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.
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