Monday, January 26, 2015

Ride Report January 21,2015

Ride Report
Wednesday January 21, 2015, From Curve Street, Carlisle
Leader Clyde Kessel
Riders: Clyde and Bob Wolf, Francine Sparks, Jack Donohue and Ken Hablow

Five hardy souls (100% GPS EQUIPED!) headed out on a brisk winter day.  In this weather it is best to stay together and avoid using arrows and we almost succeeded. Jack had to arrow once or twice (thank you Jack!).  The leader, as is his wont, got distracted and missed a turn early on in the ride where the route crossed itself.  As a result, we ended up riding the route backwards.  Not long after, it became apparent that we were going to split into a long group and a short “group” so we made a little detour to get back on the route to make sure no one got lost.  At the butterfly place, we split into a group of 4 for the long ride and a group of 1 (Francine) for the short route.  When the long group made it to Omega Pizza at the end, the short group was still there having a relaxed lunch so we had a joyous reunion.  Mysteriously, the 5 cyclists used 4 tables. But the restaurant had plenty of extra tables so no one yelled at us.
Report by Clyde








Additional ride photos on Facebook

HIKE ANNOUNCEMENT
WED, January 28, 2015, From Walden Pond to Fairhaven Bay
Hike Leaders:  Tony & Margie Lee  (H) 508-655-1705 (Cell) 508-981-5048  email: anthonydlee@me.com

Added note: Snow is forecast and if there’s enough on the ground the ride leaders might add snow shoeing or other snow related adventure. In that case, there would be a separate update on Monday 1/26.

2 ½ hour hike, start from Walden Pond parking lot, 915 Walden Street, Concord, MA (same place as Janet Miller’s hike on January 7). The hike can be shortened to 1 ½ hours for those who want a shorter distance or if the weather is nasty.

Hike description:  We will meet in the parking lot by Walden Pond, close to the replica of Thoreau's cabin.  From there we will walk along Walden Pond, cross the railroad tracks, wander through the Lincoln and Concord conservation areas to the Fairhaven Bay section of the Sudbury River. We’ll walk along the Sudbury River to the Concord Pump House and then continue through woods and around the other side of Walden Pond to the start. Restrooms are available at the start and finish. In between it will be “the big outdoors.” There are lengthy stretches of ice on the trails, so bring Microspikes for your boots. After the hike, we’ll have lunch at Verrill Farm at 11 Wheeler Road in Concord.

Directions:  Heading west on Rte 2, take a left onto Rte 126 in Concord.  The entrance to the parking lot is about 0.4 miles on the left. Parking is free if you are over 62 and have a pass for MA State parks. Otherwise, parking is $5.  If you do not have a pass, you can obtain one at the Walden Pond office, located next to the Store at Walden Pond, which is a short distance south of the parking lot entrance.


Upcoming activities:
February 4, John Nilsson, Mt. Wachusett hike
February 11, Carol Anderson, walk/snowshoe/xc ski Maudsley Park
February 18, Ann Northup, TBA
February 25, Jack Mroczkowski, winter hike
March 4, Russ Keene, winter hike
March 11, Sander Nydick, winter walk at Assabet River Wildlife Area
March 18, Susan Sabin, historic walk  


Follow the Wheelers on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/WednesDayWheelers  

Friday, January 9, 2015

January 7, 2015, From Walden to Flint Hike

RIDE REPORT

Wednesday, January 7, 2015, From Walden to Flint
Hike Leader:  Janet Miller
6.8 miles, 10:00 am start from Walden Pond parking lot, Concord, MA
Hikers (14):  Janet, Bob Anderson, Carol Anderson, Dick Williamson, Ilkka Suvanto, Jack Mroczkowski, Kaz Zelny, Margie Lee, Romaine Randall, Roy Westerberg, Russ Keene, Sander Nydick, Tony Lee, and Wick Doggett.
Present at lunch (3):  Eldie Baxter, Helen Greitzer, and Jacque Smith.

Thirteen hardy WWs joined me on a chilly, but bright and sunny, day for what turned out to be a 6.8 mile hike.  Starting from Walden Pond, we climbed Pine Hill, which warmed us all up.  After admiring the view from the top, we descended the other side and then circumnavigated Flint’s Pond in Lincoln.  Snow covered the ground and there was a little ice under the snow in places, but only two of us decided to wear microspikes, although others were carrying them in case they were needed.  We reached the de Cordova Museum and Sculpture Park after about four miles, and went inside briefly to make use of their restrooms and explore their store (they do have some beautiful things there).  Kaz needed to depart for an appointment, so left us there to return by road.  The rest of us walked through woods and fields back to the start.

Thanks to Russ Keene for using his GPS to map the route and let us know the actual distance.  See   http://ridewithgps.com/trips/3955291 .  Thanks also to Margie Lee for the photo taken at the Sculpture Park.

From Walden Pond, some of us drove into Concord for lunch at the Trail’s End CafĂ©, where Edie, Helen, and Jacque were waiting for us.

Report by Janet Miller.

