Through the Woods and Over the River - Blue Hills and Neponset - April 19, 2023

 RIDE REPORT

Wednesday, 19 April 2023, Through the Woods and Over the River - Blue Hills and Neponset

Ride Leaders:  David Wean & Ron Beland

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

Bikers (14):  David, Ron, Betsy Kimball, Craig Tulig, Dan Nelson, Don Mannes, Frank Aronson, Gerry Sheetoo, Jim Whinfield, John Kitchen, Susan Sabin, Veronica Vedensky, Zach Woods, and first-timer David Chastain.

We had a nice, but cool and windy, romp through Milton, Quincy, Dorchester, Mattapan, Milton (again) and Canton.

We warmed up with a climb to the overlook on Chickatawbut Road, speeding down the back side into Quincy.  We rode through Quincy and cruised Wollaston Beach, stopping at Marina Bay for a water view and restroom stop.  We crossed to Dorchester on the Neponset Bridge walkway and viewed the estuary from the paths around Pope John Paul II Park.  The Neponset Trail took us back along the "high speed trolley" line to Mattapan Square, from which we found our way back to the Blue Hills Reservation.  Four of the riders chose to climb the access road to the top of Great Blue Hill (0.9 miles, 400 feet of climbing), and nine of the group enjoyed a tasty lunch at Trillium Brewery, a mile and a half from the parking lot.

No mechanical mishaps, other than that the sole of one rider's bike shoe separated from the rest of his shoe.  However, he valiantly pedaled on (including to the top of Great Blue Hill).

Report by David Wean.

Spin to Stow - April 12, 2023

RIDE REPORT

Wednesday, 12 April 2023, Spin to Stow

Ride Leader:  Marc Baskin

40 miles, 10:30 am start from Weston, MA

Bikers (7):  Marc, Curt Dudley-Marling, Frank Scibilia, Julie Dodd, Mary Kernan, Richard French, and first-timer Richard Saffran.

Present at lunch:  Helen Greitzer.

With a small, but eager, group of riders, on a warm, but windy, day, we rode out in a northwesterly direction, going to both West Concord and West Acton.  We then turned south through Stow and came back along the Assabet River National Wildlife Refuge.

We stopped midway at what used to be a Dunkin’ Donuts, but has now become a "Mug and Muffin."  Julie Dodd, saved the day when one of our riders had a flat, about 1.5 miles from the end of the ride.  Julie raced back to her car and returned to pick up the stranded rider.

For me, the high point of the ride was having a delightful lunch at Dumpling Daughter with WW coordinator, Helen Greitzer.

Report by Marc Baskin.

 

Breakheart Reservation - April 5. 2023

 RIDE REPORT

Wednesday, 5 April 2023, Breakheart Reservation

Ride Leader:  Tom Allen

25 miles, 10:00 am start from Winchester, MA

Bikers (5): Tom, Craig Tulig, Jim Whinfield, and first-timers, Keren Hamel and Tsachi Avrahami.

The four who registered for this ride were present for a chilly start that did not get warmer, but we were able to warm ourselves as there were various hills to climb.  We did lose one rider who voluntarily dropped out after about 4 miles.  The remainder of us rode as a group and without the deployment any arrows.

Both the way to and return from Breakheart Reservation introduced new ways and roads to the group.  The track taken (rather by accident than by design) through the reservation was the invigorating, hilly one.  The planned restroom stop at the Breakheart visitors center was cited as a welcomed ride feature.

As we got close to the return/start point, two more riders left for direct routes home.  The remaining rider, Craig, and I had quite a nice lunch with a well-earned beer at the Black Horse Tavern.

I want to thank those who showed up to ride on a rather cold and gray day and made it a warm event.

Report by Tom Allen.

Hopkinton State Park hike - March 29, 2023

 HIKE REPORT

Wednesday, 29 March 2023, Hopkinton State Park hike

Ride Leader:  Ann Northup

~4 miles, 10:00 am start from Hopkinton, MA

Hikers (5): Ann, Jeff Wallen, Molly Schaeffer, Susan Broome, and Susan Sabin.

Four WWs joined leader Ann Northup for a hike from the boat rental parking area at Hopkinton State Park.  We had lovely, sunny weather for our hike, and kept unzipping jackets, removing gloves, etc. as the day continued to warm up.

Participants seemed to enjoy the variety of wooded up and down trails and walking along beach areas and across the dam which separates one picnic and toddler beach area from the main swimming area and boat rental.  After the hike, three of us went to Mauro's Village Cafe in Southborough for a delicious lunch.

