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.