Three Cs Excursions - July 19, 2017

RIDE REPORTS

Wednesday, 19 July 2017, Three Cs Excursions & after-ride party

Organizer & Party Host:  Mike Hanauer

Ride Leaders:  Clyde Kessel & Jack Mroczkowski

36 and 22 miles  - 10:00 am start from 200 Long Ridge Road, Carlisle, MA

Riders - 36 mi (28):  Clyde, Adena Schutzberg, Andy Brand, Barry Kaditz, Bernie Flynn, Bob Apsler, Bob Wolf, Butch Pemstein, Chuck McWilliams, Curt Dudley-Marling, Dick Lawrence, Dom Jorge, Doug Hobkirk, Gene Ho, Herb Kavet, Jack Donohue, Judith McMichael, Kathy Horvath, Ken Hablow, Nancy Schlecht, Patrick Brennan, Ray Komow, Rich Taylor, Richard Vignoni, Steve Kolek, Steve Robins, Tom Fortmann, and first-timer Rochelle Holman.  

Riders - 22 mi (12):  Jack, Barbara Jacobs, Eli Post, Jeff Smith, Jimmy White, Judi Burten, Kaz Zelny, Marie Keutmann, Nancy Smith, Sandi Hartwell, Ted Nyder, and first-timer Bob Clarke.

Present at lunch (12):  Mike, Bob Sawyer, Edie Baxter, Helen Greitzer, Ilkka Suvanto, Jacque Smith, Jerry Green, Joan Laxson, Kathy Halmi, Patrick Ward, Rita Cramer, and Susan Sabin.

A surprisingly large group of cyclists showed up for the long ride, considering the hot and humid weather.  This ride leader started things off by exhorting riders to be considerate to drivers and used rather strong language.  He apologizes to anyone who may have been offended.  The original route was modified in three places:  once by plan, once accidentally, and once on the spur of the moment.  The result was a few fewer hills and a few fewer miles.  I tried to keep up a brisk pace, to spread the group out, and was partially successful.

There were no accidents or incidents brought to my attention.  Thanks very much to all the arrows and, especially, to Adena for sweeping.

Report by Clyde Kessel.

By cycling mostly on well shaded country roads the group reduced the effects of rising temperatures.  A few cooling downhill bursts were particularly welcome.  At about eight miles into the ride, we were surprised to encounter Kaz riding in the opposite direction!  He quickly reversed, and attached to the group.

There were no flats or falls.  The substitute ride leader (the designated leader, Ilkka Suvanto, was injured a few days before the ride) appreciated receiving helpful suggestions and navigation guidance.  Particular thanks go to our sweep, Jimmy White

Report by Jack Mroczkowski.

A sunny day that was both hot and very humid did not prevent many riders from pedaling by the vistas of Carlisle, Concord, and Chelmsford.  There were many newly smoothed roads, canopied with shade producing trees.  The rides were followed by lunch (or was it a feast?) which made for a festive day.  Is that cycling, or is that really an idyllic life?  The question is for all to ponder . . . . .

It was good to see many at lunch who do not often ride these days - and gotta call out our almost centenarian, Bob Sawyer, and the sidelined Ilkka Suvanto who had been scheduled to lead the shorter ride option.  I also want to note the presence of Helen, an unusual delight these days with her busy travel schedule.

My thanks to Clyde and Jack for leading, and for the help from many others who lent a hand during the rides or with the after-ride party.  Then there was Adena, adding a new dimension to our repertoire by the introduction of disc golf!

The party seems to have been enjoyed by all.  The large lunch spread included appetizers, BBQ chicken, salad, pasta, potatoes, brussel sprouts, Watermelon, and the now traditional banana-lemon smoothies - all disappeared with velocity.

Thanks for great rides, a great group, and some great teamwork - all so appreciated!!

Report by Mike Hanauer.

