After the ride with the group on Saturday we did some work around the Smit compound including reengineering the Pond and then went and bought out Sam’s for wine and food for the trip to Maryland. Never go to Sam’s hungry!
We filled not 1 or 2 but 3 coolers and Kevin loaded up the bikes, Theresa’s only rode bike and his gently used touring bike (yes the one that has fenders and a luggage rack). The alarm was set for 4:30, however there was little movement until 6am… Gas and coffee and we were on the rode by 7am.
Theresa had the laptop and wireless card on board as we contemplated which path to use to invade the Maryland peninsula; south from Virginia Beach or north thru DC and Annapolis. South was more scenic and novel as we get to use the Chesapeake tunnel/bridge, which serpentines under and above the water for 26?? miles.
We got in to my bother’s place (just south of Cambridge, MD) at 2pm. Just as we pulled in there was a deer frozen in her steps just starring at us. I got out my camera and clicked a few pictures. What a great greeting! We unlocked the house and proceeded with the ritual “dock walk”. Dock walks must be done at least twice a day, first in the morning (coffee in had) and in the evening(beverage of choice in hand). Purpose of the dock walk --- make sure the dock is still there! 
We made ourselves at home, and a very nice home it is… filled up the frig and prepared dinner. I scoped out a prospective ride using Google pedometer for the next day.
We planned to wait until the morning ‘traffic’ would be passed for us to start riding. That gave us time to fix some eggs, bacon and toast. (and of course do a dock walk).
After 7+ hours in the car we were both quite stiff and not ready for placing out butts on the bike seat. But off we went. The plan was a 33 mile loop around the Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge. The wind was brisk about 15-20 mph steady form the NW. The road was flat in fact the total ride elevation was about 10 feet and that was a small bridge.
We headed south west first on Rt 16 near Woolford) as that was as good as any direction for this route. The roads had very wide paved shoulders and lots of “Share the Road” bicycle signs so this was a blessing for Theresa. At 5 miles into the ride we had a 14-15 mph pace and were still loosing up the joints. The scenery was spectacular, marsh and rich farmland, marinas and boats, yards with crab pots stacked up 10 high. Very different form the NC rolling forests. We turned left onto Smithville Rd, and played leapfrog with the garbage truck. It is inevitable that on a bike, you meet oncoming RV and passing utility truck all while crossing a bridge! Why is that?
Smithville Rd wound in and out of clearings, marsh and trees as it boarded the Blackwater NWR. At the next turn RT 335, we stopped for a bio break at the boat service center. Theresa’s back and almost every thing else hurt! No turning back now, onward and into the wind! We made our left onto 335, the bike lane disappeared, traffic was more constant as was the wind. Kevin kept up the 15 mph pace, but Theresa kept drifting further behind battling the unrelenting wind and all those aches and pains. Sitting behind a computer for hours on end every day does not prepare one for this kind of physical abuse. We reached Key Wallace Drive (22 mile mark) that leads in to the Blackwater NWR and Kevin not knowing the route did the vulture circle waiting for Theresa to arrive at the intersection then we preceded on 335 skipping our loop into the NWR… Maybe next time. Theresa was ready to smell the barn and get this torture over!
We filled not 1 or 2 but 3 coolers and Kevin loaded up the bikes, Theresa’s only rode bike and his gently used touring bike (yes the one that has fenders and a luggage rack). The alarm was set for 4:30, however there was little movement until 6am… Gas and coffee and we were on the rode by 7am.
Theresa had the laptop and wireless card on board as we contemplated which path to use to invade the Maryland peninsula; south from Virginia Beach or north thru DC and Annapolis. South was more scenic and novel as we get to use the Chesapeake tunnel/bridge, which serpentines under and above the water for 26?? miles.
We got in to my bother’s place (just south of Cambridge, MD) at 2pm. Just as we pulled in there was a deer frozen in her steps just starring at us. I got out my camera and clicked a few pictures. What a great greeting! We unlocked the house and proceeded with the ritual “dock walk”. Dock walks must be done at least twice a day, first in the morning (coffee in had) and in the evening(beverage of choice in hand). Purpose of the dock walk --- make sure the dock is still there! 
We made ourselves at home, and a very nice home it is… filled up the frig and prepared dinner. I scoped out a prospective ride using Google pedometer for the next day.
We planned to wait until the morning ‘traffic’ would be passed for us to start riding. That gave us time to fix some eggs, bacon and toast. (and of course do a dock walk).
After 7+ hours in the car we were both quite stiff and not ready for placing out butts on the bike seat. But off we went. The plan was a 33 mile loop around the Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge. The wind was brisk about 15-20 mph steady form the NW. The road was flat in fact the total ride elevation was about 10 feet and that was a small bridge.
We headed south west first on Rt 16 near Woolford) as that was as good as any direction for this route. The roads had very wide paved shoulders and lots of “Share the Road” bicycle signs so this was a blessing for Theresa. At 5 miles into the ride we had a 14-15 mph pace and were still loosing up the joints. The scenery was spectacular, marsh and rich farmland, marinas and boats, yards with crab pots stacked up 10 high. Very different form the NC rolling forests. We turned left onto Smithville Rd, and played leapfrog with the garbage truck. It is inevitable that on a bike, you meet oncoming RV and passing utility truck all while crossing a bridge! Why is that?
Smithville Rd wound in and out of clearings, marsh and trees as it boarded the Blackwater NWR. At the next turn RT 335, we stopped for a bio break at the boat service center. Theresa’s back and almost every thing else hurt! No turning back now, onward and into the wind! We made our left onto 335, the bike lane disappeared, traffic was more constant as was the wind. Kevin kept up the 15 mph pace, but Theresa kept drifting further behind battling the unrelenting wind and all those aches and pains. Sitting behind a computer for hours on end every day does not prepare one for this kind of physical abuse. We reached Key Wallace Drive (22 mile mark) that leads in to the Blackwater NWR and Kevin not knowing the route did the vulture circle waiting for Theresa to arrive at the intersection then we preceded on 335 skipping our loop into the NWR… Maybe next time. Theresa was ready to smell the barn and get this torture over!
The rest of the ride was grueling as Kevin kept wondering “Where’s Theresa?” and even looped back to find her still moving at least. Trying so hard to keep even 12 mph pace. We reached Church Creek at the 25 mile mark and headed into the home stretch. The wind did not give us any break and seemed to be always in our face! At last we arrived at Brooks Rd, which was the entrance to my brothers place. We were so glad to have done the ride, had our beverage, dock walk and then crashed for a much deserved nap!
Ride stats: 30 miles, 13.1 mph avg, head winds, awesome scenery!
http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=1098355
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