SATURDAY, MAY 10, 2008

"THE CENTURY OF THE SPIRAL STAIRCASE," starting from the Hyattstown
Shopping Center in Hyattstown, Maryland. MEETING TIME 7:30AM. A John &
Lynne MASTERPIECE, and definitely one of our favorite rides. We'll
travel "over the mountains and through the woods" to Sharpsburg in the
morning, then cross the Potomac River into West Virginia, with a lunch
stop at the cozy Blue Moon Cafe in Shepherdstown. After lunch we'll
enjoy some mellow miles ambling along the Potomac River on the way to
magnificently beautiful Harpers Ferry, where we'll cross the long
footbridge over the Potomac River and then ride a very short stretch
(only 0.5 mile) on the C&O Canal towpath. The return route passes
through Sandy Hook, Knoxville, Brunswick, Jefferson, and Buckeystown.
101 HILLY miles, with short options of 57, 65, or 87 miles. The two
shortest options stay in Frederick County. The 87-mile option includes
a brief tour of the Antietam battlefield.

Directions to the ride start:
HYATT SHOPPING CENTER, HYATTSTOWN, MARYLAND From DC Beltway, go north on
I-270 to Exit 22. Turn left on MD109 North at end of ramp. In 0.5 mi.
turn left on MD355 at the traffic light. In 0.3 mi. turn left into
shopping center. Park away from the stores.