Ken and Betsey Sanford again were perfect hosts this morning, and we had a lovely 23 mi ride in Rock Creek Park on a pretty day with more than a bit of breeze. I certainly will miss some of the bikes and people, but here's a sample: Peter Kohler (Raleigh RRA Moderne in original paint-dip), Ken Sanford on his Carpenter and Ben S on his Eisentraut, both fixed gear. Dan Artley (on neither his Sachs or his curved-tube Taylor with ASC hub, but I'm blocking on what he rode), Robert Clair came up after the ride with a couple of lovely Bates Cantiflex and a Jack Taylor mixte. Yr. Obdte. Svt. rode his '65 Paramount, matched by Mark ____ on another silver P'mount, this one a 74 converted to touring with canti brakes. Another Mark brought two Raleigh Team pros, but rode only one. Wayne Bingham on a Merckx. One of my favorites was Marty Walsh's unrestored, well-ridden, one-owner Masi. I could have gone for that bike on Craig's list, where he found it and beat the rest of us to it. And some other eye-candy, a Claud Butler with Stiletto front lugs and a Rotrax, made their appearance afterwards for lunch. There were others, but senility has a price.
I don't ride Rock Creek as often as I might. The main route in the park runs roughly North/South, through the heart of DC, and extending more or less North into Maryland. It's a valley, with little view or sound of the city above. There are side roads, including the Beach road loop that we rode, lost in woods with light traffic. And this part is just 4 miles or so from the White House. I feel very fortunate to live in a metro area that just ain't bad for riding, and lovely to boot.
Thank you Ken and Betsey! (and my apology to those I slighted by omission or error)
harvey sachs
mcLean va