ohbtc’s august picnic watermelon ride saturday, august 11...

Watermelon Ride

Sunday, July 7

Enjoy a multi-class ride on July 7, from the Accokeek Academy (formerly Eugene Burroughs Middle School). Distances of 45, 38, 30, 26 and 15 miles are offered with faster riders doing the longer routes so that everyone gets back to the start about the same time. For starting times, see the Ride Schedule. If you plan to do the 15 mile ride, please contact Road Captain Ron Leak at [email protected].

Bob McMaster, a charter member and former club president, started the Watermelon Ride many years ago to celebrate his birthday. He rode his age in miles and later kilometers when in his eighties. Although Bob is no longer with us, we celebrate his love of cycling by continuing the tradition he started many years ago. Like Bob, we will end the ride with watermelons.

After the ride, relax and enjoy cold watermelon. Bring a folding chair if you have one.

OHBTC’s August Picnic

Saturday, August 11

OHBTC members and their families are invited to the club’s annual picnic and ride at Linda Molesworth’s Fresh Meadows Farm in Calvert County. Watch for details in the August newsletter and at www.ohbike.org.

Volunteer for the Indian Head 100

Join other OHBTC members during the next few months as we plan and organize the Indian Head 100. There is work to done before the ride and on ride day. It is fun to ride, but it is also a wonderful experience to be a part the crew that puts the ride together and works so that others can have a memorable ride.

OHBTC’s Southern Maryland Century – the Indian Head 100 will be Sunday, September 8, starting from and ending at the Village Green in Indian Head.

Featured in this issue The Prez Sez Calvin Conyers………….….. page 3

Rural Legacy Ride Michael Butler…........... page 4

Road Captain’s Report Ron Leak ……….. page 6

National Bike Challenge Judy Mutty……... page 6

SMECO 75 Bike Ride………………….… page 7

Generations “Pull” H. Mark McGibbon…. page 9

Denise’s Energy Bars Des Hokum………. page 10

MS Ride Marshals Holly and Tracy………..page11

ohbike.org

July 2013

2 The Spoke’n’Word - the monthly newsletter of the Oxon Hill Bicycle and Trail Club ohbike.org July 2013

BSA Century Tour

Sunday, July 28 Charles County Government Building,

La Plata, MD

Enjoy a scenic bicycle tour in Charles and Saint Mary’s County of 25, 50, 70 or 100 miles. A 14-mile group ride will be led by the Charles County Sheriff’s Office for scouts, scout families and casual riders.

The goals of this event are to raise funds for the Boy Scouts of America, promote health and physical activity in adults and youth, and have FUN!

Register for the 25 to 100 mile rides for $40 by July 21 to get a BSA Century 2013 T-shirt. Registration is $35 without a T-shirt before or after July 21; $20 for the 14-mile ride. Proceeds from the ride will benefit Boy Scout of America programs in Charles County. For more information, visit www.BSACentury.com.

Oxon Hill Bicycle and Trail Club

Club Officers President Calvin Conyers [email protected] Vice Pres. Blake Altman [email protected] Road Capt. Ron Leak [email protected] Secretary Holly Carr [email protected] Treasurer Mimi Newcastle [email protected]

Ride Coordinators Class AA Charles Sidwell [email protected] Class A Darin King [email protected] Class B Michael Saizan [email protected] Class CC George Martin [email protected] Herman Young [email protected] Class C Randy Schoch [email protected] Class D Judy Mutty [email protected] Mountain Bike Barry Howard [email protected] Overnighters John Early [email protected]

Standing Committees Program Mike Butler [email protected] Public Relations Jim Hudnall [email protected] Newsletter Jane Hudnall [email protected] Advocacy Jane Hudnall [email protected] Safety/Ed George Martin [email protected] Claire Chiamulera [email protected] Jerseys Janell Saunders [email protected]

