Fall 40 Miler

Did the same 40-miler with Gail that I did with Kathy a few weeks ago -- Oxford, Island Creek Loop, Trappe, and the "cemeteries" east of 50. (Note to self -- map this route, since it's become your regular 40 mile ride --UPDATE: done). We took a detour for the Oxford Cemetery and for Trappe Landing.
Interesting changes in three week. Any corn that's left standing is brown and dry. A lot of it has been cut down, and some of the fields have been turned over. So I've seen the full "corn cycle," from planting, to tending, to harvesting, and clearing. The beans are turning a golden color, ready for harvest. The leaves are just starting to change, and there was coolness in the air the entire ride. And, of course, a tough wind.
The most amazing sight was on the Island Creek Road, where there are woods to the right and fields on the left. A very large bird flew low out of the woods, straight over head -- a bald eagle !! On the first pass, we could see its body -- snow white chest and tail. It looped back around twice, so we could see its white head and curled beak. It then went back into the woods. I saw a bald eagle on the Miles River a couple of years ago, but this is my first one on a bike ride. Eagles keep their nests in the same spot over the years, so I'll have to keep my eyes open for this one when I'm riding Island Creek Road.
Update: Here's the map of this route. http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=3230319

"It's A Clean Machine"

Sometimes you just HAVE to clean your bike. Last weekend, I noticed that my chain was noisy -- a bad sign, particularly with the humidity on the Eastern Shore. So this morning, I grabbed my Pedro's Bio Degreaser and my Finish Line wax chain lubricant and got to work. The truth is, I like cleaning my bike -- it looks better, it rides better, and since it's my favorite possession (OK, I'd put my iPod and my car right up there with my bike), the IF deserves it. I also put on a new seat -- same as the old seat, a Terry Fly, because it's the most comfortable seat I've had.
So tomorrow's ride should be silent and smooth. We're on the western shore this weekend, so no ride report.

Miles

The Sea Gull Century is a few short weeks from now, and this hasn't been a heavy mileage summer -- no RAGBRAI to train for and do. So I needed to put some miles on my legs this morning. I did a basic there-and-back ride: from Woodland Court, through St. Michaels, to Tilghman Island -- no map, no photos, and only a couple of side trips. I took the Oxford Road to the Bypass, the Bypass to Route 33, and Route 33 to where it ends on Tilghman. It's 11 miles to St. Michaels -- Rt. 33 is called St. Michaels Road for this part of the ride -- and there was plenty of traffic, even though I started riding at 8. There's a very wide shoulder -- easy to ride two abreast -- but a steady stream of traffic driving considerably faster than the 50 MPH speed limit (I'm guilty as charged when I drive this road).

After you leave St. Michaels, the traffic thins out considerably. I had a steady wind at my back most of the way, so I kept a quick pace, knowing that I'd pay the price on the return trip. Right before McDaniel, the name of the road changes to the Tilghman Island Road., but it's still Route 33. After 25 miles, you reach Knapps Narrows, which separates Tilghman from the mainland. I hit the drawbridge just as it was beginning to go up, in both directions. A pretty sight, but maybe not twice.
Tilghman Island remains a unique place, even by Eastern Shore standards. The Island was first charted by Captain John Smith in 1608. There are still a lot of working watermen on Tilghman -- one of the last operating "under sail" skipjacks sails from there -- and it still reflects the rough and tumble waterman's life: small cottages, a few general stores, and several "on the water" restaurants reachable by boat. The story is that, in the old days, the more proper folks on the mainland raised the drawbridge on Saturday night, to keep the islander from crossing over and making trouble. Don't know if that's true, but it's a good story. Some developer put something called "Tilghman on Chesapeake" on the middle of the island -- it calls itself a "resort community," and is as out of place as it sounds. But mostly Tilghman is secluded and rustic.
I road to where the paved road ends, right before a beautiful inn on Black Walnut Point Inn, which is located on a wildlife preserve on the southernmost point on the island: http://www.blackwalnutpoint.com/
After that I did a little side route, out Fairbanks Road, to a nice point looking out to the Choptank River. Heading back, I noticed some clouds building -- which increased the wind A LOT. The ride home was work -- into a "stiff flag" headwind, a solo ride without anyone to help break the wind. Got back to St. Michaels around 11 am, and the town was very busy -- the end of the Labor Day Weekend. Did a side route through Royal Oak -- both because I like the town, and because I got a break from the wind. Got home, having done 60 miles -- tired.

Starting to Feel a Bit Like Fall

Did an early morning 40 miler with Kathy today -- out to Oxford, then the Island Creek Road loop, back through Trappe across Route 50, and part of the Wildflowers/Cemeteries route home. Although the morning was bright and sunny, there was the coolness of Fall in the air. The corn fields have turned brown, some of the dogwoods are just starting to change colors, and the bean fields -- October harvest -- are a rich, dark green. Summer is winding to an end.

Tour of Oxford

This is a great ride for new visitors to the Eastern Shore. It's a relatively short trip; I'll sometimes use my Basso for this one.
Basically, you follow the Oxford Road to Oxford, with a number of possible side trips along the way. You'll ride over Peachblossom and Trippe Creeks, both very beautiful, particularly in the morning or evening sun, and then ride several miles through farm country. I like to show folks the view across the harbor from the Oxford Cemetery -- a short detour to the right, before town.
The Oxford Road ends at the dock of the Oxford-Bellevue ferry, reputed to be the oldest continually running ferry in the country. If you've got a few bucks in your pocket, you can take the ferry across to Bellevue, a short boat ride to a working dock across the way. From there you can head to St. Michaels. But that's another ride. On this one, you wander through the town of Oxford, which has maintained the feel of an old Eastern Shore town. When St. Michaels decided to focus on tourists, Oxford made a different choice, avoiding most development. There's the Robert Morris Inn, right on the water, and the Oxford Inn, near the harbor. But that's about it by way of restaurants/bars. There's a general store and a few shops, but mostly it's nice old houses (and a pretty old population), with a great town park right on the water.
The map below takes you to Bachelor's Point, which has nice views of the Choptank and Tred Avon Rivers (and some very big houses), and out World Farm Road, which also has some beautiful views. Then it's back towards Easton and the Oreo cows.
http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=3157981