Around, about, and Along Morses Pond - November 20, 2024

 RIDE REPORT

Wednesday, 20 November 2024, Around, About, and Along Morses Pond hike

Hike Leader:  Susan Sabin

~4 miles, 10:30 am start from Wellesley, MA

Hikers (15):  Susan, Aiko Pinkoski, Ann Northup, Clyde Kessel, David Goldberg, Don Mannes, Frank Aronson, Jim Whinfield, Judy Perrin, Julie Dodd, Kristina Leclaire, Marc Webb, Marie Keutmann, Mike Hanauer, and Zach Woods.

With fifteen Wednesday wheelers showing up to share a glorious autumn day, we overwhelmed the parking lot near Wellesley's CrossTown Trail, forcing several later arrivals to park on side streets nearby.  Nonetheless we began almost on time, missing only one of the registered attendees.

As promised, the area surprised several of the participants, leading one to declare, “you can be in downtown Wellesley and, at the same time, in the woods anywhere - hearing and seeing no signs of people.”  And, when we wound through the modest neighborhood that borders the south portion of the pond, another asked, somewhat incredulous,  is this still Wellesley?”

One of the highlights of the walk for me was watching a garbage truck back up along the narrow street that slithered through that neighborhood.  If there was a contest for best back-up driver on narrow, winding roads, this guy could’ve won!  

We hiked for about four miles before we returned to the start.  This, as so often happens, was a great group of strong people, one of whom walked part way without the soles of his old hiking boots attached to the upper parts.  

Nine of us lunched at Sweet Greens in Wellesley, six of whom walked from the hike start to lunch and back, for a solid five miles total.  

Report by Susan Sabin.

Spring [sic] Butterfly Ride - November 6, 2024

 RIDE REPORT

Wednesday, 6 November 2024, Spring [sic] Butterfly Ride

Ride Leader:  Clyde Kessel

30 miles, 10:00 am start from Carlisle, MA

Clyde, Dave Balaban, David Goldberg, Ed Hill, Frank Aronson, Gary Williams, Keren Hamel, Marc Webb, Marie Keutmann, Todd Palmer, Tom Allen, Wing Chow, and first-timers Barry Slosberg and Steve Hoffenberg.

Yet again, we had fantastic weather for cycling.  One of these days, winter will arrive and we will realize how spoiled we have been this fall.

The rider leader (who rides a recumbent) was happy to see another rider in the group on a recumbent.

By 10:05, we were all briefed and safetied and the human arrow system was explained to the new guy on the block.  We were missing Barry who had registered but hadn’t arrived.

We headed out of the parking lot and on the way out, Barry drove in.  Frank knew that Barry didn’t have navigation equipment, so Frank kindly stayed behind to help him out.  The rest of us proceeded on our merry way.  The group never got very spread out because we had lots of regrouping stops.

On the return, just before the climb up Scribner Road, there was a construction crew replacing a culvert.  We asked if we could walk through on the side of the road and the police officer kindly escorted us.  A few weeks ago, on a different WW ride in an identical situation in Harvard, the police officer refused and sent us off on a long detour on a busy road.  It’s kind of like calling medicare - sometimes you get a good person and sometimes you don’t.

Four of us stayed for lunch at Chelmsford Pizza.  After lunch, as we got back on our bikes for the one mile ride to our cars, Frank and Barry showed up - they had finally caught up to us.  For a couple of minutes, we had perfect attendance . . . . .

Thanks go to all the arrows and, especially, to Tom for sweeping.

Report by Clyde Kessel.

Apple Pi (short) Ride - October 30, 2024

 RIDE REPORT

Wednesday, 30 October 2024, Apple Pi (short) Ride

Ride Leader:  Simon Lingard
~37 miles, 10:00 am start from Bedford, MA

Riders (9):  Simon, Betsy Kimball, David Goldberg, Ed Hill, Frank Calabrese, Frank Scibilia, Marc Webb, Martin Hemler, and first-timer Todd Palmer.

The VA carpark was huge and mostly full, so the ride leader arrived early to direct riders to an area where there were enough parking spaces.  The roads were wet after overnight rain, a fact we discussed during the safety talk.  

About ten miles in, Frank C's vintage bike made a pop sound, and the rear wheel skidded to a stop.  A bulge in the tire had forced the rim to bend jamming the brakes.   After releasing the rear brake caliper Frank was able to slowly cycle to the nearest bike shop, while the remaining eight riders continued.

In Westford, the ride leader had a little difficulty finding the Dunkin’ Donuts rest stop location - it required the group to cross a busy four-lane road.  After the break, which was slightly off-route, Frank S. and Ed helped the ride leader find the route, somewhat limiting his embarrassment.

We did not use human arrows, but Ed graciously swept and let the ride leader know when we needed a re-group.  And, the sun came out, the roads dried out, and we all returned together!

Report by Simon Lingard.

Harvard and Bolton - October 23, 2024

 RIDE REPORT

Wednesday, 23 October 2024, Harvard and Bolton

Ride Leader:  Tom Allen

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

Riders (12):  Tom, Betsy Kimball, Clyde Kessel, Dave Balaban, Dmitry Gorenburg, Ed Hill, Marie Keutmann, Martin Hemler, Phyllis Evan, Simon Lingard, Wing Chow, and first-timer Lisa O'Connor.

Most of us found our way to the rear of the building at the ride start location.  Those who parked at the front side were rounded up by Wing who circled multiple times and herded folks to the right place.

The weather was delightful, the scenery spectacular, and the route was challenging and fun.  We started on the flat and were soon in climbing mode as we headed into Harvard.  Despite the hills, we were able, with some regrouping pauses, to stay together while employing the WW arrowing protocol.

The first porta-potty stop was quite popular and provided a pause during which Clyde took the initiative to drum up some interest in ride leading among some of the participants.  He pointed out that, while showing up for WW rides was important, it was not enough to keep the program going.  He may have recruited a couple of candidates.

Things progressed as we traveled from Harvard to Bolton and Berlin and back around over some fun roads.  Ascending Prospect Hill we paused for a photo and proceeded to our planned stop at the General Store.  That was interrupted by a bridge construction project that we couldn't sneak past – we were forced to take a detour that was a bit less satisfactory than the planned route, but only a half mile longer.

From "The Gen" we headed back to the start via an extended 2.5 mile downhill and some flat terrain.  Seven of us stayed at the Boxborough Craft Food Hall for a congenial lunch al fresco on their patio.

Thank you to the willing arrows and, especially, to Clyde for ably and patiently performing as sweep.

Report by Tom Allen.