Big Saturday - DCR 400K Brevet

Dear Friends,

We're not scheduling our customary Weekend Rides this weekend because the DC Randonneurs Frederick 400K brevet is scheduled for this Saturday, May 21, starting at 4:00 a.m. from the Hampton Inn on Opossumtown Pike in Frederick. 

The cue sheet and GPS files for the brevet are posted at http://dcrand.org/blog/2011/05/17/cue-sheet-and-gps-files-for-may-21-frederick-400k-acp-brevet/.  Registration will be open at the Hampton Inn on Friday from 6-8PM and Saturday from 3-4AM. Be sure to follow the parking instructions and do NOT park at the Hampton Inn unless you are a paying guest. Park instead at the farthest lot of the Pediatric Center across Taney Rd from the Hampton entrance. (Same place we parked for the 300K.) Please bring your bike with attached lights and your reflective gear to registration so they can be inspected.

Here's the official DCR ride description:

The Maryland 400K provides plenty of training opportunities (read: hills). Traveling through four states, it forms a clockwise semi-circle to the southwest, west and northwest of Frederick.

Starting at 4AM from the Hampton Inn and Suites on Opossumtown Pike in Frederick, Maryland, riders head south along the base of and then cross Catoctin Ridge and then the Potomac into Virginia from Brunswick, Maryland. Climbing up to Lovettesville, they continue south to Airmont and then tackle the climb over the Blue Ridge at Snickers Gap. Just east of Berryville, the route turns north and enters West Virginia, traversing mostly level terrain - and many railroad tracks - to Shepherdstown, where several excellent brunch possibilities exist. Riders then head northwest, remaining in West Virginia and following the Potomac, climbing and descending to and from the many creek bottoms before crossing the Potomac back into Maryland and a control in Hancock. A tough climb up to Tollgate Ridge and series of rollers in the orchards north of town bring the riders into Pennsylvania and the beautiful Little Cove Creek valley. Heading north, they traverse an endless march of rolling hills to a final slow climb halfway up Tuscarora Mountain. There is a fast descent to Cove Gap and then a few more rollers before a short breather north of Mercersburg. The hills return in earnest through the orchards and farmland around Edenville. After the Cumberland Valley Business Park, the trip to Newville and Big Spring follows less rigorous terrain through Amish farms. After refueling and relaxing at Kane's Subs in Newville, riders will encounter the final climbs through the Michaux State Forest and the truly popular descent into Gettysburg. Just south of Gettysburg, riders pick up the last 40 miles of the 300K route to return to Frederick.

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We hope to have a full schedule of rides for next weekend!

Crista

No "Weekend Rides" this w/e -Heading Up to Quakertown PA

Dear Friends,

We're not scheduling rides for this weekend, as we're heading up to Quakertown, Pennsylvania for Tom Rosenbauer's 200K Brevet.  Maybe we'll see some of you up there!

Crista

Important Note regarding Cue Sheets for Sunday Ride

Hi,

I forgot to mention that if you're attending Sunday's ride, you'll need to print out your own cue sheet and bring it to the ride with you.  Please download and print out the cue sheet directly from the DCCenturyRides blog,

http://dccenturyrides.blogspot.com/ .

 

Just click on "Cue Sheets" (on the left side of the page), and you'll find it 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.  GPS files are also available in the same location on the blog.

Thanks,

Crista

Big Saturday Ride and GENTLE Sunday Ride!

Dear Friends,

SATURDAY, MAY 7, 2011
The DC Randonneurs 300K Brevet, starting from the Hampton Inn & Suites in Frederick, Maryland, is this Saturday, May 7, beginning promptly at 5:00 a.m.  Registration opens at 4:00 a.m., and onsite registration fee is $15.00.  For further detailed information regarding logistics, etc., see
http://dcrand.org/blog/2011/05/03/cue-sheet-and-gps-files-for-may-7-frederick-300k-acp-brevet/

Here's the description of this beautiful ride:

Starting from the Frederick Hampton Inn, we follow roughly the same route as last year. The ride heads north, skirting South Mountain as far as Thurmont and then turns west to climb the ridge on MD77 through Catoctin Mountain State Park. Just short of the summit, it heads roughly north-north-east into Pennsylvania and through the rolling apple and peach orchards of Adams County. From Arendtsville, it turns northwest and begins a long, stair-step climb with many steep sections, ascending the false summit before Big Flat (altitude 1650 feet) before a rapid descent to a stop sign, followed by the real climb to the summit of Big Flat (altitude 2040 feet). Nine miles of mostly downhill brings riders to a much needed rest stop and control in Shippensburg. The terrain moderates in the Cumberland valley northeast to Bloserville. The return trip heads east and south through Mount Holly Springs, then recrosses South Mountain (by a noticably easier route) and takes several miles of easy rollers to East Berlin. The final miles remain mellow, heading southwest to Thurmont ending with a few rollers paralleling US15. After crossing US15, we'll take a new route into town on Opossumtown Pike.

Lights and reflective gear are required as described in Article 10 of the RUSA rules for riders, and there will be a lighting inspection at registration.

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SUNDAY, MAY 8, 2011

SOLOMONS ISLAND CENTURY," starting from Southern High School, Harwood, Maryland.  **MEETING TIME 8:00 a.m.**  A pretty ride over gently rolling terrain.  The ride passes through Friendship as we head south, after which we'll be on and off of MD2-4 most of the way down to Solomons (detouring off of it when we can).  Although Rt. 2/4 is a busy highway, it has a very wide, smooth shoulder, so what it lacks in charm it makes up for in providing an opportunity for fast transit.  At the southernmost point, we'lltake a scenic tour of Solomons Island and then have a leisurely lunch at one of the many local restaurants.  The return route spends a lot less time on MD2-4, and we leave it for good when we get to Prince Frederick.  From there we'll follow our traditional and scenic Cypress Swamp Century route back, passing through Chesapeake Beach, North Beach, Rose Haven, and the oh-so-lovely Fair Haven.  101 miles, with a 60-mile short option.

 

Crista