Ride Reports

Leaders: Diane Harris, Sam Perry 

Members: Sam Perry, Mike Bivens, Linda Bankerd, Alex Kurzweil, Chuck Coe, Darryl Lowery, Lou DallOrso, David Schnirel, Tom Roberts, Sheryl Romeo, Ron Haney, Morrison Hymes, Bob Thompson, Chantal Briere, Ken Meredith      

Guests: None

Route: 45 Mile Christ Church Loop 

AMS: ride leader 14.2

Mechanicals/mishaps: None

Report: A beautiful sunny warm but windy (not complaining!) day for a ride!!  We got off to a good start by using the climb up Berry Rd for our warmup before getting up to speed on Accokeek Rd.  The group stayed together until the headwinds and crosswinds separated us on Brandywine Rd.  Eleven miles on mostly flat Brandywine Rd took us to the rest stop where we regrouped before the second part of the ride.  The group split up again with my group taking it easy, ending the ride with no mishaps.  I'm looking forward to more nice mild weather days before the heat of summer arrives.

Ride Leader: Debby Bowman

Members: Karen Morgan, Walt Roscello, Kathleen Bailey

Guests: Mary Scala, Lisa Friedman

Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/12231193. 39 miles, 1500 feet of elevation. An old favorite consisting of two circles -- beginning with a ride through the Pindells, down Mckendree-Jewell-Wilson to Friendship, Boyd's Turn and 5th St into North Beach. After the rest stop we rode through Herrington Harbor and up Friendship to Town Point, Leitch, and Franklin Gibson, then west on Bay Front with a diversion up Brooks Woods and down Little Rd. We finished with a mini-tour of the Pindell area by taking Bay Front to the end at Wrighton and up Plummer back to Wayson's Corner. 

Weather: Hot and sunny. I knew it would be in the 80s for much of the ride but expected it to be cooler near the Bay, since the forecast high temp there was 70. But it was not cool anywhere. To me the hardest part was the lack of shade, since all the tall trees are still bare with just a hint of green buds showing near the tips of the branches. With the route changing direction frequently, the wind didn't seem that bad to yours truly, though my already-slow speed probably made it seem easier.

Average speed: 12ish mph at the back.

Mishaps and mechanicals: Shifting problems for Pat W., as noted by Steve. They actually began early in the ride on McKendree. Also a few minor things (a lost cue sheet, a dropped chain, a certain ride leader forgetting to charge her Garmin before the ride) kept things interesting.

Animal roll call: Lots of horses were out enjoying the warm sun. The brown and white goat on Fisher's Station Rd was nowhere to be seen, but the fluffy white dogs ran toward the fence to say hello as we passed. A few more pups paraded by as we sat outside Sweet Sue's.

Our group today consisted of a mix, as some of us have been riding a lot lately and others are just dusting off the bikes as we say goodbye to winter. And so some were faster while a few took their time and rode at the lower end of the CC range. We regrouped at several intersections, though, and were all together for the rest stop. Most of us opted to stop at North Beach Pier first for a bathroom break, since their facilities accommodate groups better. Then we pedaled down to Sweet Sue's for food and drinks.

As usual for a weekend in southern AA County, we saw numerous other cyclists out on the roads, including one who asked if we had any sunscreen and then proceeded to slather it all over his face and bald head, leaving us to wonder later how bad his eyes stung as it inevitably ran down from his forehead. When we reached the left turn from Franklin Gibson to Bay Front we had to wait for more traffic than usual, then noted a police car with flashing lights on the opposite shoulder. We learned later that tow trucks had cleared a car crash just before we got there, which explained the traffic backup.

Also of note was the texture of the pavement on Friendship Rd, which appears to be in the early stages of repaving. The outer edges of the roadway in both directions was scored and bumpy. This will be something to look out for on the End Hunger Ride at the end of the month.

Many thanks to all who joined me today, and special thanks to Steve for offering a longer option and dropping back to help Pat W. during the second half of the ride!

Ride leader: Steve Palincsar

Members: Pat Walthers, Janell Saunders, Pat Sanders, Dave Van Amayden

Weather: Sunny, humid, windy and hot.  The forecast called for 68 degrees at ride start, with a "feels like" of 68.  Actually, the brisk wind made it feel colder than that, and several riders started out with jackets on.  Once we got under way, it started warming up.  The forecast for 2 pm was 78, "feels like" 80 -- but actually it got up to 86 and it felt like summer.  The predicted 15 mph wind -- if indeed it was only 15 -- was always present and seemed like a head wind most of the time.