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HIKE ANNOUNCEMENT
 
WED, January 14, 2015, Winter Hike (or Bike) & party
Hike (Bike) Leaders:  Jean & Ken Zaniewski, 
781 784 1845 (home), 781 879 2045 or 781 856 2963 (cells), <zaniew@verizon.net>
~3.5 mi hike (and/or 25 mile bike)10:00 am start from leaders' home, 244 Old Post Road*, Sharon, MA
 
Description:  
The hike, in the woods, will be about 3.5 miles.  It will ascend Pierce Hill, then continue on to the fire tower.  At 466’ elevation, this is the highest point of Moose Hill.  In the corridor between Boston and Providence, only Great Blue Hill, at 635’, is higher.)   Returning, the hike will traverse Bluff Head before crossing over Pierce Hill in the other direction.  There are good views towards Boston from the fire tower, and towards Gillette Stadium and west from Bluff Head.

At about one hour into the hike there is an opportunity to warm up and/or use restrooms at the Visitor’s Center.  Also, we will have our family van spotted at the visitor lot.  Anyone (well, anyone with a driver’s license) who prefers to hike one hour only, or who is finding the footing difficult, is welcome to drive the simple three mile route back to our house and relax by the fire until the rest of us return. 

A bike ride will be offered unless it’s icy, snowy, or below 20 degrees.  It will be about 25 miles, nearly all within Sharon.  A couple of hills and lakeside riding would be in the mix.  Truly rainy, or accumulating snow, weather cancels both activities.

A trail map showing most of the hike area is available at:

http://www.massaudubon.org/content/download/8080/145429/file/moosehill_trails.pdf

However, this map does not show the Pierce Hill area on the west side of Walpole Street.  More info on this section, which is all on the Warner Trail, can be found at:


Following the outdoor activity, Jean & Ken will have soup, rolls, lunch meats, and veggie options, plus hot & cold drinks, ready at home for hungry WWs.

There may be ice/snow on the ground - bring traction devices (Microspikes) for your boots.

Directions:  * the only auto access is via a shared driveway at 30 Pine Street, Sharon.  So, GPS or Mapquest THIRTY PINE STREET, SHARON, MA.  (The home address is 244 Old Post Road., but do not mention that to Siri or any of her ilk, if you want to get there.)  Ours is the yellow house at the rear, left of driveway.  There should be plenty of room to park on or alongside the driveway, and you can also park near the blue house next door (owner gone for the winter).
Questions?  Lost??  Call home at 781 784 1845 or Jean’s cell 781 879 2045, or Ken’s cell 781 856 2963.

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Upcoming activities:
January 21, TBD, TBA 
January 28, Tony & Margie Lee, Winter Treats
February 4, John Nilsson, Mt. Wachusett hike
February 11Carol Anderson, walk/snowshoe/xc ski Maudsley Park
February 18, Ann Northup, TBA
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Wednesday Wheeler 2014 Scoreboard:

Number of rides/activities:  45
Average & of riders:  25.5
Total rider-miles:  31,062

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Helen Greitzer, 508 878 6988, <helengreitzer@hotmail.com>

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Attachments area
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Saturday, January 3, 2015

Zig Zag Ride & local hike 12/31/2014



RIDE REPORT

Wednesday, December 31, 2014, Zig Zag Ride & local hike
Ride Leader:  Jack Donohue
31 miles, 10:00 am start from chez Donogrieb, 26 Fox Run Road, Bedford, MA

Riders (5):  Jack, Bob Apsler, Bob Wolf, Francie Sparks, and Russ Keene.
Hikers (10):  Mike, Adena Schutzberg, Dick Williamson, Ilkka Suvanto, Janet Miller, Marge Keene, Robyn Maislin, Sander Nydick, Steve Maislin, and Tom Allen.
Present at lunch (5):  Eli Post, Helen Greitzer, John Springfield, Lindy King, and Susan Grieb.

Today, most of the Wheelers deferred to the chilly weather and went hiking instead of biking, so we were left with only five riders.  Bob Wolf, pushing the envelope on arrival time, was apprehended by the Bedford PD, who were unimpressed by his full rolling stop and issued a stern warning.  This caused him to roll in a bit late, but we still managed to start more or less on time.

I had planned a rest stop at the visitor's center off Monument Street, but it was, alas, closed.  With quick thinking, we found an alternative by riding to the other visitor center in Concord.  There was some concern about the cold, but I stopped for a digit count mid-ride and everyone came up with 20 and seemed happy, so we soldiered on.  Hills were welcome today, since it allowed for a brief warmup.

We explored some newly paved roads in Carlisle, which were a treat, and then for a challenge we took on dreaded Dudley Road whose potholes are legendary.  Since we were in horse country, I suggested we do like the equestrians and post over the really bad bits.  This must have worked, since there were no flats or other broken bits.  At one point I confessed that the rest of the ride was largely gratuitous, and that, at mile 21, we were only about three miles from the start.  Francie elected to take the shortcut rather than spend another ten miles to get to the same spot.  The rest of us took the long way home.

