RIDE REPORT
Wednesday, 28 November 2018, Desperate Wheelers
Ride Leader: Jack Donohue
35 miles, 10:00 am start from Bedford Depot, Bedford, MA
Riders (24): Jack, Arthur Teepe, Barry Nelson, Bill Widnall, Bob Wadsworth, Butch Pemstein, Clyde Kessel (joined en route), Dan Krechmer, David Fay, Dom Jorge, Doug Hobkirk, Gene Ho, Gerry Sheetoo, Judith McMichael, Marc Baskin, Maria Noya, Patrick Ward, Ray Komow, Richard Vignoni, Rochelle Holman, Roy Westerberg, Selig Saltzman, Wing Chow, and first-timer Leslie Goldstein.
A few days ahead of the ride there was talk of flurries, but, as the day grew closer, the forecast improved and I was looking forward to a fine late fall day with temperatures in the 40s. The 40s materialized, but so did a pretty stiff and cold wind in our faces to start out. We could handle that as long as there was no precipitation - that came later. The initial flurries forecast proved to be spot on, though mostly a light rain - not really wiper-worthy, but enough to put a damper on things.
Nonetheless, we soldiered on and things went pretty smoothly, until Bill developed an odd mechanical problem: his freewheel started freewheeling in both directions. This is a rather large impediment to forward motion. I've had this problem before and immediately recognized the symptoms. What happens is the freewheel pawls are not engaging to make the wheel turn. Bill managed to get it to work as long as he kept pedaling all the time (poor man's fixed gear), so an Uber assist was not required.
We had an early rest stop in Carlisle center, since the planned one was around mile 20. The portajohn at Ferns had been retired for the season, so those in need availed themselves of the indoor restroom. Bill kindly gave the owner a $5 bill to cover us non-customers using the facilities.
The planned rest stop at Jack Walsh Field was a disappointment, since the portajohns had been removed, so we had to improvise. After a quick photo op, we were on our way.
Several folks bailed early, since they were getting cold or had to be somewhere else. A group went to the recommended lunch stop, Ken's NY Deli.
Thanks once again to Butch for sweeping. He is definitely my "main man" in this regard. Thanks also to Bill Widnall for shepherding back one of the riders who was having trouble keeping up with the pace of the group.
In keeping with the birthday theme of this ride (as mentioned in the ride announcement), it was Dom's birthday today. Happy Birthday, Dom!
Report by Jack Donohue.
Nonetheless, we soldiered on and things went pretty smoothly, until Bill developed an odd mechanical problem: his freewheel started freewheeling in both directions. This is a rather large impediment to forward motion. I've had this problem before and immediately recognized the symptoms. What happens is the freewheel pawls are not engaging to make the wheel turn. Bill managed to get it to work as long as he kept pedaling all the time (poor man's fixed gear), so an Uber assist was not required.
We had an early rest stop in Carlisle center, since the planned one was around mile 20. The portajohn at Ferns had been retired for the season, so those in need availed themselves of the indoor restroom. Bill kindly gave the owner a $5 bill to cover us non-customers using the facilities.
The planned rest stop at Jack Walsh Field was a disappointment, since the portajohns had been removed, so we had to improvise. After a quick photo op, we were on our way.
Several folks bailed early, since they were getting cold or had to be somewhere else. A group went to the recommended lunch stop, Ken's NY Deli.
Thanks once again to Butch for sweeping. He is definitely my "main man" in this regard. Thanks also to Bill Widnall for shepherding back one of the riders who was having trouble keeping up with the pace of the group.
In keeping with the birthday theme of this ride (as mentioned in the ride announcement), it was Dom's birthday today. Happy Birthday, Dom!
Report by Jack Donohue.
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