Ride Reports August 2008

Semi-Regular Summer Sunday Evening Road Ride
July 6, 2008 by Mike Procario

We had 11 people show up for tonight's first Semi-regular Summer Sunday Evening Road Ride. We covered 26.5 miles and got back just after 8:00 PM while we still had plenty of light. Everyone seemed to enjoy themselves so we will try it again on Sunday July 20 once again at Monocacy Middle School.

BWI to Annapolis
July 12, 2008 by Glenn Angus

This was one of the most well-attended club rides in which I have ever been a participant. What began as a private jest between Harry de Moll and me, grew into what eventually became a 12-person mass of riding humanity. Yup, 12 of us made the effort, and were all amply rewarded.

We got a bit of a late start, due to some "travel malfunction" along the way. Despite this, and an unscheduled pit-stop at McDonald's within the first 2 miles of the ride, the day was perfect. The weather was beautiful -- dry, cool [under 80 degrees at ride start], with only a slight breeze. Of course, later, it got really hot -- Peggy's trusty thermometer told us that at one point, it did reach 100 degrees, and the wind, from the southeast, did pick up, and then changed to southwest [ahh, the wind, more fickle than a high-maintenance tart, eh?].

The trip around BWI was an awe-inspiring trip, as unexpected views, sometimes for many miles, regaled the viewer. Yes, there were some hills, too [I toldja all this was not a "flat ride"]. The aircraft activity was of great interest to many of us, too, as on a number of occasions, we stopped for photo ops, especially at the Dixon Overlook, a lovely park situated on Dorsey Rd, right under the most-used runway, where the planes appear to be close enough to touch.

We then enjoyed the shade of the B & A Trail, a 13.3 mile long wide band of macadam which follows the rail bed of the Baltimore and Annapolis Railroad. There were a few unavoidable "urban barriers" to smooth travel [you know, traffic lights and stuff], but those were few and far between.

The Ranger Station at Mile 7 provided a most welcome rest, with its air conditioned toilet facilities and very interesting historic display of the B & A Railroad, not to mention the ample shade of a huge oak tree next to the restored Victorian period house which houses this facility. The trip across the Severn River was quite a sensation, too, as we all stopped atop the 90 foot tall MD-450 Bridge for pictures and general "awe-sharing", as we could easily, despite the haze, see across the Bay to Kent Island.

Annapolis itself was its usual cycle-friendly place. The route took us across the front of historic St. John's College [founded in 1646], in front of the Maryland Statehouse, and around Church Circle, to the City Dock, where we enjoyed lunch at the Market Square under some wonderful shade, enjoying the breeze. We could even see the Bay Bridge from that venue, a feat of luck on such a hazy day.

Our return took us back the way we came, with 3 hills to climb [but nothing like Frederick County can provide], which spread us out rather well. We all met up at the Ranger Station again, for a welcome rest stop. And then, on to Severn via BWI.

This was quite a festive ride, one which I enjoyed thoroughly, and, so it seems did the entire group. This will become an annual ride, I suspect.

Making this ride were: Glenn Angus, Catherine Badger, Tim Bender, Harry deMoll, John Fauerby, Koman Nambiar, Peggy Parker, Craig Pollack, Mike Procario, Lynne Rosenbusch, George Ruszat, and Chuck Wilson.

Wednesday Evening Post-Utica Ride Report
by Vicki Smith

After the regular Wednesday Utica ride, George Ruszat, Catherine Badger and Peggy Parker joined Bill and me for a delightful night ride. We left Utica Park just before the sun disappeared behind the mountains and the temperature became pleasant (even with the high dew point.) We rode out to Woodsboro to re-hydrate at Highs. About halfway there, lights became necessary. By the time we got back on the bikes after our brief stop, it was completely dark. Our return route to Lewistown (where our cars were parked) was via Gravel Hill Rd. This was Peggy's first night ride and she proved her mettle on the downhill. We arrived back at the elementary school just before 10PM in good spirits and having a evening ride in excess of 40 miles (between the Utica ride and the night ride.)

We hope to repeat this post Utica lights ride again in August. Hope a few more of you will join us.

Get to the Ride On Time
by Mike Procario

The key to a good ride is planning. If you are leading a ride, get out there and ride it the day before. You never know when the county may decide to rip the surface off of a road, or when somebody has gotten a new dog that does not like cyclists. I am pretty sure that Bill goes out and rides the Club Century route each year the day before he lets us ride it.

I knew that I would have to get up early in order to make it to Glenn’s ride that started near BWI airport. Many people were carpooling, but I knew that would mean getting up even earlier. So I decided to prepare as well as I could and get the extra half hour of sleep.

I loaded my bike, helmet, shoes, and tire pump in the car the night before. I printed out the directions to the ride start and Glenn’s cell phone number. I put some Gatorade in the fridge, washed my water bottles, and found the sunscreen. I loaded some new podcasts on my iPod to listen to on the drive home and went to bed feeling well prepared for the next day.

I got up at 7:00 AM, and I was out the door by 7:45 AM, since Google reported that it would take 58 minutes to get there and the ride was scheduled for 8:45 AM.

I made a quick stop at Wawa to get coffee, Wawa iced tea, and a couple of soft pretzels for the breakfast of champions. I then headed east on I-70 towards Baltimore.

I was about 10 miles down the road, when I realized I had forgotten the directions and Glenn’s cell phone number. I had looked them over and thought they were pretty simple, take I-70 to US-29 to MD-100 then MD-187 to Reece Road. I use MD-100 to get to BWI so I was familiar with that part of the route, so all I had to do was find MD-187.

By 8:45 AM, there was still no sign of MD-187. After I passed under a bikeway labeled the East Coast Greenway, I got my cell phone out and started trying to call anyone who I thought might be at the ride. I tried George, but there was no answer. I then tried Chuck, and I got his voicemail. I left a message and kept driving down MD-100 hoping that MD-187 was next exit. Chuck eventually called me back and put Glenn on the phone. Glenn asked where I was. I told him that I had just reached a traffic light. Whoa, I was about 10 miles past my exit. The road I needed to turn onto was actually M170, not MD-187. Well I knew it was a three-digit road with a 1 and 7 in it.

Glenn got me turned around, and the group waited for me to arrive. I rushed back searching for MD-170, but I worked to keep my speed below 70 mph. I did not need a ticket, too. When I was within a mile of the ride start, I saw a pair of cyclists, who looked like John and Lynne. I have run into John and Lynne in all sorts of places. They ride a lot, but this seemed to be a little out of their territory.

When I eventually got to the school where the ride would start, I was shocked to see about 10 people. My previous ride with Glen was just three of us. Apparently, Glenn was surprised too, delighted but surprised. So not only had I kept the group waiting, it was a record size group for a Frederick Pedalers ride in Anne Arundel County.

Glenn gave me a cue sheet and the group headed out. I rushed around putting my front wheel on, loading my water bottles, and getting started. I caught them less than two miles down the road making an early pit stop at a McDonald’s.

We had a good ride, but by the end I was starting to feel like I had a bit of sunburn. During the rush to get started, I forgot to put on the sunscreen that I had brought along. Even with the best-laid plans, you can still get burned.