RIDE REPORT
Wednesday, 21 February 2018, Assabet Loop
Ride Leader: Glenn Pransky
32 miles, 10:00 am start from Haskell Field parking lot, Sudbury MA
Riders (21): Glenn, Alan Fierce, Dan Krechmer, David Fay, David Wean, Dmitry Gorenburg, Duncan Warden, Gardner Gray, Gene Ho, George Stromberg, Gerry Sheetoo, Joe Tavilla, Kaz Zelny, Mike Byrne, Patrick Ward, Richard Vignoni, Rick Lawrence, Ron Beland, Susan Sabin, and first-timers David Kaiser and Moshe Werba,
We started with gray skies and damp roads, but unusual weather with temps in the mid 50s that rapidly warmed to the mid 60s by the end of the ride, bright sunshine, and a strong south-westerly wind that gusted to over 20 knots at times. The first stop was at the Wayside Inn, then around Lake Boone and on to the first de-watering stop at the Stow Library. We then had a chance to preview the northern end of the Assabet Valley Rail Trail in South Acton, which should be open for use by the summer.
The group tended to spread out, with fast riders at the front eager to work off some excess lipids from staying inside all winter, and those who have been training in the elements. An impressive group was at the rear, maintaining a reasonable pace despite some having had very few road miles since the fall. Arrowing was generously provided by several riders, so no one was lost.
Special thanks to David Wean who served as sweep. We averaged about 13.5 MPH, but most everyone seemed to be happy at their own pace.
After returning to Haskell Field, ten riders continued to Glenn’s house for a take-out lunch. Thanks to Terry (Glenn’s wife) who served everyone home-made gluten-free treats.
Monday, February 26, 2018
Monday, February 19, 2018
Concord to Boxborough - February 14, 2018
RIDE REPORT
Wednesday, 14 February 2018, Concord to Boxborough
Ride Leader: Ken Hablow
36 miles, 10:00 am start from North Bridge parking lot, Concord, MA
Riders (22): Ken, Bernie Flynn, Bob Wadsworth, Bob Wolf, Curt Dudley-Marling, Dan Krechmer, David Fay, Dom Jorge, Frank Hubbard, Gene Ho, Gerry Sheetoo, Glenn Pransky, Jack Donohue, Judith McMichael, Marc Baskin, Patrick Ward, Peter Megdal, Ray Komow, Rick Lawrence, Russ Keene, Selig Saltzman, and Wing Chow.
It was partly cloudy and slightly above freezing when twenty-two of us left the parking lot at 10:00 am. The roads were dry at the start, with little or no ice. As we rode, the sun came out and the temperature crept up and leveled off at about 46 degrees. There was a slight south wind, but with the warm temperature (for this time of year) it was very comfortable.
We made our first stop at the South Acton fire station which has the cleanest restroom of the three Acton fire stations. We continued on through West Acton where we picked up some very quiet back roads and ultimately rode to the top of Hill Road in Boxboro. There was one more scheduled stop at Boxboro Town Hall. With the warmup, the snow/ice that was left on the side of the roads began to melt, but there was very little water as a result. We used occasional arrows, but the group spread out with consistency so the riders in front were always visible to the sweep. Stopping at the few traffic lights we encountered helped keep the group together, as did a few re-grouping stops. Kudos to everyone for keeping a pace of about 13 mph.
At the end of the ride there was a group that went to Trail’s End Café for lunch.
Thanks to Rick Lawrence for sweeping, to those who arrowed, and to Jack for using his WW "app" to take attendance, as well as for taking the group photo
Wednesday, 14 February 2018, Concord to Boxborough
Ride Leader: Ken Hablow
36 miles, 10:00 am start from North Bridge parking lot, Concord, MA
Riders (22): Ken, Bernie Flynn, Bob Wadsworth, Bob Wolf, Curt Dudley-Marling, Dan Krechmer, David Fay, Dom Jorge, Frank Hubbard, Gene Ho, Gerry Sheetoo, Glenn Pransky, Jack Donohue, Judith McMichael, Marc Baskin, Patrick Ward, Peter Megdal, Ray Komow, Rick Lawrence, Russ Keene, Selig Saltzman, and Wing Chow.
