SUNDAY, MAY 10, 2009

"MIRACLE AT MOUNT HOPE," starting from Catoctin High School, Thurmont,
Maryland. **MEETING TIME 7:45 a.m.** The first quarter of the ride is
very hilly, beginning with the long climb up MD77 and becoming more
interesting with each passing mile, as we climb about 2500 feet in the
first 25 miles to Mount Hope, Pa. The scenery is fabulous and the
descents are thrilling. After the first rest stop in Fairfield, the
terrain moderates quite a bit on the way to lunch at Mamma's in
Biglerville. We'll visit the reputedly haunted Sachs Covered Bridge
(circa 1815) during this stretch. See
http://www.nycivilwar.us/sachs.html. After lunch we'll head for the
hills again and ride through some of the beautiful orchard country of
northwestern Adams County (yes, we really do love this part of the
world, even though we're probably a week too late for the apple
blossoms). Other points of interest include the Eisenhower Bridge
(circa 1886), the Land of Little Horses, and the Eylers Valley Chapel.
100 miles, with many shorter options. You can even omit the steepest
climb of the day (Iron Springs Rd) and substitute it with the kinder and
gentler Jacks Mountain Rd...but then you'll miss Mount Hope! Total
elevation gain for the century 7000-7500 feet.


Directions to the ride start:

CATOCTIN HIGH SCHOOL, 14745 Sabillasville Road, Thurmont MD 21788
From DC Beltway go North on I-270 about 31 miles to Frederick. Continue
north on US15. In about 19 miles, take 3rd Thurmont exit
(MD550/Sabillasville). Turn left on MD550 (restrooms at Sheetz). In
about 0.2 mi., turn right into high school parking lot.