Given the pretty spectacular weekend weather forecast, we are going out on a limb and scheduling "special" rides for both days.
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2009
"THE VELO ORANGE VELOVENTURE," starting from Pierce Mill in Washington, D.C. MEETING TIME 7:30 a.m. Thanks to Maile's excellent lobbying efforts, the folks at Velo Orange in Annapolis have agreed to open their showroom on a Saturday just for our merry group of randonneurs. Check out the website (www.velo-orange.com) and join us for what is SURE to be an adventure, as we will be following a funky combination of routes to get us from DC to Annapolis. The route from Pierce Mill to College Park is one that I used frequently many years ago (15 or so :-)), but I cannot guarantee that conditions haven't changed since then (and if they have it probably won't be for the better). After that the plot thickens as we attempt to connect with a bike trail or two and follow a route to Annapolis provided by www.bikewashington.org. If we can find our way to Annapolis without getting hopelessly lost, we should be able to find Velo Orange! After drooling over their merchandise for a bit, we'll amble over to Philly Flash for lunch, where the truly fearless randonneur can indulge in such curiosities as "Wreckage Fries," in addition to more traditional pizza and sub fare. Then we'll waddle back to DC. 102 miles, with an 89-mile short option. PLEASE BE TOLERANT OF POSSIBLE (PROBABLE) CUE SHEET BOO-BOOS ON THIS RIDE. REMEMBER, IT'S A VELOVENTURE!
Directions to the ride start:
PIERCE MILL, WASHINGTON, D.C.
2375 Tilden Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20015, 202-426-6908
From DC Beltway, Exit 33, go south on Connecticut Avenue (MD185) into DC.
After going around Chevy Chase Circle and entering DC, go about 2 miles and turn left onto Tilden Street (traffic light) Go to the bottom of the hill (about ½ mile) and turn RIGHT, just before the bridge, then make a quick left into the large parking lot. Do not park in the little lot next to the mill and the Art Barn.
From downtown DC, take the Rock Creek & Potomac Parkway 2.5 miles north to the intersection with Beach Drive. Bear right on Beach Drive, passing through the tunnel and continuing on past the Zoo. Turn left at the first traffic light onto Tilden Street, cross the bridge over Rock Creek, and immediately turn left into the parking lot.
An alternate route from downtown is to head North on Connecticut Avenue and, a few blocks after passing through Cleveland Park, turn right on Tilden Street (traffic light). Go to the bottom of the hill (about ½ mile) and turn RIGHT, just before the bridge, then make a quick left into the large parking lot. Do not park in the little lot next to the mill and the Art Barn.
HEATED RESTROOMS AVAILABLE!
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SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2009
"DAM GOOD RIDE TO GLEN ROCK," starting from New Midway Elementary School in Keymar, Maryland. MEETING TIME 7:30am. This ride heads in a northeasterly direction with a morning rest stop in Littlestown, PA., and continues past the Long Arm Reservoir and then along the very scenic Impounding Dam Road past the Sheppard Myers Dam. We'll continue on to the historic railroad village of Glen Rock, where we'll have a relaxed and yummy lunch at Mignano's. After lunch we'll tackle a few of York County's "interesting" hills as we head back into Carroll County MD. Afternoon delights include Deep Run, a lovely cruise down Silver Run Valley, and maybe a CAMEL! The route includes two stretches of lovely unpaved hard-pack surface roads. Paved options are indicated on the cue sheet and will yield a couple of bonus miles. 101 miles, with 58 and 77-mile short options.
Directions to the ride start:
NEW MIDWAY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, 12226 Woodsboro Pike, Keymar, Maryland 21757
From D.C. Beltway, take I-270 north 31 miles to Frederick. Continue north on US15 about 2-1/2 miles then exit onto MD26 East/Liberty Rd. toward Libertytown/MD194/Walkersville. In 2.2 miles bear left onto Woodsboro Pike MD194 North. In 9.5 miles turn L into the school, JUST past intersection with Detour Rd.
No restroom facilities at ride start. You'll pass Starbucks/Panera/Sheetz, etc. on the way out, so avail yourselves of those opportunities!
Crista
Work 202-662-4557
Cell (weekends only) 202-365-3738
**I DON'T HAVE EMAIL ACCESS ON WEEKENDS**
