Through the Woods (along the bay) and Over the River - Blue Hills and Neponset - August 10. 2022

 RIDE REPORT

Wednesday, 10 August 2022, Through the Woods (along the bay) and Over the River - Blue Hills and Neponset

Ride Leaders:  David Wean & Ron Beland

25 or 27 miles, 10:00 am start from Canton, MA

Riders - (18):  David, Ron, Adam Walpert, Bruce Barnett, Butch Pemstein, Cynthia Zabin, Emily Wean, Frank Aronson, Gary Williams, Gene Ho, Gerry Sheetoo, Herb Kavet, Julia Zhogina, Ken Weber, Maya Mosyak, Veronica Vedensky, and first-timers, Christine Talbot and Susan Amsel.

We had a nice romp through Milton, Quincy, Dorchester, Mattapan, Milton (again), and Canton.  We warmed up with a climb to the not-terribly-impressive-today overlook on Chickatawbut Road, then sped down the back side into Quincy.  Along that stretch one rider had an irremediable mechanical issue, and Ron stayed with them until they arranged transportation back to the ride start.  Butch volunteered to be the interim sweep, and we rode through Quincy, cruised Wollaston Beach, stopping at Marina Bay for a water view and restroom break, where we were rejoined by Ron who resumed his sweeply duties.

We crossed to Dorchester on the Neponset Bridge walkway and viewed the estuary from the paths around Pope John Paul II Park.  The Neponset Trail took us back along the "high speed trolley" line to Mattapan Square, from which we found our way back to the Blue Hills Reservation.

Seven of the riders chose to climb the access road to the top of Great Blue (0.9 miles, 400 feet of climbing), and eight of the group enjoyed a tasty lunch on the patio at Trillium Brewery, a mile and a half from the ride start/finish.

Ride report by David Wean.