Handy Telephone Numbers

SHA Md Bicycle and Pedestrian Coordinator Dustin Kuzan 410-545-5656 24-hr tape 800-252-8776 M-NCPPC Trails and Bikeways Information Fred Shaffer 301-952-3661 Prince George's Co. Bike/Ped Coordinator Victor Weissberg 301-883-5650 City of Bowie Bike/Ped Information Frank Stevens 301-809-3053 Pothole Repair Hot Lines: Alexandria 703-838-4488 Calvert County 410-535-0905 Charles County 301-932-3450 Prince George’s County 301-499-8520 St. Mary’s County 301-863-8400

Welcome, New Members

Yaw Gil Ayim Bryans Road, MD CC-D

Marcela Buss Rockville, MD CC

Barron Darby Waldorf, MD B-C

James Denmark III Accokeek, MD B

Lorie Frantz Huntingtown, MD

Sharon Griffing Springfield, VA C-CC

Majesta Hartley Waldorf, MD CC

Douglas Lesar Kensington, MD CC

Matthew Lewandowski Upper Marlboro, MD B

Erin Loredo Waldorf, MD C

Marcelo Loredo Waldorf, MD C

Brian Mosley Clinton, MD

Andrew Patterson Suitland, MD MB

Dana Pettie Mechanicsville, MD MB

Rene Plata Rockville, MD C

Steve Valero Alexandria, VA AA-A

Howard Williams Walker Mill, MD

Marion Williams Walker Mill, MD

Dawn Zoerner Owings, MD CC

July 2013 The Spoke’n’Word - the monthly newsletter of the Oxon Hill Bicycle and Trail Club ohbike.org 3

The Prez Sez by Calvin Conyers

Before this past weekend’s Patuxent River Rural Legacy Ride, my scheduled topic for this month was quite different. However, considering all the positive feedback from riders regarding the tremendous work performed by all our volunteers, organizers, and planners, I would be remiss not to attempt to give appreciation. Rider participation continues to grow and set new records, just as we achieved a record high for the number of club volunteers (73). This year we also had more new members serving as volunteers. Way to go!

Many riders in this year’s ride cite the friendliness, dedication, and organization of our volunteers as our best asset, and I agree. Our members readily shed personal

differences, egos, and attitudes to serve where they were needed, whether it was Registration, Parking, Hosting the Picnic and Rest Stops, providing on-road assistance (SAG), or marking the routes. Our members came together to deliver a superior riding experience for all our participants. As Jack Hammond put it, “what a superior event. Many, many, riders at our Eagle Harbor rest stop bestowed numerous accolades upon our club, it’s members, and gracious volunteers. It makes me proud to be a member.” Jack goes on to thank, as I do, the volunteers who manually pushed a port-a-potty down the street when Eagle Harbor citizens complained about the location. Made for quite a sight in the community, but certainly demonstrated how we work together to get things done.

For many years, our club stalwarts, Jim and Jane Hudnall, have performed most of the demanding tasks required to conduct club events. Without a doubt, they continued to provide immeasurable leadership and resourcefulness. This year, Jim and Jane and the club received tremendous assistance from our very talented and high spirited Programs Committee. I cannot say enough about the outstanding job done by Mike Butler, Nancy Ruth and JulieAnn Kowalewski. With their focus on improving all event services and documenting steps, the team directed all Rural Legacy tasks including recruiting and organizing volunteers, developing an attractive shirt, and improving artwork and signage. The team created an effective” brand” of the Legacy for years and years to come. Participants will remember the quality of OHBike. I am personally grateful to all volunteers.

I encourage all members to share in the special experience of being an event volunteer. If you could not make the Rural Legacy, I hope you will take part in the upcoming Indian Head 100 on September 8. Until then, please enjoy the many creative group rides offered each week. Let’s Ride!

Call for New Ride Leaders

In July and August, we will strengthen our efforts to identify, mentor, and assist members to become new ride leaders. If you have not yet led, you will find it much easier than you think. The club will provide mentors to assist you every step of the way from picking a route and posting to completing a ride report. We want to help you become an accomplished Ride Leader and earn your Red Jersey.