It was partly cloudy and slightly above freezing when twenty-two of us left the parking lot at 10:00 am. The roads were dry at the start, with little or no ice. As we rode, the sun came out and the temperature crept up and leveled off at about 46 degrees. There was a slight south wind, but with the warm temperature (for this time of year) it was very comfortable.
We made our first stop at the South Acton fire station which has the cleanest restroom of the three Acton fire stations. We continued on through West Acton where we picked up some very quiet back roads and ultimately rode to the top of Hill Road in Boxboro. There was one more scheduled stop at Boxboro Town Hall. With the warmup, the snow/ice that was left on the side of the roads began to melt, but there was very little water as a result. We used occasional arrows, but the group spread out with consistency so the riders in front were always visible to the sweep. Stopping at the few traffic lights we encountered helped keep the group together, as did a few re-grouping stops. Kudos to everyone for keeping a pace of about 13 mph.
At the end of the ride there was a group that went to Trail’s End Café for lunch.
Thanks to Rick Lawrence for sweeping, to those who arrowed, and to Jack for using his WW "app" to take attendance, as well as for taking the group photo
Monday, February 12, 2018
Walden Pond Winter Hike - January 31, 2018
HIKE REPORT
Wednesday 31 January 2018, Walden Pond Winter Hike
Hike Leaders: Judith McMichael & Janet Miller
4-5 miles, 10:00 am start from The Food Project parking lot, Concord, MA
Hikers (17): Judith, Janet, Chris Stix, Chuck McWilliams, David Fay, Gerry Sheetoo, Greg Stathis, Jack Mroczkowski, Marie Keutmann, Peter Shaw, Richard Fortier, Robyn Maislin, Roy Westerberg, Russ Keene, Steve Maislin, William Feiring and first-timer, Joe DiMare.
The third annual Walden Pond hike took place on a glorious, sunny day, with temps in the high 20s - perfect conditions for hiking. As promised, we checked on the beaver pond at Heywood Meadow, the Thoreau cabin site, and we enjoyed multiple views of snow and ice-covered Walden Pond and the charming sounds of the ice groaning as the sun warmed its surface. We saw one lone man fishing two different holes whilst reclining in his folding chair on the ice.
After a break at the visitor center, we hiked over to Goose Pond, then did a zigzag hike up Pine Hill and were rewarded with clear views of Mts. Wachusett and Monadnock. We returned to our cars via a beautiful forest trail, spying the administrative buildings of The Walden Woods Project and the Thoreau Institute along the way. In contrast to what you would experience in the summer, our group did not come across a single other hiker. A hungry group of nine had a very pleasant lunch in the toasty, warm greenhouse at Verrill Farm.
Report by Judith McMichael.
Wednesday 31 January 2018, Walden Pond Winter Hike
Hike Leaders: Judith McMichael & Janet Miller
4-5 miles, 10:00 am start from The Food Project parking lot, Concord, MA
Hikers (17): Judith, Janet, Chris Stix, Chuck McWilliams, David Fay, Gerry Sheetoo, Greg Stathis, Jack Mroczkowski, Marie Keutmann, Peter Shaw, Richard Fortier, Robyn Maislin, Roy Westerberg, Russ Keene, Steve Maislin, William Feiring and first-timer, Joe DiMare.
The third annual Walden Pond hike took place on a glorious, sunny day, with temps in the high 20s - perfect conditions for hiking. As promised, we checked on the beaver pond at Heywood Meadow, the Thoreau cabin site, and we enjoyed multiple views of snow and ice-covered Walden Pond and the charming sounds of the ice groaning as the sun warmed its surface. We saw one lone man fishing two different holes whilst reclining in his folding chair on the ice.
After a break at the visitor center, we hiked over to Goose Pond, then did a zigzag hike up Pine Hill and were rewarded with clear views of Mts. Wachusett and Monadnock. We returned to our cars via a beautiful forest trail, spying the administrative buildings of The Walden Woods Project and the Thoreau Institute along the way. In contrast to what you would experience in the summer, our group did not come across a single other hiker. A hungry group of nine had a very pleasant lunch in the toasty, warm greenhouse at Verrill Farm.
Report by Judith McMichael.
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