WEEKEND RIDES, APRIL 4 & 5, 2009 -- RICHMOUND ROUNDABOUT APRIL 4, 2009!!

Dear Friends,

As I mentioned several weeks ago, this Saturday we will be riding Paul
Donaldson's epic 176-mile RICHMOND ROUNDABOUT! All fleche teams are
invited and encouraged to convene in Ashland, Virginia (center of the
universe) for this really fun event. Even if you're NOT on a fleche
team this year, please come down for the ride--the more the merrier.
Also, for those of you who would like to come down to Ashland to ride
but don't want to ride 176 miles or start at oh-dark-thirty, Ed Felker
will be leading a century ride from Ashland Coffee & Tea (with a truly
civilized meeting time of 8:30 a.m.). Details below. Note there are
three rides this weekend: 2 on Saturday, and one on Sunday.

SATURDAY, APRIL 4, 2009
"THE RICHMOND ROUNDABOUT," starting from Ashland Coffee & Tea Co.,
Ashland, Virginia. MEETING TIME 5:00 a.m. (This means that we want to
be on the road by 5:15.) We'll meet in the parking lot behind Ashland
Coffee & Tea, familiar to all of you who have ridden Paul's Tappahannock
200K brevet. We usually get a large turnout for this ride and there
will be lots of activity in the parking lot, so please arrive on time.
We will not be waiting for late-comers. We'll leave any surplus cue
sheets and maps on the windshield of the Chuckwagon when we take off.
LIGHTS ARE ABSOLUTELY REQUIRED, as we'll be riding in the dark for more
than an hour in the morning and many riders will finish after sundown
(excellent fleche training, of course). Please DO NOT show up without
lights. Period. Note this is an unsupported randonneur ride. Bring
and carry what you need, be self sufficient, ride at your own pace, and
have a blast! If you are on a fleche team, riding with your team
members is really encouraged, particularly if you don't ride together on
a regular basis.

Also, because of the large turnout expected and the fact that the map
packet consists of five pages of maps, PLEASE let me know by no later
than Thursday if you plan to attend. it would be extremely helpful to
me to have an estimated headcount so that I'll know how many cue sheets
and maps to produce. Accordingly, please shoot me an email if you're
planning to attend. If you've done this ride in years past and still
have the maps, please advise me accordingly and bring them with you. It
will help me cut down on copying expenses. No need to keep old cue
sheets since I make revisions or corrections of some kind just about
everytime we do a ride.

Here's the recycled ride description: This is an excellent training ride
for those who are planning to ride the Fleche on April 25 (or 24th if
you're starting on Friday), but all are welcome. There are plenty of
stores along the route, and we'll have several rest stops, including TWO
(2!) Subway lunch stops for you Subway aficionados (I'm NOT one of
them). Paul WGR Donaldson (World's Greatest Randonneur) designed this
delightful 176-mile odyssey that circles around Richmond. The ride has
a lot of historical flavor, passing many Civil War sites and other
historical points of interest. It crosses three rivers (the James,
Chickahominy and Appomattox) as well as Skinquarter Creek, and spans 7
counties. And there's more--2 FROGS ON A BIKE!! The terrain is very
gentle without being boringly flat. Estimated total elevation gain 5800
feet.

We'll plan to convene and hang out at Ashland Coffee & Tea after the
ride. It's open until around 10:00.

Directions to the ride start:
ASHLAND COFFEE & TEA, ASHLAND, VIRGINIA
From the Washington Beltway, south on I-95. Take Exit 92B (Ashland
exit), VA54 West. Follow VA54 into Ashland (about a mile, maybe less).
After crossing the railroad tracks and Railroad Avenue (Visitors Center
to R), turn right into the little lot behind and slightly south of the
Henry Clay Inn (just past the Ashland Coffee & Tea Co.). Park near the
trees. Alternatively, you can park on the street adjacent to the
Visitors Center.

