After a week inside, I was eager to see the sun and pavement again. The weatherman cooperated big time ... the first few days of the week saw temperatures break 70 degrees. Monday (33 miles) and Tuesday (30 miles) saw rides to Ellicott City. On Monday I went via Elkridge Furnance Inn and Patapsco Park (Grist Mill Trail) with a return up Main Street and through Dorsey Search and past the Columbia Mall. This diverse route has some great roads (Mission Rd, Race Rd, and River Rd) and a few good climbs. The Grist Mill Trail is a nice paved path that follows the Patapsco River. The trail is about 2 1/2 miles long and starts near "Lost Lake" in the Avalon area of the park. It passes the swinging bridge (that takes you to the south side of the river and provides access to the waterfall at Bloede Dam) and other historic markers. The trail ends at the bottom of Illchester Road after crossing the Patterson Viaduct near the Ilchester Tunnel.
Tuesday's route to Main Street included Lake Elkhorn, the Maryland School for the Deaf, Landing Rd, a decent of Illchester Rd, River Rd, and a nice climb up New Cut Rd.
Work got the better of me on Wednesday ... it was hard to look outside at the 75 degree day, but I was back out on Thursday for another 30 miles to Glenelg. I spent Thursday night at another college fair representing RPI ... not quite as good as the one I did last week. Friday saw work and rain, which carried into Saturday. I spun inside for a fast 20 miles to some classics of the 60's and 70's. The evening was spent with the fmaily celbrating Nana's 75th birthday. Mike and Erin joined the festivities at Red Dog Cafe in Silver Spring and a few tasty creations at Cold Stone Creamery in College Park.
Sunday was perfect crisp fall day. With Leah and Karen at the Glenelg Country School open house (Leah was a tour guide), I enjoyed a nice long ride (almost 55 miles) to old town Bowie. The route out went past Laurel (back side of Laurel Park (horse racing) and Montpelier Mansion) and Greenbelt. The return was via Crofton, Odenton, and Fort Meade (including a 2 mile stretch of legal highway on Route 32).
A great week with almost 170 miles of riding. Year to date total is just shy of 5,250.