Heart Pond Facilities

Long Riders at Heart Pond

Mike's Party

Mike's Party

Westford Ho - July 5, 2017

RIDE REPORT

Wednesday, 5 July 2017, Westford Ho

Ride Leader:  Jack Donohue

36 miles  - 10:00 am start from Bikeway Source parking lot, Bedford, MA

Riders (33):  Jack, Andy Brand, Barry Kaditz, Bob Wadsworth, Bob Wolf, Butch Pemstein, Chuck McWilliams, Clyde Kessel, Curt Dudley-Marling, David Wean, Dom Jorge, Don Buchholtz, Greg Stathis, Herb Kavet, Jack Mroczkowski, James Hsia, Judi Burten, Judith McMichael, Kathy Horvath, Lindy King, Martha Soper, Mike Hanauer, Nancy Schlecht, Patrick Brennan, Patrick Ward, Rich Taylor, Richard Fortier, Robert Wilson, Roy Westerberg, Steve Robins, Wing Chow, and first-timers Ed Ramsey and Greg Tobin.

The ride was basically a mashup of my favorite back roads and a Ken Hablow route.  Someone pointed out that the eponymous Gene Ho was missing from his namesake ride (don't get to use that word very often).  He was there in spirit.

With a big group, I suggested that we split into several separate, but equal, groups.  Three groups of eleven would have been nice.  Two groups of 16/17 would have been OK, but it never seems to work since no one wants to be the gappee.  To spread out a bit, I picked up the pace, and was reprimanded for exceeding the advertised speed.  With the human arrow system it sort of doesn't matter how fast the leader goes- it should all sort itself out, but the perception is that people have to hustle to keep up with the leader.  So I shifted gears (literally) after the first stop and everyone seemed happier.

The faster riders in the group did yeoman's work arrowing.  We had a couple of instances of arrows "paying forward" by going ahead of the leader and doing a preemptive arrowing stint, which worked well.  Unlike some rides where there was reluctance to arrow, the group was happy to perform arrow duty.  In fact, there was some competition for arrowing.

First stop was Great Brook farm, for bathroom, water, and the obligatory photo op.  While I had a captive audience, I took the opportunity to stress the need for singling up when there was a car back.  From my rear view mirror perspective, it appears people for the most part did this.

Except for a wisp of a cloud in an otherwise completely blue sky, the weather was perfect.  We did have to make a detour off the planned route when it turned out Grandview Road was closed.  This is where a real GPS would come in handy, since the RideWithGPS phone app I was using doesn't allow for rerouting.  If you're off the planned route, all bets are off.  Fortunately, I was able to see that the alternate road joined the route shortly, so we were easily able to get back on course.

I never did find the pond where our planned second stop was, but the store at Kate's Corner seemed a good alternative.  When we stopped, no one seemed interested in visiting the store, so we just carried on.

Butch and I did have a couple of "failures to communicate."  We exchanged phone numbers at the start and I had Butch call me to make sure we had each others' numbers.  Problem was, I had inadvertently turned the volume down on my phone, so when Butch had an actual problem, his calls went unanswered.  It seems someone in the group had a mechanical, but was able to secure a ride.  It should have been a clue that, when we did our test call at the start, my phone didn't actually ring.

When we got to the end, I figured everyone could find their way back to the parking lot, but, just to be sure, posted an arrow at the traffic light and at the final turn in front of Bikeway Source.  Butch decided to go straight to the restaurant, and we had two hanging arrows until I called him.  Next time a better plan might be to collect everyone in front of Ken's, so I could point out its location, before returning to the ride start.

All's well that ends well, and a number of people found their way to Ken's for lunch.  Thanks to Butch for sweeping and to all of the very willing arrows!

Report by Jack Donohue

Water Row - June 28, 2017

RIDE REPORT

Wednesday, 28 June 2017, Water Row
Ride Leaders:  Mary & Larry Kernan
31 or 40 miles  - 10:00 am & 9:30 am starts from Bikeway Source parking lot, Bedford, MA

Riders - 31mi (19):  Mary, Barry Kaditz, Butch Pemstein, Clyde Kessel, Don Mannes, Elissa Brown, Francie Sparks, Gene Ho, Ilkka Suvanto, Jack Donohue, Jack Mroczkowski, Janet Miller, Nancy Schlecht, Pat Brennan, Richard Vignoni, Robert Wilson, Steve Robins, Susan Sabin, and Wing Chow.
Riders - 40 mi (19):  Larry, Adena Schutzberg, Andy Brand, Barbara Martin, Bill Lane, Bob Wolf, Dave Balaban, Joe Marcangelo, Judith McMichael, Julie Dodd, Kathy Horvath, Kevin Donnelly, Lindy King, Marc Baskin, Mike Byrne, Rich Taylor, Steve Kolek, Tom Fortmann, and Veronica Vedensky.

