Wilderness Campaign 200K ACP Brevet

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See the fancy title I used for this ride?  I can do this because I am now officially a Randonneur and entitled to use the arcane acronyms of this exclusive club.  Here’s how it happened:

Pre-ride bicycle prep and registration

We gathered at the Caribou Coffee in Bristow to register, pick up our control sheets (more on that later), prep our bikes and grab a bite to eat before setting out.  I do not like coffee – a distinct problem when traveling with the cycling set – but mercifully the store offered juices as well.  I was very pleased to meet so many friendly people who introduced themselves and chatted about the club.  I was pleased to see John pull up with his Surly and I feel it necessary to report to anyone hoping to find him on the street that he is regrowing his beard.  Without his bike, I doubt I would have recognized him.

The Grand Depart

At the appointed hour of 7:00 AM, we gathered in front of the store and were given some pre-race (technically, this was a race) instructions.  There were about forty riders total, which I learned later was a good-sized group.  With the administrative portion dispensed with, we were off into the pre-dawn fog, accompanied by a few shouts of, “Allez!”

I immediately noticed a difference in these cyclists in that they followed the rules of the road.  I was beginning to see the difference between the “open” organized rides I have been on and a club ride.  Firstly, people take an interest in you and welcome you into the group.  Secondly, people are held accountable for following the group’s rules.  Both were positive changes, in my view.

We zipped along on roads I know very well from my weekend jaunts.  We passed through Nokesville and headed southward into Fauquier County.  There was a significant mist to the morning and this was especially troublesome for those who wore glasses.  I chatted with a few riders while the pack moved along at 20 mph.  Eventually, the sun began to peek  through the morning clouds and I could tell it was going to be a very warm day.  For now, though, my vest and arm warmers were very welcome.

Early morning paceline

At Midland Road (Mile 22) I made my first mistake.  Our merry band broke up as a few cyclists peeled off to duck into a convenience store.  I was in a group behind this break and we slowed to make sure nothing unfortunate happened.  Then the four riders I was with decided they didn’t want to try to catch the lead group.  Then I decided to try to bridge the gap by myself.  That was my mistake.

I sprinted very hard and actually closed about half the distance for a brief while, but I never reached the back end of the group.  After two miles of sprinting, the pack had disappeared down the road.  I was now by myself with nothing to show for my rather significant effort.  I learned once again that bad things happen to people at the back of groups and if you really want to stay part of a pack, stick near the front.

After crossing the Rapidan River and entering Culpeper County, I had some hills to climb.  Fortunately, I was aware of this fact in advance and had steeled myself for the chore.  On the whole, this was a very flat ride with “only” 4,400 feet of climbing over 130 miles.  This area was the most challenging of the day and I put my head down and got it over with as best as I could.  Occasionally, I would happen across a rider or get passed by someone, but this 20 mile stretch was largely a solitary affair for me.  My glorious 18.2 mph average pace was now closer to 15 mph.

Puttering south of Rte 3, near the first control

When I reached Route 3 – a busy highway connecting Fredericksburg and Culpeper – the group of four that I left on Midland Road reeled me back in.  One of the riders was a man named Jim, who was riding a recumbent bicycle at a very impressive pace.  I don’t know a great deal about recumbents, but in my experience they don’t zip along for 40 miles at 16+ mph.

At Mile 42, I ate my first bug of the year.

Putting a bag on your carbon is a bit like putting a trailer hitch on your corvette, but it worked for me.

When we pulled into our first “control” at Mile 48, I was ready for a break.  It was warming up and it was time to shed some layers.  I also needed to wipe my sunglasses, which I had stowed on my helmet in the manner of cool roadies everywhere and thus accumulated a great amount of moisture during the morning fog.  At a control, it is also necessary to get the proprietor to sign your “control sheet,” thus proving you actually made it to the designated point within the alloted time.  In return for this favor, it is customary to purchase some items, which I was happy to do.  We took a brief break at some picnic tables, arranging our cue sheets to depict the next leg of the trip, swapped a few stories, and built up some energy.  It was here that I met Ed, the “other half” of Mary’s cycling tandem at Chasing Mailboxes.  Sadly, Mary was not present today and Ed was on a more traditional machine.

