It's apple harvest time up in Adams County and we're really excited about the ride we have planned for Saturday!
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2012
ORCHARD ORGY!!, starting from Silo Hill Parkway, Emmitsburg, Maryland. MEETING TIME 7:45 a.m. This is on our list of top-10 all-time-favorite rides, and I hope many of you can join us. The ride begins innocently enough, heading up into Adams County toward Cashtown on very pretty roads. As we enter the high orchard country near Arendtsville, the terrain becomes quite hilly and the views are really spectacular. By the time we get to York Springs, everyone will be more than ready for a yummy lunch at Rocco's. After lunch we'll head back into the orchards, where we might enter a state of "overdose." Although you may experience "exquisite" pain on a few of the roads that contain the word "Hill" (e.g., Big Hill, Town Hill), I guarantee you'll love Celebration Hill! Our afternoon rest stop will be at the historic Round Barn, where we can sample the local apple harvest and guzzle down some real apple cider to fortify ourselves for the last sweet climb up Mt. Carmel Road. A thrilling descent on Cold Springs Road takes us back down into the Carroll Valley. We'll return to Emmitsburg via Fairfield and pass the Mid Atlantic Soaring Center in the final relatively mellow but still very scenic miles. 100 miles with an optional 6-mile shortcut near the end that cuts out about 1,000' of climbing. There are many more places you can shortcut if you know your way around. Estimated total elevation gain for the century is ~ 7000 feet. As usual, don't believe the RWGPS estimate: http://ridewithgps.com/routes/1762512
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 1st right onto Silo Hill Parkway and park beyond the car wash.
Crista