This was an easy ride for me to lead because Larry set up the route; Jack offered to take attendance and sweep; and it was an experienced and easy going Wednesday Wheeler group.  I decided to forego a detailed safety talk and, instead, focused on my biggest pet peeve - cyclists who don't single up when someone calls "car back."  Although this is hard to monitor from the front, given the number of cars that passed me on narrow streets, it appears that the group was well disciplined.

We followed a route that looked suspiciously like the one Kathy Horvath led last week, and that only speaks to her good taste in laying out a ride.  The long ride option added Page Road into Lexington and a loop around Pelham Island Road in Wayland.  I offered the group a chance to go out via Page Road instead of Wood Street and was shocked (shocked!!) when I got no takers.

We stayed together until Rte 2A when Wing Chow was the first to peel off the front and disappear.  (Apparently, he had been riding with the wrong group - see below.)  There were several stops to regroup along the way, especially after a few hills and traffic lights that split us up.  Starting at around mile 18, about a third of the group picked up the pace and we started to spread out.  This worked really well, as it's a much safer way for everyone to ride.  I stayed in the lead and never went above 95 rpm, in spite of being spurred on by Pat Brennan, who, along with others, was happy to stay with me.  Our able arrowers also realized that you can easily turn a WW ride into a great interval workout by arrowing, dropping to the back, and then sprinting to the front.

We stopped for a rest and a group photo at Verrill Farm, where we were met by the long group and had to shoo away several of its members who wanted to get in on our picture.  We also managed to pull out before the long group was ready to leave.  I think that its leader could use some pointers on how to manage a group.  The route for all was the same on the return to Bedford from Verrill Farm, and once I was passed by the leader of the long ride option, I took a familiar spot staring at his backside for the rest of the ride.

We had a total of ten from both rides who joined us for lunch at Holi.  A good time was had by all.

Report by Mary Kernan.

We had a beautiful day for one of my favorite rides.  Our large, but spirited, group quickly made the climb up Page Hill into Lexington.  I was encouraged that our group hung together on the hill.  Tom and Steve joined us in Lexington and we headed towards our second climb on Bedford Road, heading into Lincoln.  At a quick bio-break at Lincoln Town Hall, Wing Chow who had fled from the shorter ride, caught up with us.

The group stayed reasonably close together and our arrows and sweep all performed flawlessly.  As we hit Pelham Island Road, we found Barbara Martin and Bob Wolf waiting for us.  Riders enjoyed the great views on Pelham Island Road and Water Row.  We caught up with the 31 mile riders who were lounging at Verrill Farm.  After our second short break, our sweep, Kathy, asked to address the riders.  Kathy was concerned that a couple of our riders were being "lazy" about singling up when "car back" was called.  (Thanks, Kathy, for sweeping, as well as for caring about the group's safety.)

We finished our ride to Bedford briskly where a few of our riders joined with a few of the shorter riders for a fabulous buffet lunch at Holi.  Overall, our group had a great ride, stayed together and averaged over 15 mph.

Report by Larry Kernan.

Long riders at start

Short riders at Verrill Farm

Roadrunner - June 21, 2017

​​RIDE REPORT

Wednesday, 21 June 2017, 2017, RoadRunner
Ride Leader:  Kathy Horvath
35 miles  - 10:00 am start from Bikeway Source parking lot, Bedford, MA

Riders (25): Kathy, Adena Schutzberg, Bob Wolf, Butch Pemstein, Curt Dudley-Marling, Dom Jorge, Don Buchholtz, Doug Hobkirk, Elizabeth Seabury, Francie Sparks, Gene Ho, Jack Donohue, Jack Mroczkowski, Larry Kernan, Lindy King, Mary Kernan, Pat Brennan, Ray Komow, Rick Lawrence, Robyn Maislin, Steve Robins, Susan Sabin, Veronica Vedensky, Wing Chow, and first-timer Kevin Donnelly.

