Wednesday 24 May 2017, Cape Ann Loop with remote start
Ride Leaders: Richard Vignoni & Selig Saltzman (ably assisted by Ray Komow)
67 mi (remote start) option - 9:30 am start from Gordon College, Wenham, MA
32 mi core ride - 10:00 am start from Stage Fort Park, Gloucester, MA
Riders - 67 mi (6): Richard, Barbara Martin, Bernie Flynn, Greg Stathis, Russ Keene, and Everett Briggs (who remoted from his home in Cambridge).
Riders - 32 mi (14): Selig, Ray, Andrea Clardy, Barbara Jacobs, Dale Ferguson, David Fay, Jack Mroczkowski, Jimmy White, Jon Clardy, Marie Keutmann, Richard Fortier, Roy Westerberg, Susan Sabin, and Ted Nyder.
With a forecast for possible morning showers, five riders showed up at Gordon College. Since the group was small, and since everyone was using RWGPS, we headed out without using a sweep or arrows managing nicely to stay together along the way. Several miles into the route, we picked up Everett who had cycled in from Cambridge, making it six. Unfortunately, we were not able to pick up another rider, which prevented us from calling ourselves the Magnificent Seven.
We worked our way up the coast making the usual loops through Kettle Cove and Magnolia. We biked through Stage Fort Park, then started our way around Cape Ann. We biked behind the buildings at the fish pier where several large fishing boats were docked.
From there, we biked to the end of the Rocky Neck artist colony and then into the Gloucester Marine Railway Company’s yard to view a 90 foot sailing vessel in dry dock. The yard manager, a woman named Viking, came out, greeted us and gave us a short tour. The boat is owned by the park department and is a 1960’s replica of an old sailing vessel, built using composite materials and fiberglass encapsulation. Unfortunately, the intended low maintenance design did not hold up so well, due to fresh water leakage. Viking took us inside a work shed attached to the side of the boat where we could see a cutaway in the hull and the front portion of the keel being re-built. This was one of the highlights of the day. Be sure to check out Russ Keene's photo album (below).
From there we proceeded along the coast making the usual loops which included Eastern Point Light and Good Harbor Beach. After circling Lobster Cove, we biked over the wooden foot bridge, then on to our lunch stop at Willows Rest, which I deemed to be another highlight of the day. After lunch, we headed out Rte 133 through the marshes of Essex, visiting Conomo Point where we hung out for a bit to enjoy the views. Then we headed inland, arriving back at Gordon College at 4:15 pm.
It was a great day of cycling. The weather cooperated, with the rain never materializing, and the commuting and route traffic was light.
Report by Richard Vignoni.
The core ride went down the usual cul-de-sacs, for scenic views, and passed by some places of artistic and/or historic interest. These included a house which was the subject of a Hopper painting, the Fitz Henry Lane house, and a lifesize giraffe statute.
Lunch for the majority was at Charlie's for lobster rolls.
There were no mishaps or lost riders. Thank you to the numerous arrows, to Ray for being my co-leader, and to Jimmy for sweeping.
Report by Selig Saltzman.
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| Photo by Barbara Martin |
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