.

Report: two people called to see if we will ride due to the threat of rain. I told them that we will probably ride, but meet at the firehouse and we will make the call at the 5:30. It was cloudy, overcast and looked and smelled of rain. but luckily no rain so off we went. we stayed together for a few miles. then the fast group took off and we didn't see them till we stopped at the river. the 4 remaining riders took turns pulling to the river. There was a little wind but nothing bad for Marshall Hall Road. We stayed at the rest stop for 5+ minutes, took a group picture then off we went to conquer Barry's Hill. The more times you work the Hill the better, faster and stronger you get. After Barry's Hill the fast group took off for the Firehouse and the rest worked together to get to the Firehouse. Have a great and safe Memorial Day weekend and I hope to see you next Wednesday for or next Tour de Accokeek.

The CCs started off with 3: Alan Kurzweil, Pat Walthers and me - but Alan jumped to the faster group at Smallwood Park so Pat and I continued on as a group of 2. 

Gray day but slightly cool and good riding weather. We deviated from the route by taking the 'long cut' of Sandy Point Rd to Jacksontown, then to Liverpool Point Rd. That provided two "ride events" - a sighting of a deer crossing Sandy Point in front of us and - a visit with Kenny, Bike Doctor of Waldorf manager, mowing the lawn at his house on Jacksontown.  Our detour added a little over a mile to the route.

We were warmly and cheerily greeted by the folks at the Nanjemoy Community Center and then rode on to finish the ride. The only other "event" was a sighting of a Great Blue Heron in a marsh on Livingston. (Ron likes to make note of all wildlife seen on a ride so I am providing him with these details when he reviews this report.)

Good route, Ron - thanks again!

Leader: Barbara Haney

Members: Lou Dallorso, Alan Kurzweil, Tom Roberts, Larry Peed, Darryl Meyer, Tom Short

Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/21240172 designed by Ron Altemus for Tuesday, who unfortunately couldn't enjoy his creation with us Wednesday 

Weather: Slightly wet roads to start, temps in the 60s, grey skies

AMS: 16 for leader, faster for A group ahead

Report: Since it was raining at my house two hours before ride time, I thought it may have to be cancelled once again, but after consulting with Joan and checking the forecast, we opted to forge ahead, and it was definitely a good decision (thanks Joan!). It was actually a pretty nice (although grey) day, the roads dried up, and there were only a few tiny spritzes of rain. Alan started out with Joan, and Tom R, Larry, Darryl (who stopped briefly to help a bird get across the street) and I rode together to Smallwood State Park. From there Larry turned off to ride shorter because of work, and Alan rode with us. At Nanjemoy CC, Tom Short miraculously appeared, as he sometimes does, having started later and varied the route a bit to time it perfectly. We greeted the nice ladies having lunch at the CC, and were offered some cake and cookies. After that we rode uneventfully back to Bryans Road, seeing several flocks of vultures along the way. I think everyone had a nice ride, and was glad they ignored the grey wet morning. Thanks to Ron A for the route!

Ride Leader:  Diana Donahue

Members:  Belinda Acre, Tim Murphy, Dan Donahue 

Guests:  None

Route:  Strawberry Festival C ride (27 mi.) from Baggett (Laurel Grove) Park

Mechanicals/incidents:  None! Yay!

Weather started out a little cool and overcast.  Tim Murphy signed up for the C ride, but joined the CC riders who had stopped at Baggett Park for a rest stop.  Belinda Acre and I rode the route with no problems, other than the occasional horse apples along the way--a common event in Amish country. We were joined by Dan Donahue as we rode along Hurry Road on our way to the Strawberry Festival. He had no riders show up for his D ride, so he was riding his route alone and decided to join up with the C ride.  The Strawberry Festival, itself, was as advertised--good food, good company, and everyone seemed to enjoy the experience.  The sun even came out for a while.  On the ride back to Baggett Park, the hill up Mechanicsville Rd. seemed much steeper with a belly full of strawberry treats! I know Tim made it back OK because he had left a thank you note at my car.  Thanks to all who came out for the festival, and a special thanks to Belinda.  I enjoyed riding with you!