************************************************

SATURDAY, APRIL 4, 2009
Ed Felker will be leading "LOUISA RE-MEMBERED," starting from Ashland
Coffee & Tea, 100 N. Railroad Avenue, Ashland, Virginia. **MEETING TIME
8:30 a.m.**

While nursing a hot cup of cocoa at the Reva Market on a cold December
day in 1997, Jim, Chuck & Crista scanned the front page of a local
newspaper and noticed a gruesome story about a dismembered corpse that
had been discovered at the bottom of a well in the tiny town of Louisa,
Virginia. So please ride carefully -- we want everyone to come back in
one piece!!!

Step back in time with us as we travel the quiet rural roads of OLD
Virginia. No multi-million-dollar horse estates on this ride, but we DO
pass the GOSPEL CHICKEN HOUSE and the bustling metropolises of Bumpass
and Beaverdam. Lunch in Louisa, of course. Highlights on the return
route are some nice views of Lake Anna and Patrick Henry's home,
Scotchtown. Terrain is pretty mellow, with one significant hill before
we return to Ashland. 107 miles, with short options of 58, 73, 85 miles
or 103 miles.

Directions to the ride start: same as above!

Contact: Ed Felker
Cell is 202-277-2487
email: eddiefel@gmail.com

**************************************************

SUNDAY, APRIL 5, 2009
"STONEWALL'S REVENGE," starting from Margaret Pierce Elementary School,
Remington, Virginia. NOTE THE MEETING TIME IS **8:30 AM**!! I am
guessing that it was back in 1994 that Tom led the original 130-mile
version of this ride. The terrain is gently rolling, heading south
through Brandy Station and Stevensburg on the way to the first rest stop
at the Rapidan Trading Post. (if it's open, but it probably ain't, so
bring sufficient snacks and we'll stop there and sit on the porch for a
spell anyway). Then we continue south and cross Lake Anna twice before
our lunch stop at the Lakeview Restaurant at Hunter's Landing. On the
way back we'll ride through part of the Chancellorsville National
Military Park, but we WON'T stop at the Visitors Center where they want
to assess us $4.00 for using the restroom (in fact I'll bet it's at
least $5.00 now). 105 miles, with a 72-mile short option. Total
elevation gain ~3500 feet.

Directions to the ride start:
MARGARET PIERCE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, REMINGTON, VIRGINIA From Beltway Exit
9, take I-66 West 21 miles to Exit 43A (Gainesville/Warrenton). Take
US29 south 24 miles to Remington. Turn left onto Bus.29, just past
VA28. Proceed 1.4 mi. to school on R.

Crista
Work 202-662-4557
Cell (weekends only) 202-365-3738
**NO EMAIL ACCESS ON WEEKENDS**

DCR BREVET ON SATURDAY AND MAYBE A SUNDAY RIDE

Dear Friends,

I've been putting off sending out the Weekend Rides notice as long as
possible, hoping against hope for a change in the Sunday weather
forecast. But it's getting late now, so I'm going to go ahead and
schedule something for Sunday, with the caveat that you absolutely need
to call me Sunday morning to confirm that the ride is a go and to let me
know that you are, indeed, coming out to ride. In the meantime,
tomorrow's brevet goes rain or shine (OF COURSE!!), so we'll be out
there sloshing around with all of you.

SATURDAY, MARCH 28, 2009
DC RANDONNEURS URBANA 200K BREVET and 100K MARLU-LU POPULAIRE, starting
from the Waffle House in Urbana, Maryland. This is the beginning of our
spring ACP series, and we're hoping for a great turn-out in spite of the
weather forecast. Since we've had such a dry winter, I'm predicting
that it will rain every weekend from now until summer, so we might as
well get used to it. I'm pressed for time, so please see the DCR
website for all the details on tomorrow's brevet -- www.dcrand.org.
Note that registration for the 200K opens at 6:00 a.m., the ride begins
at 7:00 sharp, you must be a member of DC Randonneurs, etc. etc. etc.
Also, you will need to park at the Urbana Park & Ride rather than at the
Waffle House. Please go to the website and read all the info -- it's
all there.

