Here's what's up for this steamy weekend:
SATURDAY, AUGUST 8, 2009
THE DC RANDONNEURS WOODBINE WALLOP RUSA 200K BREVET, designed and
organized by our RBA Bill Beck. The ride will start promptly at 7:00
a.m. from the Woodbine Park & Ride in Woodbine, Maryland. Registration
opens at 6:00 a.m. On-site registration fee is $10.00, and DC
Randonneurs membership is required.
Here's Bill's ride description (read it and be prepared!):
For those who missed the inaugural version of the Woodbine Wallop last
December, or thought it was too cold, here's a second chance to ride
what many consider to be our toughest 200km brevet under much warmer
conditions. It should be an excellent "training opportunity" for members
planning on riding the Endless Mountains 1240K at the end of September.
Starting innocently enough, the route heads southwest from Woodbine
<http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?hl=en&ie=UTF8&msa=0&msid=108088581886214
260920.00045bed7395163b96461&ll=39.348474,-77.069301&spn=0.002912,0.0041
95&t=h&z=18> , across rolling terrain, through Damascus, to the first
control at the Dickerson Market. Then the fun begins as it climbs
Mountville Rd over Mar-Lu ridge (yes, the hard direction), plunges back
down to the town of Jefferson, goes over a series of rollers to
Burkittsville (made famous in the movie, "The Blair Witch Project"), and
then heads over South Mountain at Gathland State Park, passing the only
monument to war correspondents. The descent from South Mountain is
followed by an even nicer descent down Burnside Bridge Rd. (with a view
of the famous bridge itself at one point) to historic Sharpsburg, and
then an easy five miles to Shepherdstown, WV, where riders can reward
themselves from the delicious goodies at the Shepherdstown Sweet Shop.
Don't eat too many sweets though, because the climb back across South
Mountain on Reno Monument Rd is somewhat steep. The road is named for a
monument at the top to General Reno, who died at the spot during the
civil war. No cyclists have died on the climb -- at least so far. After
climbing back over Catoctin Mountain on Shookstown Rd., the route
follows rolling piedmont east to the final control in New Windsor,
before turning south back toward Woodbine. Save some energy for those
final 15 miles, because they include two very pretty, but steep, climbs
on Buffalo Rd. and a few short steepies on Watersville Rd. Riders will
finally be rewarded by a pleasant half-mile of downhill to the finish at
the Pizza Hut. Measured climbing in 2008 was 11,917 feet.
Directions to Woodbine:
WOODBINE PARK & RIDE, WOODBINE, MARYLAND
From the Washington Beltway
Take I-270 north toward Frederick. Go 12.8 miles to exit 16, Father
Hurley Blvd/Ridge Rd/MD27 toward Damascus. In 7 miles, jog right, then
left to remain on MD27 at MD108 in Damascus. In 5.5 miles, take I-70
east toward Baltimore at exit 68. Take the first exit, #73 From the
ramp, turn left onto MD94 north Woodbine Road. Go 1/4 around the traffic
circle and turn onto Old Frederick Road. Turn left into the shopping
center and then left again into the park and ride.
From Frederick
Take I-70 east about 18 miles to exit #73. From the ramp turn left onto
MD94 north Woodbine Road. Go 1/4 around the traffic circle and turn onto
Old Frederick Road. Turn left into the shopping center and then left
again into the park and ride.
From the Baltimore Beltway
Take I-70 west about 18 miles to exit #73. From the ramp turn right
onto MD94 north Woodbine Road. Go 1/4 around the traffic circle and turn
onto Old Frederick Road. Turn left into the shopping center and then
left again into the park and ride.
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SUNDAY, AUGUST 9, 2009
"MONUMENT TO MONUMENT," starting from Hains Point, Washington, D.C.
MEETING TIME 7:30 a.m. This ride is adapted from a Baltimore Bicycle
Club ride that was led a few months ago. The route is ALMOST identical
to the BBC's ride except that their ride started in Baltimore and turned
around at the Washington Monument in DC. This ride will start from
Hains Point and turn around at the Washington Monument in Baltimore!
There will be a lot of city streets, stop signs, traffic lights, etc.,
and also some bike paths. Perhaps all the navigating (and there is a
lot of it) will take your minds off of just how how and sticky it is on
Sunday. Lunch at Little Havana in Baltimore. Some points of interest
include the Jefferson Memorial, US Holocaust Memorial Museum, Washington
Monument, National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, Lake Artemesia,
Baltimore's Washington Monument, Peabody Institute, and Catholic
University. 99 miles. No cued shortcuts but you can turn around at
almost any point on the ride and pick up the cues for the return route.
Here are the directions to Hains Point:
HAINS POINT (EAST POTOMAC PARK)
1100 Ohio Drive, S.W., 202-619-7222
Take I-395 north into Washington (over 14th Street bridge) and take the
first exit for Potomac Park/Park Police. Turn left at the T
intersection (Buckeye Drive, unmarked), then left into the parking lot
near the tennis courts.
Crista
Work 202-662-4557
Cell (weekends only) 202-365-3738
