Ride Reports June 2008

37 Miles of a Century
April 26, 2008 by Chuck Wilson

On a nice spring Saturday morning Fred & Ann Abeles, Isaac Miedzinski, Lisa Collins, Koman Nambiar, Peggy Parker, Craig Pollack, Mike Procario, Dottie Rust, Bill Smith, Tim Bender and I journeyed our way from Glade Elementary School, traveling north on Glade Road. For this 37-miler event, the club had great turnout of different class of riders and all rode as a group. The group enjoyed the tail wind while making our way down Dublin Road, but we wished for it during the climb of Lenhart Road. We started to spread out as we rode through Lewistown. Bill Smith was our photographer and policed the tail end of the ride to ensure that no one was left behind.

As we traveled up Hessong Bridge Road all were faced with a head wind but sharing bicycle drafting differently helped. After facing a climb that seemed like a 10 percent incline we all appreciated the downhill slope to Moser Road. One of newest club members experienced a fall along the way. While we all stopped at two places to regroup we treated his injuries and looked at his damaged bike. Bill and others helped him with his bike and he was able to continue the ride. A few bike adjustments were made along the way.

Most everyone waited for the break at Hoffman’s Market in Thurmont. Once the group was fueled up on food and drinks, all cycled north and east then turned south crossing MD77 and stopped again for a restroom break at the park across from Loy’s Station Covered Bridge. We endured the true test of road biking when we reached Le Gore Bridge Road and were met with gravel, stone, dirt and sand—all making it very slow to travel unless you had a touring or mountain bike. As Bill and I were riding we came upon Craig Pollack with a flat tire. Koman was helping Craig fix his flat. Bill stayed back to assist. As I tried to catch up with the rest I saw Fred riding slowly up the hill from Le Gore Bridge. At this point I decided not attempt to ride but just push my bike. We all were happy to see end of gravel and made it safety back to the ride start. It was a nice ride but for the future we will look at improving the route to make it more enjoyable.

Mountaindale BBQ Ride
April 27, 2008 by Vicki Smith

April can be such an unpredictable time, especially weather-wise. I was hoping for a nice, warm day, as the preceding two days were. However, for the Mountaindale BBQ ride on April 27, it was gray and dreary. But that didn't deter George Ruszat, Craig Pollack, Mike Procario, Peggy Parker and Bill Smith from joining me on this roundabout route to get real Texas barbecue in Frederick. The route was adapted from an old one from Kathy Dollar (who first introduced me to this wonderful barbecue, back when Willowbrook development was still on the drawing board!) There are two main goals for this ride – one, as the ride title suggests, to get barbecue; the other is to avoid crossing Rt 15. We accomplished both goals, and the BBQ was darn tasty.

I always have a hard time deciding between the beef or pork and decided on the latter yesterday. Mike, George, and Peggy also opted for BBQ (all pork too, I think?), and I always get coleslaw on my sandwich. This is no measly sandwich – the meat is piled high with just enough sauce. The addition of cole slaw makes for a messy lunch, but I persevered. Bill, decided to try the burger, which he said was also tasty, and not too greasy. To accomplish the second goal, this route had us meander around Mountaindale, taking in the still mainly quiet roads before feasting. Mike suggested that this ride was as loopy as “Loopy for Lewistown”, so the next time I lead this, I might rename it “Loopy for BBQ.”

Adopt-A-Road
May 10, 2008 by Vicki Smith

Who picks up trash in the rain? Well, today we found out....

Catherine, Craig, Peggy, Kathy, Fred, Ann, Bill and myself donned rain gear and braved a light rain to help keep our section of Bethel Road beautiful. We were greeted by three police cars at the start. Bob had notified the Sheriff's office this morning, and these fine public officers made sure that no motorist sped by us today while we were "treasure" hunting. Fred found a great screwdriver to add to his tool collection. We also found what the locals are drinking these days (light beer - either Bud or Coors - seems to be the favorite. No microbrews for these folks!) There was the usual collection of old Frederick Gazettes, fast food containers, and cigarette butts. We chatted with each other throughout the pickup and had a soggy, but fun time. Next time, consider joining us as we search for even greater treasures.