SUNDAY, MARCH 29, 2009
"BONNE ROUTE," starting from Dave Berning's house in Potomac, Maryland.
PLEASE NOTE LATE MEETING 8:15 a.m. This is a relatively mellow ride,
definitely the easiest century that we do starting from Dave's house.
Nothing new under the sun on the route, but it's a very nice ride to
Purcellville via Seneca, Dickerson, Point of Rocks, Lovettsville, and
Hillsboro. After lunch we take the ferry across the Potomac River back
into Maryland (bicycles pay $1.00 to the toll troll). EXACTLY 100 miles
with several optional shortcuts. Note that we may take some of those
shortcuts ourselves, depending on how late a start we get.

If you plan to join us, please call me Sunday morning (202-365-3738) to
confirm that the ride is on. The weather forecast is just so iffy. It
looks like if we start late enough we may stay dry, but if it's raining
hard in the morning there's a good chance that we'll cancel this ride or
possibly start later than scheduled. So just be in touch, OK?

Here are the directions to Dave's house:
DAVE BERNING'S HOUSE, 12430 McCrossin Lane, POTOMAC, MD.
From I-495 in VA: Cross Potomac River and exit to River Road west. Go
about 9 miles and turn right on Travilah Rd. Go 0.5 mile past 4-way stop
sign and turn right onto McCrossin Lane. Dave's house is 2nd one on
right.

From Rockville: head west on MD28 from I-270 interchange. In 1/2 mile
turn left on Darnestown Rd (two lanes turn left at TL). In about 2 miles
turn left onto Travilah Rd (past Great Seneca Hwy). In 3 miles, left to
remain on Travilah at T. In 0.4 miles, bear left to remain on Travilah
where Turkey Foot goes right. In 0.4 mile left onto McCrossin Lane.
Dave's house is 2nd one on right, 12430.

From points northwest: Access Quince Orchard Rd MD124 from either I-270
or MD28. South (or west?) on Quince Orchard, crossing MD28. In 2.5
miles turn right at T onto Dufief Mill. Continue straight onto Travilah
Rd in 0.2 mile. In 0.4 mile, bear left to remain on Travilah where
Turkey Foot goes right. In 0.4 mile left onto McCrossin Lane. Dave's
house is 2nd one on right, 12430.

Crista
Work 202-662-4557
Cell 202-365-3738
**NO EMAIL ACCESS ON WEEKENDS**

WEEKEND RIDES, SATURDAY & SUNDAY, MARCH 21 & 22, 2009

Dear Friends,

The weekend weather prognosis is great, and we have a couple of very
nice rides scheduled. Hope you can join us one or, better yet, both
days!

SATURDAY, MARCH 21, 2009
"A TASTE OF FLECHE," starting from the Orchard Village Shopping Center,
Thurmont, Maryland. MEETING TIME 7:30 am. The ride begins with the
long gradual climb up MD77, followed by a wonderful descent into the
bucolic Cumberland Valley, where we'll wander around for the rest of the
morning, gradually heading northwest to Marion, Pa. From there we turn
east, following Team Carnivore's fleche route to Gettysburg, stopping
for lunch at Mamma's in Fayetteville before the fairly forgiving climb
over South Mountain. A slightly shorter option goes to South Mountain,
Pa. instead and takes gnarly but scenic Cold Spring Road down into
Fairfield. 101 miles and 6000-6500 feet elevation gain, with plenty of
shortcuts. All options return to Thurmont on beautiful Kelbaugh Road.

Directions to the ride start:
ORCHARD VILLAGE SHOPPING CENTER, THURMONT, MARYLAND
From DC Beltway, go north on I-270 to Frederick. Continue North on
US15. In about 13 miles, take the Mountaingate Restaurant exit (the
last of 3 MD806 exits; you will see Wendy's and Super-8 Motel off to the
left just before exit). Turn left at the stop sign. This will take you
up the steep hill, past the Super 8 Motel. Turn right into Orchard
Village Shopping Center. Park near the pizza joint or near Wendy's,
away from the Food Lion. Restrooms at Food Lion.

