Nightmare on Elm Street - June 21, 2023

 RIDE REPORT

Wednesday, 21 June 2023, Nightmare on Elm Street

Ride Leader:  Jack Donohue

33 or 42 miles, 10:00 am start from Bedford, MA

Bikers (21):  Jack, Aviram Cohen, Barry Kaditz, Barry Nelson, Bill Widnall, Butch Pemstein (sweep), Craig Tulig, Curt Dudley-Marling, Dave Pierson, David Goldberg, Ed Hill, Frank Aronson, Gary Williams, Gene Ho, Joel Bauman, John Kitchen, Sue Amsel, Susan Linz, and first-timers Bill Perry, Chris Harris, and Don Amsel.

Three riders opted to do the 42-mile route, bagging an additional Elm Street.

My main concern was maintaining the advertised pace.  When the Wednesday Wheelers started, it required an average pace of 13 mph to join the group.  In those days I thought this was a piece of cake, hardly worth mentioning.  Fast forward several decades and it presented more of a challenge.

I gave my speech about arrowing, stressing that each arrow must absolutely stay at their post until released by the sweep.  I enlisted Butch, who had been my sweep on many past rides.

We had yet another perfect day for cycling and a good group - what could go wrong?  Well, quite a lot actually.  It turned out the ride was aptly named, since everything that could go awry did.

We started out in classic WW mode, arrows coming forth at every turn.  We had an early breakaway, but all the faster riders had GPS navigation so I wasn't too worried about them.

There was some forward arrowing going on, riders going ahead of the leader and arrowing.  That worked well, until Butch went MIA and no one seemed to know if he was ahead or behind or in a parallel universe.

After we discovered that Butch was missing, confusion reigned.  The fast riders either went their own way or joined the long ride.  So we were left with a group of about eight riders that stayed together until the end, since the human arrow system had broken down and I didn't want to lose anyone else.  Lesson learned:  leader must absolutely, positively, have a visual of a stopped human arrow at each turn before proceeding.

We did pass the four advertised Elm Streets, or five if you were an overachiever.

Thanks to Butch for sweeping and all the human arrows along the way.

Report by Jack Donohue.

Concord to the MASS PIKE - June 14, 2023

 RIDE REPORT

Wednesday, 14 June 2023, Concord to the MASS PIKE

Ride Leader:  Gene Ho

~32 miles, 10:00 am start from Concord, MA

Bikers (26):  Gene, Barry Kaditz, Barry Nelson, Betsy Kimball, Butch Pemstein, Craig Tulig, Don Buchholtz, Ed Hill, Frank Aronson, Frank Calabrese, Gary Williams, Gerry Sheetoo, Joan Fenster, Marie Keutmann, Mike Hanauer, Roy Westerberg, Sue Amsel, Susan Broome, Susan Linz, Susan Sabin, Zach Woods, and first-timers Al Kumnick, Aviram Cohen, and David Goldberg - plus two unidentified. 

We had twenty-six riders - all those who registered (except Jimmy White), plus one or two who didn't. 

 

At the start I described Jimmy’s predicament and pleaded for someone to fill in as the ride leader.  I even volunteered the usual suspects present who had previously led rides.  In this task, I freely admit dismal failure.  As I had frequently been reminded back in my working days - if you can't stick it on someone else, you're the stuckee.  As such, I gave the route intro, proposed a few route tweaks, and designated a stop to re-group in Weston center. 

 

For some it was a rough start.  Gerry's inner tubes seem to have it in for him and ambushed his ride with yet another flat - three in as many weeks. 

 

When we arrived in Weston center, the riders had separated into the usual two clusters.  The first batch of arrivals were declared the "fast group," with Frank Aronson, the first of the first, anointed the ride leader.  Barry Kaditz, the last of the first, defaulted to sweep.  As they departed, the remaining riders filtered in to form the “slow group.”  After discussing a route change to avoid the steep hill on Radcliffe Road, our slow group set out.  When we arrived at the detour around the hill, we were surprised to find the fast group behind us.  Due to unexpected construction, they had had to find their own detour.  After some time, the two groups re-segregated.  One more rest stop at Nine Acre Corner, and we were soon at our finish in Concord center, where we chatted briefly and scattered for lunch. 

