Holliston Halo rides - June 10, 2015

Wednesday, June 10, 2015, Holliston Halo rides
Ride Leaders:  Alan Cantor & A.J. Gemperline
40 & 21 miles, 10:00 am start from Grace Bicycles, Holliston, MA.

Riders - 40 mi (17):  Alan, Alan Schneyer, Barry Nelson, Curt Dudley-Marling, Dale Ferguson, Don Buchholtz, Ed Broderick, Elissa Brown, Herb Kavet, Jody Angevin, Judith McMichael, Kim Wach, Lory Broderick, Maurice King, Michael Diener, Russ Keene, and Sharon Hall
Riders - 21 mi (8):  A.J., Arthur Teepe, Chuck McWilliams, Dave Slade, Jan Herzog, Joanne Samuels, Kevin Donnelly, and Tami Kellogg
Present at lunch:  Helen Greitzer

40 mi - A beautiful, 80 degree day provided the perfect setting for a great ride.  We all enjoyed the wonderful descents, of course, set up by some long and steep climbs.  The group did a great job of staying pretty close together, revealing an overall amazing level of fitness.  We had a few regroups. The addition of the stop at the recently found port-a-potty at the Upton State Forest, at exactly half way through the ride, was welcome.   Gratefully, we only had one quick mechanical when my chain dropped on the last major climb.

Big thanks to the few who arrowed, including newcomer Ed Broderick who quickly learned the secret to riding the WW rides at his own pace. And a big shout out to Kim Wach who not only did a wonderful job as sweep, but also rode the route on a recon mission with me a few weeks ago.  All in all it was a wonderful day on the bike.

21 mi - Eight weary Wednesday Wheelers were led by their whacky leader.  It was a gorgeous ride.  We volunteered Chuck for sweep and exchanged phone numbers. 

With trepidation, we headed east on Rte 16 and then south on Rte 126, until we turned onto the back roads of Medway, Holliston, and Sherborn.  No llamas were spotted, but we did get to see a cow.  We only regrouped a couple of times, as this group was small.  We got lost once and it wasn't a biggie.  The ride leader just couldn't read his GPS in time to make the correct turn.  We all made it safely back, being thankful that we went down Nason Hill Road, instead of up.



Ride reports by Alan Cantor & A.J. Gemperline.

Gem in the Rough ride - June 3, 2015

RIDE REPORT

 
Wednesday, June 3, 2015, Gem in the Rough ride - Sharon to Diamond Hill, RI - & party

Ride Leaders:  Jean & Ken Zaniewski
44 & 25 miles, 10:00 am start from 244 Old Post Road, Sharon, MA.

Riders - 44 mi (14):  Ken, Annemarie Altman, Barry Nelson, Bob Apsler, Chuck McWilliams, Curt Dudley-Marling, Dmitry Gorenburg, Jody Angevin, Kim Wach, Rich Taylor, Veronica Vedensky, and first-timers Lory Broderick, Michael Diener, and Nancy Dragoon

Riders - 25 mi (15):  Jean, Andrea Clardy, Chris Schuch, Dave Slade, Don Buchholtz, Don Mannes, Donald O'Rourke, Gene Konik, Ilkka Suvanto, James Hsia, Kathy Jonas, Kevin Donnelly, Susan Sabin, Tami Kellogg, plus one whose name is illegible

Present at lunch (3):  Helen Greitzer, Tom Kinraide, and Forbesy Russell

Fourteen riders set out on the longer, 44 mile ride, led by Ken Zaniewski and swept by Barry Nelson.  They were followed five minutes later by fifteen riders on the shorter, 25 mile ride, led by Jean Zaniewski and swept by Kevin Donnelly.  The weather was a bit chilly and windy, though certainly warmer and less wet than the near freezing rain earlier in the week.  The only mechanical problem was one flat in the long group.  As this occurred only about six miles into the ride, and was a lengthy changing process, the short riders had the pleasure of overhauling the long group and then keeping the lead all the way through the Gilbert State Forest split.

The short riders enjoyed a Dunkin Donuts stop in Wrentham center, while the long riders made do with a lonely portapotty next to a baseball field in Cumberland, RI.

All riders made it back to Ken and Jean’s house in good cheer and with a good appetite.   Helen Greitzer, newly returned from Singapore, joined us for the after-ride party.  She was enthusiastically welcomed by all, and gladdened Jean’s heart by commenting that one might need to visit England to see gardens as lovely as hers.  Sharonites Forbesy Russell and Tom Kinraide, who have enjoyed WW hikes previously, also joined us at the after-ride party.

