Stone Arch Bridge and Lost Lake - June 12. 2024

 RIDE REPORT

Wednesday, 12 June 2024, Stone Arch Bridge and Lost Lake

Ride Leader:  Tom Allen

41 miles, 10:00 am start from Boxborough, MA

Riders (11):  Tom, Adam Walpert, Bill Perry, Bill Umphrey, Clyde Kessel, David Goldberg, Gene Ho, Janusz Wicher, Marie Keutmann, Shawn Corr, and Simon Lingard.

Another fine day for a ride with enough clouds to protect the sun-sensitive among us and to keep all from overheating.  The group size was just about ideal; enough for company, but compact enough to keep arrowing to a minimum. The ride route had to be adjusted on the prior day, to avoid some construction on the original route, which added about four miles and an extra 250 feet of ascent.  Everyone adapted admirably.

The Stone Arch bridge proved to be a very interesting stop with people marveling at the mortarless construction with all stones held in place by gravity and distributed forces.  The path to the site provided a diversion from the road and all, with their various bike styles and configurations (road, gravel, electric assist and recumbent) managed well.

The run through Lost Lake was as fun as it always is and took us to the detour point.  This part of the route had not been scouted by me, but following the able advice of Lindy King it provided a few lovely miles (and hills).

The accompanying photos are from our stop at the Stone Arch Bridge.

I think everyone (save perhaps one) stayed for lunch at the new Craft Food Hall, which proved to be an ideal ride launch (and lunch) point.

Thanks to Bill Perry for sweeping and restoring the group after a missed light split the ride just at the start.  And thanks to Lindy for the re-routing assistance.

Report by Tom Allen.