 

There were some old faces I hadn't seen in a few years.  Roy Westerberg complained that he couldn't keep up with the NVP folks anymore and was told that the WW folks were so slow he'd have no problem.  Since he stayed right behind me the whole ride, he must have been told the truth.  I asked if he had spoken recently to Kaz Zelny whom I had also not seen in several years.  "Nope, haven't heard a word from him, though I'm told he's still playing pickle ball" was Roy's response.  Just then, Roy’s phone rang - it was Kaz of all people.  He had called with the same complaint as Roy's.  I told Roy to tell Kaz that we can do diversity in all its forms, including speed.  As Woody Allen said – “Just show up.” 

Report by Gene Ho.

Alewife to Saugus Iron Works - June 7, 2023

 RIDE REPORT

Wednesday, 7 June 2023, Alewife to Saugus Iron Works

Ride Leader:  Gene Ho

36.5 miles, 10:00 am start from Cambridge, MA

Bikers (18):  Gene, Butch Pemstein, Craig Tulig, Dale Ferguson, Don Mannes, Donald Buchholtz, Francie Sparks, Frank Aronson, Frank Scibilia, Gary Williams, Julie Dodd, Ken Weber, Susan Broome, Susan Sabin, Tod Cochran, Tom Allen, Zach Woods, and first-timer Susan Linz.

If you're not familiar with the "last mile problem", the commute to the start is a good illustration.  Distance from my house to the Rte 2/Alewife rotary:  13.5 miles.  Time to travel:  16 minutes.  Distance from Alewife rotary to Danehy Park behind the Fresh Pond Mall:  1.5 miles.  Time to travel:  16 minutes.  The five or so riders who elected to bike to the start did not regret their decision.  Boo Hoo - a half hour commute.  So many in the world would gladly swap their travails for our first world problems.

The trip to Saugus Iron Works went as planned, with no riders lost on the Alewife bike path and lighter than expected traffic on the residential streets of Winchester, Stoneham, and Saugus.  Good ride discipline made for a tight group - less spread out than usual.   SIW was open, but not staffed.   Several of us checked out the 350-year-old equipment.  The return on the Northern Strand bike path was a great illustration of how the livability of some "industrial" neighborhoods can be positively transformed by what some might consider an economic frill.  

We all made it to Charlestown, surviving the dreaded Sullivan Square rotary.  With comfy temps and no rain, lunch was enthusiastically consumed outdoors.  The number of diners who can fit around a table designed for 2 is astonishing.

The final legs on the Paul Dudley White bike path and the Watertown Greenway allowed us to avoid almost all the streets in Cambridge.  This was judged by some to be a worthy goal.  Only one mechanical - a flat near the end on a somewhat unusual bike.  Luckily, another biker owned an identical bike and was able to assist in the fix.  The ride leader and other concerned parties assuaged their apprehension by downing a few brewskis at the Fresh Pond Beer Garden.  The beers were effective - the final riders appeared as we drank our last sips.

Report by Gene Ho.

May 31, 2023 - Merrimack River ride

 RIDE REPORT

Wednesday, 31 May 2023, Merrimack River ride

Ride Leader:  Joanne Samuels

~32 miles, 10:00 am start from Newburyport, MA

Bikers (15):  Joanne, Allison Easton, Butch Pemstein, Christine Talbot, Craig Tulig, Dale Ferguson, Don Mannes, Frank Aronson, Gary Anderson, Gary Williams, Gerry Sheetoo, Marie Keutmann, Sue Amsel, Susan Sabin, and Zach Woods.

Fifteen WWs set out from the Newburyport Park & Ride lot, following a ridewithGPS route which was created by members of North Shore Cyclists.  The route took us along both banks of the Merrimack River and through West Newbury, Groveland, Haverhill, Amesbury, and, finally, back to Newburyport.  Helen had mentioned that this was a route that had been offered years ago (before ridewithGPS) and was led by Bob Sawyer on several occasions.

The day was beautifully warm with a wonderful breeze.  Late spring flowers, shrubs, and trees were at their peak, showing off some incredible blooms and adding wonderful fragrances.  The roads were in very good condition with generous shoulders for riding.  We stopped at Park Lunch in Newburyport for some food and congeniality.

A couple of mishaps included a pair of forgotten shoes and three flats (two of which were on the same bike).  Eventually everyone caught up with five miles to go, so we were all able to eat together.

I want to thank all who helped me lead this ride - including arrows, the sweep, and those with ridewithGPS expertise.  I'd also like to encourage others to lead by using ridewithGPS.  It was relatively easy and, as in the case of this ride, can uncover some beautiful biking routes.

Report by Joanne Samuels.