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Tuesday Group Travels Tough Terrain...and Turns Out Triumphant!
31 August 2010
by Phyllis
Seventeen steadfast cyclists arrived in the backcountry of Barhamsville this morning for another thrilling episode of the Tuesday Group. Spandexed, helmeted and ready to ride were Bill B, Brian, Glen, Jan, Dave, Ellis, Sandra, Sandy, Jane, Bruce, Margaret, Jean, Jim, Laurie, Mark, Dottie and Phyllis. It took awhile to get all the vehicles parked and for everybody to be duly greeted by Dale but eventually we were on our way biking down the backroads and byways of beautiful Barhamsville. We’d only covered barely a mile when a loud crack cut through the morning sounds of buzzing bees and chirping crickets. Jane’s tire had expelled all of its air in a sudden and explosive effort that caused her bicycle to come to a sudden and unexpected halt! Reassured that it was indeed the tire (and not some disgruntled farmer unhappy with the passing cyclists), we gathered around the deflated element. Despite the lack of Hosang, we were determined to render quick and permanent aid to the damaged tire. The wheel came off, as did the trashed tube and a new tube quickly installed. Jane had a new inflater thingey for the tire but could not get the whatchamacallit to fill the tire properly. Much discussion ensued with many failed attempts to fill the tire. Finally Jane found the red button to get the whatchamacallit to fill the tire with air and we were on our way once again. (I have always said that it comes down to knowing which buttons to press.)
We continued our cruise down country roads admiring the quiet countryside, soon coming to a thrilling downhill and our first stop at Richardson’s Millpond. After a short break we began the climb up our first hill...a mile or so of challenging pedaling. The day was heating up and we took our time. Our next stop was Laurel Grove Park, a pool and country club new to the area. The concierge was not in but had evidently been briefed that we would be stopping by as the front doors were left wide open to welcome us. We admired the empty pool (too early for a swim) and spent some time looking at maps for future development in the area. But time waits for no cyclist so we were soon on our way again. We passed horses and soybean fields and more country estates before arriving at our next stop, Garrett’s Grocery. Shade and conversation were in abundance here and we took some time to cool off before making the last leg of our journey to York River State Park. Brian and Glen took the off-road route while the rest of us opted for asphalt. Arriving at the park we found some picnic tables for a peaceful lunch where Margaret and Sandy shared some of their treats with a friendly squirrel. After lunch we took a walk down to the beach but did not find any shark teeth. The only fossils there were.......well, never mind.
Temperatures had hit the mid-90s by then and we were all thinking of heading back. We mounted our bicycles and began the trek home. Another extended break at Garrett’s for cool drinks was needed of course. The trip back was uneventful as we enjoyed the refreshing downhills and sweated the agonizing uphills.
Back at Phyllis’ house we were rewarded with tall glasses of ice water and ice cream sundaes with brownies, cookies, hot fudge and whipped cream. Bruce showed us a video of his and Margaret’s new kayaks and we all thought about what great adventures still lay ahead for The Tuesday Group!
Bill B has another batch of great pictures for us to enjoy: http://picasaweb.google.com/b.billings/YorkRiverSPBikeRide?authkey=Gv1sRgCNic3IX4ys6dDw&feat=email#
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