Saturday Ride - Hyattstown Hilly Hundred

Dear Friends,

After last week I won't go out on a limb to say the weather's going to be great tomorrow, but I can say that as of this very moment it's looking mighty fine.  Do expect a fairly frigid start, though.

Here's what's on tap:

SATURDAY, JANUARY 19, 2013

"HYATTSTOWN HILLY HUNDRED," starting from the Hyattstown shopping center, Hyattstown, Maryland.  MEETING TIME 7:30 a.m.  Adapted from a classic John & Lynne ride, the route is quite hilly at the beginning and the end, but there are a few kinder and gentler miles in the middle of the ride.  We head out in a northeasterly direction to Union Bridge, tackling the biggest hills of the day while we're still fresh.  Then we'll continue on to Taneytown and head briefly into Pennsylvania.  Returning to our beloved Maryland, we'll have a nice lunch stop at The Palms Restaurant in Emmitsburg.  On the way back we'll cross over the Legore Bridge and have a rest stop in Mt. Pleasant.  103 miles, with an 88-mile short option that omits the stretch into Pennsylvania but still includes all the hills AND the lunch stop.  Estimated elevation gain ~ 6000 feet.

Here's the link to the detailed RWGPS map:

http://ridewithgps.com/routes/2074069

Sorry I don't have a Garmin file for this one :-)

Please download and print out your own cue sheet and overview map for Saturday'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 are the directions to the ride start:

HYATTSTOWN SHOPPING CENTER, HYATTSTOWN, MARYLAND 

From DC Beltway, go north on I-270 to Exit 22 (MD109 - Barnesville/Hyattstown). 

L MD109 North at end of ramp. 

0.5 mi. L MD355 @T (SS). 

0.3 mi. L into shopping center. 

Park away from the stores.

Cheerio,

Crista

Sunday Ride - Noodling to New Oxford

Dear Friends,

Sunday's weather forecast is absolutely irresistible, and we hope you can come out and join us on a delightful ride.  Here's what's on tap:

SUNDAY, JANUARY 13, 2013

"NOODLING TO NEW OXFORD," starting from Amber Meadows Shopping Center (Roy Rogers, etc.), Frederick, Maryland.  **MEETING TIME 7:45 A.M.**  This is a relatively tame ride on very quiet and pretty Frederick, Carroll, and Adams County roads.  Morning rest stop in Taneytown, lunch at the Pizza Garden in New Oxford PA, and an afternoon rest stop in Detour.  100 miles, with a 61-mile short option.  Estimated elevation gain only 4500 feet.  Here's the link to the detailed RWGPS map:  http://ridewithgps.com/routes/986121

Please download and print out your own cue sheet and GPS files 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!

Here are the directions to the ride start:

AMBER MEADOWS SHOPPING CENTER, Thomas Johnson Drive & Opossumtown Pike, FREDERICK, MARYLAND

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 a quarter mile cross Thomas Johnson Drive (traffic light), then turn right into the shopping center at the Weis Market entrance.  Park at the north end of the parking lot between the Weis Market and Roy Rogers.

Cheerio,

Crista

Sunday Ride, November 4, 2012 - Lovely Lovettsville Loop

Dear Friends,

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.