Broderick Pascual, Walter Measday, and Walter and Holly Carr pushed the port‐a‐ potty at the Eagle Harbor rest stop a block down the street to a location acceptable to the townspeople. Photos from Jack Hammond


Over 600 cyclists and volunteers were treated to excellent riding conditions as they began the 14th Annual Patuxent River Rural Legacy Bicycle Ride on June 15, 2013 beginning at the Merkle Wildlife Sanctuary.

Michael Butler, event coordinator in training, would like to thank everyone who helped, beginning with the volunteers who marked the route the prior week: Randy Schoch, George Martin, Larry Peed, Jim Hudnall, Dan Donahue, Calvin Conyers, Richard Herrington, and Ruddy Elly.

The ride morning began with parking conducted by Stephen O’Keefe, Walt Chalmers, Jon Agazzi and Yaw Gil Ayim, as well as, Park Ranger Karen Jarboe and her staff of merry men, who assisted with tables and chairs, as well as, parking.

As the riders exited their vehicles they moved quickly to the registration area, where they were greeted with smiling faces from the usual suspects: Sharon Chalmers, Diana Brown, Janis Tucker, Diane Harris, Blake Altman, Jocelyn Herrington, Michael Bivens, Joan Oppel and Kirsten Watts.

Jon Riconda, Tony Ingelido, Nancy Ruth and Janell Saunders sold t-shirts and club jerseys.

Benny Budd from the Bike Doctor of Waldorf was there with Joni King make needed adjustments to bicycles. John Epps of Maryland Park Bikes assisted cyclists at the Jug Bay rest stop.


From the corner of their eyes, riders may have witnessed volunteers like Tim and Dee McChesney, dropping off canopies, tables and chairs for the picnic, as well as, Wally and Jane Huie, unloading the hot dogs to prepare for the end of ride picnic and Robin and Ray Brungard coordinating the Gatorade delivery.

Club members and visitors began their ride under the new Oxon Hill Bicycle and Trail Club event banner. Many used this as a photo opportunity or even began calculating their mileage from this point. [editor’s note: Kudos to Michael Butler for the design and construction of the banners.]

Their journeys took them to our world famous rest stops - first, Jug Bay in the Patuxent River Park with volunteers Samuel Perry, Richard Harrington, John Early, German Deortube, Paul and Linda Bankerd; then the Baden Water Stop where folks met Pat Walthers, Desiree and Hans Holkon. Next came Eagle Harbor where Mayor James D. Crudup, Sr. permitted the use of the community center. The portable toilet had been placed in an unauthorized location, but the volunteers manually moved this eyesore to a more appropriate location. Volunteers included Pat Colvin, Jack Hammond, Bernie Cohen, Diana Brown, Holly Carr, Broderick Pascual, Julieann Kowalewski and Walter Measday. Riders continued to Magruders Landing, where they were met by the smiling faces of LaTasha Banks, Reggie Stokes, Jan Walker, Herman Young, Calvin and Celeste Conyers.

Back at Merkle, riders crossed the finish line to enjoy an after ride picnic provided with the assistance of John Gorman, Ellen Peed, Nancy Ruth, Tony Ingelido, Bill Blankenship, Polly Choate, Shawn and Ida Parker, Marcelo and Erin Loredo and Wally and Jane Huie.

Ken Meredith coordinated on-road SAG support with drivers Randy Schoch, Walter Carr, Janell Saunders, Richard Edelman, Ron Leak, Susan Donnay and Charles Coe.

After the picnic, everything was put back in its original condition by Sharon Miller, Ellyn Peed and Polly Choate and other returning volunteers.

Thank you to Jane Hudnall, Jim Hudnall, Deborah Bowman and Nancy Ruth for publicity; Mimi Newcastle for writing the checks; Azalia Butler for her support and creative ideas; Rita Zuchelli and Keany Produce for the donation of produce. Thanks also to “All Things Creative” Banner Shop (Ft Wash) and ASAPStuff T shirts (Millersville) for their services. Kudos to President Calvin Conyers, for negotiating with Mayor Crudup for the use of the Eagle Harbor Community Center for future events. Lastly, l would like to Thank Jim and Jane Hudnall for sharing their experiences and wisdom, while teaching me the ropes.

