Monday, December 26, 2022

Island Cruise - December 21, 2022

 RIDE REPORT


Wednesday, 21 December 2022, Island Cruise

Ride Leader:  Alan Cantor

36 miles, 10:00 am start from Sherborn, MA


Riders (3):  Alan, Gerry Sheetoo, and Sue Amsel.


As the saying goes, “There’s no bad weather, just inadequate equipment.”  Three intrepid souls, with adequate gear, ventured out on a beautiful 30-degree day to tackle a nice 36-mile ride through the countryside.  We pretty much stayed together, regrouped as needed, and, gratefully, had no mechanicals.  All were glad that they made the effort and the ride.


Report by Alan Cantor.


Sunday, December 18, 2022

Farrar Pond Loop Hike - December 14, 2022

HIKE REPORT


Wednesday, 14 December 2022, Farrar Pond Loop Hike

Hike Leaders:  Marie Keutmann & Richard Vignoni

~4 miles, 10:00 am start from Lincoln, MA


Hikers (19 + 1 canine):  Marie and Richard, Zoe, Ann Northup, Barbara Jacobs, Christine Dudley-Marling, Curt Dudley-Marling, Frank Aronson, Greg Stathis, Hugh Folsom, Jack Mroczkowski, Kathy Halmi, Margie Lee, Marlene Heroux, Susan Broome, Ted Nyder, Tony Lee, William Feiring, and first-timers Judith Perrin and Sharon Ellis.

Present at lunch: Helen Greitzer.


Marie and Richard, assisted by their dog, Zoe, led seventeen Wednesday Wheelers on a hike along Farrar Pond.  The route featured water views, beaver dams, and kettle holes.  The new snow in the woods and the ice on the pond made the views especially pretty.  The recommended micro spikes were not needed and stayed in our knapsacks. 

 

Ten hikers went to Verrill Farm for a post-hike lunch and all were able to sit together in the greenhouse.  Helen surprised us by showing up for lunch.  


Photograph by Margie Lee.

Report by Marie Keutmann.


 

Monday, December 12, 2022

An. Indoor, Rainy Day Bike Ride - December 7, 2022

RIDE REPORT


Wednesday, 7 December 2022, An. Indoor, Rainy Day Bike Ride

Ride Leader:  Alan Cantor

10:00 am start from (your) home


Lone Rider:  Alan.


With rain on the horizon, the leader decided to offer an indoor ride where riders could connect through the Discord app.  There were a couple of takers early on, but none could actually make it, so I rode alone on a Zwift route through Watopia.


Indoor rides can be a great alternative for us on days with inclement weather.  If there is interest, I am happy to schedule an indoor ride whenever the weather dictates.  Riders may use any indoor setup they have and use Zwift, Peloton, any other app, or no app at all.  Discord allows all of us to speak to one another (the group) and is easy to use.


Please be in touch with me if you are interested:   alancantor@gmail.com.   Note that this will not be an alternative to the regularly scheduled WW activity, other than on days when the weather (or road conditions) keeps us inside.


Report by Alan Cantor.

 

Thursday, November 24, 2022

Bike Ride from Revolution Hall - November 23, 2022

RIDE REPORT


Wednesday, 23 November 2022, A Bike Ride from Revolution Hall

Ride Leader:  Gene Ho

35.4 miles, 10:00 am start from Lexington, MA


Riders (11):  Gene, Barry Nelson, Craig Tulig, Everett Briggs, Gerry Sheetoo, Maria Noya, Melissa Norton, Robin Frain, Stan Kay, and first-timers Jeffrey Wallen and Molly Schaeffer. 

"Big tree down on Reformatory trail between Hartwell Rd and Railroad Ave in Bedford".  Since the Reformatory trail was the first leg on the WW ride, Barbara Jacobs' text message to me, after her Tuesday AM walk there, was a concern.  Things that impede car traffic raise immediate complaints and are typically cleared quickly.  Obstructions to recreational foot traffic, not so much.  Best to check it out, which I did on my bike, Tuesday afternoon.  Not to worry.  All chain sawed and hauled off to the side very professionally.