Route: As planned, https://ridewithgps.com/routes/27222983  -- basically, Debby's route with an extra 7 miles tacked on at the end.  I don't think anyone did it, although I lost the lead group once Pat started having shifting issues (more about that later). The trailing group either decided to stay with Debby or after the rest stop at the Lothian gas station came straight back on Southern Maryland Blvd, skipping the Greenock to 408 to Ed Prout to Sands extra miles.

Mishaps & mechanicals: As we rolled into North Beach, Pat said she couldn't get onto her big ring.  I added a quarter turn of cable tension that quieted the chain on the middle ring but wasn't enough to get it to climb up to the big ring.  On the way up Leitch her bike autoshifted onto the granny -- welcome at the time, but not a happy development.  A little more tension adjustment kept the chain on the middle ring for rest of the ride, but I'm afraid it's odds-on the cable's fraying up inside the left hand STI unit.  At least it didn't break on the road, and Pat finished under her own power and didn't need to try out Plan B (call a taxi).

AMS: 12.5 or thereabouts

The ride was planned as a tag-onto Debby's ride, with extra miles at the end so we could stay together for most of the ride - and indeed it worked out that way.  Between the unexpected summer-like heat and Pat's front shifting issues, the "extra" didn't happen, but it was a good (if surprisingly tiring) ride none the less.  Yes the warmth is welcome - indeed, long overdue; but a little more gradual would be nice.  Unless this is what passes for "gradual" these days -- in which case one can only dread the coming of actual summer...

Edit: I forgot to mention the milling on Friendship Road.  As milling goes, it wasn't too bad, at least not to me, riding on 32mm tires, but the transition at Boyd's Turn was something else again.  The milling continued around the turn on Friendship but Boyd's Turn was unmilled, leaving a ledge that in places looked taller than 1" with no safe way to ride across on a bicycl.e without crashing.  I stopped the group I was riding with and walked a few steps across it. 

Leader:  Ron Altemus

Members:  Susan Altemus, Fran Jezisek, Randy Schoch, Harry Kidd, Don Gardner, Diana & Dan Donahue

Guests:  Carla Porter, Joni Forman

Route:  the one, the only...  the Indian Head Rail Trail in its entirety

Weather:  Great Spring day giving way to Summer about noon.  Temps starting off in the upper 60s, reaching the low/mid 80s by rides end.

Report:  A great warm day, after a colder than normal April so far, and it was nice to ride in short sleeve shirts and shorts.  We had a most enjoyable ride on a reasonably busy trail - lots of other cyclists with some unusual bicycle sightings.  Harry wasn't the only rider out on a long wheelbase recumbent as we saw another, possibly on a Sun EZ tour.  Then there was a short wheelbase recumbent, a couple on a diamond frame tandem, and a rarely seen tandem trike.  Diane and Dan joined us at White Plains and rode back to the Village Green with us.  Dan was riding his high racer Bacchetta. 

Afterwards, Don, Joni, Carla, Fran, and the Altemi enjoyed lunch at Georges.

ide leader: Steve Palincsar (ably assisted by Mike Saizan, who took on the job of shepherding the AB group)

Members: Tom Roberts, Regina and Mike Saizan, Bob Howell, Tom Short, Alan Kurzweil, Barb Haney, Joan Oppel, Pat Walthers, Lou Dallorso, Don Gardner, Linda Bankerd, Chantal Brier, Bob Thompson and Karen Morgan

Weather: Did we jump straight to summer?  It was chilly and overcast when we set out, with temperatures in the 50s and winds in the 10-15 mph range from the SSW.  By the time we got to Molly Berry the clouds lifted and the sun came out, and it rapidly started getting warmer.  The tights and the base layer came off at the first rest stop at the WaWa, and by the time we finished it was in the mid 70s and well on the way to 80 degrees.

Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/27196698  37 miles, 1535' of elevation gain.  The first part of the ride featured a preview of a proposed version of the last part of the May Metric route, detouring around the road construction at TB (Brandywine Rd at the Dyson / Accokeek Rd intersection over by Gwynn Park HS), with rest stops at the WaWa on McKendree and at Cosca Park.  The second half was the first part of the May Metric, at least as far as the descent on Van Brady.