Michael Butler Program Committee Chairman

Michael Butler, Diana Brown, Pat Colvin, Walter Measday, Mayor Crudup, Holly Carr, Calvin Conyers, Jack Hammond


From the Desk of the Road Captain by Ron Leak

There are rumblings about some classes needing shorter rides. If you want shorter rides, one way to solve this is for you to put a ride on the calendar for the ride length and average moving speed you would like.

The club wants and encourages new ride leaders. It is not that hard to become a ride leader, and remember that after you lead and write ride reports on six rides, you get a ride leader jersey. Just remember all of the ride leaders had to start with a route they enjoyed riding and were willing to share it with other cyclists.

If you don’t have a favorite route, check out the ohbike cue sheet library and pick one of those.

The multi class events, like the one on June 29, have been fun to ride, and OHBTC members get to know some of the newer riders and cyclists from other classes.

National Bike Challenge - Oxon Hill has a team for Class D riders! by Judy Mutty

Hey Class D riders! How would you like to be part of to the Oxon Hill Bike Club contribution to the National Bike Challenge (May 1 – Sep 30) It is fun to go out, ride, come back, and log your miles! Try it, you’ll like it!

In May, the OHBTC team (composed of 34 higher class riders) rode 15,344 miles (wow!). The class D’ers had 364 miles (we have just 3 riders so far). Our numbers are minute compared to the club overall – we’re a “grain of sand” on the OHBTC “beach”, but it takes many grains of sand to make up a beach!

To join, go to www.endomondo.com/campaign/national. Click on “join”. Then click on “join the challenge”. After you have set up an account, click on “create or join a team here”. Click on “join team” and search for Oxon Hill Class D’ers. You will be able to log your miles whenever you ride.

Endomondo’s tracking system allows an individual rider and cycling teams to compare their standing within state and national categories. In addition, the system provides ranking data for workplace and community groupings, again on either a state or national level. Riders earn points for every day they ride and every mile they log. Rides are logged at www.endomondo.com. Rides can be entered automatically with the free Endomondo app on a smart phone. Rides can also be uploaded on a Garmin GPS device, or manually entered on the Endomondo website. The more points earned, the greater the chances of winning one of the many prizes to be awarded at the end of the Challenge. More modest prizes are provided at the end of each month of the Challenge. It is free to participate in the Challenge.

To check status, log on and click on “Leaderboard” at top. The automatic default is “riders.” Click on “Oxon Hill Class Ders” for info on team stats.


SMECO 75

On June 1, four hundred and twenty-one riders enjoyed a great ride sponsored by the Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative. Routes of 29, 47 and 75 miles started and ended at SMECO Headquarters in Hughesville. Thanks to the generous donations from event sponsors, over $25,000 was raised for charities that help the homeless.

A large number of OHBTC members were at the ride. Some of them posted the following comments:

Amy Werking: “My mom and I did the 29, but added Woodburn Hill Road because we knew it was a scenic road. We weren't disappointed by our detour – Amish farmer plowing and young calves were our scenery. Only suggestion for improvement is to give the swag (which was really nice) at the end. I had a hard time finding something to do with my new water bottle to bring it back. Love the women's cut jersey!

Larry Perkins: “I rode with JulieAnn. What a ride! I "love" the Trinity Church Road hill. SMECO did a great job. There were a few problems – ran out of water, Gatorade and bread at one stop. Getting ready for next year’s ride. Can't wait!

Michie Sidwell: I thought it was a great ride. SMECO did a great job planning a route that had few hills, so as to not only make it palatable to novice cyclists as well as seasoned cyclists. The turn markings were not painted far enough ahead of the impending turns until you were right on them. OHBTC makes this an art form. Markings are indicated well before impending turns, and sometimes even painted twice before turns.The rest stops were really good!! The staff was so friendly and some volunteers were dressed up in hula outfits! Everything was perfect - except the weather – very hot, but the breeze made it bearable!

