What a wonderful coinkydink that we can ride three days in a row on what promises to be a spectacularly gorgeous weekend! We'll start out with one of our absolute favorite rides, and I hope you can join us at least one day this weekend. If you plan to come out, please email me and I'll send you an electronic copy of the cue sheet(s), as I will not be bringing hard copies to the ride start unless you're unable to print out your own.
Friday, April 2, 2010
"THE HORNETS NEST HUNDRED," starting from Monocacy Middle School, Frederick, Maryland. MEETING TIME 7:30 a.m. This ride was originally designed as the second in a series of check-out rides for the epic "Perimeter of Frederick County," and it remains one of our favorites. The first half of the ride includes a few MAJOR climbs (and LOTS of not-so-major ones), stunning views and magnificent scenery, featuring a delightful stretch along Friends Creek. You can thank WGR personally for the fact that we added his favorite climb up Frosttown Road to the route a few years ago! The second half of the ride is generally rolling--and still very scenic. You never know WHAT you might see on Bollinger Road, so keep your eyes and ears open! The route joins the northern perimeter of Frederick County about 23 miles into the ride, near Myersville, and follows the perimeter (with a few slight deviations made for aesthetic purposes) for the next 55-60 miles, to the quaint village of Detour. Then it cuts back through the center of the county to return to Frederick. 101 miles, with several short options. Estimated elevation gain 8000 feet. Note that over 5,000 feet of the total climbing will take place in the first 50 miles.
Directions to the ride start:
MONOCACY MIDDLE SCHOOL, FREDERICK, MARYLAND, 8009 Opossumtown Pike, Frederick MD 21702
From D.C. Beltway (I-495), take I-270 north 31 miles to Frederick. Continue north on US15 3.7 miles. Take Exit 16, Motter Ave exit (sign for Frederick Community College). Turn RIGHT at the traffic light onto Opossumtown Pike. In about 1.5 mi. turn RIGHT into Monocacy Middle School parking lot (just after Frederick Community College on the left).
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SATURDAY, APRIL 3, 2010
"ROLLY ATKINSON MEMORIAL CENTURY," starting from Monocacy Middle School, Frederick, Maryland. *MEETING TIME 7:30 a.m.* William Shakespeare Smith designed this scenic and yet fairly mellow ride for the Frederick Pedalers last fall, and it includes lots of lovely notes like the Mid Atlantic Soaring Center, the fruit orchards of Adams County, Pennsylvania, the pretty campus of Mount Saint Mary's College, and our favorite Adams County pizza joint, Mamma's in Biglerville. 104 miles, with short options of 64 or 87 miles.
Directions to the ride start:
MONOCACY MIDDLE SCHOOL, FREDERICK, MARYLAND, 8009 Opossumtown Pike, Frederick MD 21702
From D.C. Beltway (I-495), take I-270 north 31 miles to Frederick. Continue north on US15 3.7 miles. Take Exit 16, Motter Ave exit (sign for Frederick Community College). Turn RIGHT at the traffic light onto Opossumtown Pike. In about 1.5 mi. turn RIGHT into Monocacy Middle School parking lot (just after Frederick Community College on the left).
SUNDAY, APRIL 4, 2010
"SIVANOVA CENTURY," starting from Municipal Parking Lot A in Warrenton, Virginia. **MEETING TIME 8:30 am!!** Please note later-than-usual meeting time. Although the first 25 miles are moderately hilly, the remainder of the ride features gentle terrain. We'll ride south to Brandy Station in the morning (but definitely not as the crow flies) and on to Batna. A major highlight will be lunch at Pelham's Pub at the Inn at Kelly's Ford, and if the weather is as nice as expected, we can eat outside on the patio. For a sneak peak at the menu, see http://www.innatkellysford.com/dining.asp and scroll down to the Pelham's Lunch Pub Menu. For the Civil War historians among you, we'll be visiting Kelly's Ford after lunch, and your homework assignment is to read all about the battle at http://www.nps.gov/frsp/kelly.htm and all about the "Gallant" John Pelham at http://www.civilwarhome.com/pelhambio.htm. And, while you're at it, read about the Battle of Brandy Station at http://americancivilwar.com/brandy_station.html. After lunch we head over to Bristersburg and return to Warrenton via Neavils Mill and Casanova, finally returning to Warrenton by way of the Warrenton Branch Greenway Rail Trail (no climb and no traffic!!). 101 miles, with plenty of shorter options, including a possible 29-mile shortcut after lunch. Total elevation gain somewhere between 4000 and 4500 feet.
Directions to the ride start:
From DC Beltway, take I-66 west 21 miles to Exit 43A (Gainesville/Warrenton). South on US29 for 11.5 miles where road forks near Warrenton. Stay in left two lanes marked "Culpeper/Fredericksburg" and go under the overpass. Continue south 1.1 mi. and take exit for VA643 Meetze Road. Right on Meetze, which becomes Lee St. after the SS @ top of hill. Continue on Lee St. 0.8 mi. into Old Town Warrenton. Just past Fauquier County Court House, turn left into the Municipal Lot A.
Crista
202-365-3738
