We have a very nice ride on tap for Sunday, and it looks like the sun's gonna shine! But first, a few notes:
1. Remember to set your clocks back an hour when you turn in Saturday night! And, now that we're reverting to Standard Time, here's ye old dreaded winter sermon!
For the next few months the days will be short. Accordingly, we will be making a concerted effort to finish our weekend rides before the DARK MONSTER catches us. For that reason, I'm asking everyone (that includes Chuck and me) to try to be ON TIME to the ride start so that we can get on the road 15 minutes after the scheduled meeting time. If you show up late and you're one of the "rabbits," please don't expect the group to wait for you while you pump up your tires, put on your cycling shoes, fix the flat tire that you acquired the previous day, etc. You can catch up! We will still attempt to regroup at the rest stops, but we'll try to limit those stops to 15 minutes (20 max). And of course we'll continue to enjoy our leisurely lunches (usually an hour OR SO). If Chuck and I are late to the ride start we promise a full refund :-) Inevitably, there will be a time or two when the DARK MONSTER will have his wicked way with us, so please come equipped with **LIGHTS** on your bike!!
2. Please download and print out your own cue sheet and overview map 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!
OK, time for our featured attraction:
Lovely Lovettsville Loop
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2012
"LOVELY LOVETTSVILLE LOOP," starting from the VDOT commuter Park & Ride lot in Marshall, Virginia. **MEETING TIME 7:30 A.M.** This is a very scenic, fairly hilly tour of most of the classic Fauquier/Loudoun County horse-country towns and villages, including The Plains, Middleburg ("if you're not rich you're not welcome"), Purcellville, Waterford, Taylorstown, Lovettsville, Hillsboro, Round Hill, Airmont, and Rectortown. All on familiar roads; even the directionally challenged should be able to avoid getting lost on this one! Lunch in Lovettsville at Andy's Pizza & Subs. 99 miles, with a few optional shortcuts. Estimated elevation gain 6,200 feet. Here's the link to the RWGPS interactive map and elevation profile:
http://ridewithgps.com/routes/1841119
Directions to the ride start:
MARSHALL PARK & RIDE, MARSHALL, VIRGINIA
From DC beltway I-495, take exit 49 onto I-66 west, In 36 miles, take exit 28 for US17 toward Warrenton/Marshall. In 0.4 mi. take the Bus.17 ramp right toward Marshall. In 0.7 mi. turn left on Main Street/VA55 at traffic light. In ~ 0.2 mi. turn right on Frost St. & follow to parking lot at end of the road.
