Great Brook Farm State Park MTB/road ride - July 27, 2016

Mountain Biking Report
14 mountain bikers divided themselves into two groups according to experience levels and rode for several hours through Great Brook Farm State Park in Carlisle. The advanced intermediate group started with Julianne North, Katherine Bain, Tom Amiro and Herb Kavet and was led by Tony Lee and Lisa Cheney. The intermediate group began with Carol and Bob Anderson, Mike Hanauer, Bob Apsler and Pat Ward and was led by Margie Lee, Kim Wach and Larry Kornetsky. A few riders peeled off early due to water, energy, bike and time issues. Several also joined the roadies for a picnic lunch after the ride. Riders are to be commended for great attitudes and the consensus was that the group rides were fun. Ten years ago, on September 20, 2006 to be precise, Jerry Green led a Wednesday Wheeler mountain bike ride which introduced Lisa Cheney, Larry Kornetsky and Tony Lee to the sport, and their lives haven’t been the same since. Thanks again, Jerry, and maybe others were similarly inspired today.
Report submitted by Margie & Tony Lee

Road Biking Report
It was a good turnout considering there were actually 4 separate rides today.  It’s nice to know that not everyone has gone to the dark side.  With only a dozen riders, we were able to get started within a minute or two of 10 am but as we left the park, a latecomer drove up so we waited a few minutes for him to saddle up.  It was worth it as he was a valuable addition to the group.  Even with the delay, one member of our group was in the restroom and missed our departure.  He spent most of the morning trying to catch up to us, finally succeeding after 25 miles! Aside from that, things went well, with many shady roads until we reached Sudbury Rd which is undergoing major construction.  If I had known, I would have detoured around it.   Lunch at the park was pleasant in the cool shade. Thanks to all the arrows and to Jack for sweeping and taking attendance. – Clyde

Road Riders(15): Marc Baskin, Patrick Brennan, Jim Cant, Jack Donohue, Richard Fortier, Gene Ho, Clyde Kessel, Lindy King, Bill Lane, Bob Mccarty, Jack Mroczkowski, Pat Schindeler, Ilkka Suvanto, Rich Taylor, Roy Westerberg

Road riders in front of Clyde's house, three missing

Carol Anderson, one of the mountain bikers

Tour of Carlisle - July 20, 2016

Ride Report Wednesday July 20, 2016

The ride leaders thank Mike for hosting and I wish to join them. Mike opened up his home to us, made arrangements to provide food and drink and gave up riding for that day. We would be a better club if there were more who did likewise.

Short Riders (15): John Allen, Steve Bogue, Harriet Fell, Betty Hoffman, Marie Keutmann, Elsa Lawrence, Tom Lawrence, Janet Miller, Jack Mroczkowski, Ann Northup, Romaine Randall(sweep), Nancy Smith, Ilkka Suvanto(leader), David Wean, Eli Post

Long Riders (29): Dave Balaban, Andrew Brand, Patrick Brennan, Donald Buchholtz, Robin Callahan, Rick Carlson, Jack Donohue, Richard Fortier, Bill Haynes, Cynthia Holthouse, Chuck Huizenga, Stuart Kaufman, Clyde Kessel(leader), Bill Lane, Robyn Maislin, Steve Maislin, Neil Martin, Butch Pemstein (sweep), Susan Sabin, Pat Schindeler, Brett Serkez, George Stromberg, Veronica Vedensky, Richard Vignoni, Patrick Ward, Philip Weiss, Roy Westerberg, Robert Wilson

36-mile ride report for July 20

Just for a little variety, we took the back way out of Mike’s house riding on 150 yards of good dirt road.  This put us behind the unsuspecting short group who left after we had and pretty soon we caught up to them and started to ride through.  About the same time, a late arrival who was trying to join the short group caught up with us and then got a flat tire.  Since he hadn’t yet caught the short group’s sweep, he became the responsibility of the long group and stayed with us for the rest of the ride.  Thereafter, things went quite smoothly though we did hurry past the honey wagon we saw.  Around the halfway point, the leader deviated over Vose Hill to reduce the mileage on 225 and 27.  The leader thought it was an excellent tradeoff but some of the riders didn’t seem to agree.  There were several stretches of fine new pavement, notably Treble Cove Rd in Billerica which had absolutely brand new lines painted sometime since noon on the previous day. The leader received many compliments on the lovely shaded ride but they really belong to Mike Hanauer who designed the route. Thanks to all the arrows and Butch for sweeping and especially to Mike for putting on such a good party including cookies at the start. - Clyde

22-mile ride report for July 20.