Eight of us started in Bedford with 4 or 5 others intending to join us in Concord.  At the Concord end of the Reformatory trail Stan and Barry were waiting for us.  Ken and Dom, who were also to join at that point, were waylaid by bike problems not amenable to quick fixes.  Shortly thereafter we picked up Maria who, thinking she was late, had started on her own.  Normally a fast rider, the hills slowed her down due to a maladjusted rear derailleur which wouldn't shift into the lower gears.  Luckily, this was a quick fix.  Splitting into faster and slower groups, we all re-grouped at Fern's in Carlisle for their much needed rest room and eagerly anticipated home baked cookies.  With the noon sun in a cloudless sky and almost no wind, the temps rose, extending our planned quick stop into a very leisurely lunch.




But, no luck with the cookies.  School in Carlisle let out early, before lunch, and the students descended on Fern's.  With the line for cookies zig zagging around the food isles and the supply of cookies rapidly diminishing, even the math challenged could see that supply and demand were not going resolve in our favor. 




Our return leg included a run down Monument St back to Concord.  In car racing, the saying is "there is no replacement for displacement".  The car with the bigger engine usually wins.  On bikes going downhill, big guys go fast and tandems go even faster.  Well, we had both.  Guess which one is the big guy.




And here's the tandem.




The tandem led the way.  The big guy tucked in behind and I took the rear.  Easiest ride down Monument St ever.  When I uploaded the ride to RWPS, I recorded a PB.  I now hold the 1108th best time on that segment.  big whoop.  


With lots to do before the holiday, some couldn't make the start.  As I left the parking lot, Rich V and Marie K rolled in on their bikes after doing the unpaved portions of the route.  It's amazing how many very experienced riders haven't been on either the Reformatory trail or Battle Rd on their bikes.  They found it fascinating, taking in many of the historical exhibits that line the route.  

Eugene Ho

Monday, November 14, 2022

Mystic River Cruise - November 9, 2022

 RIDE REPORT


Wednesday, 9 November 2022, Mystic River Cruise

Ride Leader:  Joe Tavilla

30 miles, 10:00 am start from Somerville, MA


Riders (9):  Joe, Bill Widnall, Craig Tulig, Elsa Lawrence, Gerry Sheetoo, Joanne Samuels, Selig Saltzman, Sue Amsel, and Susan Sabin.

Present at lunch stop:  Helen Greitzer.


Sunny skies, calm winds, and bike friendly temperatures embraced nine lucky cyclists who enjoyed exploring both sides of the Mystic River from Somerville to Winchester.  

Geese-clogged bike paths were all part of a fun day which included an impromptu birthday celebration for the WW ride coordinator during the lunch stop in Winchester Center - ice cream cake for all!


An additional highlight of the ride included a visit to the Encore Casino.  The nature of the route included lots and lots of turns which were no problem due to the good nature of all who arrowed.


A big thank you to Elsa Lawrence who was sweep for the entire ride, and EXTRA SPECIAL THANKS to Elsa for quickly planning the birthday celebration which added so much to our day.


Report by Joe Tavilla.


Monday, November 7, 2022

Sharon Cruise - November 2, 2022

 RIDE REPORT


Wednesday, 2 November 2022, Sharon Cruise

Ride Leader:  Ellen Dirgins

34.5 miles, 10:00 am start from Sharon, MA


Riders (19):  Ellen, Ann Whaley-Tobin, Craig Tulig, Dave Balaban, Elsa Lawrence, Everett Briggs, Frank Aronson, Frank Scibilia, Gary Williams, Gene Ho, Gerry Sheetoo, Joan Fenster, Joel Bauman, John Ho, Rich Taylor, Rochelle Holman, Sue Amsel, and first-timers Matt Osber and Peg Primak.

Present at lunch:  Helen Greitzer.


The Sharon Cruise was a very successful ride.  I am happy to report that there were no issues. There were nineteen of us who rode the route, and I had ordered the prefect weather for the occasion!


There were a few new faces and a few familiar faces.  I was so happy to have Rich Taylor join us for the ride.  Some of us stopped to have lunch in the center of Sharon, at Angel’s Cafe, which did not disappoint.  We were blessed to have Helen join us for lunch.


