Ride Leaders: Lindy King & Roy Westerberg
29 and 39 miles, 10:00 am start from Groton, MA
Riders - 29 mi (7): Roy, Aliza Edwards, Bernie Mango, Bill Widnall, Jim Whinfield, Kaz Zelny, and Rochelle Holman.
Riders - 39 mi (7): Lindy, Beth Rosenzweig, Dan Bertko, Dave Balaban, Frank Aronson, Gene Ho, and Greg Stathis.
On a beautiful, cool, sunny June day (what is so rare as a day in June?), seven of us set out a few minutes after the long-ride group. We were honored to have Bill Widnall, the founder of the Wednesday Wheelers, as one of our members.
Since both rides followed the same route for the first ten miles, we met up in Hollis center. Lindy had laid out a beautiful route over mostly rural roads with light traffic, including about ¾ mile on hard-packed dirt. It was a lovely day, and we passed many homes with flowers in bloom in their front yards, but also many sections of woods with full foliage, and many chipmunks and squirrels scampering away as we passed. We mostly stayed pretty close together, and only needed arrows occasionally. We proceeded over the route without incident. Many of our group commented on what a lovely route it was.
Three of us went to have lunch at Salt and Light, a couple of blocks from the start, but found that they were only open for takeout. Since we didn’t have any good place figured out to get together and dine, and didn’t want to stand on the sidewalk waiting until our orders were ready, we called it quits and went our separate ways.
Thanks to those who arrowed and, especially, to Kaz for sweeping the entire route.
Report by Roy Westerberg.
On the same beautiful, cool, sunny June day, six of us set out a few minutes ahead of the short ride group. Being a congenial and compatible group, we generally rode together and, when needed, Beth would arrow and Gene would sweep.
We climbed up to Hollis the “quick” way, taking in the lovely Dow Road in Hollis and adding another climb. There we met up with the short ride group, hung out briefly, said our hellos and then goodbyes.
We passed Fulcini Vineyards on Pine Hill Road and it was generally gentle ups and downs until we got off of Witches Spring Road onto Rte 122 (briefly). We then took a right turn and looked up at the steep climb onto Hayden Road which took us over to the dirt part of the route on Rocky Pond Road. There was a screaming descent into Brookline. At this point Greg decided he was going to discover new dirt roads in Mason and beyond and rode on his own to Wachusett Station. The rest of us did some climbing up to Pepperell and as we approached the covered bridge, Dave caught up to us (having been late to the start and rode until he rendezvoused with us).
Then we were six again. It was a pleasant ride back through Groton to the Nashua River rail trail where we had started the ride. Several of us stayed and chatted for quite some time after the ride. A good time was had by all. The consensus: it was worth the drive out to Groton for riding on some beautiful, traffic free, scenic roads.
Thanks to Beth for arrowing and to Gene for sweeping.
Report by Lindy King.
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