Saunders Field - "The regiment melted away like snow. Men disappeared as if the earth had swallowed them."
- Captain Porter Parley, 140th NY Infantry

It was only a few miles from the control to our first battlefield – The Wilderness.  Fought in May, 1864, this was a particularly brutal affair fought mostly in close quarters due to the difficult wooded terrain.  To get to the battle, the Federal Army marched over the old Chancellorsville Battlefield and discovered many skulls and other bones that had been dug up by animals or exposed by erosion.  During the battle, the brush was accidentally set on fire and hundreds of wounded who could not escape were burned alive.  It was nasty stuff, and I felt compelled to stop at several of the markers to learn more.  This did not help my overall time but it did make the ride more enjoyable for me.

Where Longstreet fell

After The Wilderness, it was off to Spotsylvania and the second battlefield of the day.  This battle was fought about a week after the Wilderness, as the Federals tried once again to get between the Confederate Army and Richmond.  Before reaching the battlefield, I stopped at a site commemorating the accidental wounding of James Longstreet by his own men, which occurred at the end of the The Wilderness and almost exactly one year to the day from when Stonewall Jackson was killed by his own troops about 1o miles from this location.

Sedgwick's Monument

While puttering about a monument to the mortal wounding of Union General Sedgwick (Commander, 6th Corps) at Spotsylvania, a rider named Chris pulled up to ask if I was ok.  Chris and I had chatted earlier in the ride and seemed interested in the history I had to relate (or at least he was very polite about my ramblings).  We rode together to the “information control,” a place on the battlefield where we had to answer a question to prove we were there.  Jim joined us on his recumbent and we eventually came across the site – a question about the Mule Shoe Salient which the Federals attacked.  I already knew the answer to the question, but dutifully waited until arriving at the marker in question before filling out my control sheet.

Riding behind Jim into Spotsylvania

Jim, Chris, and I pulled into Spotsylvania a little before noon.  We had covered 69 miles in less than five hours.  Suddenly, finishing the ride in under ten hours seemed very possible.  The day was fantastic  and it felt like summer was in full swing despite it still being officially winter.  Spotsylvania was an “open control,” meaning we could pull in to any store in town and get our sheet signed.  We just needed to keep our receipt to prove we were there.  I carefully placed my receipt in the ziplock bag I was using to store my control sheet and credit card, then sat down to enjoy my convenience store lunch of a chicken sandwich and Gatorade.

The road to Chancellorsville

After lunch, we moved to the third and final battlefield of the day, Chancellorsville.  This was chronologically out of sequence from the first two, but there was nothing to be done about it.  Chancellorsville was fought a year before the other two battles and was the site of Robert E. Lee’s greatest victory.  I rode through the battlefield last September and you can learn more about it here.  We just dipped our figurative toes into this field in order to answer another information control question which I already knew the answer to “Question: What was the battlefield named after?  Answer: The Chancellor family home.”).  Since lunch was only forty minutes ago, this was a short stop and we were once again on the road, heading back to Kelly’s Ford over the Rapidan.

Chancellorsville information control

Hunting Run Reservoir

It was about here, at Mile 80, that things began to lose their luster for me.  I knew this would be the case; the battlefield tours were over and all that remained was getting back to the finish line.  And that was 50 miles away.  I also knew that the road we were on was hilly for the next seven or eight miles with little to catch the eye apart from a lovely drive past Hunting Run Reservoir.  There were five of us at the Chancellorsville Control, but shortly after restarting three of them were off in the distance.  I was left with the companionship of Chris, who happily discussed anything I was interested in talking about as we took on the hills in the increasingly hot day.  I am in Chris’ debt.

Chris at the Rapidan

We stopped for a rest break at the Rapidan Bridge, where I ate some Clif Shot Blocks.  These babies were absolutely key for me.  I ate a packet faithfully every hour – except for when I had already eaten at a control.  Every time I downed a packet, I felt much better for several miles.  It may be psychosomatic, but I don’t care.  It worked.

The Madone at the Rapidan

The final control - Mile 111

Shortly after leaving the bridge, Chris realized he hadn’t flipped his cue sheet and he stopped to do so.  I was going to stop with him, but he insisted I continue, saying he would catch up.  I didn’t like leaving him after he had faithfully stayed with me but he was insistent.  I was fairly certain he would be right back with me in a few miles.  I didn’t see Chris again until the final control at Mile 111 – the Handymart where I regularly stop on weekend rides.