A genial group of regulars and irregulars gathered promptly by 9:45 am.  The start location was propitious, as Pat Brennan forgot his helmet (and who hasn’t forgotten something?), and just as we were speculating about when the Bikeway Source shop would open, Chris (one of the owners) pulled up and Pat found himself ready for the ride with a shiny, new helmet.

After a few laughs, disses, and yawns about the theme song by the Modern Lovers, the group started down South Street.  A few blocks later, we encountered road work that had materialized overnight - a frequent surprise in several places on this ride.  We climbed the longest hill at mile 8, going into Lincoln, each at his/her preferred pace, and happily no one missed the left turn at the bottom.  Shortly thereafter, encountering road work with a detour sign, we opted to take our chances and, apologizing profusely to the construction crew, we dismounted and maneuvered around their equipment, while the police detail reminded us rather loudly that we were vehicles and had to obey traffic signs.  Of course he was right, although there are often signs left in place and no work being done - however, this ride leader will likely follow the detour signs in the foreseeable future.

A rest stop in Weston center provided an opportunity to use the “facilities” at Weston Town Hall and a shady spot to regroup, where Kathy noticed that we had picked up Gene and Doug along the way.  Starting off again, we immediately hit some scarified roadwork (no detour signs though), but it was short and we proceeded to Rte 20 to get to Plain Road.  A nice breeze made the beautiful roads in Wayland and Sudbury even prettier and, after stretching out a bit due to traffic lights, we stopped to regroup at Crosby’s parking lot in Concord.

Mary and Larry took a group of hurried people onward to the end, and the other half had a short rest/water stop and a comfortable ride back to the start.  Kathy, Susan, Rick, Gene, and Francie had lunch or snacks at Ken’s Deli and enjoyed sitting outside.

Thank you to the arrows who were ready and reliable at all turns and to Jack for sweeping.  Photo, courtesy of Jack Donohue who persistently and miraculously got everyone in the picture, except for relative newcomer Elizabeth who had notified me she was leaving the ride early due to previous injury and recovery.

Report by Kathy Horvath.

Assabet River Bash - June 14, 2017

​​RIDE REPORTS

Wednesday, 14 June 2017, 2017 Assabet River Beach Bash

Ride Leaders:  Bill Lane & Tom Fortmann

After-ride Party Hosts:  Connie & Bill Lane

27 & 39 miles  - 10:00 am (27 mi) & 9:30 am (39 mi) starts from 71 Lowell Road, Concord, MA

Riders - 39 mi (19): Tom, Bob Apsler, Curt Dudley-Marling, Dave Balaban, Dimitry Gorenburg, Dom Jorge, Everett Briggs, Herb Kavet, Julie Dodd, Ken Hablow, Kimberly Wach, Larry Kernan, Mary Kernan, Ray Komow, Rich Taylor, Rick Lawrence, Steve Bader, Steve Kolek, and Tim Jacoby.

We set off in gorgeous weather, riding at a vigorous pace on familiar roads through Acton, to Weston and the foot of Millstone Hill.  We climbed the hill(s), observing various domes and antennae on the way to MIT's Haystack Observatory at the top.  After a restroom and waterbottle-filling stop inside the facility, we gathered on the steps for a guest lecture, by Prof. Steve Kolek, on the provenance and function of the various antennae.  After a thrilling descent, we returned through Westford and South Chelmsford.

The trip was marred by a crash, resulting from an encounter with a turtle, following a right turn onto Old Lowell Road.  Rich was duly taken by ambulance to Emerson Hospital, accompanied by Everett, while the rest of us sprinted for lunch.  Rich reported in later to say that he's banged and bruised, but not seriously injured. 

Thanks to all the arrows and especially to Mary, whose stellar sweeping skills kept the group together throughout the ride.

Report by Tom Fortmann.