****************************************************

SUNDAY, MARCH 22, 2009
"FALLING DOMINOES," starting from Silo Hill Parkway, Emmitsburg,
Maryland. MEETING TIME 7:30 a.m. The first 35 miles of the ride are
pleasant and familiar Adams County PA fodder. As we had into York
County we'll explore some less familiar roads (including the infamous
Mud Run Road), and after entering Cumberland County we'll enjoy some
truly lovely riding along the Yellow Breeches Creek on our way to the
picturesque village of Boiling Springs. The village surrounds the
Children's Lake, which is on the Appalachian Trail. After a nice lunch
at Anile's, we'll climb over South Mountain via Whiskey Springs Road,
and then enjoy some very scenic and somewhat hilly travel through the
high orchard country of northern Adams County. There are a couple of
brief unpaved stretches, one in the morning and one in the afternoon.
After our last rest stop in Arendtsville we'll pass the Land of Little
Horses on our way back to Emmitsburg. 101 miles, with short options of
69 and 76 miles.

Directions to the ride start:
EMMITSBURG, MARYLAND (Silo Hill Parkway)
From DC Beltway go North on I-270 about 31 miles to Frederick. Continue
north on US15 for about 25 miles, then exit onto MD140 West (AFTER the
Seton Ave/Bus.15 exit). Turn left at the stop sign onto MD140 West. In
about a quarter mile turn right onto Silo Hill Rd at the traffic light
(McDonald's on R). Make your 1st right onto Silo Hill Parkway and park
beyond the car wash.

Crista
Work 202-662-4557
Cell (weekends only) 202-365-3738
**NO EMAIL ACCESS ON WEEKENDS**

2009 RIP VAN WINKLE TOUR!!

Dear Friends,

Chuck and I would like to invite you to join us on the 2009 Rip Van Winkle Tour!. The two-week tour will begin from Chuck's house in Rockville, Maryland on Saturday, June 20, 2009. We'll return on Saturday, July 4. This is an unsupported tour, i.e., there's no sag and you will be responsible for carrying your own gear, as well as for making your own hotel reservations. Consequently, it's a very economical tour! I have included our itinerary, including contact information for each hotel/motel, at the end of this very long email. I've quoted the rate that we got when we made our reservations. If you can join us we urge you to make your own reservations as soon as possible, as many of the towns we're staying in are busy during the early summer season and lodging sells out early. If you can't swing two weeks, we would love for you to join us for any part of the tour that works for you! I will provide (at no charge) detailed cue sheets (including daily mileage options), detailed maps with the routes clearly highlighted, a cue sheet protector for each rider (but of course it will never rain so you won't need it), and a sunny disposition. The first two days are rather long (110 miles both days) and the last day back to Chuck's house is 90 miles. Aside from that, most days will feature two or three mileage options varying from as low as 60 miles (for those who like to do a lot of sightseeing) to 90 miles or more for those of you who participate in the UMCA Year-Rounder or, like us, just like to spend most of the day riding and enjoying the scenery. And if you want to do 100 or more miles a day I can accommodate you there, too! Of course I'll be doing some "remote" scouting work in the coming weeks to find the best possible lunch and dinner opportunities!

We're very excited about our itinerary this year. We're heading up to the beautiful Hudson River Valley and the Catskills, land of Rip Van Winkle and Ichabod Crane. In fact, "Rip Van Winkle" and "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" are assigned reading for anyone participating in the tour! I know you read those stories in your youth, but we're all old enough that we need a "tune up." Expect to be quizzed daily as we ride along, always watching out for the headless bicycle tourist.

We plan to have one lay-over day mid-tour at the Catskill Mountain Lodge. On this day we'll have several options, including rides from 30-90 miles that include some challenging climbs and visit Kaaterskill Falls, Devil's Kitchen, Hunter Mountain and Woodstock. Or, if you want a rest day, you can sit by the pool and soak up the sun (reading Washington Irving stories).

Here are just a few of the highlights that you can look forward to on the Rip Van Winkle Tour -- -please forgive me for relying on links to websites; I had hoped to have time to write flowery descriptions of everything, but I can see now that just isn't going to happen; I'll be spending whatever spare time I have between now and June working on refining the routes.

the "mighty" Susquehanna River -- you'll see it many times on this tour! Also the Delaware River, Lackawaxen River, Schuylkill River and, of course, the Hudson River.

