Cape Ann - May 21 , 2025

 RIDE REPORT

Wednesday, 21 May, 2025, Cape Ann - remote start

Ride Leader:  Clyde Kessel

67 miles, 9:30 am start from Wenham, MA

Riders (2):  Clyde and Lisa O’Connor.

Two is a manageable group size and the tree lined parking area wasn’t windy, so we started off in good spirits and at a very fast pace, hoping to catch up with the other group of riders on the out-and-back stretch of road to Eastern Point Lighthouse.  As we proceeded and the route got more complex, the wonderful ocean views got more numerous, and the ride leader started to get tired, we slowed down to a more reasonable speed and didn’t catch up with the short group.

 

The view from Eastern Point was lovely, so we continued in good spirits up the coastline towards Rockport and the lovely restroom and water stop at the tiny, well-protected harbor.  Remember the time the police officer wouldn’t let a cyclist arrow that turnoff?  Bizarre!  Anyway, he wasn’t there today.  So as we continued in good spirits around the northern tip of Cape Ann, we started to get a few sprinkles, but not enough to dampen our trousers (did I mention this was an obligatory long-pants day - cold, breezy, and, as you will soon learn, a little damp?), let alone our good spirits.

We rolled into the lunch stop just as the short group was leaving, so we chatted a bit, but not too much because the sprinkles were getting a bit more insistent.  Lisa and Clyde split a coffee and a muffin.  Lisa got the coffee and Clyde got the muffin.  And then we were off again, in good spirits because it was the last leg of the ride and the radar picture indicated no rain.  We were away from the coast and the complex route, so we picked up our pace and so did the sprinkles.  Eventually the sprinkles changed from intermittent to continuous, to the point that Lisa declared it was drizzle, although that is really debatable.  In any case, we pulled into the finish comfortable and in good spirits.

I have a suspicion that Lisa would have enjoyed the ride more if Clyde had been willing to linger longer at the ocean views.  Thanks to everyone involved, and especially to Lisa for sweeping.

 

Report by Clyde Kessel.

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RIDE REPORT

Wednesday, 21 May, 2025, Cape Ann - core ride

Ride Leader:  Tom Allen

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

Riders (5): Tom, Dale Ferguson, Frank Aronson, Rena Sokolow, and Scott Mandell.

The weather was seasonable for March, but this is May!  The temperature was 50 degrees, with a very persistent northeast wind.  This, I'm sure, kept our numbers down.  At 10:00 am, with only five riders present, we set off in search of biking adventure.  We kept together with little demand on our designated sweep, Dale.

We proceeded through the Gloucester waterfront and headed toward the southern part of the peninsula, taking a brief detour through the Rocky Neck neighborhood, a former artists' colony.  Heading further south, the winds were mostly at our backs.  From Eastern Point we were able to see the Boston skyline, stark against the grey skies.

Heading back north along the eastern side of Cape Ann we faced the full brunt of the wind, making the level parts feel uphill and the uphills steeper.  We did pause for a photo; a failed selfie attempt.

Three of us went to lunch at Destino's sub shop while the other two headed for their cars. As we were leaving the lunch stop Clyde and Lisa (the entirety of the long ride) rolled up.

Thanks to Dale for sweeping.

Report by Tom Allen.

Island Cruise - May 14, 2025

 RIDE REPORT

Wednesday, 14 May 2025, Island Cruise

Ride Leader:  Alan Cantor

36 miles, 10:00 am start from Sherborn, MA

Riders (6):  Alan, Barry Nelson, Gene Ho, Kim Wach, Linda Nelson, and Mark Friedman.

A cool, cloudy day warmed and cleared up for a beautiful ride through the countryside.  All rode at a comfortable pace with frequent regrouping.  Gene did a wonderful job sweeping, although we did not use the human arrowing system.

A big thank you to the people who had registered and then could not make it, as they all let the leader know prior to the ride.

Report by Alan Cantor.

Prospect Hill - Waltham - May 7, 2025

RIDE REPORT

 Wednesday, 7 May 2025, Prospect Hill - Waltham

Ride Leader:  Tom Allen

34 miles, 10:00 am start from Bedford, MA

Riders (9): Tom, Alan Cantor, Bill Perry, Frank Aronson, Gerry Sheetoo, John Trotter, Keren Hamel, Tod Cochran, and Wing Chow.

We met up at the rear of Bikeway Source in Bedford.  Most arrived by car and a couple of folks by cycling.  The weather was slightly overcast and the temperature ideal for cycling.  With a small group and familiar roads we made spare use of arrows.

Before getting to the main event (the Prospect Hill climb), we meandered to Lexington and thrilled on the somewhat twisty downhill on Lincoln Street in Waltham.  The climb up Prospect Hill was indeed challenging (except for those of us with battery-assist bikes).  We took our time; it was not a race.

 

After checking out the view (and the somewhat primitive bathrooms at the top), we descended via the southern roadway to the newly completed Waltham portion of the Mass Central Rail Trail (MCRT).  At that point two riders, who did not have cars in Bedford, set off on their own ways home.

 

The rest of us made our way back via the Cambridge Reservoir and Lincoln and Concord centers. Having little fear of anyone getting lost, I encouraged folks to set their own pace (typically faster than mine) on the return.

 

Four of us had a pleasant lunch at Ken's Deli.

 

Thanks to Bill Perry for sweeping.

 

Report by Tom Allen.

Through the Woods and Over the River - Blue Hills and Neponse0t - April 30, 2025

Wednesday, 30 April 2025, Through the Woods and Over the River - Blue Hills and Neponset

Ride Leaders:  David Wean & Ron Beland

Pre-ride safety talk:  Todd Palmer

25 or 27 miles, 10:00 am start from Canton, MA

Riders (11):  David, Ron, Frank Calabrese, Gerry Sheetoo, Harry Spatz, Keren Hamel, Steve Bogue, Todd Palmer, Veronica Vedensky, Wing Chow, and first-timer Alissa Leonard.

The sun came out just before the ride start and we enjoyed beautiful weather, though it was quite windy on some stretches.  We ascended Chickatawbut, catching our breath and enjoying the limited view of downtown Boston, nine miles away (by crow).  We descended through the Blue Hills Reservation into Quincy, where we fought the wind along the water and made two brief stops:  Marina Bay for a restroom, and Squantum Point Park for a better view of downtown and a chance to ride through the (defunct) airfield.

We then crossed from Quincy into Boston over the Neponset Bridge (separated sidewalks on both sides!) and connected through Pope John Paul II park, picking up the Neponset Trail to Mattapan Square.  From there we headed back to the Reservation, with three of the group, not having had enough climbing, taking a side trip to ride up the Great Blue Hill.  About half the group stayed for an outdoor lunch at Trillium Brewery.

Report by David Wean.

Photos courtesy of Todd Palmer.