RIDE REPORT
Wednesday, 24 October 2018, "To the End of the World and Back" / "To Hull in a Handbasket"
Ride Leaders: David Wean & Bob Apsler
28 and 40 miles, 10:00 and 9:30 am starts from Wompatuck State Park, Hingham, MA
Riders - 28 mi (4): David, David Fay, Margaret Coughlin, and Stuart Kaufman.
Riders - 40 mi (9): Bob, Andy Brand, Diana Blakely, Glenn Pelrine, Mike Togo, Wing Chow, and first-timers Judy Molloy, Mike Garrity, and Mike Walsh.
End of the World - After the first few miles on the road, we began our tour de parks, climbing through Great ("more than just pretty good") Esker Park and meandering through Bare Cove Park - these two parks frame the Back River estuary which divides Weymouth and Hingham. Returning to the road through downtown Hingham, we made our way to World's End, enjoying water views from the Olmsted-designed dirt and gravel carriage paths, while unsuccessfully seeking a glimpse of the 40 mile group across the water in Hull. From there we cruised to Jerusalem Road and Atlantic Avenue in Cohasset, passing "some ok houses", skipping the lunch stop in favor of beating the increasingly wet, "mostly cloudy" conditions. We returned to the start via a couple of miles of paved roads through Wompatuck State Park (our fourth park of the day).
Hull in a Handbasket - The clouds escaped, exposing a clear blue, sun-filled sky that elevated the magical fall beauty of colored leaves. Unfortunately, this experience occurred while sitting in stop-and-go traffic near the end of my drive home from the WW ride. During the ride, dark, threatening clouds stretched from one horizon to the other and intermittently provided hints of their potential by teasing us with light rain. Not to be outdone, the predicted 10 mph headwind blasted with a velocity closer to 30 mph as we rode out to the tip of Hull. Occasional gusts from the side required quick adjustments in order to remain upright. Even the waves documented the power of the wind, by sending their spray over the top of a tall breakwater, inadequately protecting the road, and forcing us into the oncoming lane (no traffic) to avoid bathing our steeds in saltwater.
Nevertheless, many of us enjoyed the day. The grim sky failed to mute the beauty of fall colors, and no one complained about the cold (here, the weather prediction proved accurate in warning that the perceived temperature would be substantially lower than the measured temperature of mid-40s.). Impressive views kept our spirits high.
And then there were eight. We rode together with no need for a sweep until a pit stop at Nantasket Beach. One rider misinformed us that only the back entrance was open, and he rode to the back of the building – we waited but never saw him again. Fortunately, the front door was ajar, allowing the rest of us entry.
And then there were five. Five us climbed a steep hill leading to an old fort, but weren’t followed by three others. We never saw them again.
And then there were three. Three of us climbed yet another steep hill in order to stick as close as possible to the water. Two riders skirted the hill and waited for three of us to complete our loop.
And then there were four. One rider went ahead, and unknown to the rest of us, followed a longish loop (no hills on this one). The rest of us decided to skip the loop due to the rain and time. Magically, we met up with the looper as we rejoined the official route.
And then there were two. The three smartest members of the group decided to skip Jerusalem Road and Cohasset because of time constraints and rain – they headed directly back to the cars. We never saw them again.
And then there was one. The ride leader stopped for lunch in Cohasset, while Wing continued on to the cars. I never saw him again.
Credit to Wing Chow, the only rider who completed the entire route.
Thanks to Glenn for volunteering to sweep, but not for sweeping – we stayed together and had no need for arrows.
Reports by David Wean and Bob Apsler.
Tuesday, October 30, 2018
Tuesday, October 23, 2018
A Touch of Tyngsboro/To Harvard, without striving - October 17, 2018
RIDE REPORTS
Wednesday, 17 October 2018, "A Touch of Tyngsboro" & "To Harvard, without striving"
Ride Leaders: Ken Hablow & Susan Sabin
47 or 32 miles, 10:00 am starts from Concord Town Parking Lot, Concord, MA
Riders - 47 mi (14): Ken, Bernie Flynn, Bill Wachur, Bob Wadsworth, Curt Dudley-Marling, Dan Krechmer, Elizabeth Wicks, Gerry Sheetoo, Kathy Horvath, Rudge McKenney, Russ Keene, Steve Bader, Veronica Vedensky, and Wing Chow.
