Sunday Ride, April 29, 2012

Dear Friends,

Sorry to be so late getting the word out, but we do have a lovely ride scheduled for Sunday.  For those of you who stay over in Warrenton after the 300K, it's only a 20-minute drive to Sunday's ride start in Brandy Station :-) 

Here are the dirty details:

SUNDAY, APRIL 29, 2012

"PORK BARREL CENTURY," starting from the Park & Ride, 14064 Alanthus Road, Brandy Station, Virginia.  **MEETING TIME 8:00 a.m.**.  This is a new and improved version of a ride that we used to do starting from Remington.  By moving the ride start a few miles south, we're able to include a dependable morning rest stop (sad to say we haven't found the Rapidan Trading Post open in years) and add some interesting roads and hills to the route.  The ride begins heading south over quite mellow terrain.  After the first rest stop in Unionville, we start heading west and encounter hillier terrain on our way to Rapidan.  As we enter Madison County we'll be treated to beautiful mountain views and some "stimulating" ups & downs on the way to lunch in Madison, where we can choose between fine dining at the Madison Inn, pit-cooked barb-b-que at the Pig & Steak, or country fare at the Mountaineer Café.  Great views of the Blue Ridge after lunch.  Afternoon rest stop at the good ol' Reva Market.  A purrfect century – 100.0 miles.  Cued short options are a 10-mile shortcut to lunch and a 5.5 mile shortcut in the afternoon.  More possibilities if you know your roads or carry a map :-).  Estimated elevation gain 6500 feet.  Here's the link to the detailed RWGPS map:  http://ridewithgps.com/routes/1119810

As usual, please download and print out your own cue sheet and GPS file for Sunday's ride 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 them there!  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.  Please don't try to use the so-called "cue sheet" that appears on the left side of the RWGPS map!

Directions to the ride start:

Park & Ride, 14064 Alanthus Road, Brandy Station, Virginia.

From I-495, take I-66 West 21 miles to Exit 43A (Gainesville/Warrenton).  Take US29 south about 30 miles and turn R onto Alanthus Road at the flashing traffic light.  The Park & Ride is on your left.

 Crista

Big Beautiful Saturday Ride - Three Babes in the Woods

Dear Friends,

I'm sorry to be so late announcing this, but life got in the way this week.  We do have a really wonderful ride planned for tomorrow!  If you are able to join us, please download and print out your own cue sheet and overview map for tomorrow's ride 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 them there!  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.  Please don't try to use the so-called "cue sheet" that appears on the left side of the RWGPS map!

Here's the scoop:

SATURDAY, APRIL 7, 2012

"Three Babes in the Woods," starting from Silo Hill Parkway, Emmitsburg MD.  **MEETING TIME 7:30 a.m.**  This is going to be a doozy of a ride, with 4 major climbs sure to get your blood pumping.  The route heads north through Adams County PA fruit orchards, climbs over South Mountain on Whiskey Springs Road, and then breezes into Mount Holly Springs for a nice lunch at Sicilia Pizzeria and Subs (or possibly another choice, depending on how we feel). Next is the beautiful climb up to the Kings Gap Environmental Education Center, where we'll definitely regroup and enjoy the fantastic panoramic view of the Cumberland Valley below from the mansion's shaded balcony.  Climb #3 takes us back over South Mountain via PA233 (ay-yay-yay) and down into Pine Grove Furnace, where, if it has opened for the season, we'll have another rest stop at the Pine Grove Furnace Store.  Climb # 4 is the long and winding Bendersville Road over Piney Mountain.  After a brief descent, we'll "enjoy" several more ups & downs before eventually swooping down toward Arendtsville on PA234.  We'll visit Cashtown and Orrtanna on the way back to Emmitsburg, with a final and very welcome rest stop at the Crossroads Grill & General Store.  Some of the highlights of this beautiful, challenging ride include the Mid-Atlantic Soaring Center, the Land of Little Horses, the Kings Gap Environmental Education Center, "three babes in the woods," and Pine Grove Furnace. The scenery is truly spectacular, especially with everything blooming right now and, in the words of Dr. DeMento, "there's lots of downhill."  101 miles of fun!  Here's the link to the detailed RWGPS map:  http://ridewithgps.com/routes/1058296

Estimated elevation gain 7500 feet.  DON'T believe RWGPS on this one!

Directions to the ride start:

EMMITSBURG, MARYLAND  (Silo Hill Parkway)

From DC Beltway go North on I-270 about 31 miles to Frederick.  Continue north on US15 for about 25 miles, then exit onto MD140 West (AFTER the Seton Ave/Bus.15 exit).  Turn left at the stop sign onto MD140 West.  In about a quarter mile turn right onto Silo Hill Rd at the traffic light (McDonald's on R).  Make your 1^st right onto Silo Hill Parkway and park beyond the car wash.

Crista