Trip Reports | Cue Sheets (Routes) | Stories, etc. | Club Rides
Saturday, December 24, 2006 - Washington, Baltimore & Annapolis Trail. CC/C, 15 miles, leaves 9 AM from Glenn Dale Elementary School, 6700 Glenn Dale Rd, Glenn Dale MD 20769. We'll explore the Washington, Baltimore & Annapolis Trail from its start in Glenn Dale to its end (in PG county) at the Patuxent River. Eventually this is supposed to extend all the way to Annapolis, and some parts now exist in Anne Arundel county, you just can't get there from here. Some trail, some suburban streets, some traffic. Cue sheet available. (PPTC and Oxon Hill)
Sunday, June 18, 2006 - Short Ride from the 'Burbs. CC, 33 or 41 miles, leaves 9 AM from Cold Spring Elementary School, 9201 Falls Chapel Rd, Potomac MD. I have to attend a computer conference in DC this afternoon (yes, on a Sunday!) but still have time for this ride into the countryside towards Poolesville. Mens sana in corpore sano. Cue sheet available. (PPTC)
Saturday, August 6, 2005 -- Corn Quest. CC (Hilly), 80 miles, leaves 8:45 AM from Damascus High School. We will ride to the annual "Old Fashioned Corn Roast" at the Union Mills Homestead just north of Westminster, where will have lunch: "A serving of fried chicken, applesauce, roll and butter, sliced tomatoes, iced tea or lemonade AND all the Roasted corn you can eat", very reasonably priced at about $10. Scenery is typical of Carroll County -- lovely, not flat, but no monster mountains either. Bring $$ and lock. For more information about the homestead, see http://www.unionmills.org. Cue sheet available. (PPTC)
Saturday, July 30, 2005 -- Save the W&OD. CC/C, 70 miles, leaves 8:45 AM from the Vienna Community Center. Last year at this time, we rode out the W&OD to attend the rally to Save the W&OD trail from above-ground power lines between Leesburg and Purcellville. Sadly, one year later the Trail is still not saved and, in fact, the Leesburg-Purcellville section of the Trail is in danger of becoming the route of choice for the power lines again. We will stop for lunch in Purcellville. Leaders will be getting to the ride start via bike/metro; contact us if you want more info on doing the ride car-free. Please be ready to ride at 8:45. (PPTC; co-leaders Chris Moriarity and Barbara McCann)
Cue sheet? We don't need no stinkin' cue sheet. Just get on the W&OD and go west. Well, ok, here's the cue sheet we used. And here's an informal document prepared by Brin Luther, who is active with the group working to Save the Trail, on what the issues were as of July/August 2005. And, for kicks, here's my trip report.
Sunday, June 12, 2005 -- Suburban Fairfax
Excursion. CC, 45 miles, leaves 11 AM from Wakefield Park in Annandale.
A gorgeous ride for a summer's day, through southern and western Fairfax county,
with a snack stop in Fountainhead Park, featuring a view overlooking the Occoquan.
There are a few sections with some traffic and the roads are mostly suburban,
except for my favorite (is it the only one left?) unpaved road in Fairfax county.
Cue sheet available.
(PPTC)
Also held: Same weekend in June, 2003; June 9, 2001.
