Through the Woods (along the bay) and Over the River - Blue Hills and Neponset - July 10 2019

RIDE REPORT

Through the Woods (along the bay) and Over the River - Blue Hills and Neponset - July 10 2019
Ride Leaders:  Ron Beland & David Wean
25 or 27 miles, 10:00 am start from Houghton's Pond, Canton, MA

Riders (25):  David, Ron, Aliza Edwards, Ann Northup, Bruce Barnett, Bruce Lederer, Butch Pemstein, Carol Hartigan, Catherine Schroeder, Dave Balaban, Ellen Dirgins, Emily McPhillips, Gary Smiley, Gary Williams, John Springfield, Randy Stern, Rich Taylor, Rochelle Holman, Steve O'Brien, Stuart Kaufman, and first-timers Allison Easton, Bob Persons, Charlie Gordy, Lisa Cole, and Taylor Best.  There was also a random guy on a mountain bike who was on his way to Castle Island for a hot dog and tagged along for half the ride.

We started from Houghton's Pond over freshly paved and shady, forested roads and, in two miles, reached the only significant hill on the main route.  We paused there briefly at the Chickatawbut observation point for a photo op, followed by a fast, smooth and long downhill.  After a short zigzag through suburban streets, we reached Quincy Shore Drive which afforded a view of Quincy Bay and the Harbor Islands.  A half-mile later, we turned into Marina Bay for a restroom break and view.

We then rode on back roads and a multi-use path along the river leading to the Neponset Bridge, and crossed via the wide sidewalk added in the 2012 bridge rebuild.  We connected to the Neponset Trail, meandering through Pope John Paul II Park, followed by the newest section (opened in 2017) of the trail leading to Mattapan Square.  From there, we breezed back to the Blue Hills via peaceful Blue Hills Parkway, avoiding much of Rte 138 via a downhill along bucolic Green Street.  A brief climb led to the Hillside Pub, for lunch, or the straight shot back to Houghton's Pond.  Two riders took an energetic side trip to the summit of Great Blue Hill before the Green Street section.  There was one flat toward the end of the ride, but otherwise no mishaps or breakdowns.

Report by David Wean.