I was pretty well spent at this point, but the level terrain and the fact I knew every nook and cranny of this part of the course greatly aided me.  I knew when to conserve my energy and when I could push things a bit.  I managed 16.2 mph pace on the last 19 miles, which was quite satisfying to me.  In Nokesville, I came across Barry, another cyclist completing his first-ever Brevet.  Barry’s from Frederick, MD, and I’ll most likely be heading up his way for the club’s Gettysburg 200K brevet this September.  Barry informs me that there are many more hills in his neck of the woods, a statement which I now have six months to ruminate on.

After Party

Barry and I pulled into the Caribou Coffee finish together with a finishing time of 9:40.  I never thought I would be able to go so quickly, especially given my dalliances at the battlefields, but the weather was fantastic and the fact I knew many of the roads was very helpful to me.  I signed and turned in my control sheet and enjoyed the nice after party, which consisted of pizza, sodas, cookies, fruit and other goodies.  It was a nice way to finish a great day.

I don’t think I’m ready to take on some of the more ambitious events of the DC Randonneurs, but I do know that I thoroughly enjoyed my time with the group and hope to join them again this September when they take on South Mountain and the battles of Gettysburg and Antietam.  Until then, Bon Route!

The Last Day Of Winter

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We’re setting the clocks forward tonight and the weather forecast for tomorrow and the next week is fantastic.  I have therefore officially declared today to be the last day of winter.  To commemorate the event, I set off for Fauquier County in the hopes of finding a route connecting Catlett to Nokesville without using the very busy Route 28.

After last weekend’s ride in DC and Thursday’s ride on the congested W&OD Trail, it was a joy to be out amongst the livestock.  The 40 degree temperature and a stiff headwind were less enjoyable, but the sun was shining and I knew this was the end of Winter.  “Do your worst!” I said to no one in particular, and fortunately no one heard me.  That would have been embarrassing.

The major industry of Catlett, VA

After 23 miles, I pedaled through the town of Catlett (population: 296) and crossed the infamous Route 28.  This is a major road which connects many of the southerly routes I like to take with Nokesville.  I was hoping to find a bypass to avoid cars traveling at 60 mph on a road with no shoulder and the map indicated Bruwell Road should suffice.

Bruwell Road

Bruwell Road did quite well.  It was lined with farms and almost no traffic to speak of.  A border collie gave me a pleasant chase (Fun Fact: border collies can run 17 mph over brief stretches) and the ride was enjoyable.  At least it was nice until the asphalt gave way to yet another dirt/gravel road.

Fortunately, this stretch was only about 1/2 mile long.  I apologized in advance to my tires and they came through brilliantly for me.  After that, it was a simple matter of turning my back to the wind and sailing home to complete a 50-mile circuit.

Good bye, Winter of 2011-2012.  You were exceptionally mild with almost no snow.  Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your generosity.

Just in case you haven't seen enough farm pictures, here is one which shows one of the more grand farms I passed today.

Nokesville

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The people have spoken.  I have heard your voices and have resolved to get new tires.  I expect to be able to provide a detailed report on the purchase, installation, and ride quality of these tires by next weekend.  In the meanwhile, I have called Old Ironsides into long distance service.

Well, at least it can be called “moderate distance,” if not “long distance.”

A rare action shot of Old Ironsides

Yesterday’s weather was once again fantastic, with temperatures soaring into the upper 60s.  There was a stiff breeze, but that was of little consequence when matched with the springlike temperature.  I probably would have plotted a 50 mile route for the Trek, but with Old Ironsides I  cut the distance back to 36 miles.  In the end, pushing the hybrid that distance felt a bit like 50 miles anyway.  For my objective, I chose some pleasant country lanes east of Nokesville that I haven’t been on in several weeks and set off.

Rocking the arm warmers

The mild temperatures allowed me to try out my very first set of arm warmers, a Christmas present from a friend who is trying to help me round out my cycling wardrobe.  They are made by Garneaux, the same Canadian company that makes my shoe covers.  Like the shoe covers, these arm warmers did a great job.  I find myself becoming a fan of Garneaux, despite their suspicious French name.  I felt a little silly, being decked out in proper cycling kit all the way to my ankles, whereupon the studious observer would note that I was wearing sneakers.  Oh yeah, I was riding a hybrid.  It was definitely an odd combination.

