Ride Reports October 2006

Club Century
September 24, 2006 by Bill Smith

The 2006 version of the club century took place under cloudy (and occasionally rainy) skies on September 24. About the time the century began, a rainbow appeared in the west shortly after sunrise. As several of us approached Thurmont later in the day at the century’s conclusion, we saw clearing skies ahead to the west while a rain shower passed above us. Behind us in the east was another rainbow, completely across the sky and very bright.

Leaving from Thurmont to do either 70 or 104 miles were: Mark & Martha Anderson, Tom Blair, Laura Chaffiotte, Vicki Crum, Phil Falconer, Mike Evans, John Fauerby & Lynne Rosenbusch, Dave & Linda Gardetti, Jeff Johnson, Julia Matthews, Linda McAdams, Dwayne Neal, John Olinski, and Mike Procario. John Johnson drove down from Mercersburg in the afternoon, rode the century route in reverse, and met several of us in Taneytown.

Departing from Taneytown to do the metric century (or, for some 32 or 45 miles) were Beth Brown, Tung Do, Terry Eskutchen, Doug & Amanda Lane, Mike & Betsy Lapadula, Joyce Myers, Bill Preston, George Ruszat, Hugh Smallwood, Bill Smith, Charles Wilson, and Steven & Mary Walter.

Several of the metric riders were able to complete their rides with little or no rain. Others were rained on at various points, including the century.

Joan Wicks flatted just a few miles outside of Abbottstown; we got to watch some expert flat-fixing. Bill Smith fixed his flat at the Rutters store — much more courteous, we might add, than making riders wait for him on the open road.

Congratulations go to Jeff Johnson and Mike Procario, who completed their first centuries under much less than ideal conditions (the last 50 miles were into strong headwinds) and George Ruszat who did 67 miles at 67 years of age.

As you read this, some pictures from the ride have already been posted in the Photo Gallery.

The Piney Mountain Ride
September 2, 2006 by John Fauerby & Lynne Rosenbusch

We were enjoying a moderate agricultural drought. This was supposed to be a beautiful clear and cool day. Lynne Rosenbusch and John Fauerby found the day to be cool and rainy. Tropical Depression Ernesto rained the ride out.

Ernesto Travellotto was originally going to Texas, but as soon as we scheduled the ride, he decided to change directions and come up the east coast. He was a short old man, about 5 feet tall, retired, trim, but he did not like mountains. He said that long climbs tire him out. He decided to use our route up to Arendtsville, then perhaps follow valleys and water passes through Pennsylvania and perhaps New England. He wasn't sure if he wanted to go to Quebec, he didn't speak French. He had heard good things about Nova Scotia. Maybe he would go there. We wished him well and sent him on his way.

Bill Preston did show up in a wet suit (he forgot to bring his umbrella). He wasn't going to ride, but he wanted to see if anyone else was.

Jefferson-Adamstown-Buckeystown
September 10, 2006 by Mike Procario

I led my first ride for the Frederick Pedalers on Sunday September 10. It is century season with a different century ride every weekend, so I was not sure if anybody would show up. I was pleased to see four riders when I got to the start point. Two are people I had ridden with before, Jeff and Vicki, but I did not know very well, and two I had never met, Jeff and Paul. I should have gotten last names.

George Ruszat taught me this route. It has a few significant hills. We had a debate about whether it has two or three hills. I did not think the climb into Jefferson on Jefferson Pike warranted being called a hill along with Marlu Ridge and Flint Hill. In the write-up, I decided to call it three. At the top of Flint Hill we took a break and Jeff asked if there was another hill on the ride. I said no that was the third. The three places that the young guys waited for the rest of us was a hill.

We made a deviation from the cue sheet to visit the bakery in Jefferson. The cinnamon buns and the cookies made from rolled up pie crust are both excellent. We sat on the sidewalk in front of the shop. The fine folks of Jefferson going in and out looked at us like we were from Mars. I will update the cue sheet to include it (not the being from Mars part).

I would call it a success. The weather was nice. I did not lose anybody. There were no flats.

Laura's Indeterminate Ride
September 16, 2006 by Laura 'Flashdance' Chaffiotte

Joyce Myers, Dottie Rust, Jeff Johnson, Chuck Wilson, Bill Smith, Martha Bush, Mark Anderson, Frank Scotto and Mike Procario met ride leader, Laura Chaffiotte at Monocacy Middle School at 7:30 am. The plan was to ride north and east with 38, 64 or 82 mile options. The sky was overcast as we pedaled to Detour, our first rest stop. Chuck decided to take the 38 mile option and headed back to Frederick. The rest of the group went on to Adams County, PA.

At mile 33, Bill, Joyce and Frank chose the 64 mile option and rode back to Frederick as Dottie, Jeff, Martha, Mark, Mike and Laura cycled on. About this time, we were greeted by a light rain that persisted until our next rest stop (not until around mile 60) at the Exxon in Emmitsburg. From there we headed south back to Frederick for a total of 82 miles.