May 1 Sunday

CC * 33 * MD * 9:00 AM * Laytonsville SC (LAV) * 50%
Laytonsville Loop #6.  A tad early so we’ll get you home in time for brunch. Call leader if weather is doubtful – no go on wet roads.
Shannon Hall [shandavegh@erols.com] 301/260-1319.

May 7 Saturday

CC * 53/36 * MD * 10 AM * Rileys Lock (RIL) * 40°/50%
Around Sugarloaf. This is a very scenic ride across the rolling hills of Montgomery and Frederic County. We will circle Sugarloaf Mountain on familiar roads and enjoy some light to moderate climbs on Thurston, Fingerboard, Park Mills and Big Woods. No go in rain on wet roads.
Peter Gruber [pmgruber@comcast.net] cell day of ride: 202/262-1982.

May 8 Sunday

CC * 45 * MD *  9:30 AM * Cashell ES 
Sheep and Wool Festival.   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. [Using Mapquest: Cashell Elementary School, 17101 Cashell Road, Rockville, MD 20853. Directions: from Georgia Ave heading north from the Beltway in 8.3 miles L Emory Ln, 0.3 miles R Cashell Rd, 0.8 miles - school.]
Leslie Tierstein email- ltierstein@earthlink.net. 

May 14 Saturday

CC * 40-50 * MD * 10:00 AM * Laytonsville SC (LAV)
No One Gets Dropped Ride- Ride One. This ride is a first attempt at a no one gets dropped series of rides. The exact distance and route has not been determined yet, but it will be in the moderately hilly area of Laytonsville, with an emphasis on fun, safe riding, and camaraderie. If the ride is successful, the series of rides will continue. There will be at least one rest stop. Helmets please. Ride leader will sweep the ride. No ride in the rain or wet roads.
Sandy Mirman [Sanford.Mirman@Verizon.net] or 301-279-2349.

May 15 Sunday

CC * 57/45(F) * MD * 10:15 AM * Easton Municipal Parking Lot * 40°/50%
Talbot County Ferry Loop. Flat, scenic and rural: Eastern Shore riding at its best. Bring $3 for the Oxford-Bellevue Ferry, believed to be the nation's oldest privately operated ferry service. Call leader if weather is doubtful. Please allow adequate travel time. Note: this ride does not go to St. Michaels.  [Directions to ride start: Take Rt 50 eastbound over Chesapeake Bay Bridge onto the Eastern Shore to Easton. Turn right at Rt. 322 towards Easton, St. Michaels and Oxford. in 0.4 mi turn left onto Washington Street. Follow Washington St. south into downtown Easton. Turn right on Dover St. just past the courthouse. Turn left into the parking lot just past the police station.]  There won't be a St. Michaels Weekend this year, and if you love Eastern Shore riding, this is your chance.
Steve Palincsar [palincss@his.com] 703/548-1585 cell: 202/439-6665.

CC(H) * 32-52 * MD * 9:30 AM * Bollman Bridge ES (BOL)
The Hills of Ellicott City. Are you ready for a challenge? The route to and from Ellicott City has been done before. We come in via New Cut Rd and depart via Ellicott Mills Dr./Rodgers Ave. You have a choice of doing just those roads for 32 miles or all five in the Ellicott City Area for 52 miles. Climbs include Old Columbia Pike, Ilchester Rd, Oella Ave, Hilltop Rd and Ellicott Mills Dr./Rodgers Ave. Descents include New Cut Rd, Bonnie Branch Rd/College Ave, St Johns Lane/Frederick Rd (western part), Thistle Rd and Frederick Rd (eastern part). There is an opportunity for 4,156 feet of climbing or only 2,429 feet. Great for training or as an excuse to ride the couch the rest of the day. Fisher's Bakery should be open for recovery pastries. If the roads are wet but look like they will dry, we will ride. If you want to do the hills, but not all the mileage, you can start closer to or in Ellicott City, but contact me at least by Thursday morning to make arrangements.  No go in rain; Snow should be fun but is doubtful.
Debbie Reynolds, [deb_cla@hotmail.com] 301/346-1755.

May 21 Saturday

C/CC * 45/24 * MD * 10:00 AM 
Big Pool Westward Ho! There are two versions of this ride. The first is a traffic-free, flat route along the Western Maryland Rail Trail, beautifully paved to a smooth surface, with interesting views of the Potomac River and sedimentary-rock anticlines, as we carve our way through the foothills of the Alleghenies. The second version loops out onto the historic National Pike and returns through beautiful scenery to the Rail Trail at Pearre. The shorter ride does much of the same, but is entirely flat. Lunch in Hancock is a real treat. This is an experience for everyone. Even non-riders will enjoy a visit to the massive stone French and Indian War fort two miles from the ride start. [Directions: I-270 to I-70 west 21 miles beyond Hagerstown to exit 12: Big Pool; turn left and go a short distance to trailhead on right.]
Willis and Carter Van Devanter 301/972-7298, or on day of ride: 301/704-7863.

May 22 Sunday

CC * 40 * MD * 9:30 AM *  Piney Orchard SC
Happy Trails.  From Odenton, we find the bike trail around BWI Airport, then through Glen Burnie to Severna Park, return on Benfield Road.  There are 17 continuous miles of trail.  Although most of the is flat to slightly rolling, there is one long steep climb at mile 33.  Two restrooms and many food stops are planned, but bring snack for first stop at mile 16 overlook.  Trail etiquette required.  Coffee and carbo loading at Wall St. Deli before ride.  After ride lunch at China Wang.  [Directions: From Beltway 495 take I-295 (BW Parkway) North, Right on 198, then take 32 East to Odenton. Right on 175, Right on 170 (Piney Orchard Parkway.) Go 1.6 miles, SC on left. Alternate directions: from US 50 East, left on 424 (Davidsonville Rd.) Becomes Conway. Right on Patauxent, becomes Piney Orchard Parkway. SC is on right.]
Jerry Collins 301/641-3415.

May 28 Saturday

CC * 62/45 * MD * 9:00 AM * Southern High School (HAR)
CC * 62/45 * MD * 9:00 AM * Southern High School (HAR)
Train to Chesapeake Beach.  Join us on this traditional multigrade ride that usually draws over 100 riders! A very enjoyable ride over delightfully rolling terrain that features an optional visit to the fascinating Railway Museum in Chesapeake Beach (yes, there was a train from DC to this booming resort town of the early 20th century, complete with horse track, casinos and more). The cue sheet is at http://goldray.com/bikerides/ under the category Harwood used in 2002,03..
Janet Young and Harold Goldstein [mdbiker@goldray.com] 301/854-0388 - cell for day of ride 202/997-2378.

CC(H) * 42 * MD * 10 AM * Laytons Village SC (LAV) * 40deg/40%
Three County Ride: Cycle on one of the most scenic loops as we wind our way from Montgomery, through Howard, & into Carroll counties & back. Almost as hilly as it is scenic! The ride leader will ride at a true “CC” pace. One rest stop, approximately half way, at a truck stop convenience store. No go in any precipitation, wet roads or strong winds. Will leave cue sheets on the hood of my car for any latecomers, just please sign in. Please come join me on one of my favorite rides!
Joel Milano [JoelMilano@comcast.net] H: 301/879-7660.