The hikers were mostly gone by the time we arrived, but there was still plenty of food and a good time was had by all.

Photos here:  https://www.facebook.com/WednesDayWheelers/posts/311580479030536
Route here:  http://ridewithgps.com/trips/3924602

Report by Jack Donohue.

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HIKE REPORT

Nine of us started on a cold hike from the DonoGrieb abode.  It wasn't easy, but we all finally realized that to hike we had to leave the house.  Going into the woods from the back yard, we immediately passed the now abandoned home of the trolls, an interesting concrete and stone foundation with some creative modern art that some might call graffiti.  There was also a second ruin, apparently once a troll mother-in-law dwelling.  Just a minute or two beyond the ruins, we found the trail, which once supported a narrow-gauge railroad that went to the North Pole.  We turned left (south) and after only a minute or so, we became ten as Sander joined us.  Better late than never is not a universal truth, but it does apply to Sander.  We completed the first five minutes of the hike by pondering four large structures on the trail.  Apparently part of a culvert, we came up with no complete explanation for their hefty and tall construction.

We proceeded to head south on the trail as a pack (to keep warm), to explore, as side hikes, the Buehler Ponds, Fawn Lake, and the Murray York Conservation Area.  No mud today, as it was under twenty degrees.  As we entered the pond area, I was alerted by the group messenger (Adena) that we needed to go faster so as to warm up.  I got the hint and will not blame the messenger.

The Buehler Ponds were small but scenic, and seemed to be separated by a dam.  Steve threatened to go for a swim, but his bluff was called.  At Fawn Lake, there was a heated discussion as to whether the ducks were real, real but frozen, decoys, or just discarded cantaloupes.  This was never resolved, but the heat of the discussion was comforting.

The York area was nice - nondescript with hills and trees, streams and boardwalks.  The only significance I can think of was we had a group bathroom break there, which provided some relief except from the cold.  Because we had been moving fast and rumor had it that the lasagna was not yet hot, we extended the trek south on the main (rail bed) trail to Pine Hill Road, where we made an embarrassing U-turn (men don't U-turn) and headed back past the troll houses and into the DonoGrieb back yard. 

Hot cider, cold beer, lasagna, and heat were all welcomed and appreciated.  Also appreciated was the fact that the lunch was not served and eaten on the patio.

GPS maven Tom says that we wandered 5.0 miles.  You can find details at  WW rail trail hike  

Thanks to Tom for the GPS, Jack for the GPS lesson and familiarization tour, and Ilkka for sweeping.  A big thank you to Jack and Susan for hosting a great day of food, exercise, and hypothermia.  Happy New Year, too!

More on the Trail:

The Bedford Narrow Gauge Rail-Trail trail follows the bed of the 1877 Billerica & Bedford Railroad, the nation's first 2-foot narrow gauge railway.  In 1885, the Boston & Lowell Railroad built a standard gauge extension of the line.  The Lexington Branch served five passenger stations: Bedford Springs, South Billerica, Turnpike, Billerica, and Bennett Hall.  The railroad abandoned the extension in 1962, and the town of Bedford purchased it to create the trail.  See  Bedford Narrow Gauge Rail-Trail | Massachusetts Trails | TrailLink.com

Report by Mike Hanauer.

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HIKE ANNOUNCEMENT

WED, January 7, 2015, From Walden to Flint
Hike Leader:  Janet Miller, 978 610 2524 (home), 781 820 252 (cell), janetcmiller@mac.com
5-6 miles, 10:00 am start from Walden Pond parking lot, 915 Walden Street, Concord, MA

Hike description:  We will meet in the parking lot by Walden Pond, close to the replica of Thoreau's cabin.  From there we will turn our backs on Walden Pond and hike up Pine Hill, before descending towards Flint's Pond.  On the far side of the pond, we will pass through the DeCordova Museum's sculpture park (where we can make use of their restrooms, as well as look at the sculptures).  Then we continue through woods and fields back to the start.

There is snow on the ground and there is a chance of more on Tuesday night, so bring traction devices (Microspikes) for your boots.

After the hike, we will meet for lunch at the Trail's End Cafe, 97 Lowell Road, Concord.

Directions:  Heading west on Rte 2, take a left onto Rte 126 in Concord.  The entrance to the parking lot is about 0.4 miles on the left.

Parking is free if you are over 62 and have a pass for MA State parks.  Otherwise, parking is $5.  If you do not have a pass, you can obtain one at the Walden Pond office, located next to the Store at Walden Pond, which is a short distance south of the parking lot entrance.

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Upcoming rides:

January 14, Jean Zaniewski, winter walk
January 21, TBD, TBA 
January 28, Tony & Margie Lee, Winter Treats
February 4, John Nilsson, Mt. Wachusett hike
February 11, TBS, TBA

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Wednesday Wheeler 2014 Scoreboard:

Number of rides/activities:  44
Average & of riders:  25.5
Total rider-miles:  30,964

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Helen Greitzer, 508 878 6988, <helengreitzer@hotmail.com>

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