Annual Circling Wachusett Foliage Ride(s) - October 11, 2023

 RIDE REPORT

Wednesday, 11 October 2023, Annual Circling Wachusett Foliage Ride(s)

Ride Leaders:  Zach Woods & Frank Scibilia

37.6 miles, Core Ride, 10:00 am start from Sterling, MA

61.7 miles, Remote Start Ride, 9:00 am start from Bolton, MA

Bikers - 37.6 mi (8):  Zach, Aliza Edwards, Betsy Harper, David Goldberg, Frank Calabrese, Ken Weber, Mark Freedman, and Renee Rees.

Bikers - 61.7 mi (2):  Frank Scibilia and Craig Tulig.

On Ride with GPS the core route is called WW Annual Circling Wachusett Core 2023 and the remote is WW Annual Circling Wachusett remote start 2023.  Both were excellently plotted, by Richard Vignoni, to provide a good balance of climbs with some flats and downhills.

It was a beautiful day for a ride with the Wednesday Wheelers.  Frank S left with Craig on the longer, remote route at 9:00 am and, after a chilly start and a warming uphill after about two miles, they arrived at the start of the core route and met with the other eight WWs to continue on the core route at 10:00 am.

The core route began with an immediate, warming uphill!  We passed lovely farms, with goats and horses, on rural roads with minimal traffic and fall colors.  Halloween decorations highlighted several timeless properties that appear to have retained their charm over generations.  The Quinapoxet and Mare Meadow reservoirs offered expansive autumn foliage views.  And then, we reached the right turn onto Mountain Road for a serious climb up to the Mt. Wachusett Visitor Center!

Betsy, Ken, Craig, Frank C, and Renee got to the Visitor Center before David, Frank S, Aliza, Mark, and Zach.  Most were riding at their own pace.  Betsy, Ken, Craig, Renee, Aliza, and Mark, having energy to spare, chose to ride the extra loop to and from the Wachusett summit!

Zach acted as sweep, as he was having trouble with his front hub.  He arrived at the Visitor Center after everyone else, and we all had agreed that folks should head back to the start rather than wait for his arrival.

Continuing from the Visitor Center, the ride was a series of screaming downhills with a few flat stretches and small hills.  Everyone returned safely to their cars, having had plenty of exercise and a great experience for the day.

Thanks to Frank Scibilia for managing the faster riders, and for significant contributions to this write-up.

Report by Zach Woods.