Happy New Year!

Happy New Year! May you have fair winds, good roads, and great company! [Image: after "Focus" by Will Geddes (2108)]

Just Dandy

The other day I was reading a year-end compilation of significant anniversaries, and the author mentioned the invention of the Draisine in 1818. Can't let the year go by with our two-wheeled forerunner unheralded, even though some might argue that it was actually invented in 1817 and only officially patented in February 1818. And some would argue that it's not a bicycle at all, as happened at a bicycle history conference in Boston I attended years ago, with some of the speakers focusing instead on who "invented" the bicycle in the 1860s. Until in the midst of this argument one of the panelists quietly disagreed, saying simply that he had a Draisine, and that when all was said and done, when he rode it he felt like he was riding a bicycle. Not one to scoff at 200-year-old technology, if it's "just like riding a bicycle," that's good enough for me.

Manchester in Moderation

The weather forecast for this weekend seems to be holding up (at the moment) with Saturday looking quite favorable: sunny and on the high side of 40. So we will roll the dice and try to get in one more ride before the end of the year.  We'll meet at 10:30 am at the Manchester Elementary School for a 19 or 23-mile ride out to Wings Mills.  Last year it was a very exciting ride with police standoffs, swat teams, emergency road closures - very festive with all the flashing lights. Who knows what this year's end-of-the-year ride will bring?  Note: if it brings any rain or snow, we will cancel.  Hope to see you there, and if not, Happy Holidays!

Saturday, December 15th - MANCHESTER

"Lakeside Yuletide" - a late season tour from Manchester to Wings Mills.

START:  10:30 AM, at the Manchester Elementary School parking lot on Rt. 17, near the junction of Rt. 17 & Rt. 202.  The school is on the left just after you turn off Rt. 202 onto Rt. 17 West.

DISTANCE: 19 or 23 miles.

TERRAIN:  moderate, with one long hill.

HIGHLIGHTS:  We'll ride past Lakeside Orchards over back roads along some streams in and out of Wings Mills and take in some December hilltop views.

LEADER:  Jim Merrick, hjmerrick@gmail.com, 293-3784.

LINK to ROUTE MAP: https://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=6761462