RIDE REPORT
Wednesday 18 October 2017, Sherborn to Norfolk
Ride Leader: Alan Cantor
35 miles, 10:00 am start from 25 North Main Street, Sherborn, MA
Riders (17): Alan, Arthur Teepe, Barry Nelson, Bill Wachur, Chuck McWilliams, Dave Balaban, Francie Sparks, Herb Kavet, Kevin Donnelly, Marc Baskin, Nancy Cahn, Rochelle Holman, Selig Saltzman, Susan Sabin, Veronica Vedensky, Wing Chow, and first-timer Ellen Dirgins.
We had the rare concurrence of a perfect weather day, a beautiful route, miles of new pavement, and last, but of course not least, the best people to share all of this with. A couple of chain drops, quickly recovered, were the only mechanical issues. We welcomed a new rider, Ellen Dirgins, who quickly jumped in and arrowed a few turns.
Thanks to all who arrowed and, especially, to Barry who did a wonderful job as our sweep.
Report by Alan Cantor
Monday, October 23, 2017
Monday, October 16, 2017
Circling Wachusett rides - October 11, 2017
RIDE REPORTS
Wednesday 11 October 2017, Circling Wachusett rides
Ride Leaders: Richard Vignoni (core ride) & Bob Apsler (remote start)
39 miles, 10:00 am start from West Sterling Athletic Field, Sterling, MA
62 miles, 8:50 am start from Forbush Mill Road Soccer Field, Bolton, MA
Riders - 39 mi (12): Richard, Bill Lane, Don Buchholtz, Ellen Gugel, Francie Sparks, Judith McMichael, Julie Dodd, Kevin Donnelly, Ray Komow, Richard Lawrence, Rochelle Holman, and Winslow Green.
Riders - 62 mi (5): Bob, Everett Briggs, David Cooper, Lindy King, and Rick Carlson.
Five remote riders arrived at the West Sterling Athletic field to join the group of core riders, with plenty of time to spare. After explaining the various combinations of options, all seventeen riders headed out together under overcast skies, making a right turn onto Holden Road for the first of many hills.
As the day progressed, the sun came out with the temperature reaching the mid-60s for near perfect cycling weather. The foliage was running noticeably late, but the route still proved to be spectacular, with subdued colors, leaves on the sides of the roads, and nearly no car traffic for the first 30 miles. The ride leader and sweep stopped to address a recurring mechanical problem which was diagnosed to be due to a non-fixable, faulty repair from a high end bike shop. With many riders going ahead, there was some confusion as to who was with whom and one of the riders got in some extra miles before meeting the rest of the group at the ski area lunch stop.
After eating our BYO lunches and with the day getting late, the core group decided to take the quickest route back along Rte 140, skipping a few extra miles, a few extra climbs, and an exhilarating downhill. Despite the confusion, it was a great day of cycling.
Thanks to Rick Carlson for sweeping the ride and to all those who arrowed and participated.
Report by Richard Vignoni.
The remote start began inauspiciously when the Ride Leader arrived twenty minutes before the start and found the parking lot empty. I’ve never before been the first to arrive at a ride and assumed I was either an hour early or late, but three others arrived, and Everett caught up with us not much later.
The optional rides got messed up a bit. Only a few of us stopped for lunch at the ski area, while maybe four rode directly up to the Visitor Center. Two of the four climbed further to the summit, while Everett was prevented from doing so by a broken derailleur cable. In the meantime, the Ride Leader enjoyed lunch, as planned, at the ski area. Having no one to lead, he rode alone to the Visitor Center, where he met David Cooper. Dave graciously gave the Ride Leader the opportunity of leading the final climb by riding a second time to the summit. The two of us returned to the start of the Core ride, found that everyone else had departed, and rode back to the start of the remote.
Report by Bob Apsler.
Photo courtesy of Judith McMichael.
Wednesday 11 October 2017, Circling Wachusett rides
Ride Leaders: Richard Vignoni (core ride) & Bob Apsler (remote start)
39 miles, 10:00 am start from West Sterling Athletic Field, Sterling, MA
62 miles, 8:50 am start from Forbush Mill Road Soccer Field, Bolton, MA
Riders - 39 mi (12): Richard, Bill Lane, Don Buchholtz, Ellen Gugel, Francie Sparks, Judith McMichael, Julie Dodd, Kevin Donnelly, Ray Komow, Richard Lawrence, Rochelle Holman, and Winslow Green.
Riders - 62 mi (5): Bob, Everett Briggs, David Cooper, Lindy King, and Rick Carlson.