Thank you to all who attended - it was a pleasure to ride with you.  And special thanks to Gene Ho for sweeping and to all who arrowed.


Until next time, peace!


Report by Ellen Dirgins.


P.S. - for those of you (Everett) interested in the history of the Ames family, check out this link:


Ames Mansion (U.S. National Park Service) 

nps.gov 

 


Blanche Ames was a very interesting women in her day!





Tuesday, October 25, 2022

Annual Circling Wachusett Foliage Ride - October 19, 2022

 RIDE REPORT


Wednesday, 19 October 2022, Annual Circling Wachusett Foliage Ride

Ride Leaders:  Richard Vignoni and Judith McMichael

63-mile Remote Start ride, 8:50 am start from Bolton, MA

39-mile Core ride, 10:00 am start from Sterling, MA


Riders – 63 mi (4):  Marc Baskin, Wing Chow, George ???, and a mystery rider.

Riders – 39 mi (17):  Richard, Judith, Bill Lane, Celia Donatio, Ellen Gugel, Elizabeth Wicks, Gene Ho, Herb Kavet, Joanne Samuels, Judith McMichael, Julie Dodd, Ken Weber, Lindy King, Marie Keutmann, Renee Rees, Robin Frain, Sue Amsel, and Zach Woods.


Two sets of two remote start riders arrived at the core ride start, bringing the total number of riders to twenty-one.  The group included four long-time WWs (Bill, Joanne, Marc, and Richard), five e-bikes (up from two last year), and several first-time Circling Wachusett riders.


The hilly nature of the ride tends to spread-out the riders.  Consequently, we decided on having a faster group which was led by Judith, and a slower group led by Richard, and we did not use human arrows.  We also decided to move the lunch stop from the ski area to the visitor center and re-route onto Pine Hill to rejoin the original route.  The change of lunch venue and the associated re-routing tweak will become a permanent part of the route.


After the somewhat lengthy ride orientation talk, the faster group headed out, followed by the slower group.  The route lived up to its billing as being very beautiful, very hilly, and having little car traffic.  The foliage with fallen leaves on the sides of some of the less travelled roads added to the beauty.  Some of the riders biked the extra, hilly miles to the summit, then re-joined the others at the visitor center.   As the ride progressed, the temperature moderated and, with bright blue skies and the foliage, it made for a great day of biking.


Report by Richard Vignoni.








Monday, October 17, 2022

Doug's Annual Bonsai Ride - October 12, 2022

 RIDE REPORT


Wednesday, 12 October 2022, Doug's Annual Bonsai Ride
Ride Leader:  Clyde Kessel
34 miles, 10:00 am start from Littleton, MA

Riders (21):  Clyde, Barry Nelson, Butch Pemstein, Cynthia Zabin, Dave Balaban, David Wean, Dmitry Gorenburg, Frank Aronson, Gary Williams, Gerry Sheetoo, Herb Kavet, Hugh Folsom, Joel Bauman, Marc Baskin, Marie Keutmann, Renee Rees, Ron Beland, Roy Westerberg, Sue Amsel, and first-timers Craig Tulig and Dan Ginsburg.
Present at Lunch:  Helen Greitzer.

What a day for a ride!  It was chilly when Hugh and I started out in the Carlisle/Chelmsford area to ride to the start, but by the time 10:00 showed up, it was warm enough to shed everything not needed for common decency and safety.  I was supposed to drive to the start with the beverages (for lunch), however, I hit a skunk with my car last night and really didn’t think my car would be welcome at Bonsai West.  So, Helen (bless her soul), added the beverages to her list of sandwiches and brownies and brought 15/16 of the entire lunch order single handed. (Well, she did get help carrying it from her car to the picnic area.)  But, I’m getting ahead of myself.


After a short safety talk which no one could hear because of all the traffic on Rte 2A, we twenty cyclists launched from Bonsai West, pretty close to 10:00 am.  Our plan was to be back at 1:00 pm.  We were missing two riders, but, as the mantra goes:  “Arrive on time or ride alone.”  As a result, Marc rode alone and didn’t catch up until 1:02 pm!  But, I’m getting ahead of myself.


