Looks like we have a gorgeous weekend on tap and we plan to get out there and make the most of it. We hope you will join us and, IF YOU PLAN TO DO SO, PLEASE EMAIL ME AND REQUEST AN ELECTRONIC COPY OF THE CUE SHEET. I will only be bringing hard copies for those who notify me that they are unable to print out their own! Here's the menu:
SATURDAY, MAY 15, 2010
"SUMMIT CUM LAUDE," starting from the Marshall VDOT commuter parking lot, Marshall, Virginia. MEETING TIME 7:30 a.m. Brent DeRobertis designed this "benign (?) scenic horse country" ride that passes several Virginia wineries and orchards. We'll have a 9-mile warm-up before encountering the first climb over beautiful Naked Mountain. After the descent and a brief interlude through the pretty little village of Paris, things intensify as we begin the 1300-foot climb up to Mount Weather. Read about Mount Weather at http://www.globalsecurity.org/wmd/facility/mt_weather.htm and get really creeped out, if only because the author can't spell accommodate. The plunge down to Route 7 is a thriller, but make sure your brakes are in good working order. A four-mile mellow stretch alongside the Shenandoah River follows, followed by a bunch of steep rollers that will bring us back to US50. The third major climb of the day, Blue Mountain, awaits. This is an extended 1700-foot climb, including about 2 miles of unpaved road. The surface is normally excellent, but there's always the possibility that there will be freshly strewn gravel, so be prepared. The descent is paved and includes some really stunning views of the Blue Ridge. There is one particularly noteworthy hairpin turn on the way down that calls for extreme caution. After descending into Linden we'll enjoy a well-deserved lunch at the Apple House. The terrain moderates significantly after lunch, and unless we're running late we'll have an afternoon rest stop at the Orlean Market before our last little climb up Piney Pukin' Mountain. No whining, it's less than 400 feet! 99 miles, with a 78-mile short option that high-tails it back to Marshall after the Apple House.
Estimated elevation gain 8000 – 8500 feet.
Directions to the ride start:
MARSHALL VDOT COMMUTER LOT, 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.
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SUNDAY, MAY 16, 2010
"ALL ABOUT ABBOTTSTOWN," starting from the McDonald's in Thurmont, Maryland. **LATE MEETING TIME 8:00 a.m.** Aaah, a mellow ride today, one designed by our beloved bard, William Shakespeare Smith. The route is a slight revision of one of Bill's Frederick Pedalers Century routes--I think it was 2004. It's a delightful valley ride that heads east into Carroll County, MD and north into Adams County, PA, passing through Taneytown, Littlestown, and New Oxford on the way to lunch at the "new & improved" Emig's 81 Diner in Abbottstown. On the way back we will have a brief encounter with Mt. Misery Rd but will elude the "miserable" molehill! We'll also pass through Taneytown a second time, so you'll have two opportunities for a Sheetz fix on this ride if that's your kind of thing. 100 miles, with short options of 40 and 72 miles.
Directions to the ride start:
McDONALD'S, THURMONT, MARYLAND
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.
PLEASE REMEMBER TO REQUEST AN ELECTRONIC COPY OF THE CUE SHEET IF YOU'RE COMING OUT THIS WEEKEND.
Crista
