The Weekend

On Memorial Day Weekend, 2005 - Twenty-five people from the Mid-Atlantic region gathered for a weekend of fun, frolicking, and of course cycling in Smoketown, Pennsylvania - the heart of "Amish Country". We stayed at the Mill Stream Country Inn on Route 896, named appropriately as it is adjacent to a small quiet stream below a real farm. Once again, the amazing Tom Burns organized the weekend including lodging, meals, and rides. And OH those rides . . .

The Rides

As usual, the rides were glorious. We cycled on long winding roads, through farm lands, under covered bridges, next to running streams, and up steep hills. At times we encountered more animals, tractors and buggies than cars or people. Thanks again to Tom for all his careful, thoughtful, and time-consuming planning. (We will forgive you for the bathroom "snafu" at Monday's first rest stop)

The weather was quite pleasant during the weekend; cool mornings gave way to sunny, warm afternoons. But who will ever forget our Saturday afternoon thunderstorm in which the temperature seemed to drop 20 degrees and the rain came down upon us in buckets. Some of us rode through it, some waited under porches, and some found a ride home. We were cold, wet, and dirty but still managed to laugh about the experience, which we know is just part of the sport. That afternoon may go down in "cycling lore" and in years to come (after much retelling) the thunderstorm will become a hurricane and the temperature will have dipped below freezing.

Tom's routes took us to all parts of Lancaster County and even to Chester and Berks Counties. We rode in towns such as Columbia, Quarryville, Conestoga, Christiana, and Strasburg. We saw clock and railroad museums. Too numerous were the covered bridges, mills and Amish schoolhouses.

The People

As I wrote on the Spring Lake web site, the riding is spectacular, the scenery is amazing, but it is the people you meet which make these weekends memorable. Each time we gather I learn a few more interesting details about my cycling buddies, which just increases my respect and fondness for each of you.

We never know what twists and turns life will throw at us in the next few months. I hope each of you stays well and happy. I wish you many miles of safe, fun, and scenic riding. A special "Good Luck" to Chuck & Christa on their upcoming trip to Niagra Falls. Phillip and I planned an August biking vacation to the Northeast section of Vermont. You know I'll send along some photos!

See you in September at Shippensburg!!