The actual ride went very smoothly:  no one got lost, no arrows left their posts, we got spread out enough for safety (but not so much that the arrows got sunburned), no one crashed going down Island Pond Road, we saw goats at the goat farm on Martins Pond Road (also a real estate appraiser), but didn’t see the pigs at the pig farm on Davis Road.  We finally got to the playing field on Nutting Road with 2 porta-johns.  Ahhhh . . . . . just in time.  Strangely, one had been serviced that very day and the other hadn’t - mystery.  In any event, we made it all the way with no wrong turns (a first!!).  The lead riders pulled into the Bonsai West parking lot at 1:00 pm, exactly on time.  Marc, who had been chasing the group for 2 1/2 hours finally caught up to us a couple of minutes later.


Helen, the heroine of the day, showed up within five minutes with 15/16 of the sandwich order, her famous brownies, and cider and water (she did get help carrying it from her car to the picnic area).  The gate to the garden area was chained and padlocked shut, but we soon found the secret passage into what could surely be called the Garden of Eden - we enjoyed 15/16 of a luncheon, surrounded by bonsai trees.  A couple of us searched and found a 75-year old tree.  Later on, a different couple of us found a 200-year old tree.  Impressive!

Kudos to Marc for remoting all the way from home!!

Thanks to the many arrows, to Butch for sweeping, and to Helen for bringing her famous brownies and 15/16 of the lunch (well, she did get help carrying it from her car).  Also, thanks to the cyclist who took our trash away, leaving the area just as we had found it.


Report by Clyde Kessel.


Monday, October 3, 2022

To the End of the World and Back - September 28, 2022

RIDE REPORT


Wednesday, 28 September 2022, To the End of the World and Back

Ride Leader:  David Wean

27 miles, 10:00 am start from Hingham, MA


Riders (16):  David, Adam Walpert, Bob Apsler, Butch Pemstein, Cynthia Zabin, Don Buchholtz, Francie Sparks, Frank Aronson, Gary Williams, Gene Ho, Joe Tavilla, Marie Keutmann, Richard Vignoni, Ron Beland, and first-timers Amelia Bye and Susan DiMatteo.


After the first few miles on the road, we began our tour de parks. After starting with Weymouth's Osprey Overlook Park, we climbed through Great ("more than just pretty good") Esker Park and meandered through Hingham's Bare Cove Park.  These three parks frame the Back River estuary which divides Hingham from Weymouth.


Continuing by road into and out of downtown Hingham, we made our way to World's End (admission fee, but fortunately we had enough Trustees memberships between us*), where we enjoyed water views while riding the Olmsted-designed dirt and gravel carriage paths.  Some rode this on gravel bikes, and at least one on a road bike with 23mm tires.  From there we had smooth pavement to the lunch stop, cruising Jerusalem Road and Atlantic Avenue in Cohasset, passing "some okay houses," and enjoying lunch and snacks from the several choices in Cohasset center.


After a couple more road miles, and one last hill, we rolled along the stone-dust Whitney Spur Bikeway, which led us back into Wompatuck State Park to finish the ride.  Low average speed, but high average enjoyment.


* For some reason they cannot explain to me, the Trustees of Reservations will allow a member to drive a carload of nonmembers in for no additional charge, but when the same member brings the same number of nonmembers along on bicycles, the nonmembers are each charged the $6 entrance fee.  The ever-vigilant ranger at the gate had us pass by her as we showed our member cards of various levels, allowing the appropriate number of guests in with each of us.  For two years now, they've ignored my requests for a fairer policy.


Thanks to Butch for sweeping until the lunch stop, and to Ron for sweeping the last five mies back to the ride start.


Report by David Wean.

Monday, September 26, 2022

ABS (Acton, Boxboro, Stow) ride - September 21, 2022

 RIDE REPORT


Wednesday, 21 September 2022, ABS (Acton, Boxboro, Stow) ride

Ride Leader:  Ken Hablow

37 miles, 10:00 am start from Wayland, MA


Riders - 37 mi - (18):  Ken, Annemarie Altman, Bill Umphrey, Bob Wolf, Curt Dudley-Marling, Dale Ferguson, David Cooper, Dom Jorge,  Frank Aronson, Gary Williams, Gene Ho, John Aslanian, John Ho, Rick Lawrence, Rochelle Holman, Sue Amsel, Wing Chow, and first-timer Bill Furman.

