Breakheart Reservation - October 4, 2017

RIDE REPORT

Wednesday, 4 October 2017, Breakheart Reservation
Ride Leader:  Tom Allen
30 miles, 10:00 am start from Sandy Beach parking area, Winchester, MA

Riders (21): Tom, Adele Ferreira, Adena Schutzberg, Alan Long, David Wean, Dmitry Gorenburg, Elsa Lawrence, Everett Briggs, Jeff Smith, Jim Cant, Jim Whinfield, Joseph Tavilla, Judith McMichael, Meng Wu, Peggy Gelin, Peter Shaw, Rochelle Holman, Selig Saltzman, Susan Sabin, Tom Lawrence, and Wing Chow.
(Remoting riders: Adena, David, Everett, Peggy, and Selig.)

Oh Frabjous Day!  Remarkable weather for October!  Perhaps a downside is that the great weather brought out a large number of pedestrians (walking their dogs and their iPhones) along with multiple road crews.

We headed north through Winchester to Horn Pond and its car-free paved and very scenic way, where we dodged small dogs and the occasional baby carriage.  Then back to streets through Woburn toward Wakefield.  We just nipped a bit of Stoneham, but that was the corner where road crews had seriously dug up the street forcing a couple of unfortunate detours.

In Wakefield we crossed a bikes-only bridge over RR tracks and made our way around Lake Quannapowitt.  The road gods redeemed themselves a bit with a freshly paved Valley Street (good for about a half mile).

We then entered the Breakheart reservation area and tackled its roller coaster-like paths.  These are paved paths which feature some short, but strenuous, uphills and exhilarating downhills, as well as lovely scenery.  We did two loops over different paths separated by a stop at the park headquarters facilities.

Leaving the Reservation, we followed the Lynn Fells Parkway toward the Fells, pedaled up Ravine Road, and took the narrow bike path along the side of Woodland Road.  Crossing I-93 at Roosevelt Circle, we encountered yet another road blockage which forced another detour (minor this time).

We split about 50-50 for lunch/no lunch.  Nine of us had a pleasant and leisurely meal at First House Pub in Winchester.

Thanks to Adena for sweeping and to Everett for assisting with mechanical issues involving a flat tire and loose cleat screw. (Different victims.)

The ride leader was gratified to hear praise for the route and for introducing folks to new experiences.

Report by Tom Allen