A momentary break in the country

After traversing the bike path on Rte 234, then navigating the busy Aden Road (much of it with no shoulder), I arrived at those pleasant country lanes.  It takes me 11 miles to get there, which once again makes me wonder why I don’t simply drive there more often and start my ride at the place where I enjoy it.  Purists (especially those with a political agenda) will point out the silliness of driving so I can cycle and the adverse impact on the environment such a practice creates.  I’m not persuaded by this argument, but rather cannot be bothered to put my bike and rack on my truck and drive out there, then repeat the process on the return.  I rather like arriving in my driveway at the end of the ride and being done with the event.  When the chore of riding Aden Road outweighs the hassle of commuting to ride, then I’ll do it.

Horse farm on Parkgate Drive

The roads east of Nokesville were (as anticipated) quite nice.  They are dotted with horse and dairy farms and have very little traffic on them.  After pedaling about for 14 miles, I once again returned to Aden Road and made the journey home without event.  Having the wind at my back was a nice way to finish the ride.

So once again Old Ironsides proved its worth.  While not being up to the task of regular distance riding, it can come through in a pinch as it did yesterday.  It is also my regular choice for nighttime and family rides.  I’m pleased to have it in my two-bicycle stable.

Midland

The Reston Century is in two weeks and today was no day to ease off on the miles.  So I rolled out of my driveway at 9:45 AM into 85 degree temps and 85% humidity.  Good times.  I wanted to stretch my distance a bit and decided to make for the small town of Midland, about 30 miles away.

The road to Midland.

The map indicates there isn’t much to see in Midland and the map was right.  There is a small airport, the view of which is frustratingly blocked by roadside trees.  I had accepted the fact that there would be nothing of interest on this route and this would simply be a pleasant ride through rural Virginia when I came across a small park, built in honor of Supreme Court Justice John Marshall.

John Marshal Park

Marshal was the longest-serving Supreme Court Chief Justice and fundamentally shaped the role of the court and therefore the US government.  He was born in this area in 1755.  His home is gone but there is a stone pyramid which marks the site, one half a mile down a nature trail which starts at the park.  The park itself is rather simple, with a parking lot for five cars and a couple of markers describing the site and Marshal’s contributions to the republic.  I didn’t travel down the path as it didn’t seem conducive to 23mm tires.  I was quickly on my way again to the heavily traveled Route 28 and a favorable tailwind for the next 12 miles.

In short order, I found myself back in Nokesville, then Bristow, then back home.  I focused on keeping my heart rate down early in the ride and eating something every 30 minutes.  This paid off as I had plenty of energy towards the end of the trip, even with temps well over 100 degrees.    I wish I placed equal emphasis on applying sunscreen.  Inexplicably, I neglected to use any on this trip and as I type these words I am regretting that decision.

Historical Marker Segment!

I was hopeful that I would find markers on Route 28, which is an older (pre-Civil War) road with ample opportunities for something historical on its path.  I wasn’t disappointed.  The first marker can be found outside Calverton, the first town north of Midland.  In keeping with the decidedly Southern perspective on these markers, the Confederates are mentioned in a positive light, even when they lose, as Mosby did at this place in 1863.  As a New Yorker, I was happy to learn the 5th NY Cavalry played a role in his demise on that day.  Since the sign won’t tell you, I am pleased to inform you that the 5th NY was commanded by Colonel John Hammond of Crown Point, NY.

The next town northward is Catlett and it is here we can find another Civil War marker.  This time, Mosby is the victor.  As a raider, he tended to run away when things got too hot, but that was his job so we won’t fault him for that.

The final marker was an interesting design.  Normally, these markers have the same writing on both sides.  However the marker at the county line has a different version on each side – one for Fauquier County and one for Prince William County.  As you can see, the Prince William side is in need of some gardening.  This is the first time I’ve come across a marker that couldn’t be read.