Present at ride start:  Helen Greitzer.


On the last day of summer, and the International Day of Peace (who knew?) fifteen of us started out on a 37-mile rolling ride, mostly on quiet back roads through Concord, Acton Stow, and touching into Boxboro.  We met Curt and David in West Concord, and Rick in South Acton, to make a group of eighteen.


I offered a faster group to try to split the riders, but everyone was more comfortable staying together.  Several of the faster riders went ahead, but always stopped to arrow for the rest of us.  We pretty much stayed together, mostly within eyesight of the leader.  We had two planned “personal hygiene” stops - our favorite fire station in South Acton and the tennis courts on Elm Street in West Acton.  It was interesting to see how many times cars stopped at major intersections to let our whole group go through.


Riding back through Concord, several WWs, who either rode to the start or met us en route, left the group to head home.  Four riders stopped at the Twisted Tree Café in Lincoln center for lunch.  The rest of us took a scenic route back along Old Sudbury Road in Lincoln, past the infamous Ponyhenge, the extensive farm fields of Drumlin Farm, and a flock of free-range turkeys being fattened up for Thanksgiving at Codman Farm.


The day was enjoyable, cloudy with temperatures in the mid-50s.  We even had a Kaz sighting at the top of Strawberry Hill Road.  Thanks to Gene for sweeping and to all those who arrowed.


It was nice seeing Helen at the ride start.


Report by Ken Hablow.







Monday, September 19, 2022

Cape Ann Loop rides - September 14, 2022

 RIDE REPORTS


Wednesday, 14 September 2022, Cape Ann Loop rides

Ride Leaders:  John Aslanian & Clyde Kessel

67 miles, 9:30 am start from Wenham, MA

32 miles, 10:00 am start from Gloucester, MA


Riders - 67 mi - (8):  John, Frank Aronson, Gene Ho, Gerry Sheetoo, Marie Keutmann, Richard Vignoni, Sue Amsel, and first-timer Frank Scibilia.

Riders - 32 mi - (7):  Clyde, Betsy Harper, Dale Ferguson, Gary Williams, Ken Weber, Melissa Norton, and Steve Venizelos.

Present at ride start:  Helen Greitzer.


The Perfect Storm, the movie, is based on one of the most horrific weather days in the history of the Gloucester fishing community.  A fishing boat set out on that day, never to return to port.


Fortunately, today was the "Perfect Cycling Day!”  Eight strong riders set out from Gordon College, on a beautiful day, to enjoy one of the most spectacular coastlines in the world.  We stopped at different coastal spots to take in the views of the Boston skyline, the Gloucester and Rockport coastlines, and all of the lighthouses along the way.  What made the coastal views so special was the way the sunlight glistens off the water this time of year.


After an enjoyable lunch at Willows Rest, we rode inland, past pastures, farms, and an Equestrian Center, on perfectly paved roads as we made our way back to Gordon College.  Eight riders, with big smiles on our faces, returned safely after a wonderful day on our bikes!


I would like to thank Helen Greitzer for her years of dedication and help while being the coordinator of the Wednesday Wheelers.  Richard Vignoni and I were remembering the days when you had to contact Helen, far in advance, to request a spot on the WW ride schedule - to share a favorite local area that you wanted other WWs to experience.  I have experienced so many beautiful places and made many friends and memories over the years - that wouldn't have happened if this club didn't exist.


I would like to thank Richard, Frank, and Sue for helping with navigation, and Richard for pointing out interesting spots along the way, and Gene for sweeping.


Report by John Aslanian.


Yes, it was a fabulous day for cycling along the coast of Gloucester and Rockport.  The group was small and the leader could see the sweep nearly all the time, so we only needed a few arrows for the whole route.


We were treated to views of the ocean and more beaches than I could count.  When we saw the wind turbine with only 2 blades, Gary explained to us that the third blade had fallen off.  The turbine is so old that a replacement blade is no longer available.