The Recovery Ride of 2008
May 4, 2008 by Glenn Angus

Well, this day couldn't come soon enough for me. Having been out of the saddle for so long [and having lost almost all of my conditioning level], and, knowing that several of my friends in the Frederick Pedalers, too, had been out of the saddle, I was chomping at the bit to get back at it. And, of course, when the doc finally, in April 1, gave me the go-ahead to resume cycling, I had to do it in small chunks, so as not to aggravate those tissues so affected by my "procedure". So, most of my rides were in the 20-26 mile range, with one easy, flat ride last week of 44.1 miles. So, yesterday's ride was going to be a daunting challenge for me, as both the distance, and the terrain would be in excess of anything I had done since last October.

Anyway, the cycling gods smiled upon me [and upon the 9 others who met me in Woodsboro], as, instead of the rain forecast for Sunday, we had a lovely blend of fair-weather clouds and sun, and temps in the low 60's -- a lovely sunny day. The temp got up to a very comfy 701°F by ride's end. Yes, there was no rain, but a very stiff wind finally took over the day, as it came from alternating from the west, and from the north. This took its toll, especially on those portions of the route west-bound, approaching Catoctin Mt.
,br> We enjoyed beyond measure the gently rolling terrain between Woodsboro and Thrumont, our route taking us first through the Utica Covered Bridge. Then, after a very therapeutic rest stop at the Visitor's Center at Catoctin State Park [closed, AGAIN], we continued up through Thurmont to the Roddy Creek Bridge, and then on to Loy's Station Park, and that lovely structure.

Despite a missed turn by the hot-shot speed demons at New Cut Rd, we regathered, and continued on the route through Rocky Ridge, which had been altered at the last minute to bypass construction on LeGore Bridge Rd -- [BTW, when we past the westernmost end of this road, there was evidence of very recent paving. Perhaps that entire project will be done soon? We can only hope, eh?].

And the final 2.8 miles, mostly downhill, from Detour Rd all the way to Woodsboro, was a godsend of a glide, complete with a full-fledged tailwind. We enjoyed a final toot down Main St and Liberty St, before ending at the park at around mile 46.

This was, by a couple of miles, my longest ride of the season so far. And, too, the windiest. But, the camaraderie was of the highest order, and we all had a wonderful time. For me, I discovered 2 new roads near Thurmont -- Blue Mountain Rd, and Haugh's Church Rd -- and enjoyed them thoroughly. So, my thanks to all who joined me in this ride: Betsy Lapadula, Mike Procario, Catherine Badger, Jenny Gable, Ray Gable, Harry DeMoll, Jeff Johnson, Colm Lynch. I so dearly look forward to my next ride in Frederick County.

Big Ol' Honkin' Ride 2008
May 17, 2008 by Bill Smith

At 5:30 a.m. Colm Lynch appeared at my door. As previously agreed upon, we set out on our bike ride to the start point - Monocacy Middle School (MMS). There was enough light to see and be seen, yet it was dark enough that I turned on my headlight and taillight. At MMS we were met by Henrik Olsen (who is also riding the Michigan 24-Hour (www.n24hc.org) this year), Chris Borkman (out for an early-morning quickie), and from the DC Randonneurs (www.dcrand.org) group Jeff Radan and the unflappable Keith Krombel (Race Across America veteran). In the parking lot I also spotted a car belonging to John Fauerby and Lynne Rosenbusch (who started out on this trek at 5:31 a.m. I was to learn later).

Arriving in Thurmont at 7 a.m., we were met by Chuck Wood, Crista Borras (on their tandem), and a small contingent of other riders from the DC Randonneurs. These folks were doing a "shortened" 152-mile version of the ride. We all began the climb up MD77 together, and once again Colm and I were quickly dropped. On the way up we met Keith Krombel who was on his way DOWN the mountain - apparently climbing it once was insufficient. He would pass us again and reach the turn at Foxville-Deerfield Rd before Colm and I would.