A Pleasant Summer’s Ride

There’s nothing terribly exciting to report today, I’m afraid.  I went on a pleasant 41-mile ride under blue skies, light wind, and warm (but not oppressive) summer temperatures.  As difficult cycling is in January, today was enjoyable.  I traveled westward on Aden Road, past the outer portion of Quantico Marine Base, and made my way to Nokesville with a slight detour to travel down Carriage Ford Road, one of my favorite stretches of road in the area.

Horses along Carriage Ford Road

Pit Stop

When I pulled into Nokesville, I did have a touch of drama when I noticed the shoppette where I was hoping to buy some Gatorade at wasn’t open yet.  After a moment’s frustration, I recalled there was a 7-11 around the corner.  Despite the fact the franchise name is based on its original hours of operation, I knew they were now open 24×7.  This store was especially nice.  When I came up a few pennies short, the cashier graciously told me I could keep my purchase if I promised to come back again.  He was serious about keeping my Gatorade but joking about the requirement to revisit.  All the same, the Nokesville 7-11 is now my preferred stopping point in Nokesville.

Having refueled, I struck out west toward Bristow on a road which took me to an Iron Bridge which I always enjoy.  It’s one lane wide and covered with wooden planks – an interesting throw-back in this part of the world.

Iron Bridge

The rest of my trip was uneventful.  Because I took a break and I wasn’t trying to set any speed records, I had plenty of energy for the hills on Bristow Road.  Hills are increasingly on my mind as I expect to see plenty of them on my August and September century rides.

A Ride Where Absolutely Nothing Of Interest Occurred Whatsoever

Armed with my new spoke and a still probably-stretched chain, I enjoyed a 35 mile ride today in which nothing broke, no inclement weather occurred, no cars beeped at me, no near-fatal events took place, and no sites worthy of mention were passed.  It was just a good ride on a nice day.

The Road South of Nokesville

The weather was nice and hot – almost too hot for joggers.  Fortunately, I was able to follow  Cherrie’s advice and “make my own breeze.”  I tried 2×20 interval workout recommended by Russell and it went fairly well, at least until 17 minutes into the second interval when my cell phone rang.  I hate not answering it because I rarely get trivial calls.  It turns out it was my office with a problem, which I handled by telling them to ignore it.  Unfortunately, this took several minutes, so the “sprint” aspect of the interval was lost.  I pedaled onward and simply enjoyed the day.

Bristow Manor

The most exciting place I passed was Bristow Manor Golf Club.  The main building appears to be a former estate, although there are no signs explaining the history of the property.  Chairs were arrayed on the front lawn and workers were busily preparing for some sort of event, probably a wedding.  It looks like a nice place, but much of the grounds are cleverly kept from view by bushes and trees along the roadside.  It wouldn’t be proper for the commoners to get glimpses for free, would it?

And that wraps it up.  I was very happy to not have another mechanical malfunction.  If this were last summer and I was riding my Crosstrail, I would certainly have had one.  I returned home in fine form, grateful for the arrival of warm weather and for a bicycle that breaks only occasionally.

Post Cards From Warrenton

Happy Easter, everybody!  Today’s weather was textbook Easter – blue skies, sunny, and warm.  It was the sort of day one finds on post cards.  I decided to take advantage by pedaling over to Warrenton and taking a few (hopefully) post card-worthy pictures.

Oh yeah – my route was 70 miles long, farther than I’ve ever gone before.  With my first-ever century now 13 days away, I thought I should press the envelope a bit to get ready.  I’m glad I did as I learned a few lessons about riding these sorts of distances, namely take your time and have a good nutrition strategy.  I’ve done plenty of reading but it is always nice to see what works for you.

                                         The Road West Of Nokesville

After passing through Nokesville I was into unfamiliar territory, The Land West of Route 28.  The terrain is rolling and dotted with horse farms and “regular farms.”  After crossing the Dumfries Road, I came across three historical markers near Cedar Run, two of which feature a gentleman named George Neavil, who lived in the area in the 1700s.  Mr. Neavil operated a mill and something called an “ordinary.”  The mill survives and was operational until 1932.  It is now an historic site.  I had no idea what an “ordinary” was and the marker was unhelpful in explaining it, although it did mention that George Washington stopped by one day in 1748.  I thus had 40+ miles to ponder its meaning.  A quick check upon my return home informed me that it is a British term for a hotel.  That’s not exactly common knowledge in Virginia, and I’m surprised the marker’s authors couldn’t be bothered to explain it.