Lancaster County PA - bicycle heaven - lots and lots of lovely Amish farms, one-room schoolhouses, scooters and buggies, and covered bridges

Fireman's Drinking Fountain, Slatington PA: http://www.delawareandlehigh.org/site.asp?siteid=210

Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area http://www.nps.gov/dewa/

Millbrook Village http://www.njskylands.com/hsmillbrookvillage.htm

Peter's Valley Craft Center: http://petersvalley.org/

Dingmans Ferry bridge: http://www.dingmansbridge.com/

Raymondskill Falls (we definitely plan to stop and hike to the falls): http://www.waterfalls-guide.com/pa_raymondskill_falls_leeanne_1.htm
And http://www.picsearch.com/pictures/travel/nature/waterfalls/waterfalls%20l-r/raymondskill%20falls.html

Pennsylvania's "endless mountains" region -- made famous during Tom Rosenbauer's 1000K brevet - http://www.endlessmountains.org/

Lake Minnewaska - http://www.lakeminnewaska.org/

Mohonk Mountain House -- sorry, we can't afford to stay here! - www.mohonk.com, http://www.mohonk.com/photo_gallery/photo_gallery.cfm

Ashokan Reservoir Dam - http://bearsystems.com/ashokan/ashokan.htm

Shawangunks - http://shawangunks.org/photographs/

The Hudson River Valley

Catskills -- land of Rip Van Winkle and Ichabod Crane

"Devil's Kitchen" climb up Platte Cove Rd

Kaaterskill Falls - http://www.epinions.com/content_178503454340

hippy-trippy WOODSTOCK NY!

World's End State Park - http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/parks/worldsend.aspx

Swatara State Park - http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/parks/swatara.aspx

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

OK, HERE'S THE ITINERARY:

SATURDAY, JUNE 20, 2009
Best Western Revere Motor Inn
3063 Lincoln Highway, Paradise PA, 717-687-7683
AARP rate $88.99, continental breakfast included
website: http://www.reveretavern.com/rooms.htm

SUNDAY, JUNE 21, 2009
Pocono Inne Town
700 Main Street, Stroudsburg PA, 570-421-2200
AARP rate $76.45, continental breakfast included
website: http://www.bestwesternpocono.com/

MONDAY, JUNE 22, 2009
The Inn at Lackawaxen
188 Scenic Drive, Lackawaxen PA, 570-685-7061
$92.65, continental breakfast included
dining room & bar on premises
website: http://www.theinnatlackawaxen.com/

TUESDAY, JUNE 23, 2009
Days Inn Newburgh West
915 Union Avenue, Newburgh NY, 845-564-7550
AARP rate 80.95, Continental breakfast included
website: http://www.daysinn.com/DaysInn/control/Booking/property_info?propertyId=05183&as_srp=SP2&cid=carat_search-Days_Inn

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 24, 2009
Cobblestone Motel
Route 214, Phoenicia NY, 845-688-7871
RATE $76; credit card will be billed at time reservation is made,
but can cancel up to June 10 and get refund
website: http://www.cobblestonemotel.com/

THURSDAY, JUNE 25, 2009
Silvanus Lodge
9350 Route 22, Hillsdale NY, 518-325-3000
$80.00, NO CANCELLATIONS!!
website: http://silvanuslodge.com/

FRIDAY & SATURDAY, JUNE 26 and 27, 2009
Catskill Mountain Lodge
334 Route 32A, Palenville NY, 518-678-3101
Standard room w/1 queen, $95 + tax per night.
2-night minimum, total for two nights including tax: $205.20
Website: http://www.catskillmtlodge.com/

SUNDAY, JUNE 28, 2009
Rainbow Inn
5690 NY7, Oneonta NY, 607-432-1280
Senior rate $107.10, Continental breakfast included
website: http://www.therainbowinn.com/

MONDAY, JUNE 29, 2009
Laurel Bank Motel
1 Oak Street, Deposit NY, 607-467-2427
RATE: $65