Mishaps & mechanicals: none

AMS: 12.7 at the back

TB or not TB - actually, the question is, "What is TB?"  Wikipedia to the rescue:

"TB is an unincorporated community in Prince Georges County, in the US state of  Maryland, near the intersection of highways MD-5 and US-301."  (Actually, the latitude / longitude listed in the article place it just about at the entrance to the NY Deli.)

"A post office called T.B. was established in 1860, and remained in operation until 1914.   Some say the community has the name of Thomas Brooke, an early settler^] while others believe partners William Townshend and one Mr. Brooke each etched their last initial into stone at the original town site^{. "}

Ride Leader:  Blake Altman

Date: April 11, 2018   

Ride Name: Casey Jones Express

Ride Distance: 25 Miles

Average Speed of the Ride:  21.1 MPH

Ride Class:  AA/2

Mechanical Issues: None

Mishaps: None

Weather:  Lower 60’s, Sunny, Breeze out of the south

Guest Riders:  Anthony Carter

Member Riders:  Brad Francisco, Michael Blaine

Ride Report:

We had another light turn-out but better than last week.  Anthony joined us at the corner of St. Mary’s Ave. and Spring-Hill Newtown Rd.  And speaking of Anthony, he was on fire this week pulling at 25-27 MPH up 301; your faithful correspondent could only manage 22-24 MPH over similar terrain and for a shorter time.  I was definitely the weakest link in today’s chain.  In fact, I was dropped at the top of the hill on Budd’s Creek Rd.  Fortunately everyone waited for me.

I was hoping for better weather this week than last and I got it.  It was a fun ride; thanks for joining me today gentlemen.

Brad will be leading the next 2 weeks but I will be back in May.

Though "advertised" as a warmer day than the past few, the mix of clouds, some sun and noticeable wind made for a chilly ride. Pat Walthers, Steve Palincsar and Ron Altemus joined me in the parking lot to start the ride. We were joined by Don Gardner somewhere along the way to the Nanjemoy Community Center. Jim Hudnall rode back with us from the rest stop.  There are very few turns along the way to the Community Center so we added the slight arc of Greenleek Hill to break the monotony. 

The Community Center is a great spot for a "rest" stop - warm (or cool!), nice restrooms, water fountains, and sometimes, a little extra food and conversation with the locals inside.

Thanks for coming out!

Joan

Leader: Barbara Haney

Members: Ron Haney, Alan Kurzweil, Lou Dallorso, Tom Short, Tom Roberts, Sam Perry, Jim Hudnall, Bob Thompson, Chantal Briere, Ken Meredith, Pete Czapiewski, Holly Carr

Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/26784172, southeast to Nanjemoy, back into the wind; route  joining onto Joan's CC posting

Weather: cool enough for winter gear (40s), mostly sunny, breezy to windy

AMS: about 17  for leader

Report: We had a great turnout between all the represented classes this morning, and we were optimistic that it might feel a little springlike. Unfortunately the sun did little to actually warm the air, and temps remained chilly enough that there was very little shedding of layers. The stop at Nanjemoy was, as usual, a good chance to sit indoors and chat. Back on our bikes, we were immediately hit with a considerable headwind that didn't let up the whole way back. In spite of the less-than-ideal conditions, it was a good morning's ride; thanks to all who came out to brave the wind. Let's hope next time is at least warmer. 

Albeit the weather was not perfect, mostly the wind, five brave souls, Tom Roberts, Diane Harris, Steve Forman, Bob Thompson, and Chantel joined Steve Palinscar, Co-Leader and Sherwood Byers, Sr., Leader for this wonderful ride. 

The ride was at a touring pace (No data collected for AMS) was windy and chilled at ride start.  After warming, the ride was much better for a comfortable ride.  The wind was a nuisance all day, but given its effects, the Cherry Blossoms were gorgeous throughout the Kenwood neighborhood.Bob and Chantel connected with the group along the trail near Reagan National Airport.

The ride to Kensington via the Capital Crescent Trail was very nice where we continued to Bethesda after the Blossom viewing.  The group decided to rest at Bethesda Bagelry and continued  to Rock Creek Park using Beach  Road until we were met by the road construction.  Ross Road is a great detour which kept us moving smoothly.to the start point.

Thank you Steve for co-leading this ride with me and thank you to all of the participants in this ride.

Sherwood