Tuesday, May 26, 2015

Cape Ann Loop with Remote Start - May 20, 2015


Wednesday, May 20, 2015, Cape Ann Loop with Remote Start
Ride Leaders:  Richard Vignoni and Selig Saltzman and Gene Konik
67 Mile Option, 9:30 AM start from Gordon College, Wenham
31 Mile Core Ride, 10 AM start from Stage Fort Park, Gloucester
Riders:  67 mile (12): Richard, Bill Widnall, Bob Apsler, Chuck McWilliams, Everett Briggs, Francine Sparks, Gardner Gray, Greg Sathis, Herb Kavet ,Paula Hobson, Russ Keene 

Riders 31 Miles(25) Selig, Andrea Brown, Andrea Claudy, Barbara Jacobs, Bob Amtive?, Curt Dudlay, Dick Harter, Gene Konik, Ilkka Suvanto, Jack Mroczkowski, Janet Miller, Jim White, Jon Claudy, Judi Burton, Kathy Jones, Margie Lee, Marie Keutmann, Maurice King, Paul Greco, Richard Fortier, Steve Minkwitz, Susan Sabin, Tom Sorenson, Tony Lee, Wick Doggett

With cool temperatures and windy conditions, 9 riders departed Gordon College at a slower than normal pace.  This allowed 2 more riders who were delayed in traffic and someone who stayed behind as an escort to catch up with us on route about 7 miles into the ride.   With no pressure to link up with the core group, we made our way along the coast up to Gloucester making loops through Kettle Cove and Magnolia and making a quick rest stop at Stage Fort Park.  A flat tire in Gloucester caused the group to be delayed.  Several riders who had time constraints or were impatient went ahead leaving 7 of us by the time we re-grouped at the State fish pier.  In the interest of time, we omitted the Rocky Neck artist colony and proceed to Eastern Point Light, Good Harbor Beach followed by a stop on South St for the obligatory group photo.   After looping through Lobster Cove, we biked over the wooden bridge then it was a short ride to our lunch stop at Willow Rest which all seemed to enjoy.

After lunch, we headed out Rt 133 then through the marshes of Essex visiting Conomo point.  We rejoined 133 before heading inland on a route that Butch mapped out and we adopted some years ago.  This took us on some quiet pastoral back roads through Hamilton.  On the final turn onto Grapevine Ave, and what has now become a tradition, the group was told they are free to sprint ahead for the final 1.4 miles back to the car.  Everyone arrived back at the cars by 4:30 to complete a nice day of cycling.  Thanks to Everett and Russ Keene for sweeping and to all those who arrowed and participated

The core riders were faced with cool temps and a brisk wind but did have good visibility providing riders with many viewing opportunities which included harbors, rocky coasts, expensive homes, the Boston skyline, Wingaersheek and Crane beaches, and Maine and New Hampshire in the distance.  The group split for lunch, choosing either the sub shop or the bargain lobster roll place.  A few riders who went ahead from the long ride caught up with the core group and joined them for lunch.  Thanks to Gene Konik for taking on the ride co-leader role when there were cell phone issues with the designated person and thanks to Dick Harter, the always reliable sweep, who graciously agreed to lead the sub shop group back to the cars, so that the ride leader could dine on lobster.  There were no mishaps

Reports by Richard Vignoni




Thursday, May 14, 2015

Honey Dew Ride - May 13, 2015

Ride Report Wednesday May 13, 2015 Honey Dew Ride

Long Ride (Marc Baskin)
Riders: Dom Jorge, Judith McMichaels, Adena Schutzberg, Alan Cantor, Bob Apsler, David Sachs (a new WW rider), Ken Hablow, Frank Hubbard, Everett Briggs, Russ Keene, Francie Sparks, Kathy Horvath.

It was cooler than expected and quite windy but I think we all had a grand time, at least I had a great time. Thanks to Ken for editing my rather weak Ride with GPS route into three well routed options. I was lucky to have three great sweeps, Everett, Adena, and Russ. There were only a few takers for a sunny outdoor lunch at Off Center in Weston Center.

30 Mile Ride (Fred newton)
It was a breezy cool day in the low 60’s for this 30 mile Wednesday Wheelers ride starting from Burchard Park in Weston, and passing through Sudbury, Framingham, Wayland, and touching in Lincoln and Marlborough just briefly. We stopped for a short time at Honey Dew in Framingham where a few riders fortified themselves for the remaining 10 miles. There was one minor mechanical early in the ride and one flat tire near the end. The rider with the flat was transported with his bike to the finish for expediency. Some of the group enjoyed lunch at various eateries in Weston Center.

The 24 riders included Fred Newton (leader), Greg Stathis (sweep, thanks Greg), Alan Schneyer, Barbara Martin, Betty Hoffman, Chuck McWilliam, Dave Slade, David Wean, Don Mannes, Elissa Brown, Ilkka Suvanto, Jack Mroczkows, Janet Miller, Joanne Samuels, Kathy Jonas, Maurice King, Mike Hanauer, Richard Fortier, Roy Westerberg, Susan Sabin, Don Buchholtz, Chris Schuch, Nancy Schlecht, and Wick Doggett.

Short Ride (Tom Allen)
Riders: 8 - Tom, Dick Ivers, John Allen, Dick Harter, Nancy Smith, Ann Northup, Rick Lawrence, and Jacque Smith
.
This was actually the Honey-Didn't version of the ride as the route did not bend far enough south to stop there. The advertised length was 16 miles, but with an additional loop and a detour to the facilities at the Sudbury Great Meadows Wildlife station we eked out almost 20 miles. We started with 8 riders but ended with 7 as John spotted a discarded bicycle in a dumpster and decided that it needed rescuing. Not sure how he managed it, but he left the group to deal with it. Four of us continued on to Weston Center for lunch at the Off-Center Cafe. Thanks to legendary anchorman Dick Harter for sweeping our group.

Monday, May 11, 2015

Grace Bicycles Ride - May 6, 2015

 
Ride Report Wednesday May 6, 2015 40 From Grace
Leaders: Alan Cantor and AJ Gemperline
Long Riders: Fred Newton, Rick Carlson, Russ Keene, Dave Slade, Bob Wadsworth, Steve Page, Annemarie Allman, Brian O’Connor, Bob Apsler, Bruce Lederer, Herb Kavet, Ellen Gugel, Adena Schutzberg, Alan Cantor
Short Riders: Wick Doggett, Robert Rybarczyk, Kathy Jonas, Don O’Rourke, AJ Gemperline
It was a great day for a ride starting out overcast and quickly becoming sunny and warm. The route meandered down to Uxbridge over some less than smooth roads. There were many nice descents which, of course, meant we conquered wonderful climbs. There was one mechanical when our sweep had a flat right after a regrouping stop - we all waited with good spirits. Speaking of spirit, there was a great sense of camaraderie and of having a great time together on this ride. This is what makes the WW rides so special. Many thanks to Steve Page for sweeping and for the many arrows. And thanks to AJ for leading the short ride.

Friday, May 1, 2015

Deer Island - April 29, 2015