Riders - 32 mi (17): Susan, Bob Wilson, Butch Pemstein, Chip Krakoff, Don Buchholtz, Jack Donohue, Jack Mroczkowski, Jim Whinfield, Nancy Cahn, Rich Taylor, Richard Fortier, Rick Stimpfle, Robyn Maislin, Rochelle Holman, Roy Westerberg, Selig Saltzman, and Winnie Parker.
The ride start was a little chaotic - half the Keyes Road parking lot was closed (!) due to road construction. Riders had to find other parking, so we were late starting. It was a little cool at the start, but with a light southerly wind and filtered sun, riding was very comfortable.
Although the longer ride started before the shorter ride, we were passed in South Acton when we made a “geezer” stop at the fire station. Although Steve Bader had offered to sweep, it was not necessary as we seemed never to be out of sight of any of the group (until we were - see below*).
We rode on some nice, new pavement into Littleton Depot, then stopped at Dunkin Donuts on Rte 225 in Groton. From there we rode through Forge Village and took some nice quiet roads past Keyes Pond, then over to Long Sought For Pond in Tyngsboro. Close to the end, in Chelmsford, the leader had a flat caused by riding into a pothole. About half the group must have been ahead* and did not notice that we had stopped. Once back on the road, we made one much needed stop at Great Brook Farm then headed back to Concord. It was an enjoyable group and an enjoyable day.
Report by Ken Hablow.
The day was crisp, the route lovely, but, since I didn't know about the geezer stop and we flew right by it, we were restroom challenged. Despite having a sweep – thanks, Butch - we all stuck together.
On the way home, we stopped to see the fabulous scarecrows at the farmstand near West Acton. We took a group photo with some scarecrow friends - note that although Jim Whinfield identifies strongly with them (see photo), he is still one of the WWs!
Ten of us had a lovely lunch at Trails End, and left just in time to see Ken and company rolling in.
Report by Susan Sabin.
 |
| Most of the short ride group |
 |
| All of us |
 |
| With two scarecrows, one of them Jim, and another visitor |
Wednesday, October 17, 2018
Circling Wachusett Foliage Ride - October 10, 2018
RIDE REPORTS
Wednesday, 10 October 2018: Richard Vignoni’s “Circling Wachusett Foliage Ride”
Ride Leaders: Bob Apsler & Butch Pemstein
39 or 42 miles, 10:00 am start from West Sterling Athletic Field, Sterling, MA
Core Riders – 39 mi (10): Butch, Arnie Zaff, Arthur Teepe, Chuck McWilliams, Ellen Gugel, Francie Sparks, Jim Whinfield, Richie Bisk, Selig Saltzman, and first-timer Rick Stimpfle.
Option 2 Riders – 42 mi - definite(8): Bob, Beth Rosenzweig, Bill Lane, Everett Briggs, Gene Ho, Judith McMichael, Rochelle Holman, and Tom Fortmann.
Option 2 Riders – 42 mi - uncertain, but probable(9): Bernie Flynn, Dave Balaban, Elizabeth Wicks, Frank Hubbard, Kathy Horvath, Maria Noya, Ray Komow, Ron Cater, and Wing Chow.
We rode on a spectacular “summer” day combined with fall colors and a beautiful sky. Views of foliage, lakes, reservoirs, fields, and hills awed us from start to finish. The ride began with a long climb that quickly led to splintering of the group (thus, ‘definite’ and ‘uncertain, but probable’ designations, above). That climb prefaced one of the more challenging WW rides - one in which low gears proved useful on many sections. A herd of small goats, which were blocking the road, delighted some of us and provided backdrop for photographers.
Lunch was moved to the front of the ski lodge, due to another group’s rental of the back area. The climb, from the ski area to the summit of Mount Wachusett, gave us a good workout, provided marvelous views, and concluded with an exhilarating descent which required more caution than usual, due to wet sections.
Mishaps: two women reported bee stings through their Lycra shorts; Bill Lane graciously scheduled his flat to occur at the Visitor Center, where we had scheduled a pit stop. Many thanks to Beth for arrowing 93% of the turns, and to Jim for sweeping the core ride.
Report by Bob Apsler.
The few miles returning from lunch to our cars, were made up of a long, looong uphill on Mirick Street, followed by a splendid downhill on Rte 62. No mishaps or occurrences worthy of mention, except that your leader did in fact make one, but only one, error: he turned left at a corner when the rest of the group knew that he ought to have turned right.
