Needed a ride that's close to 50 miles to verify I can ride the Three Creek (Half a) Century next week, but with a sudden onset of fall (low in the 40s and the high was gonna be ... 70??) felt like going north to ride (in Frederick County) was maybe not a good idea. Soooo instead went south, where it was at least 5 degrees warmer and a lot closer. Turns out it was the right call. Temps were quite comfortable; only one shirt was required despite chilly WNW wind. Ride combined several parts of routes we've done over the years -- the W&OD/Custis loop; Beach Drive; Q St across town; the Metropolitan Branch Trail and of course the route through Mt Ranier to get to the Sligo Creek/Northwest Branch complex. Unexpected and unpleasant detour just before Mile 11 when the upper end of Ohio Drive was closed. Found a way around it but that involved traffic and riding the wrong way on a one-way drive. Body felt great. Legs felt strong the whole ride. Made two stops -- one at 1 hour in and a second a little after 2 hours and both were excellent decisions. Could easily have done more miles. Contact points were good, because of the breaks, seemed like. w/Dan