Outdoor Vineyard Visits

If you love musicians who can tell a story, lift a room, and make you feel like you’ve known them forever, come meet Mark Rust. Jessica first heard him in a college coffeehouse in Troy, NY decades ago — now he’s bringing that same magic to our house concert series.
Mark Rust sings with strength and clarity, accompanying himself on guitar, piano, banjo, fiddle, mountain and hammered dulcimer. His charismatic personality combined with a delightful blend of wit and humor, creates a clear and consistent image of the world as he wants it to be. His love for his audience is genuinely conveyed and immediately returned. Mark captivates his audience and quickly makes them an integral part of the performance, and in that moment, they become his family.
Yet, the songs, the voice, and the instruments, are still not the whole story. Mark infuses his concerts with an infectious sense of fun as he shares his down-home anecdotes and humorous stories. In the end, you have been treated to a voyage through your own experiences during an evening that is both memorable and moving. His music will touch your heart and leave you laughing.
Come make friends at our dessert and drink potluck! Please bring a dessert or beverage to share!
Details with our address and other info will be sent to you before June 6th.
Doors open at 7:00 pm. Music will begin ~7:45 pm.
We kindly ask you leave your shoes at the door. Wear your craziest socks to win a prize! Boring socks are...boring! :)
Suggested donation: $25-30/person (100% of all contributions are given directly to the musician) (Cash or Venmo)
More about Mark:
Mark Rust comes from a musical family. His grandmother immigrated to America in the 1920's, and later opened a nightclub called "Swiss Trudy's." Everyone in the family performed in the musical acts. As Mark grew, he joined the family’s entertainment. Over the next many years, the Rust family traveled and performed widely at concerts and festivals.
Mark has become a versatile performer on a variety of instruments. He possesses solid proficiency on guitar, piano, banjo, fiddle, mountain dulcimer, and hammered dulcimer.

Let's earn this afternoon's wine at The Barns at Hamilton Station with an easy paced bike ride along the W&OD Trail between Hamilton, Purcellville, and Clarks Gap. Since this will be Outdoor Vineyard Visits' first bike ride, we'll be keeping things casual and easy. Starting at the W&OD trail at Hamilton Station Rd, we'll begin with a 7.6 mile out-and-back to the end of the trail in Purcellville. For those that want more, we'll then head east to Clarks Gap for a total of twelve miles. If this pre-winery bike ride goes well, we'll look into doing more in the future including longer & more challenging rides. But today's ride is just for the fun of getting some easy miles in before joining the group up the road at The Barns. (Separate sign up here: https://www.meetup.com/outdoor-vineyard-visits/events/314870488/)

PLEASE READ ALL THE DETAILS!
Date: Saturday June 13
Pre-Ride Prep: 10:45 am
Pedaling Time: 11:00 am!!
Start Location: Where the W&OD crosses Hamilton Station Rd
Start GPS: https://maps.app.goo.gl/c2fPJ68SDTKuSPYTA
Parking: There is street parking along Hamilton Station and Irene Rds. Do not park in local businesses' lots.
Estimated ride time: 1:00 to 1:30 hours
Estimated average speed: 12 mph (mostly flat, some small hills)
Pace: Casual and easy - this is not a race or training ride
Rider Level: We will keep an easy pace, but this is not a pure beginner's ride. You should know how your bike works and be comfortable riding on a trail or roads with other cyclists, walkers, runners, and maybe even horses.
Surface: Paved Multi-Use Trail
Max Grade: 2.8%
Route Map: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/55226129
Cue Sheet: n/a since we will remain on the W&OD
Post Ride Refreshments: The Barns at Hamilton Station Vineyards.
The Barns is less than a mile up the road where we'll meet to the rest of the Outdoor Winery Visit's gang.

Cycling helmets are required!
You must have at least one large full water bottle.
You must have a spare tube, tire levers, and either a pump or CO2 cartridges. I can help fix a flat but I can't bring a tube or air for every different type/size of tire.
Check your bike BEFORE you leave your house. The trail head is not the place to adjust your brakes, derailleurs or air up your tires.
eBikes are welcome but you must stick to the same pace as standard bikes.

+++++++++++++++++++++
The Not So Fine Print:
+++++++++++++++++++++
Helmets are required to participate on all Outdoor Winery Visit rides. All riders ride at their own risk and with the understanding that cycling is an inherently dangerous activity. When coming to the meetup you do so voluntarily and are ready and able to participate in the ride as described under the conditions of the day. Be on time for the "pre-ride" preparation. We will begin the ride at 11:00 am, no exceptions.

In consideration of being allowed to participate in any way in the Outdoor Winery Visit's programs, related events and activities, I acknowledge, appreciate, and agree that: 1. The risk of injury from many of the activities is significant, including the potential for permanent paralysis and death, and while particular skills, rules, equipment, and personal discipline may reduce this risk, the risk of serious injury does exist; and, 2. I KNOWINGLY AND FREELY ASSUME ALL SUCH RISKS, BOTH KNOWN AND UNKNOWN, EVEN IF ARISING FROM THE NEGLIGENCE OF THE RELEASEES or others and assume full responsibility for my participation; and, 3. I willingly agree to comply with the stated and customary terms and conditions for participation. If, however, I observe any unusual significant hazard during my presence or participation, I will remove myself from participation and bring such to the attention of the nearest official immediately; and, 4. I, for myself and on behalf of my heirs, assigns, personal representatives and next of kin, HEREBY RELEASE AND HOLD HARMLESS Outdoor Winery Visits, it’s officers, officials, ride directors, ride coordinators, agents, and/or employees, other participants, sponsoring agencies, sponsors and advertisers ("RELEASEES”), WITH RESPECT TO ANY AND ALL INJURY, DISABILITY, DEATH, OR LOSS OR DAMAGE TO PERSON OR PROPERTY, WHETHER ARISING FROM THE NEGLIGENCE OF THE RELEASEES OR OTHERWISE, to the fullest extent permitted by law. I HAVE READ THIS RELEASE OF LIABILITY AND ASSUMPTION OF RISK AGREEMENT, FULLY UNDERSTAND ITS TERMS, UNDERSTAND THAT I HAVE GIVEN UP SUBSTANTIAL RIGHTS BY SIGNING UP AND PARTICIPATING.

Let's try something new for the wine loving bikers in our group. Biking is optional! For those that want to bike first, we will be posting as a separate meetup. We will meet down by the W&OD trail at 10:45, weather permitting. Then after an invigorating trail ride, we will meet our friends right up the road at the winery at 1:00.

The Barns at Hamilton Station is on 11 beautiful acres with a restored 1910 wood bank barn transformed into the unique tasting room. Their wines are Bordeaux French style using carefully selected Virginia grapes. They will have live music starting at 2:00. We are hoping for good weather to sit outside at their picnic tables. Outside food is allowed outside only. If the weather is bad, we will move it inside and leave our food at home. Otherwise bring a picnic to share.