Saturday, June 9, 2001 -- Fairfax Adventure. CC, 45 miles, leaves 11 AM from Wakefield Park. Join the leader on a ride through south and west Fairfax County, with the aim of visiting Fountainhead Park and Clifton. Ride will be on mostly suburban streets and rural roads, with a few miles of well-packed dirt and (unfortunately) a few short stretches of busier roadway thrown in. Some hills. (PPTC)
Sunday, May 8, 2005 -- Sheep and Wool Festival. CC, 45 miles, leaves 9:30 AM from Cashell Elementary School in Rockville. We'll ride out to the Annual Sheep and Wool Festival at the Howard Country fairgrounds in West Friendship. (For more information, see http://www.sheepandwool.org/ ) There will be some hills, but we won't go out of our way to find them. Plan on spending some time at the festival; that will also be the snack/lunch break.The leader will be riding out from the Twinbrook metro station, leaving at 8:30, if anyone wants some extra miles (advance notice required). Cue sheet available. (PPTC)
Monday, April 3, 2006 -- Cherry Blossom Ride. CC/C, 10-ish miles, leaves 6:30 AM from Roosevelt Island. Yes, that's right, 6:30 AM. We get to see the sun rise over the Tidal Basin and to view the cherry blossoms at their peak, from both Virginia and DC, without traffic or most tourists. A leisurely ride, with stops for sight-seeing and photo ops. Breakfast afterwards, and you still have time to get to work. Last year we even got to see Miss Cherry Blossoms. For more information see: http://www.nationalcherryblossomfestival.org/. Cue sheet available. (PPTC)
Also held: Tuesday, April 5, 2005; Thursday, April 3, 2003; Tuesday, April 2, 2002.
Saturday, February 12, 2005 -- Umpty-Umpth Annual Ride to the Annual Fairfax Chocolate Festival. CC/C, 35 miles, leaves 9:45 AM from Thomas Jefferson Community Center. Take suburban roads and bike/ped trails out to Fairfax City and feast at the Fairfax Chocolate Festival. There are goodies to eat, drink, and look at -- the contest for the best chocolate creation. Ride will go if there is no wet stuff on the ground or in the air -- if it's really cold we can take a shortcut via metro. The chocolate will still be there. Plan on spending around an hour at the Festival. Bring $$ and locks. For more information, see http://www.chocolatefestival.net. Cue sheet available. (PPTC)
Also held: 2003; 2002; 2001; 2000 (28 miles, starting from Ballston Metro)
Weeknights, December, 2004 -- Bike to the Ice. The leader will bike to the outdoor Ice Skating rink at Pentagon Row from her office in downtown DC (K and 21st). Please call prior to ride if you want to cycle over together (and for specific ride start location). All ride levels welcome. We will skate for about an hour (rentals available). The rink is metro accessible (Yellow/Blue Lines at Pentagon City) if you want to bike over but Metro home. The ride is mostly on trails, but with some road crossings. Good lights required.
Sunday, December 5, 2004 -- Arlington History Ride. CC, 25 miles, leaves 9:30 AM from Thomas Jefferson Community Center. Adapted from the Barcroft Neighborhood Association, this ride visits historical sites, mostly in South and Central Arlington. Historical sites include Carlyn Springs; the W&OD; two boundary stones; Arlington cemetery; and other government and private buildings. (PPTC)
Cue sheet available. Also see the Barcroft Neighborhood Association web site for more information.
Wednesday Mornings, Summer 2003 -- I Follow the Waterfront. Ride along the waterfront in Virginia and DC. A great way to start the day. (PPTC)
Start time varies with the sunrise: 6 AM (July), 6:15 AM (August), 6:30 AM (September) .
Friday, April, 25, 2003 -- Annapolis Necks and Crannies. CC/C, 25 miles, leaves 1 PM from Quiet Waters Park, Annapolis. Explore some of the necks of land around Annapolis and Eastport. Joint ride of PPTC and the Bicycle Club of Philadelphia, which is sponsoring a weekend trip to Annapolis. Cue sheet available.