Riders - 27 mi (29): Bill, Adena Schutzberg, Ann Northup, Bette Simollardes, Bill Widnall, Butch Pemstein, Clyde Kessel, David Fay, Donald Buchholtz, Elsa Lawrence, Gary Smiley, Ilkka Suvanto, Jack Donohue, Jack Mroczkowski, Janet Miller, Jimmy White, Judith McMichael, Kathy Horvath, Kaz Zelny, Margie Lee, Mike Hanauer, Paula Hobson, Robyn Maislin, Roy Westerberg, Selig Saltzman, Stuart Kaufman, Tom Lawrence, Tony Lee, and Winslow Green.

An attempt to establish the world record for number of undesirable events occurring during a single, 30 mile or less, road ride, with three flats, a painful fail-to-clip-out fall, and word from the long ride of a rider down, was marred by beautiful cycling weather and a patio lunch.  We began auspiciously with a flat at the ride start.  Bill Widnall and Butch urged the large group to start without them and they would catch up (they did).

On Pope Road, on our way up Strawberry Hill, the clip-out fail occurred.  After assuring she was OK, we continued our ride.  (Ultimately, she decided to return home to attend to her road rash and since reported that she is doing fine.)  We continued along well-known roads through Acton and behind Nagog.

Not to be let off lightly, the day provided two more flats on the approach to the Nashoba area.  The main group proceeded to a rest stop beside the Bruce Freeman Trail until the flat-repair group and very patient arrows caught up.  Jack Donohue recorded the moment in a photo (attached), but could not record the odoriferous atmosphere coming off the pond.  Then, no sooner had we restarted than I received word from the long ride of Rich’s fall and trip to Emerson.

We continued home from Chelmsford, via Carlisle, where many enjoyed a wonderful patio lunch set out by my wife, Connie, whose mother had hosted this luncheon for ten years at her home in Plymouth.

Many thanks to Tom Fortmann for leading the long ride, for securing Rich’s and Everett’s bikes at a good soul’s house nearby the site of the accident, and for returning to retrieve them, rather than enjoying the bash.  A special thank you to Everett who accompanied Rich in the ambulance and stayed with him, at Emerson, ‘til all X-rays had been completed and Rich was given the thumbs-up.  Everett, Tom, Steve Kolek, and I continued the party after everyone had left (photo attached).  Lastly, Rich and his wife, Alix, came by late in the day to be reunited with his bike, now with a dent in its rear wheel that hurts more than Rich does.

Many thanks to all those who arrowed, and to Stuart for sweeping and keeping me up-to-date by phone throughout.  A special thank you to everyone’s generous lunch donations that will enable us to give $300 to our PMC riders this year.

Report by Bill Lane.

Sherborn to Norfolk - June 7, 2017

RIDE REPORTS

Wednesday 7 June 2017, Sherborn to Norfolk
Ride Leader:  Alan Cantor
35 miles  - 10:00 am start from Steve the Bike Guy Velo Studio, Sherborn, MA

Riders (9):  Alan, Bruce Gelin, Butch Pemstein, Don Buchholtz  Herb Kavet, Julia Zhogina, Peggy Gelin, Selig Saltzman, and Veronica Vedensky.

Nine of us met up outside Steve the Bike Guy Velo Studio as the last of the threatening clouds passed overhead.  We set off for a lovely ride through the southern suburbs.  The roads were in great shape and there were very few cars.  One of the cars chose to right-hook the leader and I took a bit of a detour to educate the driver.  Given my pace compared to the group, nobody noticed my absence. That pace found me with an empty ‘quiver’ on many turns so I had to wait for the arrows to show up - no problem as I chose to ride at my pace and wait.

We rode with the Wednesday Wheelers spirit - using human arrows and welcoming all riders at all riding paces.  We may have stretched out at times, but we all had a great ride.

There were, gratefully, no mechanical issues.  The leader made one miscue on the directions which is pretty much his average when leading!   :)   Thanks to all the very willing arrows, as well as to Butch for ably sweeping us in and taking care of all.

Report by Alan Cantor.

Ride from Verrill Farm - May 30, 2017

RIDE REPORTS

Wednesday 31 May 2017, Verrill Farm rides

Ride Leaders:  Ken Hablow & Jack Donohue

52 or 36 miles  - 10:00 am start from Verrill Farm, Concord, MA

Riders - 52 mi (13):  Ken, Barry Nelson, Bob Wolf, Curt Dudley-Marling, Frank Hubbard, Gene Ho, Greg Stathis, Julie Dodd, Larry Kernan, Ray Komow, Russ Keene, Steve Bader, and Veronica Vedensky.

