It appears that our "unsettled" weather pattern will continue through
Saturday, so Saturday's ride will have plenty of bail-out options in the
event afternoon thunderstorms do materialize. Sunday is looking great
in comparison, so we'll go out on a limb and schedule something a little
more ambitious for that day. If we're lucky both days will be
rain-free. Please note the correct meeting times for both rides.
SATURDAY, MAY 9, 2009
"BERRYVILLE CENTURY," starting from Clarke County High School,
Berryville, VA. **MEETING TIME 8:00 am.** This is a Tom Burns ride
from the early '90's, although you may have ridden it more recently as
the Potomac Pedalers club century. It's one of Tom's least hilly rides,
and it certainly is one of the prettiest "flattish" rides that we do.
The route is sort of a figure 8--the first (and flattest) half mostly in
Jefferson County, West Virginia. The second half of the ride stays in
Virginia and features a few hills. Points of interest include the
historic village of Middleway, the pretty waterfall on Tilthammer Mill
Road, the Burwell-Morgan Mill in Millwood, all manner of yummy treats at
Locke's store (also in Millwood), and White Post Restorations in White
Post. I've changed the sequence of the last half of the ride for
logistical purposes (so as to have the final rest stop at mile 81
instead of mile 89), and some stretches will be ridden in the opposite
direction of Tom's original route, but we'll still travel on all the
same roads. Lunch stop in Berryville. 100 miles, with a half century
option and several other optional shortcuts (plenty of them in the
afternoon in case weather deteriorates).
Directions to the ride start:
CLARKE COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL, BERRYVILLE, VA.
From DC beltway (I-495), take Exit 12, VA267 Dulles Toll Rd to the end
and continue onto the Greenway toll road to its end in Leesburg (26
miles total). Then Take VA7 Bypass west to VA7 West to Berryville.
Bear left onto Bus. 7 in Berryville (~45-50 miles from DC beltway??).
In 2.5 mi. turn left onto 636 Westwood Road (after passing through
town). In 0.3 mi. turn right into school parking lot.
************************************************************************
***
SUNDAY, MAY 10, 2009
"MIRACLE AT MOUNT HOPE," starting from Catoctin High School, Thurmont,
Maryland. **MEETING TIME 7:45 a.m.** The first quarter of the ride is
very hilly, beginning with the long climb up MD77 and becoming more
interesting with each passing mile, as we climb about 2500 feet in the
first 25 miles to Mount Hope, Pa. The scenery is fabulous and the
descents are thrilling. After the first rest stop in Fairfield, the
terrain moderates quite a bit on the way to lunch at Mamma's in
Biglerville. We'll visit the reputedly haunted Sachs Covered Bridge
(circa 1815) during this stretch. See
http://www.nycivilwar.us/sachs.html. After lunch we'll head for the
hills again and ride through some of the beautiful orchard country of
northwestern Adams County (yes, we really do love this part of the
world, even though we're probably a week too late for the apple
blossoms). Other points of interest include the Eisenhower Bridge
(circa 1886), the Land of Little Horses, and the Eylers Valley Chapel.
100 miles, with many shorter options. You can even omit the steepest
climb of the day (Iron Springs Rd) and substitute it with the kinder and
gentler Jacks Mountain Rd...but then you'll miss Mount Hope! Total
elevation gain for the century 7000-7500 feet.
Directions to the ride start:
CATOCTIN HIGH SCHOOL, 14745 Sabillasville Road, Thurmont MD 21788
From DC Beltway go North on I-270 about 31 miles to Frederick. Continue
north on US15. In about 19 miles, take 3rd Thurmont exit
(MD550/Sabillasville). Turn left on MD550 (restrooms at Sheetz). In
about 0.2 mi., turn right into high school parking lot.
Crista
Work 202-662-4557
Cell (weekends only) 202-365-3738
**NO EMAIL ACCESS ON WEEKENDS**
