Monday, April 29, 2019

South to Northboro - April 24, 2019

RIDE REPORT

Wednesday, 24 April 2019, South to Northboro
Ride Leaders:  Ken Hablow & Mike Byrne
47 or 37 miles, 10:00 am start from Haskell Field, Sudbury, MA

Riders - 47 mi (15):  Ken, Barbara Martin, Barry Nelson, Bernie Flynn, Curt Dudley-Marling, Dom Jorge, Gene Ho, Herb Kavet, Julie Dodd, Lindy King, Marc Baskin, Ray Komow, Richard Lawrence, Russ Keene, and Wing Chow.
Riders - 37 mi (16):  Mike Byrne, Bill Umphrey, David Fay, Fred Newton, Gary Williams, Gerry Sheetoo, Jerry Skurla, Kathy Horvath, Margaret Coughlin, Rich Taylor, Richard Vignoni, Roy Westerberg, Rudge McKenney, Selig Saltzman, Steve Miller, and Susan Sabin.

After a last minute cancellation for this date, the notice was very last minute.  After it came out, I had several people ask me about a longer ride.  My original route was 46 miles with a 37 split off it.  I sent the longer route to a handful of people, and Mike Byrne graciously offered to lead the 37.  As it turns out we had fifteen riders on the longer route, so it split the group nicely.  Both routes took most people into an area on roads they never cycle on.

The day started out damp, but by the start of the ride, the sun was burning through the clouds.  The wind was also picking up and stayed with us all day.  On the long ride we did not use arrows or a sweep.  We pretty much stayed together, other than a few who occasionally blasted off the front but managed to wait for the rest of us at various points. The 47 mile route took us through Northboro, UP to Tougas Farm, then DOWN Green Street.  We made a stop at the Northboro Fire Station to use the facilities.  The folks at the station were very welcoming.  Our next stop was in Berlin center at the newly renovated convenience store.  We had one other unscheduled stop to fix a flat tire.

It was nice to welcome Fred Newton back on his bike.  Ride photos courtesy of Russ Keene.

Report by Ken Hablow.

The day went well.  We regrouped three or four times, once before we reached Marlboro, at the Berlin Police Station (for toilets), and at the Berlin store.  There were no mechanicals or flats. There were two tough climbs which contributed to two of the regroupings.  After Honey Pot, I sent the group ahead to the end with Rich Taylor leading, and I rode in with the sweep.

Thanks to Steve for sweeping.

Report by Mike Byrne.

From Rich Taylor (on Wednesday's short route):  "While we were waiting for everyone at the summit of Long Hill, a resident brought out one of his pet ferrets and passed him around.  Rudge McKenney took this picture (third photo below) of Kathy Horvath and said ferret.

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