There were no safety problems and the pavement was mostly smooth.  Most of the roads were lightly traveled, with “a long distance between arrows,”  and the scenery was full of farms and forests, along with a penitentiary or two.  Jean did lead the short ride down a premature, wrong right turn, but was quickly corrected by the one rider with a GPS cue sheet up and running.  Otherwise we may have visited the Wrentham State School from a different direction, though our quick peek at the Lazy Looper model airplane field did make the wrong turn interesting.  All in all, a very successful day.

Ride report by Jean Zaniewski.

Cape Ann Loop with Remote Start - May 20, 2015

Wednesday, May 20, 2015, Cape Ann Loop with Remote Start
Ride Leaders:  Richard Vignoni and Selig Saltzman and Gene Konik
67 Mile Option, 9:30 AM start from Gordon College, Wenham

31 Mile Core Ride, 10 AM start from Stage Fort Park, Gloucester

Riders:  67 mile (12): Richard, Bill Widnall, Bob Apsler, Chuck McWilliams, Everett Briggs, Francine Sparks, Gardner Gray, Greg Sathis, Herb Kavet ,Paula Hobson, Russ Keene 

Riders 31 Miles(25) Selig, Andrea Brown, Andrea Claudy, Barbara Jacobs, Bob Amtive?, Curt Dudlay, Dick Harter, Gene Konik, Ilkka Suvanto, Jack Mroczkowski, Janet Miller, Jim White, Jon Claudy, Judi Burton, Kathy Jones, Margie Lee, Marie Keutmann, Maurice King, Paul Greco, Richard Fortier, Steve Minkwitz, Susan Sabin, Tom Sorenson, Tony Lee, Wick Doggett

With cool temperatures and windy conditions, 9 riders departed Gordon College at a slower than normal pace.  This allowed 2 more riders who were delayed in traffic and someone who stayed behind as an escort to catch up with us on route about 7 miles into the ride.   With no pressure to link up with the core group, we made our way along the coast up to Gloucester making loops through Kettle Cove and Magnolia and making a quick rest stop at Stage Fort Park.  A flat tire in Gloucester caused the group to be delayed.  Several riders who had time constraints or were impatient went ahead leaving 7 of us by the time we re-grouped at the State fish pier.  In the interest of time, we omitted the Rocky Neck artist colony and proceed to Eastern Point Light, Good Harbor Beach followed by a stop on South St for the obligatory group photo.   After looping through Lobster Cove, we biked over the wooden bridge then it was a short ride to our lunch stop at Willow Rest which all seemed to enjoy.

After lunch, we headed out Rt 133 then through the marshes of Essex visiting Conomo point.  We rejoined 133 before heading inland on a route that Butch mapped out and we adopted some years ago.  This took us on some quiet pastoral back roads through Hamilton.  On the final turn onto Grapevine Ave, and what has now become a tradition, the group was told they are free to sprint ahead for the final 1.4 miles back to the car.  Everyone arrived back at the cars by 4:30 to complete a nice day of cycling.  Thanks to Everett and Russ Keene for sweeping and to all those who arrowed and participated

The core riders were faced with cool temps and a brisk wind but did have good visibility providing riders with many viewing opportunities which included harbors, rocky coasts, expensive homes, the Boston skyline, Wingaersheek and Crane beaches, and Maine and New Hampshire in the distance.  The group split for lunch, choosing either the sub shop or the bargain lobster roll place.  A few riders who went ahead from the long ride caught up with the core group and joined them for lunch.  Thanks to Gene Konik for taking on the ride co-leader role when there were cell phone issues with the designated person and thanks to Dick Harter, the always reliable sweep, who graciously agreed to lead the sub shop group back to the cars, so that the ride leader could dine on lobster.  There were no mishaps

Reports by Richard Vignoni

Ride photos https://picasaweb.google.com/106721601289177914592/LREMay202015WWCapeAnn?authkey=Gv1sRgCLvGhuqhmoru9QE&feat=email

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Honey Dew Ride - May 13, 2015

Ride Report Wednesday May 13, 2015 Honey Dew Ride

Long Ride (Marc Baskin)

Riders: Dom Jorge, Judith McMichaels, Adena Schutzberg, Alan Cantor, Bob Apsler, David Sachs (a new WW rider), Ken Hablow, Frank Hubbard, Everett Briggs, Russ Keene, Francie Sparks, Kathy Horvath.