Sunday, February 9, 2003 -- Maryland and DC Boundary Stones. Class CC/C, 35ish miles, leaves 10 AM from Georgetown Trailhead of the Capital Crescent Trail. We continue our exploration of the Boundary Stones that were laid back in 1791 to mark the borders of the District of Columbia . Last year, we explored the boundary stones in Virginia. Today, we'll check out most of the remaining stones in Maryland and the District, which are all on the National Register of Historic Places. Be prepared for some hills, some traffic, and stop-and-go riding, as we visit each stone we can find, and pay our respects to those MIA. Lunch stop mid-way through. Bring $$ and locks. (The trailhead of the Capital Crescent Trail is on K Street, under the Key Bridge.) Cue sheet available. (PPTC)
Mondays, February-March, 2003 -- Fairfax Lunchtime Rides. CC, 10-15 miles, leaves 12 noon from Starbucks, corner of Main St and Old Lee Highway, Fairfax City. Get out of the office and onto your bike with this lunchtime ride through suburban Fairfax, including the campus of George Mason University. (PPTC)
Tuesday, December 17, 2002 -- Holiday Lights. Leslie Tierstein and Lynn Kristianson are promising good road conditions for this ride which will leave from Common Grounds at Fairfax Drive and Wilson Blvd at 7 pm. We will tour Lyon Park, Ashton Heights, Arlington Heights, Alcova Heights, North Barcroft, Arlington Forest and then return to Common Grounds - for something warm to drink maybe? The total distance is about 5 miles but it may take up to 2 hours.
We have both found battery operated light strings to decorate our bikes and would encourage decorative efforts for all participants. In addition, bundle up and have at least a headlight and rear reflector. Aside from the cold, this is absolutely the best way to enjoy holiday decorations, so come on out. (Babes on Bikes)
Thursdays, September-October, 2002 -- Party Animals. Class CC/C, 10-ish miles. We will tour various neighborhoods of the District, trying to log sightings of many of the Party Animals -- statues of donkeys and elephants ("party", get it?), funded by the DC Arts Council, that will be on the streets until mid-October. You may need lights for the first 5-10 minutes of the rides, or if you bike to the start. A list of all the party animals and a map will be provided, or see http://www.partyanimals.org. (PPTC)
Wednesdays, March, 2002 -- Fairfax Lunchtime Rides. CC, 10-15 miles, leaves 12 noon from Office Depot, in the shopping center at the corner of Rt 29 and Main St, Fairfax City. Get out of the office and onto your bike with this lunchtime ride through suburban Fairfax, including the campus of George Mason University. (PPTC)
Saturday, December 8, 2001 -- Historic Londontowne for the Holidays. Class CC, 40 miles. Meet at 9:45 at Allen Pond Park. Londontowne used to be the big commercial center on the Severn River -- in the early 1700's. All that remains today is the restored Publick House and archeological digs. We will visit the interpretive center and tour the house, which is decorated for the holidays. Bring locks and $$ for admission ($4) and lunch (at a nearby restaurant). Precipitation on the ground or in the air or temps below 30F at 9 AM cancel. Mostly lightly traveled roads, but a few intermittent stretches of traffic. Cue sheet available. (PPTC)
Saturday, December 1, 2001 -- Arlington History Ride. C/CC, 30ish miles, leaves 10 AM from Ballston Metro. At the Arlington County Fair last August, I picked up some brochures about historic districts and buildings in Arlington. This ride will explore some of them. If you like a little adventure, exploring, history, architecture, and discovering under-appreciated treasures in your backyard, you may enjoy this ride. There will be some hills, some intermittent traffic, and lots of site-seeing stops. Cue sheet available. (PPTC)
June 30, 2001 --Tour to the Bear's Den. CC, 50-ish miles, leaves 9 AM from Vienna Community Center. I'll be doing a self-supported tour out to the Bear's Den Hostel in Bluemont and am looking for company. The ride will be a bit on the W&OD trail, but mostly on roads. Stay over two nights at the hostel with a day of bicycling on Sunday and head back to town early on Monday (can't get the time off, with July 4 being on Wednesday). (PPTC)
March, 2001-- Virginia Boundary Stones.
C/CC, 40 miles, leaves 9:45AM from Thomas Jefferson MS. Arlington and parts
of Falls Church and Alexandria were originally part of the District of Columbia.
In 1791, the District put up stones, one mile apart, to mark its territorial
boundaries. This ride will visit the remaining boundary stones. The ride will
actually be divided into two twenty-mile sections, with lunch in between. Be
prepared for some hills (especially in the northern sections), some traffic,
and stop-and-go riding, as we visit each boundary stone. Cue sheets will include
GPS locations as well as mileage. Cue
sheet available. (PPTC)