Dear Friends,
First on the docket is the DC Randonneurs "Tappahannock 200K" Brevet, starting from Ashland Coffee & Tea in Ashland, Virginia (center of the Universe) at 7:00 a.m., Saturday, February 19, 2011. Here's the ride description, etc.:
The cue sheet and GPS files for Paul Donaldson's Tappahannock 200K brevet scheduled for this Saturday, February 19, are now posted at http://dcrand.org/blog/2011/02/16/cue-sheet-and-gps-files-for-february-19-tappahannock-200k-brevet/. Apparently the power company cut down most of the trees along the unpaved section on Hickory Hill Road so Paul has elected to use the same fully-paved route that we used last year. Please note that if you use the currently posted GPS file, you should follow the directions for using the "99 Alt" segment instead of segment 5. A revised GPS file with standard segment naming should be posted by tomorrow morning if you would rather wait for that.
This route is a favorite that is one of our flatter 200Ks and a great way to start our 2011 season. Paul's description says:
Starting from the historic town of Ashland, VA, (The Center of the Universe) the ride heads east toward river country. Leaving Ashland, the first few miles pass through signs of modern times: gas stations, truck stops and fast food joints. When the route turns at the antique store Two Frogs on a Bike the surroundings seem to go back to the time of quiet roads and rural atmosphere. The rolling terrain levels out as the route approaches the Rappahannock River and the town of Tappahannock. After the control and lunch at Java Jack, the route leaves Tappahannock and the rolling hills continue with an occasional short, steep climb.
The ride finishes at the Ashland Coffee & Tea, which serves a very nice selection of food.
Registration starts at 6AM behind the Ashland Coffee & Tea. There are no restrooms at the start, but you will pass several places, including a Waffle House, on your way through Ashland. Please pay attention to the parking instructions. Hope to see you there.
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For Sunday and Monday's rides, please download and print out your own cue sheets and GPS files by clicking
on "Cue Sheets" (on the left side of this page), and you'll find them there! When you open a pdf file, just click on "Print" to print the cue sheet. If you're unable to print the cue sheet yourself, let me know and I'll bring a hard copy to the ride start for you. I won't be bringing extra copies of cue sheets to the ride start unless you email me directly and advise me that you're unable to print out your own.
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2011
"THE CENTURY OF THE SPIRAL STAIRCASE," starting from the Hyattstown Shopping Center in Hyattstown, Maryland. MEETING TIME 7:30 AM. A John & Lynne MASTERPIECE, and definitely one of our favorite rides. We'll travel "over the mountains and through the woods" to Sharpsburg in the morning, then cross the Potomac River into West Virginia, with a lunch stop at the cozy Blue Moon Cafe in Shepherdstown. After lunch we'll amble along the Potomac River on the way to magnificently beautiful Harpers Ferry, where we'll cross the long footbridge over the Potomac River and then ride a very short stretch (only 0.5 mile) on the C&O Canal towpath. The return route passes through Sandy Hook, Knoxville, Brunswick, Jefferson, and Buckeystown. 101 HILLY miles, with short options of 57, 65, or 87 miles. The two shortest options stay in Frederick County. The 87-mile option includes a brief tour of the Antietam battlefield.
Directions to the ride start:
HYATTSTOWN SHOPPING CENTER, HYATTSTOWN, MARYLAND
From DC Beltway, go north on I-270 to Exit 22 (MD109 - Barnesville/Hyattstown).
L MD109 North at end of ramp.
0.5 mi. L MD355 @T (SS).
0.3 mi. L into shopping center.
Park away from the stores.
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MONDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2011
"HALF PONE POINT," starting from T.C. Martin Elementary School, Bryantown, Maryland. **NOTE LATE MEETING TIME 8:00 a.m.** We haven't scheduled this ride since 2004, so it's way overdue! A fairly gentle ride, mostly in St. Mary's County, with a very nice restaurant lunch stop at the Front Porch in Leonardtown. See website: http://www.thefrontporchsomd.com/. 103 miles with plenty of short options.
Directions to the ride start:
T. C. MARTIN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, BRYANTOWN, MARYLAND
6315 Olivers Shop Rd, Bryantown, Maryland
From DC Beltway, south on MD5 Branch Avenue, toward Waldorf (Exit 7A) In 12.2 miles turn left onto MD5 (traffic light) (just after entering Charles County, sign to Lexington Park/Leonardtown). In 3.2 miles turn left onto Leonardtown Rd to remain on MD5 (traffic light, Bus. 5 goes right). In 4.9 miles turn right onto Olivers Shop Rd MD232 (blinking traffic light). In 1.1 miles turn right into school parking lot.
Crista
