Bike Ride to York River State Park-11/15/11

Rain threatened and even managed to sprinkle a bit as a couple dozen Tuesday Groupers rendezvoused at Phyllis’ house for the bike ride to York River State park. A few stragglers arrived late due to missing road signs but everybody managed to get there. Saddling up were: Sandy, Sandra, Ellis, Marti, Dottie, Don, Bill Q, Brian, Glen, Bob M, Ed F, Vic, Margaret P, Ron, Sue, Katrina, Diana, Steve, JaneO, Chris, Jeanette, Lou, Natalie and Phyllis. After paying homage to Dale and her blue ball, numerous trips to the restroom, and posing for the obligatory group photo, we mounted our two-wheelers and began our adventure. Temperatures were unseasonably warm and leaves of gold, red and orange floated down about us as we pedaled down country roads. We passed resting fields of corn and soybean long ago harvested, paddocks with lazy horses, bungalows and fancy estates. The way was blocked at Richardson’s Mill Pond due to a partial collapse of the asphalt and we all walked our bikes carefully over the gravel to peer into the hole. We paused to watch the water cascading over the spillway. Then we put our bikes into low gear and our muscles into high gear and tackled the hill up to the country club. Ellis had neglected to call ahead and the doors to the club were locked. No mid-morning martinis or canapes this trip! Instead we took a short water break and then cruised the rest of the way to York River State Park. (At some point, Brian offered to take over the ride--just to keep the rain away. What a guy!) Once at the Park, lunches and leftover Halloween candy were devoured as we looked out over the York River. We stayed for an hour and then began the trek back. Ellis claimed a personal invitation to an ice cream party from Dale and was anxious to be on his way. The promise of ice cream is hard for anyone to resist but especially Tuesday Groupers! We seemed to pedal a bit faster on the way back, though some of us stopped to make friends with some horses along the way. One of them was particularly fond of Vic.

The ride back was apparently just as hilly as the first half of the ride though nary a complaint was heard (HA!). But all thoughts of pedaling up Everest disappeared as we made our return to the house in the woods and descended upon hot fudge brownie ice cream sundaes. Total mileage: 25 miles. Total Calories: 0.

Another great day for the Tuesday group.

Phyllis

View Phyllis pictures: https://picasaweb.google.com/crashneumann/BikeRideToYorkRiverStatePark?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCKDLu4eF4cmYcQ&feat=directlink