TUESDAY, JUNE 30, 2009
Riverstone Inn
US6 & Leisure Rd, Towanda PA, 570-265-8882
$99.99, continental breakfast included
Website http://riverstoneinnpa.com/

WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 2009
Country Inn & Suites
134 Walter Drive, Lewisburg PA, 570-524-6600
AARP rate $103.50, continental breakfast included
Website: http://www.countryinns.com/lewisburgpa

THURSDAY, JULY 2. 2009
Best Western Lebanon Valley Inn & Suites
4 Fisher Avenue, Jonestown PA, 717-865-4234
AARP rate $89.99, continental breakfast included
website: http://www.bestwesternpa.com/hotels/best-western-lebanon-valley-inn-and-suites/

FRIDAY, JULY 3, 2009
The Yorktowne Hotel
48 East Market Street, York PA
717-848-1111 or 800-233-9324 for reservations
$119 special bicyclist's rate!, Café opens for breakfast 6:00 a.m.
Website: http://www.yorktowne.com/

So, my dear friends, please let me know if you're interested in the tour at your earliest opportunity!

CRISTA

WEEKEND RIDES, MARCH 14 & 15, 2009

Dear Friends,

The weather forecast for this weekend seems to be in constant flux. We
are scheduling rides for both days but they are tentative, i.e., if
either day looks like a wash-out when it comes around, or if it just
looks like we're going to get deluged during the ride, the ride is
subject to cancellation. So if there is ANY ANY ANY question about
whether the ride is a go, please call me in the morning before you
drive to the ride start to confirm that the ride is on. You can call me
on my cell any time after 5:00 a.m. -- 202.365.3738.

So, assuming that we do ride (and we certainly hope to), here's the
menu:

SATURDAY, MARCH 14, 2009
"MAINLINING AT THE MAIN CUP," starting from Rileys Lock, Seneca,
Maryland. MEETING TIME 7:30 a.m. Off to the beautiful Middletown
Valley we ride! We'll be following a drunken sailor's route so that we
can explore the beautiful depths and heights of the valley to the
fullest extent. Lunch at the wonderful Main Cup Cafe in Middletown will
provide a sweet interlude before encountering the afternoon delights.
There are two brief and very scenic unpaved stretches, but if we do get
caught in rain or the roads are wet it is easy to detour around them.
In fact, I'm guessing that Bennies Hill Rd is still closed, so we'll
probably have to omit that one anyway. 100 miles, with short options of
62 and 79 miles.

Directions to the ride start:
RILEY'S LOCK, SENECA, MARYLAND
From DC Beltway (I-495), take exit-39, MD190 River Road west. In 11.3
miles turn left @T to remain on River Rd. (MD112 Seneca Rd goes right
here.) In 0.7 mile, at the bottom of the hill but BEFORE crossing the
bridge, turn left onto Riley's Lock Rd and go about 0.7 mile to the
parking lot at the very end of the road. 4 ORFS!!

*******************************************************************

SUNDAY, MARCH 15, 2009
"LOVELY LOVETTSVILLE LOOP," starting from the VDOT commuter lot in
Marshall, Virginia. **NOTE LATE MEETING TIME 8:00am!!** This is a very
scenic, fairly hilly ride that hits most of the classic Fauquier/Loudoun
County horse-country towns and villages, including The Plains,
Middleburg ("if you're not rich you're not welcome"), Purcellville,
Waterford, Taylorstown, Lovettsville, Hillsboro, Round Hill, Airmont,
and Rectortown. 99 miles, with PLENTY of shorter options. Lunch in
Lovettsville at the Talk of the Town Restaurant.

Directions to the ride start:
MARSHALL VDOT COMMUTER LOT, MARSHALL, VIRGINIA
From DC beltway, take I-66 west to Bus.17 exit into Marshall. Turn left
on Main Street/VA55 at traffic light. Turn right on Frost St. in ~ 0.2
mi. & follow to parking lot at end of the road.

Crista
Work 202-662-4557
Cell (weekends only) 202-365-3738
**NO EMAIL ACCESS ON WEEKENDS**

HEADS UP FOR RICHMOUND ROUNDABOUT APRIL 4, 2009!!

