Hwy. 17 Bike Ride
HOT ! Did someone say that it was hot ? We though about frying eggs on Dewey’s Bike Helmet, but there were to many holes in it. Don’t tell anyone that was on the bike ride today, but my truck thermometer read 99 degrees when I started up the engine. Yes, this was one of the hottest Tuesday outings we have ever had. The only thing that saved us was the good company, and the cool breezes. The 25 mile bike ride turned into 29 wonderful miles through the countryside of the City of Chesapeake. Fifteen of the Tuesday Groupers met at the Bear on Hwy. 17, around 8:45 A.M., trying to beat the heat, but it was already 82 degrees when Margaret and I drove out of our driveway. We had three new members today and they sure picked a good day for their tryouts. There was Dave & Janet H. and Phyllis W. which all three had joined the club this past Wednesday. Hope we didn’t scare them away with all our jokes and craziness. The line-up for today’s ride was Jane O, Dottie, Vic & Margaret, Bob H. Brian, Bob M. Bruce & Margaret, Bruce D. Bill B. Dewey, and our 3 new members Dave, Janet and Phyllis . We had our picture taken at the Bear by Bill and then we were on our way. The shaded trail with the cool breeze felt good for the first 5 miles, but then we came out into the open end of the trail and we all could fill the heat. I asked everyone if we could go on and do the Ballahack Rd. part of the ride and they all said, go for it. We had one of our many breaks, at Lake Drummond Baptist Church for water and a bathroom. We left here and headed for Bunch Walnut Rd. and had another stop at the Triple R Ranch for water and the bathroom, that water was running right through some of us.
Reaching Cornland and the little park behind the Fire Station #13, we all pulled out our PB&J and Tuna and had a good meal and a well needed break from the sun. There was a group of young kids there playing soccer and they had a water cooler full of cold water and told us we could fill our bottles, which about all did, as they were leaving for the day. This was a refreshing spot for a long hot bike ride. After everyone had rested and finished their lunch, we climbed onto our bikes for the last 4 miles back to our vehicles, where Margaret had cold watermelon waiting for all.
On this trip we did not see any wildlife and very few birds, guess they were smart enough to stay home on a day like this. We did 29 miles in about four and a half hours with six breaks for water and our lunch, not bad on a day with 107 heat index.
BRUCE July 20, 2010
Click for Dottie's pictures: http://picasaweb.google.com/dottieaster/10JulyDismalSwampBike?feat=email#
Bill B's Pictures: http://picasaweb.google.com/b.billings/DismalSwampCanalTrail?authkey=Gv1sRgCKqNzPzbjf3o8wE&feat=email#
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Old Activity Announcement:
Tuesday 20 July - Dismal Swamp Canal Bike Ride - Bruce
Where: 1115 George washington hwy s , Chesapeake, Va
We will ride the Dismal Swamp Canal Park and some adjacent roads. We can ride for about 25 miles, have lunch at the park on Benefit Rd., and ice cream somewhere on Cedar Rd. It is requested that everyone who wants to participate contact Bruce at julianbm@verizon.net. Meet: 9:00 Dismal Swamp Canal Park North Trailhead (Near Bear Statute)
Bring: Bike, Helmet, Lunch, Water, Snacks, etc.
Directions:
From Norfolk/Virginia Beach take Rt-64 towards Suffolk; take Exit 291-B Dominion Blvd (Rt-17 South); Turn right at the Brown Park Sign
go 200 yards. The Park North Trailhead will be on your left.
From the Peninsula take the Monitor-Merrimack Bridge Tunnel Rt-664 to Rt-64 towards Suffolk/Norfolk; take Exit 296 Rt-17 Bus South; Follow
Rt-17 Bus across Deep Creek Canal; continue on Rt-17 Bus until you see the Park Trailhead Entrance on your Right