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.
No comments:
Post a Comment