Calvin Conyers: The volunteers were very friendly and eager to help. At the Senior Center rest stop, one young lady (guessing from age 13 to 16), after offering, took my water bottle and filled it with ice and Gatorade. She probably had noticed I was a bit worn from the heat and needed help. Each stop have a good supply of energy foods, fruits, water and Gatorade. The event jerseys were a nice fabric and suitable to riding. Some riders changed into the shirts, replacing what they had left home in. The shirts and other give-a-ways will help grow the event. My group got a good laugh when we saw Michie miss a turn and just cut across a grassy field, like Lance, and get back on the route.

Sue Estes: It's been tough getting back to the road saddle these days. So, I surely appreciated all the hard work done at the front of a pace line by many of OHBTC's AA riders. Kudos to Claire, the most elegant of riders, who seemed to do a lion's share at the front; she's both strong and steady. Blake is also exceptionally smooth and conscientious in a group. There seems to be many new AA riders in the club, making me wish I had my younger fitter legs back.

Richard, Harry, Jane, Jim, Dan, Monica, Larry and Jan

Photos from https://www.facebook.com/SMECO.coop

Blake, Darin and Scott


I think everyone will agree that the day was rather warm. The only thing lacking from my perspective was a boost from a cold, caffeinated beverage at one of the latter rest stops. Other than that, the volunteers were outstanding and the rest stops fully stocked. It was amusing to hear the call of the cicadas. Pedaling along the Three Notch Trail, I thought they sounded much like the waxing and waning drone from a peloton of disc wheels! New friends and old – the ambiance of these events is much like a little family reunion. I recognize that there is encouragement (and a comfy niche) for almost everyone in this cycling community, as long as you keep turning the pedals. A highlight for me: watching one of my very best friends (Philomena) begin to embrace the cycling lifestyle and its unique culture only made possible by these rides.

Peter Weeks: It was a great route with few serious climbs and I really appreciated the amount of shade on a lot of the roads! One complaint is that the SAG number was the normal SMECO number and I was put on hold "due to the high call volume." This was a bit frustrating since we were trying to help out a downed rider.

Dan Donahue: The first 22 ½ miles of the SMECO 75’s 47 mi. route were very pleasant. Everything changed once my riding partner, Monica, crashed on Dr. Johnson Rd. She went off the side of the pavement, then tried to turn back onto the paved surface of the roadway, but her tire couldn’t make the recently repaved 4-inch berm. She had a head wound that was bleeding profusely. Another cyclist, Peter Weeks, and even a passing motorist stopped to assist. We were able to stop the bleeding before the rescue squad arrived 20 minutes later. I was able to feel a little calmer when the ambulance departed without its emergency equipment activated.

The route marking was seriously flawed. One horror story at the last rest stop was told by three women who are casual riders. They missed a left turn onto Old Village Rd. and rode out onto the high speed left hand merge onto Rt. 5 at the Wawa. They could have been killed! Hopefully, SMECO will try to tap our club’s expertise in route marking next year. The rest stops were excellent! The staff was very high energy. My favorite was the Baggett Park rest stop with the Island theme.


The Generations “Pull” Together by H. Mark McGibbon

A few weeks ago, Michael Levesque, and I decided to go for comfortable 55 mile spin. Michael is a 21 year old university senior majoring in one of my favorite teaching subjects, Economics. He is also an active member of the Oxon Hill Bicycle and Trail Club. The first time we met, Michael sold me a few cycling products as a sales employee working at the Bike Doctor of Waldorf. We immediately hit it off because of his maturity and our common interest in Economics. A couple of months passed before we met again on the Indian Head Rails to Trail (IHRT) path. I was keeping a steady 22 mph pace when I approached four other cyclists who were riding side-by-side. When I was in earshot, I yelled out, “On your left!” The riders fell into a pace line and as I passed them, I accelerated my pace up to 26 mph to put some distance between us.

To my surprise, one of the cyclists, the full-bearded, red headed one with fluorescent yellow road shoes, overtook me at 30 mph. “Okay, if you want to work that hard, I’ll hang on to your rear wheel and ride in your slipstream” I thought to myself. I responded to his impromptu attack and settled-in one-inch behind his rear wheel. My next thought was, “Who is this guy?” He maintained this incredible speed for about one-mile, when he slowed his bike and came along side me. He said something to me, but it was inaudible because I was wearing headphones. I simply shouted something probably equally inaudible to him like, “Great pull!”