Five remote riders arrived at the West Sterling Athletic field to join the group of core riders, with plenty of time to spare. After explaining the various combinations of options, all seventeen riders headed out together under overcast skies, making a right turn onto Holden Road for the first of many hills.
As the day progressed, the sun came out with the temperature reaching the mid-60s for near perfect cycling weather. The foliage was running noticeably late, but the route still proved to be spectacular, with subdued colors, leaves on the sides of the roads, and nearly no car traffic for the first 30 miles. The ride leader and sweep stopped to address a recurring mechanical problem which was diagnosed to be due to a non-fixable, faulty repair from a high end bike shop. With many riders going ahead, there was some confusion as to who was with whom and one of the riders got in some extra miles before meeting the rest of the group at the ski area lunch stop.
After eating our BYO lunches and with the day getting late, the core group decided to take the quickest route back along Rte 140, skipping a few extra miles, a few extra climbs, and an exhilarating downhill. Despite the confusion, it was a great day of cycling.
Thanks to Rick Carlson for sweeping the ride and to all those who arrowed and participated.
Report by Richard Vignoni.
The remote start began inauspiciously when the Ride Leader arrived twenty minutes before the start and found the parking lot empty. I’ve never before been the first to arrive at a ride and assumed I was either an hour early or late, but three others arrived, and Everett caught up with us not much later.
The optional rides got messed up a bit. Only a few of us stopped for lunch at the ski area, while maybe four rode directly up to the Visitor Center. Two of the four climbed further to the summit, while Everett was prevented from doing so by a broken derailleur cable. In the meantime, the Ride Leader enjoyed lunch, as planned, at the ski area. Having no one to lead, he rode alone to the Visitor Center, where he met David Cooper. Dave graciously gave the Ride Leader the opportunity of leading the final climb by riding a second time to the summit. The two of us returned to the start of the Core ride, found that everyone else had departed, and rode back to the start of the remote.
Report by Bob Apsler.
Photo courtesy of Judith McMichael.
Monday, October 9, 2017
Breakheart Reservation - October 4, 2017
RIDE REPORT
Wednesday, 4 October 2017, Breakheart Reservation
Ride Leader: Tom Allen
30 miles, 10:00 am start from Sandy Beach parking area, Winchester, MA
Riders (21): Tom, Adele Ferreira, Adena Schutzberg, Alan Long, David Wean, Dmitry Gorenburg, Elsa Lawrence, Everett Briggs, Jeff Smith, Jim Cant, Jim Whinfield, Joseph Tavilla, Judith McMichael, Meng Wu, Peggy Gelin, Peter Shaw, Rochelle Holman, Selig Saltzman, Susan Sabin, Tom Lawrence, and Wing Chow.
(Remoting riders: Adena, David, Everett, Peggy, and Selig.)
Oh Frabjous Day! Remarkable weather for October! Perhaps a downside is that the great weather brought out a large number of pedestrians (walking their dogs and their iPhones) along with multiple road crews.
We headed north through Winchester to Horn Pond and its car-free paved and very scenic way, where we dodged small dogs and the occasional baby carriage. Then back to streets through Woburn toward Wakefield. We just nipped a bit of Stoneham, but that was the corner where road crews had seriously dug up the street forcing a couple of unfortunate detours.
In Wakefield we crossed a bikes-only bridge over RR tracks and made our way around Lake Quannapowitt. The road gods redeemed themselves a bit with a freshly paved Valley Street (good for about a half mile).
We then entered the Breakheart reservation area and tackled its roller coaster-like paths. These are paved paths which feature some short, but strenuous, uphills and exhilarating downhills, as well as lovely scenery. We did two loops over different paths separated by a stop at the park headquarters facilities.
Leaving the Reservation, we followed the Lynn Fells Parkway toward the Fells, pedaled up Ravine Road, and took the narrow bike path along the side of Woodland Road. Crossing I-93 at Roosevelt Circle, we encountered yet another road blockage which forced another detour (minor this time).
We split about 50-50 for lunch/no lunch. Nine of us had a pleasant and leisurely meal at First House Pub in Winchester.
Thanks to Adena for sweeping and to Everett for assisting with mechanical issues involving a flat tire and loose cleat screw. (Different victims.)
The ride leader was gratified to hear praise for the route and for introducing folks to new experiences.
Report by Tom Allen
Wednesday, 4 October 2017, Breakheart Reservation
Ride Leader: Tom Allen
30 miles, 10:00 am start from Sandy Beach parking area, Winchester, MA
Riders (21): Tom, Adele Ferreira, Adena Schutzberg, Alan Long, David Wean, Dmitry Gorenburg, Elsa Lawrence, Everett Briggs, Jeff Smith, Jim Cant, Jim Whinfield, Joseph Tavilla, Judith McMichael, Meng Wu, Peggy Gelin, Peter Shaw, Rochelle Holman, Selig Saltzman, Susan Sabin, Tom Lawrence, and Wing Chow.