Report by Ann Northup.

South Shore Coastal Ride - March 22, 2023

 RIDE REPORT

Wednesday, 22 March 2023, South Shore Coastal Ride

Ride Leader:  Mike Togo

32.8 miles, 10:00 am start from Hingham, MA

Riders (5): Mike, Gerry Sheetoo, Joe Tavilla, Judy Molloy, and Mike Garrity.

After two hill climbs in Wompatuck State Park, we continued through Norwell and on to Scituate Harbor for a coffee stop at Dunkin’ Donuts for a chat and refreshments.  We continued on to the Scituate Lighthouse, and then followed the coast, returning to Hingham.

The loop included Hingham, Norwell, Scituate, and Cohasset.  Great views of south coast along the ride route.  It was great to meet Joe Tavilla who drove up from his home on Cape Cod.

Report by Mike Togo.

Wayland - Hike Mainstone Farm and Hamlen Woods - March 8, 2023

 HIKE REPORT

Wednesday, 8 March 2023, Wayland - Hike Mainstone Farm and Hamlen Woods

Hike Leader:  Betty Salzberg

4.3 miles, 10:00 am start from Wayland, MA

Hikers (15): Betty, Ann Northup, Don Mannes, Everett Briggs, Janet Miller, Jeff Wallen, Julie Dodd, Kristina Leclaire, Marie Keutmann, Molly Schaeffer, Peggy Gelin, Sharon Ellis, Susan Broome, Susan Sabin, and William Feiring.

It was a breezy day and there was more snow than expected on the trails.  Other people had hiked there previously and there were a lot of footprints, but still a lot of snow.  Some WWs used micro spikes and others wished they had.  However, there was only one fall and no injuries.  This is a hilly area and everyone got a lot of exercise.

The woods were lovely and the trail markers easy to follow.  We saw the pretty pond near the Wayland Town Water Tower, but no one spied the tower itself.  Next to one of the trails was an abandoned shack, with broken furniture, which we investigated.

After about two and a half hours of hiking, only Marie wanted to climb Turkey Hill.  Eight hikers decided to eat lunch at Mel’s, where we were all  seated at one table.  Betty had a Belgian Waffle with whipped cream, fruit, and maple syrup.  Everyone else ate very healthy lunches of soups, salads, and half-sandwiches.

A trail map and information about the area where we hiked may be found at:  https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.svtweb.org%

Hike the Eskers and Ponds of Great Brook - March 1, 2023

 HIKE REPORT

Wednesday, 1 March 2023, Hike the Eskers and Ponds of Great Brook

Hike Leader:  Mike Hanauer

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

Hikers (14): Mike, Barbara Jacobs, Betty Salzberg, Frank Scibilia, Jack Mroczkowski, Judy Perrin, Kate Strachon, Kristina Leclaire, Margaret Coughlin, Marie Keutmann, Sharon Ellis, Ted Nyder, William Feiring, and first-timer Andy Singer.

It was a bright, sunny day with new snow glistening from the ground and the trees.  After a circle of introductions, we went into the woods.  The temperature was at about freezing at the start, and it warmed up nicely enough that stops were made to remove clothing layers.  People seemed more cheery than usual, I thought.  Most needed only hiking boots, although some did use micro-spikes.  The three-inch layer of fresh snow provided good traction and good snowballs, even with a layer of ice underneath.

The first and last mile or so were in pristine esker areas with many narrow and hilly trails, but, as we got closer to the ski barn, main trails had been groomed.  We received a lecture from one irate skier who said we couldn't hike there.  Since the helicopter to lift us out never arrived, we continued on our journey, keeping to the outside of the ski tracks.

The views were wonderful.  Personally, I love the color of the evergreens against the deep blue of the sky.  While we saw no actual beavers, we did see many trees that had been chewed - especially after we crossed the bridge onto the tiny island, which also provided some nice water and wildlife views.

The leader did get a snowball down his neck.  Followers insisted it fell from a tree, but the tree said to me, "Not I."

Andy, Jack, and Mike had tasty lunches at Red Heat, where Jack introduced me to a shandy.  Mmmm, good and refreshing.

After over two hours of trekking, Betty, Marie, and Sharon stayed for two more hours of xc skiing!!

Thanks to Barbara for sweeping, and to all for participating.

Our hike route and data may be found at: https://ridewithgps.com/trips/114415635

Report by Mike Hanauer.