The weekend forecast has brightened up a bit, and we're planning to ride
both days. We'll take it easy on Saturday down in southern Maryland so
as to have a little something left for a very special, extrEEEMely
"scenic" ride on Sunday!
Here's what's up:
SATURDAY, AUGUST 29, 2009
"COBB ISLAND CENTURY," starting from the College of Southern Maryland,
La Plata, Maryland. MEETING TIME 8:00 am. **NOTE meeting time is a
half hour later than usual.** A gentle ride, with some flat stretches
and a few hills. Points of interest include Port Tobacco, Chapel Point,
Popes Creek, and a nice tour around Cobb Island. Lunch at Captain
John's Crab House on Cobb Island. 101 miles, with MANY shorter options.
Directions to the ride start:
COLLEGE OF SOUTHERN MARYLAND, 8730 MITCHELL ROAD, LA PLATA, MARYLAND
From DC Beltway, exit 7A, Route 5 South (Branch Ave.) towards Waldorf.
In 12.7 miles merge onto US301 South/Crain Hwy/Blue Star Memorial Hwy.
In 8.7 miles turn right onto Mitchell Rd (traffic light, 1st right after
Turkey Hill Rd). In 1.6 mile turn right on North Campus Drive into the
college. Immediately turn R into 1st parking lot.
**********************************************
SUNDAY, AUGUST 30, 2009
"BURY MY HEART ON THE BLUE RIDGE," starting from the VDOT commuter lot
in Marshall, Virginia. MEETING TIME 7:30 a.m.
This a very challenging ride, OK? It's also very, very beautiful, worth
every drop of sweat. The first 20 miles over the rolling hills of
Fauquier and Rappahannock Counties pass scenic horse farms and
vineyards. Then, after a fairly mellow climb over the Blue Ridge on
US522, we turn left onto Chester Gap Road, and the real drama begins.
The ensuing climb to the road's end at a foot trail into the Shenandoah
Back Country is less than two miles, but it's one you'll long remember.
It starts out steep and gets steeper. There is an ever-so-brief
"respite" when you reach the tiny village of Chester Gap, but then it
steepens yet again. Don't ask me what the grade is. It's as steep as
Coxey Brown for longer, but it's not as steep as the beginning of
Jackson Mountain Rd. Bring low gears. You'll feel exhilarated once you
reach the top, and there are some great views when you turn around and
descend (if you can look around you and control your speed at the same
time). But the ride is not over. Leaving Chester Gap, we'll plunge
down into Front Royal, briefly refuel, then ride south on Skyline Drive
(with its lovely overlooks and long stair-step climbs) to Thornton Gap,
with a lunch stop at the Elk Wallow Wayside (great blackberry milkshakes
are to be enjoyed here). After another wonderful descent on US211,
we'll take the beautiful back way into Flint Hill by way of Gid Brown
Hollow and Harris Hollow Roads (1-mile section of hard-pack on Gid Brown
Hollow). We'll have a final rest stop in Flint Hill, then it's back to
Marshall on hilly but pretty Crest Hill Road. 103 miles, with a 50-mile
option that goes straight back to Marshall from Front Royal (why bother
coming out for just that?) and an optional 6-mile shortcut that omits
the unpaved road (and some gorgeous scenery).
Directions to the ride start:
VDOT COMMUTER LOT, MARSHALL, VIRGINIA
From DC beltway I-495, take exit 49 onto I-66 west, In 36 miles, take
exit 28 for US17 toward Warrenton/Marshall. In 0.4 mi. take the Bus.17
ramp right toward Marshall. In 0.7 mi. turn left on Main Street/VA55 at
traffic light. In ~ 0.2 mi. turn right on Frost St. & 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**
