Roadrunner - June 21, 2017

​​RIDE REPORT

Wednesday, 21 June 2017, 2017, RoadRunner
Ride Leader:  Kathy Horvath
35 miles  - 10:00 am start from Bikeway Source parking lot, Bedford, MA

Riders (25): Kathy, Adena Schutzberg, Bob Wolf, Butch Pemstein, Curt Dudley-Marling, Dom Jorge, Don Buchholtz, Doug Hobkirk, Elizabeth Seabury, Francie Sparks, Gene Ho, Jack Donohue, Jack Mroczkowski, Larry Kernan, Lindy King, Mary Kernan, Pat Brennan, Ray Komow, Rick Lawrence, Robyn Maislin, Steve Robins, Susan Sabin, Veronica Vedensky, Wing Chow, and first-timer Kevin Donnelly.

A genial group of regulars and irregulars gathered promptly by 9:45 am.  The start location was propitious, as Pat Brennan forgot his helmet (and who hasn’t forgotten something?), and just as we were speculating about when the Bikeway Source shop would open, Chris (one of the owners) pulled up and Pat found himself ready for the ride with a shiny, new helmet.

After a few laughs, disses, and yawns about the theme song by the Modern Lovers, the group started down South Street.  A few blocks later, we encountered road work that had materialized overnight - a frequent surprise in several places on this ride.  We climbed the longest hill at mile 8, going into Lincoln, each at his/her preferred pace, and happily no one missed the left turn at the bottom.  Shortly thereafter, encountering road work with a detour sign, we opted to take our chances and, apologizing profusely to the construction crew, we dismounted and maneuvered around their equipment, while the police detail reminded us rather loudly that we were vehicles and had to obey traffic signs.  Of course he was right, although there are often signs left in place and no work being done - however, this ride leader will likely follow the detour signs in the foreseeable future.

A rest stop in Weston center provided an opportunity to use the “facilities” at Weston Town Hall and a shady spot to regroup, where Kathy noticed that we had picked up Gene and Doug along the way.  Starting off again, we immediately hit some scarified roadwork (no detour signs though), but it was short and we proceeded to Rte 20 to get to Plain Road.  A nice breeze made the beautiful roads in Wayland and Sudbury even prettier and, after stretching out a bit due to traffic lights, we stopped to regroup at Crosby’s parking lot in Concord.

Mary and Larry took a group of hurried people onward to the end, and the other half had a short rest/water stop and a comfortable ride back to the start.  Kathy, Susan, Rick, Gene, and Francie had lunch or snacks at Ken’s Deli and enjoyed sitting outside.

Thank you to the arrows who were ready and reliable at all turns and to Jack for sweeping.  Photo, courtesy of Jack Donohue who persistently and miraculously got everyone in the picture, except for relative newcomer Elizabeth who had notified me she was leaving the ride early due to previous injury and recovery.

Report by Kathy Horvath.