There may have been another rider, whose name I did not write down and cannot recall. I am, however, quite sure that he enjoyed the ride! Thanks to Jim for sweeping the core ride
Report by Butch Pemstein.
Wednesday, 10 October 2018: Richard Vignoni’s “Circling Wachusett Foliage Ride”
Ride Leaders: Bob Apsler & Butch Pemstein
39 or 42 miles, 10:00 am start from West Sterling Athletic Field, Sterling, MA
Core Riders – 39 mi (10): Butch, Arnie Zaff, Arthur Teepe, Chuck McWilliams, Ellen Gugel, Francie Sparks, Jim Whinfield, Richie Bisk, Selig Saltzman, and first-timer Rick Stimpfle.
Option 2 Riders – 42 mi - definite(8): Bob, Beth Rosenzweig, Bill Lane, Everett Briggs, Gene Ho, Judith McMichael, Rochelle Holman, and Tom Fortmann.
Option 2 Riders – 42 mi - uncertain, but probable(9): Bernie Flynn, Dave Balaban, Elizabeth Wicks, Frank Hubbard, Kathy Horvath, Maria Noya, Ray Komow, Ron Cater, and Wing Chow.
We rode on a spectacular “summer” day combined with fall colors and a beautiful sky. Views of foliage, lakes, reservoirs, fields, and hills awed us from start to finish. The ride began with a long climb that quickly led to splintering of the group (thus, ‘definite’ and ‘uncertain, but probable’ designations, above). That climb prefaced one of the more challenging WW rides - one in which low gears proved useful on many sections. A herd of small goats, which were blocking the road, delighted some of us and provided backdrop for photographers.
Lunch was moved to the front of the ski lodge, due to another group’s rental of the back area. The climb, from the ski area to the summit of Mount Wachusett, gave us a good workout, provided marvelous views, and concluded with an exhilarating descent which required more caution than usual, due to wet sections.
Mishaps: two women reported bee stings through their Lycra shorts; Bill Lane graciously scheduled his flat to occur at the Visitor Center, where we had scheduled a pit stop. Many thanks to Beth for arrowing 93% of the turns, and to Jim for sweeping the core ride.
Report by Bob Apsler.
The few miles returning from lunch to our cars, were made up of a long, looong uphill on Mirick Street, followed by a splendid downhill on Rte 62. No mishaps or occurrences worthy of mention, except that your leader did in fact make one, but only one, error: he turned left at a corner when the rest of the group knew that he ought to have turned right.
There may have been another rider, whose name I did not write down and cannot recall. I am, however, quite sure that he enjoyed the ride! Thanks to Jim for sweeping the core ride
Report by Butch Pemstein.
Monday, October 8, 2018
Bonsai Ride - October 3, 2018
RIDE REPORT
Wednesday, 3 October 2018, Doug's Annual Bonsai Rides
Ride Leaders: Doug Hobkirk & Clyde Kessel
34 or 40 miles, 10:00 am starts from Bonsai West, Littleton, MA
Riders – 34 mi (4): Doug, Jimmy White, Ron Marland, and Roy Westerberg.
Riders - 40 mi (18): Clyde, Barry Nelson, Bernie Flynn, Curt Dudley-Marling, Dan Krechmer, Dave Balaban, Dmitry Gorenburg, Ellen Gugel, Gene Ho, Gerry Sheetoo, Herb Kavet, Joan Sarles, Julie Dodd, Kaz Zelny, Kevin Donnelly, Maria Noya, Rick Billings, and Sally Chapman.
There were several surprises for me at the beginning of the ride.
- The mist / drizzle was disappointing, but I it didn't affect the ride - I never saw a drop on my glasses, never felt a tire slip, nor had my skin feel damp. Now that I think about it, it made for a "mistical" experience . . . . .
- The mist, seemingly, did not limit the number of riders - the parking lot was jammed!
- There were so few short riders! With only four, we rode together, for 34 miles, with no arrows.
We had a relaxed, slow ride. One rider had not cycled for two months (healing from ankle surgery), and I had missed a couple of weeks due to heart issues. We stopped at Dunkin' Donuts for a bagel at mile 22.
I choose the date for the Bonsai ride to be near peak foliage, so we can experience spectacular trees during the ride, as well as after the ride. But there was very little color, except for a vibrant splash, at the swamp at mile 9, at the start of the "almost no car zone" (for thirteen miles, we were passed by a total of nine cars!). (What is "global warming"?)
