TWO SUNDAY RIDES!

Dear Friends,

As of now we have two rides scheduled for Sunday!  We probably will NOT schedule a ride for Saturday, but if Saturday's forecast improves by tomorrow, I may send out a supplemental ride notice regarding a Saturday ride.  Don't hold your breath.

There should be something for everyone on Sunday, as one ride begins in Bristow, Virginia (south of Manassas, north of Nokesville)., and the other in Baltimore, Maryland.

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2009

VIRGINIA RIDE:

Nick Bull is leading the "WILDERNESS CAMPAIGN,"  starting from Caribou Coffee in Bristow, Virginia.  MEETING TIME 6:45 a.m. with a planned departure time of 7:00 a.m.  This is a checkout ride for a proposed 208K permanent that Nick has designed, entitled "Wilderness Campaign."

Here's Nick's ride description:
The permanent is named after the Wilderness Campaign of the Civil War, which was a series of battles fought in 1864 that started with the Battle of the Wilderness, followed by the Battle of Spotsylvania Courthouse (and others).  The permanent visits both these battle sites, plus the Battle of Chancellorsville, fought in 1863.  (And the permanent starts near the Manassas/Bull Run Battlefield.) The route is an out-and-back with a large loop in the middle.

From the ride start, west of Manassas, the route heads roughly SSW over moderate terrain, crossing the Rappahanock at Kelly's Ford, and eventually controlling at Locust Grove.  The route turns roughly SE, over somewhat more hilly terrain, riding through the Wilderness Battlefield and then Spotsylvania Courthouse, with an information control at the Bloody Angle followed by a regular control in Spotsylvania.  Turning NW, the route controls in the Chancellorsville Battlefield and then continues to cross the Rappahanock at Kelly's Ford, after which it follows familiar roads.  About 130 miles and 6500 feet of climbing.

Note:  If you plan to attend, please shoot Nick a note so that he'll have an idea of how many cue sheets to print out!  Nick's email address is nick.bike.bull@gmail.com.  He also has a Garmin file, which I'm sure he'll be happy to send to any who have GPS devices!

REMEMBER:
(1)  LIGHTS REQUIRED, AS WE WILL LIKELY FINISH AFTER DARK
(2) THIS IS A CHECKOUT RIDE, NOT YET AN OFFICIAL PERMANENT, SO NO FEE, NO CONTROL CARD, NO CREDIT, JUST A FUN DAY IN THE SADDLE!

Here are directions to the ride start:
Caribou Coffee, 12713 Braemar Village Plaza, Bristow, Virginia
From the Beltway (I-495):
0.0   0.0     take I-66 West
20.0  20.0  R VA 234 S/Pr William Parkway, Exit 44
23.3  3.3    R Sudley Manor Dr
25.8  2.4    X Linton Hall Rd CR 619
26.0  0.2    L into Shopping Center
Turn L again to go to north end of parking lot.  Park away from store, nearer gas station.

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MARYLAND RIDE:

Bob Wagner is leading "PATUXENT RIVER DREAMS," starting from Carroll Park in Baltimore, Maryland.  Note this ride STARTS at 8:00 a.m., so you should plan to arrive at the ride start by 7:45 so as not to hold up the group. 

Here's Bob's ride description:
We roll safely out of south Baltimore and down to Laurel on scenic roads. Then we'll skirt the Patuxent making 8 river crossings as we head northwest. The last leg along Frederick ave takes us back to the city. Lunch in Glenelg. Rest stops at 25 and 79 miles.  102 miles.

Here's a link to Bob's Bikely route, which indicates the location of the ride start.  He mentioned that he's still making some tweaks to the cue sheet.  http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/367983 
For more information on the ride, please contact Bob directly at bobwag@gmail.com.


Still holding out a tiny speck of hope for Saturday,

Crista
202-365-3738
crista.dccentury@gmail.com