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.

Gene Ho's Report

 A tour of World's End in Hingham was the highlight of the week's Wednesday Wheeler ride.  It's an interesting place to ride as we'll see.

You just can't just walk or bike in.  Access is tightly controlled and one has to go thru a mini version of customs.  Here we are lined up at the gatehouse to present our "papers".

A fee is required unless you're a member of the Trustees of Reservation.  Luckily, half the riders had family memberships which allows them to bring in a relative.  But, the only actual family was Dave and his wife, the leaders.  So, a number of "adoptions" quickly ensued.  The rider wearing the green backpack adopted me as her son.  For the balance of the ride we addressed each other as "mom" and "son".

It's a gravel road throughout the reservation.  Dave expected many to walk but all rode their bikes, most of them road bikes.

Never thought I'd see the day but here's Butch Pemstein on his artfully crafted Peter Mooney road bike cruising down the gravel.

There were some natural challenges too.  Cynthia warily eyes a wasp's nest the size of a paper lantern as she gingerly bikes past.

We arrive at the end of World's End intact with no spills or misadventures.  The object in foreground is Butch stretching his tight back.

World's End is a peninsula jutting out between Hull and Hingham Harbor.  We're all looking across the Weir River (actually a bay) at the west shore of Hull.

As we approach the exit we catch a glimpse of Hingham Harbor on the West side of the reservation.