Dear Friends,
Autumn has arrived and we're hoping the rain we've had the last couple days will improve our prospects for some pretty fall foliage in the weeks ahead. In the meantime, let's get out and ride. Here's what we have planned for Saturday and Sunday. IF YOU'D LIKE TO JOIN US EITHER DAY, PLEASE EMAIL ME DIRECTLY AND REQUEST AN ELECTRONIC COPY OF THE CUE SHEET!! I will only have hard copies available for those who advise me that they're unable to print out their own.
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2010
"ALL ABOUT ABBOTTSTOWN," starting from the McDonald's in Thurmont, Maryland. **LATE MEETING TIME 8:00 a.m.** Yes, it's true; we've been scheduling this ride a lot lately, so I'm sure everyone is tired of reading the ride description. Unfortunately, circumstances have been such that I haven't been able to do the ride myself, so we're trying yet again! George Moore kindly volunteered to lead it for us a couple of weeks ago, and he reported that the new version is a keeper. It's similar to previous versions in that the terrain is mellow, the scenery pleasant, and it still heads east into Carroll County, MD and north into Adams County, PA, passing through Taneytown, Littlestown, and New Oxford. The morning rest stop has been moved from the Taneytown Sheetz to the Littlestown Sheetz and the lunch stop has been moved from the "not so improved" Emig's 81 Diner to Brothers Pizza. 102 miles, with a 70-mile short option.
Directions to the ride start:
From DC Beltway, go north on I-270 to Frederick. Continue North on US15. In 14.9 miles, take the exit toward MD806/Thurmont (the last of three exits for MD806, the FIRST Thurmont exit). At end of ramp turn right @SS, then QR @ traffic light onto Catoctin Furnace Rd, then QL at "Weis Entrance." Park in the first lot on the left, across from McDonald's.
*************************************************
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2010
"UNION BRIDGE CENTURY," starting from the C&C Chalet (Chuck Wood's house), 14725 Janice Drive, Rockville, Maryland. **MEETING TIME 7:30 a.m.** Once we get past the obligatory Rockville "escape route," this ride becomes delightfully scenic and rural as we head north through Howard, Carroll and Frederick Counties to Union Bridge. After our first rest stop in Mt. Airy, one short but nasty molehill on Harrisville Road rewards us with a marvelous long run down the appropriately named Talbot Run Road. We'll also ride the entire length of Bessie Clemson Road, one of our all-time favorite Frederick County roads, as we wend our way over to historic Union Bridge for a yummy lunch at Original Pizza (NOT to be confused with "OIP"). This is NOT a chain, but rather an authentic Italian mom & pop pizza joint. Not only is their pizza excellent, but the Maryland crab soup is as good as any we've had in fancy seafood restaurants. After lunch we'll enjoy a beautiful and bucolic stretch along Sam's Creek before the terrain once again becomes "stimulating." There is a brief stretch of hard-pack on Roop Road, which riders can avoid if they want to replace it with the gnarliest part of Buffalo Road. (Roop is prettier AND easier, but it might be a muddy mess after all this rain so we may have to contend with Buffalo on Sunday!) We'll pass through Woodbine and have a final rest stop in Lisbon before returning to Rockville. 101 miles, with a 56-mile short option that turns around in Mt. Airy. There are also a few little optional shortcuts before and after lunch. If you take all of them you'll end up with an 88-mile ride. Elevation gain 6000-6500 feet.
Here are LOTS OF directions to the ride start:
CHUCK WOOD'S HOUSE, 14725 Janice Drive, Rockville, Maryland
From I-270:
Rockville Exit 6 (MD28 East)
1.0 mi. X MD355 (TL)
0.2 mi. L MD28 East (TL)
1.5 mi. X Bauer Drive (TL)
0.6 mi. R Bel Pre Rd (TL)
0.1 mi. 1st R Janice Drive
3rd house on L - 14725 Janice Drive
Another way:
0.0 I-270 split - heading north from I-270 split (get in right lane)
1.0 R Montrose Rd East (At split on ramp you can also get in left lane& go under Montrose Rd)
0.2 L Tower Oaks Rd (1st L)
0.8 R Wootton Parkway (follow curves)
1.3 X Rockville Pike MD355
0.2 X Veirs Mill Rd (becomes MD28 East)
2.0 X Bauer Dr. (TL)
0.6 R Bel Pre (next TL)
0.1 1st R Janice Dr.
3rd house on L (14725 Janice Dr.)
From DC Beltway:
North on Georgia Avenue
approx. 4 mi. X Connecticut Avenue
0.7 mi. L Bel Pre Rd
1.1 mi. L Janice Drive (just before TL at MD28)
3rd house on L - 14725 Janice Drive
OR from Baltimore:
South on I-95 or Rt. 29
East on MD198 (Laurel - Burtonsville)
Miles are approx.:
4 X MD650 (TL) >MD28
4 X Georgia Ave (TL)
1.4 L Bel Pre (2nd TL)
0.1 1st R Janice Drive
14725 Janice Drive (3rd house on L)
Crista
