Ride Reports November/December 2007

Trolley Museum Ride
October 7, 2007 by John Fauerby & Lynne Rosenbusch

Jeff Johnson joined leaders Lynne Rosenbusch and John Fauerby from Damascus High School on a ride to the National Trolley Museum. It was a beautiful summer day in October. The temperature started at a nice 69° and went up to somewhere in the upper 80s or lower 90s with high humidity. The highest point on the ride was near the start/finish. The lowest point was at the Trolley Museum. The ride started at 8:10.

The only problem encounter with cars was after turning south onto MD 108 from Long Corner Road. We were single file. A man driving a boxy car came upon us from behind and started blasting his horn. He then slowly passed us giving us plenty of room with both of his front car windows rolled down and he was yelling something that we could not make out (which is usually the case). He stuck his left arm out of the window with his hand raised like he was signaling a left turn. From his left hand, he first stuck one finger up, then another, followed by two, then another combination. It appeared that he wasn't sure how to express his feelings, or was totally confused, or maybe we are not educated sufficiently on finger language. He then sped up and was soon out of sight.

We had a brief rest stop at the 7-11 in Laytonsville. We then went past the former sites of the Emergency Broadcast Station and the National Guard. We entered Olney from the north with an honest uphill. Jeff was thrilled with this hill. After reaching the top, Jeff did a U-Turn, went back down the hill, and did it again while the leaders could barely do it once. You must realize that John was carrying two panniers filled with anything that might be necessary such as emergency food, lock and chain, a rain coat, a light and spare batteries, a reflective vest, reflective ankle bands, tools, seven spare tubes (he never gets a flat when he carries seven spare tubes), several empty plastic bags for his cue sheet in case it rained on this beautiful clear day.

A mile or so before the trolley museum, we stopped at Subway and bought sandwiches for lunch at the trolley museum. John carried his and Lynne’s sandwiches and offered to carry Jeff's, but Jeff showed us the versatility of his bicycle jersey. There was plenty of room in his back pocket. We arrived at the trolley museum one hour and ten minute before opening time.

We decided to go around the gate and eat lunch on the grass under a huge shade tree. While eating lunch, a car turned off the main road and pulled up to the gate. An employee of the museum opened the gate, waved at us, and proceeded to the parking area. Soon, another employee came in (the trolley operator). We thought that maybe they would open early for us. We asked. The answer was no. The museum opens at noon and the first trolley ride was at 12:30. We stuck it out. John did not lock the bikes. We talked about all sorts of things.

Finally, noon came and the museum opened. An older tourist was reminiscing about the trolleys in D.C. Before we knew it, 12:30 was fast approaching. We bought our trolley tickets, then boarded the trolley along with many others. The trolley left the station and entered the woods near Northwest Branch. It was a fun ride. The trolley stopped in the shade. The operator told us about the history of trolleys and answered questions. He then punched the tickets. The trolley and the museum was fun. The proposed ICC is to run right across the museum and trolley barns. However, they will relocate both and have a new museum built along with trolley barns on the other end of their area.

The ride back took us along the bike lane on New Hampshire Avenue. John was riding next to Jeff when something happened that can never be repeated and could never be done if you were trying. Jeff, without trying, hit a small stone that was probably a perfect sphere about the size of a marble (we didn't really see it, but we saw another a little later that looked like this). The stone shot out towards John, hit his frame, was deflected back to Jeff, hit a spoke, went back towards John, and hit more spokes. It made a musical racket.

We took our final rest stop at the store in Sunshine. We were all in good spirits. It was hot, but we were heading into a nice breeze most of the way back that kept us from overheating.

A Quick Tour of Mountaindale
October 20, 2007 by Chuck Wilson

On this sunny fall morning a small group of Frederick Pedalers rode from Whittier Elementary School through the usual route of Creagerstown, Lewistown, and Mountaindale and back to the starting point. The group started with four from the school parking lot, but just as the group was leaving Bill Smith was pedaling toward us. Participating riders from start location were Catherine Badger, Mike Procario, Jeff Johnson, Bill Barrie, and, ride leader Chuck Wilson.

The morning air was nice and crisp as we rode and we could see the changing of color on the trees in our view. Along the way we had Craig Pollack and Jon Disbennett to join the group. Most of the riders were familiar with the route and we just regrouped at the intersections. After climbing the hill on Lenhart Road, all riders had warmed up for speedy trip toward Creagerstown. When we turned on Blacks Mill the wind was in our face, and we all were pedaling a little harder. Once we were on Angleberger the group stopped at the 7 Eleven to rest and have a quick snack. Jeff Johnson was our cameraman. But one of store customers volunteered to take a group picture of us. We departed from our rest stop and after crossing US 15 it was windy the rest of the way back to the ride start. Jeff Johnson and Bill Barrie were ahead of the group and some how missed turn on Pear Lane, but they still beat us back. This was a nice day to ride and all enjoyed themselves. Thank you all for your participation.

A Fabulous Mountain Ride
October 21, 2007 by Glenn Angus

On Saturday, October 21, 5 cyclists embarked on a very challenging ride, one which proved to be a very enjoyable adventure for all.

We all met at the Woodsboro Community Park, leaving on our adventure at about 9 AM. Riding were Glenn Angus, Harry deMoll, John Fauerby, Lynn Rosenbusch, and Ken Trotman.

The weather was perfect, though a little cool in the morning – dry, sunny, 50 degrees or so. There was not much wind [but this would change drastically before ride’s end].

We left westwardly on MD-550, heading up the hill to the fabled Bennie Duncan Road, this writer’s favorite road in Frederick County. We emerged at Walkersville, and meandered our way across to, and then through, the Utica Creek covered bridge. And then north, along Hessong Bridge road to Catoctin State Park, where we took our first rest stop at mile 21. Surprisingly, the Visitor’s Center was closed. But we were still able to enjoy viewing their collection of raptors, especially the Broad Winged Hawk, and the Golden Eagle.

And then, things got serious. We began our ascent up Catoctin Mountain, via Catoctin Hollow Road. At the summit of this road, we then climbed another 2 miles up Wigville Road, and enjoyed the speedy downhills on our way to MD-77, where we crossed the summit further, finally lunching in Cascade, now at about mile 36 or so.

And then, the fun of of MD-550 descending through Sabilisville into Thurmont, a delightful 8.5 mile descent. This is where the wind finally became a factor. When we began our ride 4 hours earlier, the wind was practically a non-factor. But, by now, it had come up from the SW, probably at around 20-25 mph. We all had to pedal hard to maintain motion on all the steepest downhill sections [does this sound anything like the wind on our club century last month?].

At the bottom, we were happy to find that the Roddy Creek bridge construction was, in fact, complete, and passage through was completely uneventful. This creek is so lovely any time of year, but today, it was spectacularly beautiful.

Onward we pedaled, through Graceham, and through the Loy's Station bridge, Rocky Ridge, and a final break at the breathtakingly beautiful and historic LeGore Bridge. And then, our final charge home, enjoying that downhill along MD-194 to Woodsboro, following through the old downtown area, and ending back at the park.

We all really enjoyed the ride, which ended up at around 63 miles. Hopefully next year's ride will include even more of our membership.