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.