Wachusett from the East and Lancaster Meander - August 16, 2017

RIDE REPORTS

Wednesday, 16 August 2017, Wachusett from the East and Lancaster Meander
Ride Leaders:  Richard Vignoni & Butch Pemstein
39 or 18 miles, 10:00 & 10:30 am starts from Forbush Mill Soccer Field, Bolton, MA

Riders 39 mile (16): Richard, Bob Apsler, Elizabeth Wicks, Ellen Gugel, Everett Briggs, Francie Sparks, Frank Hubbard, Gene Ho, Judith McMichael, Kaz Zelny, Kevin Donnelly, Lindy King, Margie Lee, Ray Komow, Steve Carlson, and Tony Lee.
Riders 18 mile (12): Butch, Ann Northup, Barbara Jacobs, David Kobes, Don Buchholtz, Janet Miller, Jeff Smith, Judi Burten, Marie Keutmann, Rochelle Holman, Susan Sabin, and Ted Nyder.

Wachusett from the East (39 mi) - With nice weather, fifteen veteran WW riders headed out of the Forbush Mill Road parking lot, through the hills and climbs on their way to Mount Wachusett.  The 20 mile route to the mountain took some lesser known/used roads, arriving at the visitor center via Pine Hill.  Some of the riders chose to go to the summit, while a few of us stayed behind and hung out while waiting for the return of the summiteers.  Bob and Everett apparently didn’t have enough climbing so they went down and back up Mile Hill Road.  While the outbound route was almost all uphill, we were rewarded with a return that was almost all downhill.  The route lived up to its advertising, as being very hilly and very beautiful, and found the leader near the back of the pack on some of the climbs.  Lunch was at Meadowbrook Orchards, with a few riders heading back on their own due to time constraints.  Thanks to Everett for sweeping the group to the mountain and to Judith McMichael for sweeping the return.  Additional thanks to all those who arrowed and participated.

Report By Richard Vignoni.

Lancaster Meander (18 mi) - We were almost always well spaced and there were an adequate number of regroups, ALL of which were well off the traveled way.  There was one terrific downhill, no particularly memorable uphills, and very little traffic.  Lunch was at Bolton Orchards.

Thanks to David for sweeping, accolades to Don for his reign as Arrow King, and a special tip of the hat to John Nilsson who designed the route.  It was a lovely day on the bike.  It was Truly Mellow.

Report By Butch Pemstein.

Long Riders