2009 Spring Thaw Eastern Tandem Rally.

Best Western Motor Inn, 1228 S Talbot St., St Michaels, MD 21663.

(410) 745-3333

Thursday, April 16 to Sunday, April 19, 2009

Four days of riding: no hills, sparse traffic, wide shoulders, many roads near the water.

WHY YOU MUST GET YOUR RESERVATIONS EARLY: We have obtained a block of discounted rooms at locations in St Michaels and Easton. We expect the 82 rooms reserved at Best Western, the rally headquarters, to fill up quickly. Less expensive block rates have been obtained in Easton (12 miles away). Rates are likely to be raised for everyone applying after March 15, 2009.

Tandem couples can reserve rooms at Best Western now. Call the Motel (410-745-3333) and say you are registering for the Tandem Rally. We will be accepting entries from single bike riders as this is a joint event with Potomac Pedalers Touring Club. Last year we filled all rooms at Best Western by mid February and had 185 riders. This combined event should attract many more riders this year.

PLEASE EMAIL : bikespringthaw@gmail.com. To receive emails listing latest updates on hotels and events , cue sheets with detailed maps of all scheduled rides.

Get reservations now as prices are guaranteed until March 15, 2009. Minimum stay is Friday and Saturday night. Option to extend to four nights at guranteed rates. Rates at Best Western are lower on Wednesday & Thursday.

ST MICHAELS HEADQUARTERS: Best Western Motor Inn, 82 rooms. 1228 S Talbot St., St Michaels, MD 21663. (410) 745-3333. Wed, Thu $100; Fri, Sat $130 (special reduced rate including taxes).

Easton: 12 miles away

DAYS INN: 80 rooms 7018 Ocean Gateway Easton, MD 21601 410-822-4600. 69.75 plus 10% tax. special rate

ECONO LODGE 48 rooms 8175 Ocean Gateway Easton, MD 21601-7145 (410) 820-5555 $75 plus 10% tax special rate

DRIVING TIMES TO ST MICHAELS, MD: Philadelphia 2.5 hrs, Washington 1.3 hrs, N Y 4 hrs, Baltimore-Washington Airport 1.5 hrs. Raleigh NC 5.5 hrs, Wilmington, DE 1.6 hrs, Boston, MA 6 hrs, Virginia Beach 4.2 hrs, Richmond, VA 3.4 hrs, Cleveland, OH 7.5 hrs, Pittsburgh, PA 5.5 hrs, Charleston, SC 9.5 hrs.

Ride Schedule

Thursday: 10, 20, 30, 40+ mi from Best Western to 350 year-old home on Jamaica Pt.

Friday: 24 miles in Blackwater Wildlife Preserve: or 48 miles from Blackwater to Hooper's Island and back to Blackwater. (few cars, few turns, no lights, wide shoulders). Late arrivals can do a short local ride in St. Michaels.

Saturday: 10 to 66 miles (riders can go back to Best Western and pick up their cars to shorten the route any time that they want. Best Western to Pickering Wildlife Center, to 100-Acre estate on the water and boat rides, to the Oxford Ferry, to Sam's Pizza for Lunch, to the duPont Wildlife preserve (boating and canoeing), to the Chesapeake Maritime Museum, to Best Western.

Sunday: 26 and 36 mile ride to Tilghman Island. Mass Start. Few cars, no turns, no traffic lights, very wide shoulders. Out-and- back.

Planned events

The Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum will provide a taste of the food, culture and history of a waterfront community. Visits to the Jean Ellen duPont/ Sheehan Audubon, Pickering Wildlife Sanctuaries, tour Blackwater Wildlife Refuge and wetlands restoration in St Michaels. Catered lunch during the ride on Saturday, Saturday night dinner, ice cream social and wine and cheese.

For information updates and registration, send email address to bikespringthaw@gmail.com