Dear Friends,

It's just a little over a month until the FLECHE! With that in mind,
Paul Donaldson's epic 176-mile RICHMOND ROUNDABOUT is scheduled for
Saturday, April 4. All fleche teams are invited and encouraged to
convene in Ashland, Virginia (center of the universe) for this really
fun event. Even if you're NOT on a fleche team this year, please come
down for the ride--the more the merrier. I'll send out another reminder
the week before the ride, but want to give everyone plenty of time to
make plans (and hotel reservations if you want to drive down to Ashland
the night before and/or stay over after the ride). There are tons of
hotels in Ashland but, even so, spring events of all kinds can cause
them to fill up early, so don't procrastinate. Here's the scoop on the
Richmond Roundabout:

SATURDAY, APRIL 4, 2009
"THE RICHMOND ROUNDABOUT," starting from Ashland Coffee & Tea Co.,
Ashland, Virginia. MEETING TIME 5:00 a.m. (This means that we want to
be on the road by 5:15.) We'll meet in the parking lot behind Ashland
Coffee & Tea, familiar to all of you who have ridden Paul's Tappahannock
200K brevet. We usually get a large turnout for this ride and there
will be lots of activity in the parking lot, so please arrive on time.
We will not be waiting for late-comers. We'll leave any surplus cue
sheets and maps on the windshield of the Chuckwagon when we take off.
LIGHTS ARE ABSOLUTELY REQUIRED, as we'll be riding in the dark for more
than an hour in the morning and many riders will finish after sundown
(excellent fleche training, of course). Please DO NOT show up without
lights. Period. Also, it would be helpful to me to have an estimated
headcount so that I'll know how many cue sheets and maps to produce.
Accordingly, please shoot me an email if you're planning to attend.
Note this is an unsupported randonneur ride. Bring and carry what you
need, ride at your own pace, be self sufficient, and have a blast! If
you are on a fleche team, riding with your team members is really
encouraged, particularly if you don't ride together on a regular basis.

Here's the recycled ride description: This is an excellent training ride
for those who are planning to ride the Fleche on April 25 (or 24th if
you're starting on Friday), but all are welcome. There are plenty of
stores along the route, and we'll have several rest stops, including TWO
(2!) Subway lunch stops for you Subway aficionados (I'm NOT one of
them). PAUL WGR DONALDSON (World's Greatest Randonneur) designed this
delightful 176-mile odyssey that circles around Richmond. The ride has
a lot of historical flavor, passing many Civil War sites and other
historical points of interest. It crosses three rivers (the James,
Chickahominy and Appomattox) as well as Skinquarter Creek, and spans 7
counties. And there's more--2 FROGS ON A BIKE!! The terrain is very
gentle without being boringly flat. Estimated total elevation gain 5800
feet.

In the past we've all met for dinner at Ruby Tuesday after the ride, but
the last few years we've had so much fun at Ashland Coffee & Tea after
Paul's Tappahanhock 200K that we might just hang out there instead.
It's open until around 10:00.

Crista
Work 202-662-4557
Cell (weekends only) 202-365-3738

WEEKEND RIDES, SATURDAY AND SUNDAY, MARCH 8 & 9, 2009

Dear Friends,

All systems go! What a difference a few days makes, and we're going to
take advantage of it this fine weekend. We have two beautiful rides on
tap and I hope you can join us. **Don't forget to turn your clocks
ahead one hour on Saturday night.**

