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
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