Ups & Downs of Lexington - November 18, 2015

RIDE REPORT

Wednesday, November 18, 2015, Ups & Downs of Lexington
Ride Leader:  Tom Allen
35 miles, 10:00 am start from Ixtapa, Lexington, MA
 

Riders (15):  Tom, Bill Widnall, Bob Wadsworth, Bruce Lederer, Curt Dudley-Marling, Dick Harter, Fred Newton, Herb Kavet, Jack Donohue, Jack Mroczkowski, Karen Featherstone, Kathy Jonas, Rich Taylor, Selig Saltzman, and Steve Robins. 

Present at Lunch:  Mike Hanauer.

The day started frosty and brisk, but with bright sunshine and ideal road conditions - a perfect November riding day!  About a mile into the ride we tackled our first hill, climbing to the top of Whipple Hill.  From there the ride lived up to its name and took us over many hills and many unfamiliar roads with little traffic. 

We did Page Hill the hard way, more than doubling the climb involved, in a straight-on assault.  Then, on to a comfort stop at the Bedford Depot and Minute Man Bikeway terminus.  Although a straight (and level) return route, via the bike path to the restaurant, was fantasized by some, we pushed on in quest of more hills.

A particularly memorable short climb was made more so by poor pavement and a backing cement truck that the blocked the road just as riders were struggling to the top.  Then back through Lexington with a couple of unpaved stretches thrown in for interest.  We stopped at the "Big Dig House" on Bird Hill (more hill than bird).  Here's a tour of the interior of the house.  We then climbed the Six Moon Hill cul de sac to visit what was the mid century community conceived and implemented by The Architects' Collaborative and inspired by the Bauhaus and Walter Gropius.

Eight of the group repaired to Ixtapa, for a fine Mexican lunch, where we were joined by Mike Hanauer. 

Our sweep, Dick Harter, (thanks Dick) gave the group a no better than B grade for safe riding practices, with moving over for "Car Back" being the main deficiency.

Thanks also to Susan Sabin, Ilkka Suvanto, and Rich Mandel for joining me on the Monday scouting ride.

Report by Tom Allen.