(Remoting riders: Adena, David, Everett, Peggy, and Selig.)
Oh Frabjous Day! Remarkable weather for October! Perhaps a downside is that the great weather brought out a large number of pedestrians (walking their dogs and their iPhones) along with multiple road crews.
We headed north through Winchester to Horn Pond and its car-free paved and very scenic way, where we dodged small dogs and the occasional baby carriage. Then back to streets through Woburn toward Wakefield. We just nipped a bit of Stoneham, but that was the corner where road crews had seriously dug up the street forcing a couple of unfortunate detours.
In Wakefield we crossed a bikes-only bridge over RR tracks and made our way around Lake Quannapowitt. The road gods redeemed themselves a bit with a freshly paved Valley Street (good for about a half mile).
We then entered the Breakheart reservation area and tackled its roller coaster-like paths. These are paved paths which feature some short, but strenuous, uphills and exhilarating downhills, as well as lovely scenery. We did two loops over different paths separated by a stop at the park headquarters facilities.
Leaving the Reservation, we followed the Lynn Fells Parkway toward the Fells, pedaled up Ravine Road, and took the narrow bike path along the side of Woodland Road. Crossing I-93 at Roosevelt Circle, we encountered yet another road blockage which forced another detour (minor this time).
We split about 50-50 for lunch/no lunch. Nine of us had a pleasant and leisurely meal at First House Pub in Winchester.
Thanks to Adena for sweeping and to Everett for assisting with mechanical issues involving a flat tire and loose cleat screw. (Different victims.)
The ride leader was gratified to hear praise for the route and for introducing folks to new experiences.
Report by Tom Allen
Tuesday, October 3, 2017
Mountain & road rides from Great Brook - September 27. 2017
RIDE REPORTS
Wednesday, 27 September 2017, Great Brook Farm State Park mountain bike rides & road ride
MTB Ride Leaders: Tony & Margie Lee
Road Ride Leader: Clyde Kessel
32 miles (road), 10:00 am start from Great Brook Farm State Park, Carlisle, MA
MTB Riders (13): Margie, Tony, Bob, Larry, Aliza Edwards, Francie Sparks, Gene Ho, Joe Marcangelo, Julie Dodd, Patrick Ward, Rick Carlson, Tom Amiro, and first-timer Lorena Duquette.
Road Riders (23): Clyde, Andrea Clardy, Barry Kaditz, Dan Krechmer, Dave Balaban, David Kobes, Jack Donohue, Jim Cant, Kathy Horvath, Kaz Zelny, Meng Wu, Neil Martin, Peter Shaw, Ray Komow, Richard Fortier, Rick Billings, Robyn Maislin, Rochelle Holman, Roy Westerberg, Selig Saltzman, Steve Bader, Veronica Vedensky, and Wing Chow.
Thirteen mountain bikers showed up and rode together on the Lantern Trail. They then split into two groups, with Tony leading five in the advanced intermediate group and Margie, ably assisted by Bob Cheney and Larry Kornetsky, leading eight in the beginner/intermediate group.
Both groups crossed Concord Road and started riding in the Acorn section of the park. We rode beautiful trails along cornfields, through forests, past cranberry bogs, over hill and dale, not to mention Otter Slide Creek. After returning to “the other side,” some called it a day, while others continued exploring trails.
The weather was perfect and a few of us ate picnic lunches under the canopy. Great Brook is a great location for this mountain biking outing. We basically ride the perimeter of the park and, when people have had enough or have a mechanical problem, getting back to the ride start (parking lot) is relatively easy.
Thanks to Bob Cheney and Larry Kornetsky for leading a group. And thanks to everyone for having great attitudes.
Report by Margie & Tony Lee.
Road Ride on a hot and sunny day . . . . . First of all, Ray and Roy - thanks to Ray for sweeping and kudos to Roy who designed the original route. I adapted the route and renamed it “2PI/3 Phase Shift.” Roy was the only one to figure out what the title means.
We had two wildlife sightings worthy of note: a milk snake, alive, in the roadway (I hope no one behind me ran it over), and a gentleman putting a ten pound Hen of the Woods into the back of his pickup.
As far as I know, there were no mishaps. However, Neil missed the rest stop and was temporarily lost, but someone reached him by phone and he was able to rejoin the group.
Report by Clyde Kessel
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