SATURDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2008

(1) Paul WGR Donaldson is leading "THE HORNETS NEST HUNDRED," starting
from Monocacy Middle School, Frederick, Maryland. MEETING TIME 7:30
a.m. This ride was originally designed as the second in a series of
check-out rides for the epic "Perimeter of Frederick County," and it
remains one of our favorite rides. The first half of the ride includes
a few MAJOR climbs (and LOTS of not-so-major ones), stunning views and
magnificent scenery, featuring a delightful stretch along Friends Creek.
You can thank WGR personally for the fact that we added his favorite
climb up Frosttown Road to the route last year! The second half of the
ride is generally rolling--and still very scenic. You never know WHAT
you might see on Bollinger Road, so keep your eyes and ears open! The
route joins the northern perimeter of Frederick County about 23 miles
into the ride, near Myersville, and follows the perimeter (with a few
slight deviations made for aesthetic purposes) for the next 55-60 miles,
to the quaint village of Detour. Then it cuts back through the center
of the county to return to Frederick.

101 miles, with several short options. Estimated elevation gain 8000
feet. Note that over 5,000 feet of the total climbing will take place
in the first 50 miles.

Directions to the ride start:
MONOCACY MIDDLE SCHOOL, FREDERICK, MARYLAND, 8009 Opossumtown Pike, Frederick MD.

From D.C. Beltway, take I-270 north 31 miles to Frederick. Continue
north on US15 3.7 miles. Take Motter Ave exit (sign for Frederick
Community College). Turn RIGHT at the traffic light onto Opossumtown
Pike. In about 1.5 mi. turn RIGHT into Monocacy Middle School parking
lot (just after Frederick Community College on the left).

What is it with Maryland road crews? Why can't they post adequate warning about road surface irregularities?

This morning, at approximately 6:20am, I was travelling on Taylor Avenue heading toward Perring Parkway--my normal bike commute route to work. Monday through Thursday's commute went by without any problems. Friday was shaping up to be the same. I'm about 10 minutes away from work.

The road is downhill approaching Perring Parkway. I was exceeding 20 MPH as I approached the intersection, positioned in the drops of my handlebars, accelerating because I see that the traffic control light is in my favor. I enter the intersection. My attention is on what other road users are doing around me. I didn't see any warning signs about road surface irregularities, only orange barrels. Then, I realize there's a 1-2 inch square-cut elevation in the road surface. I hit it dead on, full force. I hear my water bottle skitter across the road behind me. Something gives. It's my handlebar. The left handlebar drop breaks away, but the handlebar tape keeps my weight from shifting off center too much. I quickly grab the tops of the handlebars and slow down using the rear brake expecting one or both of my tires to go flat. I managed to shift the front deraileur to the small ring. I keep on going. I'm forced to use the rear break for stopping as all
controls on the left have nothing to brace against. Another mile up the road, I realize that my front wheel is out of true and my rear tire is going flat.

By approximately 6:35am, I get to work. I'm livid about the damage done to my bike and having to take time off from work to get it repaired all because Maryland road crews can not post adequate warning for all road users. Why is that? I could very well have gone down in the middle of Perring Parkway, acquiring major road rash, and braking bones.

I hope there is someone out there, who reads this listserv and can do something about this situation. This is not the first time that unmarked road surface irregularities have been written about here.