Colm and I remained together until we reached Tom's FoodMart in Fairfield PA (34 miles out), where we found Chris Borkman awaiting us. Up to this point it had been quite a hilly ride, but the strong SW winds had, in some places, pushed us well. I think we had an average pace of about 14.2 mph, give or take. We refueled, then Chris and Colm headed home, as they had duties to tend to. They split up somewhere along the way, Chris being a faster rider and Colm in no hurry on his longest, hilliest ride in his brief cycling history. For not having cycled much in the last several years, Colm rode exceptionally strongly - he rode 75 miles today. Watch out for him as he gets stronger. Chris and Colm endured very strong headwinds on the way home. Colm saw some of the riders on the Pick Your Distance Ride on his way home.

When I was much younger, I had a shirt that had written on the front "Get High On Mountains." It was obviously a play on words. In my youth, I found that one could get "high on mountains" and also "high" on mountains. On Carroll's Tract Rd, a few miles north of Fairfield, just after a car passed me I had the distinct impression that I was smelling something very familiar. I thought to myself that the driver was, perhaps, indulging in a little bit of "weed". But the aroma just kept getting stronger and stronger. Then, off to my left, partway up the ridge I spotted a small, controlled brush fire. For about a distance of a half-mile the wind blew the smoke directly across my path. I wondered - should I stop for a while and enjoy the aroma? The prospect was tempting, but spending the rest of the morning (the entire day?) just sitting by the roadside listening to Pink Floyd in my head, watching birds fly by was not in my original plans. I reluctantly pedaled on and the smells faded away (sigh). There would be no "contact high" in Fairfield today.

Having left Cheech and Chong behind (by about three decades) I put my attention to the climbs ahead in order to reach Shippensburg. I caught up to John and Lynne on Pleasant Valley Rd (45 miles in) and rode with them for about a mile. They were looking strong, as always. John told me they expected to do the 181 miles on their tandem in about 18 hours. I have to hand it to them - Vicki and I would kill each other if we spent that much time together on this kind of difficult ride.

I met Chuck, Crista, and the Randonneur folks in Shippensburg (mile 61) a little bit later - after the very nasty Big Flat climb. Unfortunately, they were ready to leave before I was - off they all went and I still had no one to draft (Tung, Tung, wherefore art thou Tung?)

The strong winds blew me to Newville PA in no time at all, where a missed turn took me to a rest stop at the Pennsylvania Bar Association's Bike Tour ("Lawyers Riding for Children"). One of the cyclists working the stop (Gary), upon hearing how far I was going, gave me food and gel packs to take along with me. This was a blatantly successful attempt to dispel the myth that all lawyers are evil, blood-sucking snakes (well, we do have Harry to dispel the myth, too). Gary mentioned numerous names of people that he knew that I'd heard before; most of them ride with CVCC out of Hagerstown. I snapped a picture and set back out on the route.

On the way to the halfway point in Bloserville (motto: Where?) I observed numerous Amish and Mennonite farms, and even passed one horse-and-buggy. From there the route turned into the wind, but passed through some beautiful country with lots of creeks and trees for protection. I was concerned that Creek Rd (mile 85) would be flooded from all the previous week's rains, but it was not. There were several roads on the route that showed signs of recent flooding though.

From East Berlin on home (55 miles) we all rode almost directly into a strong headwind. At full tilt, all I could average was 14 mph for the entire distance. Henrik finished the ride at about 7:15 p.m., Keith at about 8:00, and I came in at 8:15. (I suspect Keith added miles and climbs by doing parts of the route twice.) At about that time, the remainder of the riders reached their starting point of Thurmont. John and Lynne finished at 12:30 am, having had some experiences riding in the rain, which John reported, was not too bad, nor cold. They also got to ride (at times) underneath a very bright full moon, almost strong enough for them to ride without lights. Those two just amaze me. Greg Lemond said once (referring to when one becomes a stronger rider) that it still hurts the same, you just go faster (as you get stronger). That means that the slower riders hurt just as much as the faster riders - but they hurt longer! That takes dedication.