Ride Reports September 2006

Fifty on Fifty
August 6, 2006 by Steve Walter

The day got off to a rough start with my car not starting, but we quickly moved the bikes to Mary's car and we were on our way. Without breaking too many speed records we arrived at Loy’s Station Park at 8:25, five minutes before the ride start. Much to my surprise the parking lot was full with a bevy of riders waiting to start. If I counted right we had sixteen riders including myself. This was a record turn out for one of my rides.

The weather for August was great, a little hot but compared to only a few days earlier it was perfect. Your fearless leader with his "truck" Hollands lead everyone across a 1/2 mile stretch of gravel. We only had one fatality (only a flat) but I have learned from this experience to stick to the pavement. The route was beautiful thanks to Bill Smith, who's route I plagiarized with a few alterations and additions. We saw three covered bridges, the exotic animal rescue zoo, Gettysburg battlefield, etc. We had a restroom break in Fairfield, PA and an Ice Cream stop near Gettysburg. All in all a fun ride, we made it back to the start without any traffic violations or injuries. Your ride leader truly appreciated everyone coming out for this gala event.

The ride participants included: Lynne Rosenbusch, John Fauerby, Jeff Johnson, Bill Smith, Betsy and Mike LaPadula, Frank Scotto, Joyce Myers, Martha Bush, Mark Anderson, Craig Teroy, Brian and Alice King, Sheldon Shealer, Mary Walter and myself.

Chesapeake Bay Ride
August 19, 2006 by Glenn Angus

On Saturday, August 19, three cyclists, Glenn Angus, Mike Procario, and George Ruszat, departed Edgewater, Maryland, for point south, on their way to Chesapeake Beach, in Calvert County, on a ride which provided great shaded country roads, few center lines, and even less traffic, as well as countless beautiful views of the Chesapeake Bay, from both water-level and elevated views. The day was perfect -- 78° and dry at ride start.

We began at Central Elementary School, about 5 miles south of Annapolis. The route took us 5 miles south to Harwood, along MD-2, a very wide, smooth, and spacious roadway, deceptively devoid of traffic, despite the fact that it is the major route south from Annapolis. We headed west to the Patuxent River area, following Sands Road [named for the proliferation of sand and gravel mining along this portion of the river], past the Jug Bay Wildlife area [and where we encountered many short, and some steep hills, crossing east to the Bay at the lovely little town of Friendship, MD. We got to the Bay itself at Fairhaven, and stopped to savor the view at a resort in Rose Haven, the southernmost point in Anne Arundel County. In 2 short miles, we entered Calvert County at North Beach, crossing the county line at a wading pond, this time populated by dozens of all 3 species of Egrets.

Our route took us past the lovely North Beach Pier, and on to lunch in Chesapeake Beach, only a mile further. It was turn-around time, back up the coast past Rose Haven and Fairhaven, and then up the coast along more tree-shaded roads. Tocara Farm, a 19th century working farm, complete with brick ha-ha's and outbuildings, was an impressive site, and we reveled in the beauty of the narrow winding road up the hill across its northern boundary, and we encountered a 40+ mph downhill on Franklin-Gibson Rd, famous to area cyclists, as a screaming descent, followed by a deceptively steep [but short] climb up from the creek at the bottom. Then, through Deale, another fishing village, and then back north through the rolling hills just west of the coasts, we returned to Edgewater along the blissfully smooth Solomon's Island Rd [aka MD-2], enjoying a very nice tailwind. What a wonderful way to finish a ride! We had a great time, to put it mildly.

Hopefully more Frederick area folks will do this ride next year. It is well worth the drive down here.