It was cooler than expected and quite windy but I think we all had a grand time, at least I had a great time. Thanks to Ken for editing my rather weak Ride with GPS route into three well routed options. I was lucky to have three great sweeps, Everett, Adena, and Russ. There were only a few takers for a sunny outdoor lunch at Off Center in Weston Center.

30 Mile Ride (Fred newton)

It was a breezy cool day in the low 60’s for this 30 mile Wednesday Wheelers ride starting from Burchard Park in Weston, and passing through Sudbury, Framingham, Wayland, and touching in Lincoln and Marlborough just briefly. We stopped for a short time at Honey Dew in Framingham where a few riders fortified themselves for the remaining 10 miles. There was one minor mechanical early in the ride and one flat tire near the end. The rider with the flat was transported with his bike to the finish for expediency. Some of the group enjoyed lunch at various eateries in Weston Center.

The 24 riders included Fred Newton (leader), Greg Stathis (sweep, thanks Greg), Alan Schneyer, Barbara Martin, Betty Hoffman, Chuck McWilliam, Dave Slade, David Wean, Don Mannes, Elissa Brown, Ilkka Suvanto, Jack Mroczkows, Janet Miller, Joanne Samuels, Kathy Jonas, Maurice King, Mike Hanauer, Richard Fortier, Roy Westerberg, Susan Sabin, Don Buchholtz, Chris Schuch, Nancy Schlecht, and Wick Doggett.

Short Ride (Tom Allen)

Riders: 8 - Tom, Dick Ivers, John Allen, Dick Harter, Nancy Smith, Ann Northup, Rick Lawrence, and Jacque Smith

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This was actually the Honey-Didn't version of the ride as the route did not bend far enough south to stop there. The advertised length was 16 miles, but with an additional loop and a detour to the facilities at the Sudbury Great Meadows Wildlife station we eked out almost 20 miles. We started with 8 riders but ended with 7 as John spotted a discarded bicycle in a dumpster and decided that it needed rescuing. Not sure how he managed it, but he left the group to deal with it. Four of us continued on to Weston Center for lunch at the Off-Center Cafe. Thanks to legendary anchorman Dick Harter for sweeping our group.

Grace Bicycles Ride - May 6, 2015

Ride Report Wednesday May 6, 2015 40 From Grace Leaders: Alan Cantor and AJ Gemperline Long Riders: Fred Newton, Rick Carlson, Russ Keene, Dave Slade, Bob Wadsworth, Steve Page, Annemarie Allman, Brian O’Connor, Bob Apsler, Bruce Lederer, Herb Kavet, Ellen Gugel, Adena Schutzberg, Alan Cantor Short Riders: Wick Doggett, Robert Rybarczyk, Kathy Jonas, Don O’Rourke, AJ Gemperline

It was a great day for a ride starting out overcast and quickly becoming sunny and warm. The route meandered down to Uxbridge over some less than smooth roads. There were many nice descents which, of course, meant we conquered wonderful climbs. There was one mechanical when our sweep had a flat right after a regrouping stop - we all waited with good spirits. Speaking of spirit, there was a great sense of camaraderie and of having a great time together on this ride. This is what makes the WW rides so special. Many thanks to Steve Page for sweeping and for the many arrows. And thanks to AJ for leading the short ride.