Michael Levin, the owner of Bonsai West, was delighted to host the WWs. He and I ride together, occasionally, and he hopes to ride with us next year.
Thank you all for coming, and thanks to Clyde for leading the long ride option.
Report by Doug Hobkirk.
For once! Finally! At long last! Put this in the record books! Wednesday's ride actually went off without a hitch. In past years, we’ve had lost riders, hung arrows, and missing lunches. One year it got so bad we just gave up, turned around, and rode back to the start.
Apart from a little mist at the start, the weather was clement. I was feeling a little frisky, so we kept up a good pace and finished well before the short group.
We did have one mechanical problem, one of our riders had to go home because his new, new-fangled electronic shifters weren’t yet working right.
Report by Clyde Kessel.
Pictures by Barry on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/WednesdayWheelers/posts/876139569241288
Monday, October 1, 2018
Eli Birthday Ride and Party - September 26, 2018
RIDE & PARTY REPORTS
Wednesday, 26 September 2018, Eli’s 80th Birthday Ride & Party
Ride Leader: Jack Donohue
Party organizer: Susan Grieb
23 miles, 10:30 am start from Jack’s & Susan’s, Bedford, MA
Riders (36): Jack, Alan Cantor, Alan Lemire, Alex Post, Ann Northup, Bernie Flynn, Butch Pemstein, Clyde Kessel, Curt Dudley-Marling, David Fay, Dom Jorge, Don Mannes, Eli Post, Francie Sparks, Frank Hubbard, Gardner Gray, Gene Ho, Gerry Sheetoo, Harriet Fell, Ilkka Suvanto, Jack Mroczkowski, Janet Miller, Jim Whinfield, Kathy Horvath, Kaz Zelny, Lindy King, Maria Noya, Mike Byrne, Patria Vandermark, Rich Taylor, Richard Fortier, Rochelle Holman, Roy Westerberg, Selig Saltzman, Susan Sabin, and Tom Allen.
Party-Goers (11): Barbara Martin, Bob Wolf, Brett Serkez, Doug Hobkirk, Elizabeth Wicks, Helen Greitzer, John Allen, Ken Hablow, Mike Hanauer, Rick Carlson, and Rita Cramer.
I had a premonition that this was going to be an "interesting" ride when a couple of riders showed up early for the now defunct Ken long ride. They evidently didn't get the cancellation memo, but contented themselves with circling for a half hour in an attempt to regain the missing miles.
The ride had an inauspicious start, as a line of cars stretched out on my road as far as the eye could see, and I had to do some additional mileage cruising back and forth trying to take attendance. I tried in vain to herd everyone up my driveway, but no one seemed to hear. Where is Ken (the human megaphone) when you need him? Anyway, when I had finally collected most of the group on a patch of grass in front of the house, our lawn service people showed up and proceeded to fire up their engines to mow that very piece of grass. So now we added engine noise onto the roar of the crowd. I wanted at least to do the roll call to make sure I got everyone or at least tell people who the sweep was (Kathy). But noooo. So we took off and I hoped for the best.
First few miles were ridden textbook WW fashion, with me in the lead and human arrows stepping in as required. Eventually, some of the group decided I was too slow and blasted ahead. Fine with me, as most of the faster riders have GPS and I don't have to worry about them getting lost. Gradually, however, more and more of the group felt the need for speed. What was odd was that some of the breakaway group decided to pay forward and arrow at the turns. That was nice, if somewhat unexpected.
What I had neglected to mention, or was unable to mention, at the start was that there was no good place for a comfort/rewatering stop on the route, and that there was the possibility of a short off-course excursion to the visitor center. My remaining riders, aka "the chase group," opted for that, but Kathy wisely pointed out that, if any of the breakaway people decided to arrow, they would be there forever, or at least until we had returned from our comfort/rewatering stop, photo op, etc. at the visitor center. So Kathy stayed with the lead group as sweep and Rich stepped into the breach as new sweep of the chase group.
It somehow all worked out, we ended up back at my house where the birthday party was in full swing, and, more importantly, they hadn't finished all the beer.
Thanks to Kathy and Rich for sweeping.
On a cautionary note, word got back that one of the riders seemed to be spending a lot of time on the centerline of the road, That's a DDT (Don't Do That). The only good reason to stray from the right is to avoid large, gaping potholes, of which there are many. As a practical matter, giving motorists the choice of joining the peloton at 15 mph or passing too closely is not a good idea.
