March Encore!

It is nearly spring, and the oatmeal land could hide a deer or a Weimereiner relaxing in the warm dormant grass anticipating Spring. In March, our senses are magnetized with anticipation of the coming season. The pull to get outdoors is irresistible.

Here’s a special 35 miler to jump-start your cycling season. Unless you’ve put some miles under your legs, you may want to stay out of the big chain ring for the first 20 miles.

Our preference would be to stop at Karen’s in Stockton for lunch beforehand then hop on and head west on Front Avenue to Golf Road. Follow that south to Center Road which will take you west over to Massbach Road. Continue south to the next stop sign where Massbach turns right and west up your first climb.

Once over, you’ll find a couple of nice rollers as Massbach Road begins to head southwest along the preeminent scenic ridgeline in the Upper Left. Enjoy the open country as you head over to Bethel Road, then turn right and scream down Bethel into the valley which cradles Rush Creek.

Later in the season, you may be tempted to loop back up to Massbach Ridge on Gras Road, but this is March and no time for madness. So exercise patience, because our next climb is just ahead, as Bethel Road rises up to meet Brown Road and a big view of Terrapin Ridge.

Continue on Bethel down across Little Rush Creek towards another long climb up to Terrapin Ridge. At the stop sign, you’ll find Derinda Road as it intersects with US Route 20. Turn left, and ride south on Derinda Road. You’re heading over three long grades averaging about 9%. This is March and a perfect opportunity to build up your climbing legs and enjoy the smooth tarmac and wide rolling khaki hills wooded in sepia and burnt umber.

This time of year, you ride in the leafless trees full of light and the land beyond. From April through October, Derinda is among a favorite Upper Left road for folks with big bellowing “V-twin” chromatics between their legs. But we leg propelled have merely to endure a steady hiss of the warm southern wind in our ears.

Derinda Road becomes Ridge Road at a junction where we turn left over to Massbach. At last, the wind is in our sails as we turn left and head back along Massbach Ridge to Stockton. If you need to fill a water bottle, stop at the winery, and marvel that Peggy Harmston can turn water into Ridge Red.