I settled back down to a steady 22 mph ride for another eight or nine miles until reaching the end of the IHRT path in Indian Head, MD. To my surprise, the guy who made the 30 mph attack eight or nine miles back down the trail was riding MY BACK WHEEL for the last several miles. “Holy Toledo,” I thought. When we stopped, I asked this phantom rider his name. He took off his sun glasses and helmet, whereupon I realized it was the Bike Doctor salesman, Michael Levesque. I was amazed that he was in my slipstream for so long without me noticing him. I guess I was deep “in-the-zone!”

Michael explained he was exhausted from the wind-sprint training he led with the bunch of older guys he had been riding with. “Hmm, older guys? Just how old were these older guys?” I asked. Michael told me these guys had to be around 40 years old, or nearly twice his age! At that moment, I calculated that I was more than 2.5 times Michael’s age. I figured either Michael underestimated my age, or wanted to motivate this “old man (me)” to pick up the pace on our return trip back to White Plains.

To give ourselves a break, we decided to evenly split the times we rode out front of our two-man pace line. The strong head wind was challenging our thighs as we took turns in the number one pace line position. However, falling back into each other’s slip stream or the number two pace line position made it easy to recover. When recovering behind Michael, I was amazed at the size of his

Michael Levesque, with Darin, Blake, Brad and Scott, after Michael had raced at the Leonardtown Criterion. Photo by Claire Chiamulera

Mark McGibbon


calf muscles. “Geez, his calf muscles are bigger than my thighs!” Michael is built like a sprinter- such as Mark Cavendish. Yet, he rides steady and smooth like a time trial cyclist. When we came to the end of our ride, we agreed we gave our muscles a good workout, and we mutually agreed to ride with each other again in the near future. A couple of weeks later, we rode a 55-miler together and averaged around 21 mph. We probably could have ridden faster, but I asked Michael to slow the pace down from 26 mph (while we were ascending a 2% grade hill) to 22 mph because I would have never made the full 50+ mile ride at his breakneck pace!

Thus, cycling with Michael confirmed my thoughts about the aging process. The old adage is indeed true- “you’re as old as you feel.” Although my age is 2.5 times more than Michael’s age, I feel in better shape than when I was 21 years old. Yes, aches and pains are present, but my aches and pains are a result of multiple sports related injuries, and not age related. Am I old? It depends who you ask. Age is a relative term. To Michael, I am an old guy. To my university professor colleagues, I am the young kid on the block. To me, I am at the perfect age- I have no choice in the matter. Time ticks on and I continue to embrace the gift of life (including cycling) with my family, friends and acquaintances, regardless of their age. My enthusiasm for cycling hasn’t wavered since riding my first bicycle with training wheels. Now that I am older, the friendships I made with fellow cyclists are special because we share a unique camaraderie – the camaraderie of experiencing the journey of cycling together as time flies by for all of us.

About the Author: Dr. H. Mark McGibbon is Lockheed Martin’s Visiting Professor at the National Defense University Information College (iCollege). In 1992, he survived a cycling accident that caused paralyses from the waist down. After multiple back surgeries, he seriously returned to the sport of cycling in 2005. He lives with his wife, Bambi, in Southern Maryland. Bambi and Mark now ride cautiously throughout the DC area averaging 100+ miles of cycling per week.

Denise’s Energy Bars from Des Holkon

Rob Golding brought some of Denise Knowlan’s homemade energy bars to a recent ride and shared them with other riders. Several said they would like the recipe.