                                                              Neavil’s Mill

 

Onward I went into Warrenton, which you may be interested to know sits on elevation approximately 400 feet higher than that of my house.  You can see the hill clearly in my Garmin data.  Fortunately, I was taking my time and the wind was at my back, so the hill was no bother at all.  The last bit of the route is the Warrenton Green Branch Trail, a paved-over railroad bed that last year’s Great Pumpkin Ride started and finished on.

 

                            The Terminus of the Trail, Complete With Caboose

Once off the trail, I was in downtown Warrenton, such as it is.  It’s a small town and a highway bypass has driven many of the local shops out of business.   Still, the original county seat is there as is the Warren Green Hotel, whose claim to fame seems to be that General George McClellan said goodbye to his officers from the location in 1862, having been recently fired by Abraham Lincoln.

              The Former Warren Green Hotel (Now An Office Building)

                                                  The Original Court House

After 34 miles, it was time for my mid-ride break.  Now, a proper cyclist would take his break at an outdoor cafe, enjoying a cup of espresso.  Sadly, there were no outdoor cafes in sight and I don’t like coffee.  The Subway sandwich shop was my goal and I was disconcerted to learn it was closed for Easter.  I made my way to the highway bypass and quickly spotted a McDonalds.  Perfect.

Having dined on some of the finest fast food in Warrenton, I began the return journey, which would take me on a different route home through the village of Catlett.  The breeze was now against me but I was enjoying the downhill route for eight miles.  Then the downhill stopped, but the wind continued.  Life was less fun at this point.  Still, the views were great and I was enjoying the heat that was building up – the thermometer informed me it was well above 80 at this point.

                                               The View West of Catlett

At Catlett, I crossed over Rte 28 and once again entered what I consider to be my “neck of the woods,” so to speak.  At this point, I had covered almost 50 miles, the last 15 of which were against the wind.  I had been pushing myself too hard – I guess I was acting like one of the horses I had been passing all day and was “smelling the barn” as I drew closer to home.  I used up the last of my Gatorade and was left with luke warm water.  At Mile 58 I pulled into a country store and bought some cold Gatorade.  This was a wise decision and it made the rest of my trip tolerable. 

I made it home in fair shape, though it must be said another 30 miles would have been challenging for me.  I did a decent job at pacing and nutrition, but I’ll have to do even better in two weeks.  Something to contemplate as the Cap2Cap Century draws near.

Finally, I will leave you with one last post card, in commemoration of Easter:

                                           Cedar Run Episcopal Church

 

Historical Marker Segment!

There were a great many markers today, including two dedicated to Mr. Neavil’s ordinary and mill.

                                                                  The Ordinary

                                                                      The Mill

Nearby, we learn that Confederate General Jeb Stuart found himself in a predicament at this location in October, 1863.  He cleverly attacked the Federals as they made their morning coffee (is nothing off-limits anymore?) and successfully escaped their clutches.

                                                      The Battle of Coffee Hill

And, of course, the location of Stuart’s bivouac the night prior is worthy of remembrance as well.

                            Stuart’s Bivouac – About 1/2 Mile From Coffee Hill

In Warrenton, the “Historic District” has several markers, including this one near the Warren Green Hotel.

                                                                The Warren Green

And finally, there is this marker, located next to Warrenton’s original Court House.

No Particular Place To Go

Rte 234 under leaden skies.

My apologies to any offended cycling enthusiasts for titling this post after a song which celebrates America’s love affair with the automobile, but it seemed appropriate for today’s ride.  The skies were cloudy and the temperature remained frustratingly  cool, so I didn’t embark on any great adventure.  I just puttered around the Nokesville area, which I am getting to know quite well.

Brentsville Court House

My first stop was Brentsville, where I checked in on the old County Court.  Built in 1822, this was the 4th county seat of Prince William County.  The building is rumored to be haunted and the TV show Ghost Hunters filmed an episode here in 2009.  They didn’t find any ghosts then and I once again failed to notice any on this morning’s trip.  In 1890, the county moved its seat to Manassas, which was rapidly expanding due to the railroad intersection near the town.  Brentsville’s significance began to fade and today the town has only 2,400 inhabitants.

