The week started off with some wonderful fall weather and temperatures in the high 60's/low 70's. On Monday, I headed to Elkridge for a hillier route (30 miles) via Lawyers Hill. The route to Elkridge bypassed Elkridge Furnance Inn and headed up Coca Cola Drive (nice spot for hill repeats) and Hanover Road to Route 1. After climbing Lawyers Hill, I returned via Marshalee Lane and the
Timbers at Troy golf course.
Lawyers Hill is a great climb and includes some nice historic homes. The homes include Victorians built during the 1840's to 1880's, as well as American Gothic Revival, Italianate, Queen Anne, and Shingle-style structures. There is also a range of Colonial Revival houses, from craftsman era rustic cottages to more formal Georgian, and mass-produced Dutch Colonial models from the early 20th century.
The community originally contained several summer estates that were built by wealthy Baltimore locals including Caleb Dorsey ("Belmont"), Baltimore City Supreme Bench Judge George Washington Dobbin ("the Lawn"), Thomas Donaldson ("Edgewood"), John Latrobe ("Fairy-Knowe"), and the Penniman family home ("Wayside"). At the top of the hill stands the Elkridge Assembly Rooms. This community hall was built in 1871. The Lawyers Hill Historic District is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The nice weather quickly dissappeared on Tuesday, and the rain pushed me inside for a fast 15 miles to some classic hits of the 70's. Late in the day on Wednesday, I made a run to drop off my parents at
BWI Airport for their return to sunny Florida. After goodbye hugs, I got in a quick 20+ miles in around the
BWI Trail and Glen Burnie area. The trail is an 11 mile loop passing through Friendship Park and Andover Park, and includes a nice horse farm and a great overlook of plane landings.
I had to tightly schedule another 20+ mile ride on Thursday after work. We had a Halloween event at work, so I was already dressed in my best biking attire. I experimented with some roads in and around the Rockville office. A little busy given the commuting time, but a few nice spots on Glen Mill and Glen Road. Finshed up through downtown and Route 28 to Avery Road, then a short run through Lake Needwood.
Friday was another inside day with a typical 15 miles ... this time to Criminal Minds repeats on A&E. Saturday finally saw the chance for a longer ride. A solid 45 miles to Cooksville via Glenelg. The return was through Glenwood, Tridelphia Mill, and Highland. These rods through Western Howard County are among the best local roads for cycling. Nice shoulders or quiet country. Good variation with some tough hills too. Tridelphia Road and Tridelphia Mill Road are part of the
Columbia Triathlon route. Sunday saw rest and helping Leah with her big science project on leaves.
So ... helped by some shorter rides and a few inside spins, I logged close to 145 miles for the week.