List 1 or 1 Cup Margarine or Butter 1 Cup of Honey ¾ Cup packed Brown Sugar ¾ Sugar

List 2 1-Cup Applesauce 1 Cup Honey ½ cup Packed Brown Sugar 1 Cup Stevia

Use these items regardless of which of the above list of ingredients you choose2 eggs 1 Teaspoon Vanilla 1 Cup Flour 1 Teaspoon Baking Soda 1 Teaspoon Cinnamon ½ Teaspoon Salt

½ cup Flax Seed or ¼ cup Flax and ¼ Cup Chia Seed 1 Cup Oats 1 Cup Groats 1Cup Steel Cut Oats 1 Cup Raisins and Walnuts - any fruit or nuts

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Beat together the first four ingredients (list 1 or list 2) until blended. Add the eggs and vanilla until well blended. Stir in the remaining ingredients. Bake for 10-12 minutes. Cool and cut into squares.


OHBTC Ride Marshals Supported Bike MS: Ride the Riverside

Bike MS: Ride the Riverside raises funds to combat and find a cure for Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and helps those suffering from the disease. Over 800 riders participated in this year’s event on June 8th and 9th and raised more than $600,000. Starting from National Harbor, riders on Saturday had a choice of routes of 30, 60 or 100 miles; Sunday’s route was 33 miles.

The organizers at the National MS Society – National Capital Chapter contacted OHBTC for help planning routes and providing Ride Marshals. OHBTC members volunteering as Ride Marshals were Richard Harrington, Tom Dillickrath, Tracy Krulik, Randy Schoch, Holly Carr, Larry Peed, Jane Hudnall and Jim Hudnall.

Holly Carr reports on her experience as a Ride Marshal:

Starting in National Harbor is exciting with the waterfront, hotels, music and fanfare. There was some confusion at the start for me and my partner, Kevin. As a sweep for the century, we were instructed to depart from the start at 8:30; while the century riders left at 7:00 a.m. Then the police mandated that we all be on the road by 8:15 am, so off I went wondering if I would ever see a century rider, since I was an hour and 15 minutes behind everybody else. I sped through Fort Washington and onward to Smallwood State Park, where lo and behold, my riding partner, Kevin, was waiting; and I managed to get there ahead of 3 century riders.

We left and headed to Riverside, when it started to rain. Rain and Riverside have become a kitchen table concept. The folks who manned the rest stop had a happy, bouncy wet lab, who wanted nothing but to retrieve a wet gooey tennis ball. Kevin had a flat at that point, so we worked on his tire.

Off we went with the three century riders to the lunch stop. What a great lunch! Deli sandwiches and cookies. Kevin had another flat at that point, and his race team replaced his tire. Off we went again. From this point on, we closed the rest stops, and we took a wrong turn off Tucker Road to really close the last rest stop.

The food and beer at the end were greatly appreciated. We were on our bikes basically from 8:00 a.m. through 7:00 p.m. I rode a recovery 37 mile recovery ride with Janell the next day and started to fall asleep after 20 miles

Tracy Krulik reports on her experience as a Ride Marshal:

We had a great time. Tom and I did the 30 mike route because we thought it might be light on ride marshals. We chatted with a bunch of riders along the way. The nicest moment for me was helping a woman ride hills. She was walking up one, and I explained that I had learned that it's actually easier to stop riding for a minute to catch your breath and then get back on the bike for the rest of the hill, rather than walk the bike up. She was excited to try in and as we were leaving the first rest stop I saw her on her bike climbing a hill. She was working hard, but she was doing it. :) After Tom's 3 flats on the ride last year, we were thrilled to marshal again and actually make it through the finish line on two wheels! It was a great time, and we'll definitely do it again next year.

Photos from the ride on page 12 are from http://www.flickr.com/photos/nmssdc/sets/72157634012959833/


The Bike MS rides started in National Harbor and climbed toward the back gate on Fort Foote Road. The photos above show Randy passing under the arch at the start and Richard at the top of the hill.

The rides ended at National Plaza in National Harbor. In the photo on the left, Larry finishes the 30‐miler. He planned to do the century, but was asked to assist with the 30. In the photo on the left, Blake finishes the 100.

Jim and Randy were the course sweeps for the Sunday ride. In the photo on the right, Jim is being thanked for OHBTC’s assistance by the MS event director, Emily Cooney, and MS event manager, Katie Egger Makris.

ohbtc’s august picnic watermelon ride saturday, august 11...

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