Riders - 36 mi (13):  Jack, Adena Schutzberg, Dmitry Gorenburg, Dom Jorge, James Hsia, Mike Byrne, Kim Wach, Richard Fortier, Roy Westerberg, Selig Saltzman, Steve Carlson, Tom Allen, and Wing Chow.

We did not experience any rain.  The roads were damp for the first hour, then mostly dry.  With temperatures in the mid 50s to low 60s, moderate humidity, no wind, and mostly cloudy skies, this was a very comfortable day.  Arrows were not needed as we stayed together, although Gene volunteered to sweep.  With his orange jacket and yellow helmet it was easy to keep him in sight with my mirror.

We generally split into two or three smaller groups, leaving enough space between groups to enable traffic to pass.  We made a few short stops to regroup, including a short lunch stop in Berlin center.  Early in the ride, as we approached Long Hill in Bolton, Larry and Barry took off and were never seen nor heard from again. 

Testing the Berlin and Hudson PD and FD:  As nice as the ride was, we needed some excitement which, unfortunately, was provided by Veronica.  At just about the crack-of-noon, in Hudson just over the Berlin line, she caught her front wheel in a crack and went down.  Bob Wolf called 911.  As he was on the phone, a sergeant from Berlin drove by, in a “company” pickup truck, on his way to lunch.  He stopped, put on his flashing blue lights (which promptly snarled traffic), and administered first aid.  Of course, by that time, the Hudson PD and FD were on their way.  Besides the Berlin sergeant, we had an officer from Hudson, an ambulance, and the obligatory fire truck.  Veronica wanted to ride, even though her knee was bandaged (see photo) and her rear derailleur hanger was bent.  We had options in place for her, but she soldiered on and finished the ride with us.  Back at the farm, several folks went inside for refreshments.  By that time the sun was shining and it was very comfortable riding home.

Report by Ken Hablow.

The weather forecast reminded me of that famous Clint Eastwood line:  "Do you feel lucky?"  Apparently, a number of WWs did, since there was a good group at the start.  I wasn't feeling too lucky since it started out gloomy and drizzly, but this gave way to gloomy and dry and we were able to complete the ride with nary a drop of rain.

I felt like I was on Mission Impossible and my mission, that I chose to accept, was to lead another ride that I had never ridden.  Once again, the RideWithGPS phone app performed flawlessly.  We did have a bit of operator error, when it signalled a turn and the words it said sounded a lot like "straight."  As I was checking the map, I noticed that every one of my followers had, in fact, abandoned me and made the proper left turn.  I could have said that this was a test of their loyalty to their leader, but I doubt they would have bought it.  This does point out that unlike days of old when the leader was the only one who knew where he was going, with modern GPS technology the leader can be the only one who DOESN'T know where he's going.

I tried to keep the group together so we wouldn't need arrows.  My sweep, Mike, chided me about that, since a large group is hard for cars to pass.  In my defense, I have in the past encouraged riders to break into smaller groups leaving a gap between groups for the cars, but this has always failed miserably, since no one wants to be the 'gappee.'  At least the entire merry band generally stayed to the right when cars were nearby.

The South Acton fire station is becoming my home away from home, as it seems that every ride that goes through Acton (and there are a lot) has a rest stop there.  While waiting my turn for the restroom, I noticed a sign on the door to the effect that while they are happy to provide the public with the facilities, some users have been less than tidy.  I can't imagine that our group is in this category, but let's not abuse this valuable resource and "leave no trace."

The only mishap was when Tom took the low road while the rest of the group took the high road.  He was MIA for a while, but rejoined us after the second rest stop at Fairbanks Center.  Tom was lost, but now he's found, as the gospel song says.

Most of the group had lunch at Verrill Farm. I elected not to join the group for lunch, since I still had to ride home and I didn't want to push my luck with the weather.  As  it turned out, I could have lunched and ridden home without getting wet.  Oh, well.

Thanks to Mike for sweeping.

Report by Jack Donohue.

Short Ride Riders

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