Report by Jack Donohue.
I was delighted to see many old friends who joined the ride and party and greeted me with kindness and affection. CRW has been an important part of my life for many years, and I was happy to be remembered. I thank my dear friends, Jack and Susan, for graciously making their home available for the party, and also thank Jack for leading the ride.
My next birthday ride will be in 2023, when I reach 85, so save the date and gear up for another celebration party.
Report by Eli Post.
Wednesday, 26 September 2018, Eli’s 80th Birthday Ride & Party
Ride Leader: Jack Donohue
Party organizer: Susan Grieb
23 miles, 10:30 am start from Jack’s & Susan’s, Bedford, MA
Riders (36): Jack, Alan Cantor, Alan Lemire, Alex Post, Ann Northup, Bernie Flynn, Butch Pemstein, Clyde Kessel, Curt Dudley-Marling, David Fay, Dom Jorge, Don Mannes, Eli Post, Francie Sparks, Frank Hubbard, Gardner Gray, Gene Ho, Gerry Sheetoo, Harriet Fell, Ilkka Suvanto, Jack Mroczkowski, Janet Miller, Jim Whinfield, Kathy Horvath, Kaz Zelny, Lindy King, Maria Noya, Mike Byrne, Patria Vandermark, Rich Taylor, Richard Fortier, Rochelle Holman, Roy Westerberg, Selig Saltzman, Susan Sabin, and Tom Allen.
Party-Goers (11): Barbara Martin, Bob Wolf, Brett Serkez, Doug Hobkirk, Elizabeth Wicks, Helen Greitzer, John Allen, Ken Hablow, Mike Hanauer, Rick Carlson, and Rita Cramer.
I had a premonition that this was going to be an "interesting" ride when a couple of riders showed up early for the now defunct Ken long ride. They evidently didn't get the cancellation memo, but contented themselves with circling for a half hour in an attempt to regain the missing miles.
The ride had an inauspicious start, as a line of cars stretched out on my road as far as the eye could see, and I had to do some additional mileage cruising back and forth trying to take attendance. I tried in vain to herd everyone up my driveway, but no one seemed to hear. Where is Ken (the human megaphone) when you need him? Anyway, when I had finally collected most of the group on a patch of grass in front of the house, our lawn service people showed up and proceeded to fire up their engines to mow that very piece of grass. So now we added engine noise onto the roar of the crowd. I wanted at least to do the roll call to make sure I got everyone or at least tell people who the sweep was (Kathy). But noooo. So we took off and I hoped for the best.
First few miles were ridden textbook WW fashion, with me in the lead and human arrows stepping in as required. Eventually, some of the group decided I was too slow and blasted ahead. Fine with me, as most of the faster riders have GPS and I don't have to worry about them getting lost. Gradually, however, more and more of the group felt the need for speed. What was odd was that some of the breakaway group decided to pay forward and arrow at the turns. That was nice, if somewhat unexpected.
What I had neglected to mention, or was unable to mention, at the start was that there was no good place for a comfort/rewatering stop on the route, and that there was the possibility of a short off-course excursion to the visitor center. My remaining riders, aka "the chase group," opted for that, but Kathy wisely pointed out that, if any of the breakaway people decided to arrow, they would be there forever, or at least until we had returned from our comfort/rewatering stop, photo op, etc. at the visitor center. So Kathy stayed with the lead group as sweep and Rich stepped into the breach as new sweep of the chase group.
It somehow all worked out, we ended up back at my house where the birthday party was in full swing, and, more importantly, they hadn't finished all the beer.
Thanks to Kathy and Rich for sweeping.
On a cautionary note, word got back that one of the riders seemed to be spending a lot of time on the centerline of the road, That's a DDT (Don't Do That). The only good reason to stray from the right is to avoid large, gaping potholes, of which there are many. As a practical matter, giving motorists the choice of joining the peloton at 15 mph or passing too closely is not a good idea.
Report by Jack Donohue.
I was delighted to see many old friends who joined the ride and party and greeted me with kindness and affection. CRW has been an important part of my life for many years, and I was happy to be remembered. I thank my dear friends, Jack and Susan, for graciously making their home available for the party, and also thank Jack for leading the ride.
My next birthday ride will be in 2023, when I reach 85, so save the date and gear up for another celebration party.
Report by Eli Post.
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