It looks like it's shaping up to a gorgeous weekend.
DC Randonneurs is hosting the Warrenton "Old Rag" 200K Brevet on
Saturday, April 18. This is one of our all-time favorite rides, and it
should be especially spectacular this weekend with sunny skies, balmy
temps, and the dogwood and redbud at peak. We were lucky enough to see
the peach blossoms on Ben Venue Road during the check-out ride last
weekend; I hope there are still some left for all of you! The brevet
will start from HoJo's in Warrenton. Registration opens at 6:00 a.m.
and the ride begins promptly at 7:00 a.m. Please visit the DC
Randonneurs website for all the pertinent information about the ride,
location, registration, etc. -- www.dcrand.org.
AND, since you're going to be in Warrenton anyway, why not stay over and
make a weekend of it. We have a nice ride scheduled for Sunday, too, as
follows:
SUNDAY, APRIL 19, 2009
"SIVANOVA CENTURY," starting from the Municipal Parking lot in
Warrenton, Virginia. **MEETING TIME 8:30 am!!** Please note
later-than-usual meeting time. This is a "kinder, gentler" ride than
our usual century fare. Although the first 25 miles are moderately
hilly, the remainder of the ride is generally mellow. We will ride
south to Brandy Station (but definitely not as the crow flies) and on to
Batna. A major highlight will be lunch at Pelham's Pub at the Inn at
Kelly's Ford, and if the weather is nice we can outside on the patio.
For a sneak peak at the menu, see
http://www.innatkellysford.com/dining.asp and scroll down to the
Pelham's Lunch Pub Menu. For the Civil War historians among you, we'll
be visiting Kelly's Ford after lunch, and your homework assignment is to
read all about the battle at http://www.nps.gov/frsp/kelly.htm and all
about the "Gallant" John Pelham at
http://www.civilwarhome.com/pelhambio.htm. And, while you're at it,
read about the Battle of Brandy Station at
http://americancivilwar.com/brandy_station.html. After lunch we head
over to Bristersburg and return to Warrenton via Neavils Mill and
Casanova, finally returning to Warrenton by way of the Warrenton Branch
Greenway Rail Trail (no climb and no traffic!!). 101 miles, with plenty
of shorter options, including a possible 29-mile shortcut after lunch.
Total elevation gain somewhere between 4000 and 4500 feet.
Here are the directions to the ride start:
WARRENTON MUNICIPAL PARKING LOT A
From DC Beltway, take I-66 west 21 miles to Exit 43A
(Gainesville/Warrenton). South on US29 for 11.5 miles where road forks
near Warrenton. Bear right at split, taking Warrenton exit (Bus.
US29/15). Continue straight for 2 miles, following signs for US211
(*NOT* Bus.211). Turn LEFT onto Waterloo Street (TL) (HoJo's is on the
right at this intersection). In 0.7 mi. turn right on Ashby Street.
Continue straight into Municipal Lot A.
Crista
Work 202-662-4557
Cell (weekends only) 202-365-3738
**NO EMAIL ACCESS ON WEEKENDS**