Hay was for sale, but I wasn't in the market

After Brentsville, I wandered through farm and horse country.  This is always a pleasant ride, even on a drab day.  I then passed through Bristow and briefly got on to Rte 28.  This road is an accident waiting to happen with very heavy traffic moving at high speeds and little shoulder.  Unfortunately, there are few options if you want to get to Nokesville from this area and that is what I intended to do.  I once again cheated death and moved back onto country roads.

It was at this point that I saw the ostrich.

A prime specimen of the great Northern VA Ostrich Herd

To say he (or she?) was out of place would be an understatement.  I cannot imagine why someone would want to raise ostriches, but clearly at least one person thought it would be a good idea.  He enjoyed my company and walked back and forth in front of me, no doubt looking for a handout.  I patiently explained to the bird that I don’t share my ride snacks with anyone.  I don’t think he understood my point.  In any event, I pressed on and crossed over an iron bridge on the outskirts of Nokesville.

The view from the bridge

Just another Virginia cottage

Pedaling through Nokesville, I began to notice a lot of cyclists on the road.  There were a few groups of three or four riders and several people riding solo.  It looks like people are gearing up for the summer cycling season, despite the weather.  I carried on to Carriage Ford Road on the west side of Nokesville, and took in some views of the mansions masquerading as horse farms.

And with that, it was time to once again traverse the hills on Aden Road and find my way home.  In honor of my blogging friend, Rev Rider, I am pleased to report I found one banana peel on today’s ride.  Here’s hoping this is one of the last cool/cold rides of the Spring.  There’s reason for optimism; as I type these words the sun has broken out and the day has turned quite lovely.  If you’ll excuse me, I think I will take a nap on my back deck.

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Vint Hill Farms

25 years ago when I was a junior officer, I would hear stories about a great post near Washington, DC, called Vint Hill Farms.  I was told that if I could ever swing an assignment there, I should do so as it was a great location.   As events unfolded, that opportunity never presented itself and the base closed in 1997 as part of the U.S. Department of Defense’s Base Realignment Commission.  The base is now under the control of a development authority working for Fauquier County.  I was looking for a longer ride today, so I set off to make the 25 mile journey to see what the fuss was about.    Temperatures were 25 degrees colder than my ride just two days ago and cold weather gear was once again in order.

Greenville Presbyterian

Before reaching the base, I came across the unincorporated village of Greenville and stopped to pereuse some historical markers by the Greenville First Presbyterian Church.  Greenville (so the signs tell me) was originally named Greenwich, after Charles Green, a Briton who built a home in 1855 and a few years later donated it for use as a church.  During the Civil War, Mr. Green asserted his neutrality by flying the Union Jack over the church and claiming the land to be part of the UK.  Despite his rather dubious legal claim, the scheme seemed to work as both sides of the conflict respected Green’s wishes.  In turn, the church provided aid and comfort to wounded from both armies. 

EDIT:  The British flag is properly called the Union Flag.  The Union Jack monicker is appropriate only when the flag is flown from a ship.  Many thanks to Clive Chapman for the correction!

There is a second British connection to this land.  In 1778, British soldiers and Hessian mercenaries marched by this place on their way from Saratoga, NY, to Charleston, SC, as prisoners of war.  Saratoga was a major turning point in the revolution and it was at the time the largest British army to ever surrender (it would remain so until the Battle of Gallipoli in 1918).  Saratoga is an exceptionally long way from Northern Virginia, as is Charleston.  I would not have wanted to be part of that march…

Welcome Sign

Having taken in the history of Greenville, I pressed on another three miles to Vint Hill, where I immediately noticed signs of an old military base.  The abandoned barracks are clearly visible from the road and the odd cement island at the community entrance belied the former presence of a security gate.  I pedaled around and quickly found the barracks.  They were just down the road from the Vint Hill Inn, which displayed a no vacancy sign despite obvious signs of abandonment.  It was a little sad to see these buildings in such a state of disrepair.  Servicemen and women once lived here, doing important work for the nation.