The route was really a twisty little maze of passages (all different) which this leader has never led before.  Therefore, we occasionally twisted when we should have turned, and turned when we should have twisted.  It pretty much balanced out in the end.  However, we did accidentally miss most of the Eastern Point section of Gloucester (which is really the southern point).  'Twas a pity, but we did get to lunch two miles early as a result.  Thanks to Gary for calling out some of the turns - just in time so the leader didn’t miss them.

Six of us had a nice lunch together, in spite of all the hornets.

Thanks to Dale for sweeping, as well as to the arrows which we occasionally needed.


Report by Clyde Kessel.

















Monday, September 12, 2022

Drifting through Westport - September 7, 2022

 RIDE REPORT


Wednesday, 7 September 2022, Drifting through Westport

Ride Leader:  Susan Sabin

33 miles, 10:00 am start from Westport, MA


Riders (16):  Susan, Annemarie Altman, Don Buchholtz, Don Mannes, Elsa Lawrence, Frank Aronson, Gene Ho, Gerry Sheetoo, Joe Tavilla, Marie Keutmann, Melissa Norton, Richard Vignoni, Sue Amstel,  Susan Broome, Tom Lawrence, and first-timer Mark Gabrenya.


What a pleasure to have some old and new wheelers join us.  Welcome back to Melissa Norton and Joe Tavilla, and a big hello to first-time rider Mark Gabrenya.


The ride lived up to its description - very rural, quite flat, few gasoline vehicles (but not as few as I had led riders to expect), plus good pavement and great views.  We picnicked at a very civilized pavilion next to a beach, just on the far side of the bridge outside of South Dartmouth.  Unfortunately, a bunch of busy bees joined us.


This was almost half way, and by majority opinion, the best was yet to come - more views, more farms, glimpses of rivers, bay, and, instead of the mega mansions of metrowest, a good sprinklIng of very modest homes, some of them appearing to be handmade log cabins.  Much of the way we cycled in a very light mist, with the sky darkening in one direction and lightening in another.  But no real rain ever fell.  We pretty much stayed together, with enough gaps for safety.  No incidents.  A happy group returned to Drift Road at mile 33.5.


Thanks to Elsa for sweeping.


Report by Susan Sabin.


Wednesday, August 31, 2022

Too Cool for School Ride - August 31, 2022

 RIDE REPORT


Wednesday, 31 August 2022, Too Cool for School

Ride Leader:  Jack Donohue

31 miles, 10:00 am start from Bedford, MA


Riders (15):  Jack, Barry Nelson, Bernie Mango, Betty Salzberg, Bill Widnall, Curt Dudley-Marling, Gary Williams, Gerry Sheetoo, Hugh Folsom, Joan Fenster, Linda Nelson, Renee Rees, Sue Amsel, Ted Finch, and first-timer Gary Braver.


We had yet another perfect day for cycling.  In fact, it was even more perfect (grammar police?) than the day before, since the temperature was a bit lower and the dreaded humidity was down.  Nonetheless, I approached the ride with fear and trepidation since all the attendees had declared their average speed and it was faster than mine.  No matter, anyone in front of me was on their own and, as leader, I just had to make sure no one was abandoned and got lost.

My other concern was navigation.  Full disclosure:  I have no sense of direction.  Without my GPS I am lost, literally.  I pretty much never leave the house without my trusty RideWithGPS phone app.  I hadn't ridden the route since last year and I had a really sketchy idea of where it went.

What would happen if the leader got lost?  In days of old, all would be lost since no one but the leader knew the route.  Nowadays, with most riders having GPS, you can probably muddle through with crowdsourcing.

Everything was going just ducky, navigation-wise, when we encountered a detour in West Concord.  My GPS and I do just fine as long as we follow the prescribed route.  Stray off the little blue line and I might as well be in darkest Africa.  The RideWithGPS app has a new feature to reroute you when you stray off course, but I'd never used it and didn't want to try mid-ride.  Fortunately, not everyone is as directionally challenged as I am, and someone in the group found our way back to Laws Brook Road.


We passed the four advertised School Streets, though one was in fact a School Way.  Close enough.


Report by Jack Donohue.