Deer Island - April 29, 2015

Wednesday, April 29, 2015, Deer Island Ride Leader: Tom Allen 35 miles, 10:00 am start from Danehy Park, Cambridge, MA (Click here for route.) Riders (20): Adena Schutzberg, Betty Hoffman, Dave Slade, Dick Harter, Sandy Gray, Ilkka Suvanto, Jacque Smith, Marie Keutmann, Maurice King, Selig Saltzman, Susan Sabin, Tom Allen, Kathy Jonas, Winnie Parker, Gary Smiley, David Wean, Don Mannes, Judi Burton, Cindy Holthouse, Elissa Brown. Present at start: Alan Schneyer I had ordered brilliant, sunny weather but delivery was not forthcoming. It was rather gray with an easterly breeze that did not bode assistance in our ride toward the coast. The ride itself got off to a rocky start with the combination of a mechanical issue and a botched arrow isolating 3 riders in parts unknown in Cambridge. Unable to rouse any of them by phone, we decided to push on. That decision split Alan Schneyer from his wife (Elissa) and he decided to ride back to see if he could make contact, thus placing him in the present-at-start category. So now down to 17 riders we continued through Somerville and onto bike paths in Medford along the Mystic River, which we crossed and followed through the Mystic Reservation and around to the parking lot at the Wellington T station. From there we found the Northern Strand Bikeway through Malden and taking us to Revere. We reached the shore at Revere Beach and posed for a portrait of our slightly reduced number taken by a kindly passer by. Then, miracle of miracles, the three originally lost riders appeared! David Wean had resourcefully followed the route on his smart phone using the RideWithGPS app, making him an accidental co-leader. (Alan Schneyer never did locate the lost group and got his ride by biking back to Concord as his driver was among the missing at the time.) We (now 20 in number) rode along the beach walk to a welcome stop at the facilities. The view from Deer Island was quite impressive and we lingered a bit as we found ourselves in the lee of wind and it was quite comfortable. Then after circling the path around Deer Island and its impressive sewage digesters, we rode back through Winthrop and East Boston and crossed over to Chelsea where we engaged some challenging traffic before reaching the relative calm of Commandant's Way. The final stretch was rather gritty through Everett and Sullivan Square (which is not square). Upon making our way to Davis Square for lunch a number of riders wished to head directly back to the cars, and Dick Harter graciously led that contingent back to Danehy Park. There were no flats (remarkably) and two mechanical issues: the aforementioned problem that split off the lost 3, and a broken chain on the no-lunch ride back to the cars. Many riders commented favorably on the route and were happy to learn about the bike paths as well as experience new streets and areas.Thanks to Dick Harter for sweeping and to David Wean for repairing the early mechanical issue and for successfully reunited with us at mile 14.One more thing: check out this web site for a special kind of weather forecast: Windyty.com Safety notes by Tom Allen: The group did not seem daunted by traffic and we stayed as a tightly knotted group when the traffic was a factor. This made us predictable to drivers who could consider us a single entity. One rider noted a lapse of passing etiquette (please pass only on the left) and a general absence of the "On-Your-Left" call outs. Comment by Betty Hoffman: A safety reminder:  Before you move out to pass another cyclist, it's a good idea to inform the rider in front of you that you are about to do so.  This precaution helps to prevent collisions.  On rides like yesterday's urban ride, road surfaces tend to be in bad shape.  in such conditions, riders sometimes deviate from a straight course (move left) to avoid road hazards like deep potholes, cracks in the road surface, and obstructions on the road like the board in the road toward the end of yesterday's ride. ​ Click here to Reply or Forward 8.99 GB (59%) of 15 GB used Manage Terms - Privacy Last account activity: 0 minutes ago Details

In and Out of Cambridge - April 22, 2015

Wednesday, April 22, 2015, In and Out of Cambridge

Ride Leader: Dick Harter

30 miles,10:00 am start from Danehy Park, Cambridge, MA

Riders (12): Tom Allen, Elissa Brown, Don Buchholtz, Mike Hanauer, Dick Harter, Irv Kurki, Steve Miller, Dave Slade, Gary Smiley, Francie Sparks, Adena Schutzberg and a vigorous rider whose name the leader failed to get.

We gathered on a brilliant Spring morning, but noted that huge piles of dirty snow have not improved the appearance of this handsome park.  Mounting up, we skirted the Alewife T Station and took the Fitchburg Extension Trail into Belmont. We crossed through the Belmont historic district, around Waverly Oaks and up Mill Street.  We climbed up the back side of Belmont Hill and then went on up to the water tower in Arlington.  Zipping down Gray Street in Arlington, we then crossed over into Medford and Winchester, passing the Mystic Lakes and then following the Mystic River to Alewife Brook.  The brook trail brought us back to Alewife, and we spent the rest of the ride in Cambridge.  The stately houses on Brattle Street soon gave way to the bustle of the Cambridge Common and Harvard University.  We took Cambridge Street through Portugese and Italian neighborhoods, passed the massive new Cambridge Police Station and then returned to Old Cambridge via Broadway.  We rode through my neighborhood, with its wonderfully progressive politicians, and ended where we started.  My thanks to Adena for sweeping and to all the riders for safe riding practices.

Dick Harter