The Barn

Vint Hill Farms got its start during WWII, when an enterprising signals intelligence analyst dangled a wire from a dairy barn and began intercepting German military and diplomatic cables.  Eventually, wires would spread over several hundred acres.  As the years passed, these wires gave way to advanced radio intercept antennae, targeted against the Soviet Union.  When the base closed in 1997, over 2,600 employees worked at the facility.  It felt odd to be pedaling about on a quiet Sunday morning on what was clearly once a bustling base.  I passed the old library, base theater, and post exchange – all abandoned.

Building available for lease

The development authority is trying to lease out these old buildings (there are signs announcing their availability all over the place) but it doesn’t appear they are having a great deal of success.  They are doing a much better job of leasing land to companies and letting them build brand new facilities for their use.  The effect is jarring – brand new office buildings just a few hundred yards from the abandoned part of the base.

The Inn At Vint Hill

One old building that seems to be doing quite well is the Inn At Vint Hill.  This 19th Century home previously served as the base club and now serves as a ”full service special events facility, featuring a perfect private location, scenic beauty and casually sophisticated cuisine,” as its website describes.  On this day, the inn appeared to be hosting a coat-and-tie affair for several dozen people.  They all were quite happy and seemed to be thoroughly enjoying themselves.  Very nice.

And with that, I concluded I had spent enough time touring and needed to get home.  It was cold and windy as I pedaled through Nokesville but I got back in pretty good shape.  The long-range forecast has the cooler temperatures remaining, so I guess it’s not quite time to put my cold weather gear into storage.

Historical Marker Segment!

Below is the story of the captured British and Hessians, still a very long way from their destination.

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And here we learn of the boyhood home of Richard Ewell, a Confederate General of some repute.  The fact that he was raised in the area actually has some relevance as his knowledge of local terrain allowed him to move on secondary roads while another Confederate Corps moved on the main road (which I was cycling on today).  Sadly for the Confederate’s, Ewell’s knowledge of the area road network was not equalled by his ability to command men in battle.  His side was routed at the Battle of Bristoe Station, which readers may remember from a previous post.

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And finally, I found this one near Vint Hill Farms – it was certainly a bumper crop of markers today!  It describes an engagement between Confederate Colonel John Mosby and the 5th NY Cavalry, aided by Vermonters and Michigan lads.  Despite losing more men and the prized howitzer he had stolen earlier, the marker somehow depicts Mosby as being something of a hero in this engagement.

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New Years Cycling Checklist

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1.  Reset blog odometer to zero. 

Check!

2.  Get on bike. 

Check!

3.  Pedal. 

Check!

New Years Day brought the warmest weather we’ve seen in six weeks.  With temps in the mid-50s, I only had to don about HALF my cold weather gear, which was great.  I got in a 43-mile ride which took me to the far (Western) side of Nokesville Road.  Only four of the miles in that area were new to me and there wasn’t much to report, other than construction of the yet-to-be-named Prince William County High School #11 appears to be almost complete.  I sampled two new (for me) Clif Bars – Carrot Cake and Blueberry – and both were quite tasty.  It’s hard for me to miss with a Clif Bar. While riding through the small town of Nokesville, I was treated to a rendition of Ave Maria from the town’s church bells.  Very nice. 

Lest anyone think that it was "balmy," please note that the creeks are still frozen

There were a lot of cyclists on the roads today.  I counted 14, which is a large number, even for a summer’s day.  As I passed a couple on Aden Road, we congratulated ourselves for cycling every day in 2011.  If I can keep this rate up, I’ll log 15,695 miles this year!  Somehow, I don’t think I’ll reach that mark.

The Trek, standing amongst the salt on a bridge over a frozen creek

 

Virginia Historical Marker Segment!

While pedaling by the Bristoe Battlefield, I spied these two markers which I had not noticed before.  A couple of things caught my eye.  First, the markers were erected nine years apart and you can see the difference in weathering between the two.  Second, I have no idea why the place of the battle is “Bristoe Station” when the town is presently known as “Bristow.”  Very strange.  Those with an exceptional memory will recall my first post on this battlefield, where I mention a local housing contractor is refurbishing things.  The latest example of this effort is the wooden plank fence  located behind the signs.  These fences are obligatory at every Civil War battlefield.  I’m looking forward to visiting again in the summer and seeing what other improvements have been made.

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