SATURDAY, MARCH 7, 2009
"NO UNGER, NO UNGER," starting from the C&O Canal National Historic
Park, Sharpsburg, Maryland. MEETING TIME 7:30 a.m. How this ride got
its name: A few years ago we were riding the very scenic "Hunger for
Unger," planning to have lunch at the little country store in Unger,
West Virginia, only to find that Ma & Pa Unger had retired and closed
the store. Although you may still be able to find Ma & Pa sitting on
their front porch, we have chosen NOT to go to Unger on this ride.
After a flat beginning along the C&O canal, we climb up to Sharpsburg,
then travel on some cute little twisty-turny, squirmy roads back down to
the C&O Canal, and then crawl back up Tommytown Road on our way to
Williamsport. Then we'll take the Western Maryland Rail Trail into
Hancock. The 10.7 miles on the trail will be one of only two flat
sections on this ride. When we get to Hancock we'll cross the Potomac
River into West Virginia and climb up onto Horse Ridge. We'll ride
along the ridge for 5 miles and then a very fast and steep descent will
take us down into Berkeley Springs for lunch. Leaving town there's no
way to go but up, so we'll climb over Warm Springs Ridge. There will be
lots of great views and lots of steep ups & downs as we work our way
over to Sleepy Creek and eventually pick up Dave Berning's old 300K
route along River Road. We'll follow that oldy but goody route more or
less all the way to Shepherdstown and then cross the Potomac River back
into Maryland, finishing with a fast steep descent back to Canal Rd and
the ride's end. 100 miles, with short options of 78 and 94 miles.
Don't know what the elevation gain will be, but we WILL be climbing over
several ridges.

Directions to the ride start (take your pick!):

C&O CANAL NATIONAL HISTORIC PARK, Sharpsburg, Maryland
From DC Beltway, go north on I-270 to Frederick (approx. 32 miles).
Take exit 32 to merge onto I-70 West toward Hagerstown.
In 4.3 miles, take exit 49 for US40 Alt. toward Braddock
Heights/Middletown
in 0.2 mile turn left onto US40 Alt. West; continue on Alt. 40 through
Middletown and over South Mountain.
In 14.3 miles turn left onto MD34 Potomac Street in Boonsboro.
In about 9.5 miles turn left onto Canal Road (sign to C&O National
Historic Park) (before bridge over Potomac River).
In 0.5 mi. turn left into the parking lot. Porta-john available!

OR:

From DC Beltway, take I-270 north approx. 32 miles to Frederick.
Take exit 32 onto I-70 West, toward Hagerstown.
In 1.3 mi. take exit 52 onto US340 West, toward Charlestown/Leesburg.
You will pass through Virginia and into West Virginia.
In 21.3 miles, turn right onto WV230/Shepherdstown Pike.
In 8.8 miles turn right onto S. Princess Street in Shepherdstown to
remain on WV230.
In 0.1 mi. turn left onto E. German St. to remain on WV230.
In 0.3 mi. turn right onto N. Duke Street/WV480.
In 0.5 mi. cross bridge over Potomac River and enter Maryland. Becomes
MD34.
In 0.4 mi. take first right (sharp turn) onto Canal Road (sign to C&O
National Historic Park).
In 0.5 mi. turn left into the parking lot. Porta-john available!

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SUNDAY, MARCH 9, 2009
"OVER THE HILL WITH DOCTOR DISC," starting from Monocacy Middle School,
Frederick, Maryland. **PLEASE NOTE LATE MEETING TIME 8:00 a.m., EASTERN
DAYLIGHT TIME** -- to soften the blow of losing an hour of sleep.

This little gem of a ride was originally designed to celebrate Chuck's
60th birthday. Even though he's been "over the hill" for a "few" years
now, we still love the ride and will continue to offer it at least once
a year until we're both so old and feeble that we can no longer get OVER
THE HILL. The ride heads east from Frederick, with an abundance of
scenic views, turns, sweet and squirmy little one-lane roads, and HILLS.
Lunch at Tony's Cafe & Pizzeria in Taneytown. Rest stops in Union
Bridge and Libertytown. 100 miles, with several short options.

Directions to the ride start:
MONOCACY MIDDLE SCHOOL, FREDERICK, MARYLAND, 8009 Opossumtown Pike,
Frederick MD 21702
From D.C. Beltway (I-495), take I-270 north 31 miles to Frederick.
Continue north on US15 3.7 miles. Take Exit 16, Motter Ave exit (sign
for Frederick Community College). Turn RIGHT at the traffic light onto
Opossumtown Pike. In about 1.5 mi. turn RIGHT into Monocacy Middle
School parking lot (just after Frederick Community College on the left).

Crista
Work 202-662-4557
Cell (weekends only) 202-365-3738
**NO EMAIL ACCESS ON WEEKENDS**