Wednesday, 12 December 2018, Ride, Hike & Hanukkah Party
Ride Leader: Rich Taylor
Hike Leader: Marie Keutmann
Party Hosts: Marie Keutmann, Richard Vignoni and Barbara Jacobs
31 miles, 10:30 am ride start from 68 Birchwood Lane, Lincoln, MA
~4 miles, 11:00 am hike start from 68 Birchwood Lane, Lincoln, MA
Riders (11): Rich, Barry Nelson, Bob Wolf, Butch Pemstein, David Fay, Everett Briggs, Frank Hubbard, Gene Ho, Gerry Sheetoo, Selig Saltzman, and Wing Chow.
Hikers (23): Marie & Zoe, Adena Schutzberg, Bob Anderson, Carol Anderson, Chris George, Ilkka Suvanto, Janet Miller, Judy Kanigel, Margie Lee, Marsha Westerberg, Mike Hanauer, Nancy Smith, Rich Mandel, Richard Fortier, Robyn Maislin, Roy Westerberg, Russ Keene, Sally Chapman, Sander Nydick, Steve Maislin, Ted Nyder, and Tony Lee.
Party-goers (15): Ann Northup, Barbara Jacobs, Barbara Martin, Bob Wadsworth, Eli Post, Francie Sparks, Harriet Fell, Helen Greitzer, John Allen, Judith McMichael, Julie Dodd, Ken Hablow, Mike Counihan, Patrick Ward, and Richard Vignoni.
We had a route generously laid out and shared by Ken Hablow, who is currently recovering from knee replacement surgery. The weather was crisp (OK, cold), below freezing, but wonderfully sunny, with a brisk breeze in our faces to start out, but at our backs on the way home. Last week's Ace Mechanic, Gene Ho, suffered his own chain malfunction about two miles into the ride (across the pond from the party house). Several riders pushed on because of the cold, while Everett and Wing went back to help with the repair. Selig got some extra miles doing loops to keep warm. After fifteen minutes we were back on the road and headed to the Acton fire station to lower our body weight. Per plan, Bob had already cut out, as he continues his recovery, and ten of us forged ahead with the ride.
For a lot of people it was exciting because, although we traveled on familiar roads, it was opposite to the normal direction. We picked up our average pace, returning on Hudson Road with a tailwind and a brief stop at the Sudbury Pool. Everett facilitated our return by taking multiple consecutive arrow positions, allowing the rest of us to ride at our respective comfortable paces. Comfortable that is, until we hit Sherman's Bridge, aka "the cobbles", where all our bikes were rattled beyond belief.
Butch was our able sweep for most of the route, except when I wound up behind him at the aforementioned bridge. By then everyone could imagine the goodies that waited for us at the Hanukkah party at Marie's house and that incentive drove us to move quickly before all was eaten. Not a chance of that! Thanks to all for the post-ride feast!!
Report by Rich Taylor.
Marie and her dog, Zoe, led WW hikers on a trail skirting Farrar Pond. The weather was sunny and cold, perfect for walking. We enjoyed some beautiful ice formations on the stream leading into the far end of the pond.
Report by Marie Keutmann.
While others were out walking or riding, Richard, Barbara Jacobs, and Helen were hard at work in the kitchen. Barbara and Ted Nyder had arrived early with a turkey they had cooked on Tuesday. They also brought two kugels, as well as dozens of potato and sweet potato latkes that they had made on Sunday with the assistance of Judi Burten. Despite Judi’s huge contribution, she was unable to attend the party.
Helen, Barbara, and Richard made applesauce and Richard cooked another turkey. Barbara orchestrated the tricky timing of using the oven for cooking, as well as reheating various dishes brought by WWs. The many food contributions included appetizers, salads, side dishes, and desserts, and Roy once again brought an assortment of his home-brewed ale. When the hikers returned, most of the food was distributed on various tables and ready to go. The traditional Yankee Swap followed our delicious repast.
Thank you for the food contributions. Thanks to all those who participated, to those who stayed behind and helped clean up, and, especially, to Barbara and Ted who, in addition to their many hours of cooking, were so helpful in the organization and orchestration of the food.
Lost and Found: Only two items were left behind and not claimed yet: A silver serving fork with a rose on the handle, for a pie or cake; and a Neutrogena sunscreen.
Report by Richard Vignoni & Marie Keutmann.
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