With about a dozen riders we stayed together for most of the ride. The roads were well shaded and generally in good condition although at one point some sharp stone gravel cut a rider's tire resulting in an instant flat. He managed a quick 10-minute repair by inserting a dollar bill into the slashed tire. After a long rest stop at Great Brook Farm we finished the ride at about an 11.8 mph average overall. One rider did take a tumble on the last turn after getting a bit too close to the leader's rear wheel, but no harm done to either the rider or bicycle. Thanks Romaine for  sweeping. Great to be greeted by Mike with a delicious banana smoothie. - Ilkka

Party Report for July 20:

A perfect sunny day with many newly smoothed roads canopied with shade producing trees, and followed with a festive lunch -- or was it a feast. Is that cycling, or is that really an idyllic life? The question is for all of you to ponder. My thanks to Clyde and Ilkka for leading the rides and to the many others who lent a hand during the rides or with the after-ride party. The party seemed to be well enjoyed by all. Included were appetizers, lasagna, salad, watermelon, and the now traditional banana-lemon smoothies -- all disappeared with velocity. A special shout out and thank you to Roy Westerberg for his wonderful home brew too. Finding a brew that might be better than my cherished Arrogant Bastard, discovered at WW favorite The Chat, should make Roy proud (if not rich). It was good to see Brett Serkez too, back home where many of us believe he belongs.To a great ride, a great group, and some great teamwork!   All So Appreciated! - Mike

Bob and Carol Anderson came for lunch. Mike Hanauer hosted party.

Long riders at Great Brook Farm

More pictures HERE

Groton - Hollis rides - July 13, 2016

RIDE REPORTS

Wednesday, July 13, 2016, Groton - Hollis rides
Ride Leaders:  Lindy King & Brett Serkez
48 & 31 miles from  the Nashua River Rail Trail parking area, Groton, MA

Riders - 48 mi (8):  Lindy, Bob Apsler, Butch Pemstein, Curt Dudley-Marling, Dave Balaban, Rich Taylor, Robin Frain, and first-timer Philip Weiss.
Riders - 31 mi (12):  Brett, Bob Wilson, Chuck McWilliams, David Wean, Gardner Gray, Janet Miller, Jim Cant, Ron Beland, Roy Westerberg, Steve Bogue, and first-timers David Kobes and Ed Webby (?).
Present at lunch:  Helen Greitzer.

On a muggy, hot, summer’s morning, only a handful of WWs came to join the 48 mile Groton - Hollis ride.  They were all hardy riders and, with a small-sized group, we generally stopped to regroup at the tops of hills and at turns where there was a shady spot to be found.  Some of the riders voted for more hills, so we skipped the mile of dirt in Hollis for more climbing.  It was nice to grab a cool drink at the Monument Square Market and use the facilities in town.  We hogged the bench on the town square until the riders on the short ride rendezvoused with us.

We socialized for a while and then proceeded on the route where there were more hills in the second half than the first!  No one seemed to mind and there were many compliments on how nice the route was.  It was exceedingly hot when we returned to Groton and everyone quickly went for lunch or indulged in the A/C in their cars.

Many thanks to Brett Serkez for stepping up to lead the short ride option!

Ride report by Lindy King.

The 31 mile ride was beautiful, though hot and humid.  There were no incidents, mechanical or human, and the ride seemed to be enjoyed by all.  Four of us joined Helen for a delicious lunch at Filho's Cucina at ride's end.

Ride report by Brett Serkez.

---

Photos courtesy of Rich Taylor.

---

Southeast from Jack's Abby beer hall - July 6, 2016

RIDE REPORTS

Wednesday, July 6, 2016, Southeast from Jack’s Abby Beerhall
Ride Leaders:  Bob Wolf & Clyde Kessel
37 and 47 miles from Jack’s Abby Beerhall parking lot, Framingham MA

Riders - 37 mi (15):  Bob, Andy Brand, Ann Northup, Butch Pemstein, Chris Schuch, Chuck McWilliams, David Wean, Don Buchholtz, Don Mannes, Ellen Gugel, Herb Kavet, Janet Miller, Susan Sabin, Veronica Vedensky, and Wing Chow.
Riders - 47 mi (16):  Clyde, Barbara Martin, Bernie Flynn, Bill Lane, Curt Dudley-Marling, Dom Jorge, Everett Briggs, Frank Hubbard, Julie Dodd, Kim Wach, Marc Baskin, Rick Carlson, Rick Lawrence, Steve Bogue, Steve Carlson, and Tim Jacoby.
Present at lunch:  Helen Greitzer.

Those that hate the cold lucked out, as we had the hottest day of 2016 to date.  That said, it was hot, if breezy and dry, and a few folks that might have done the longer ride opted to go short.  Initially we stayed together fairly tightly, with the weather offset by the shade afforded by the route, despite best efforts of the gypsy moths (actually, their larvae) that dotted the roads.  But eventually, the temps took their toll on some.  Mid-ride we added a detour to Dover center to replenish liquids.  Butch helped one rider avoid some miles, and we regrouped frequently without complaint from most riders.

The beerhall was a welcomed finish, with the big winners being German IPL, Smoke and Dagger, Hibiscus Blood Orange Leisure Time, and the air conditioning.  Lunch was good as well.

Thanks to Butch and Don Buchholtz for sweeping, and to the many arrows we never ran out of.

Ride report by Bob Wolf.

It was a hot day so the folks who opted for the long ride were the ones who are able to do a long ride on a hot day.  That was both the theory and, in this case, practice.  Combine that with the fact that the humidity was not oppressive and the result was a moderately fast ride without folks suffering too much from the heat.  We did take a rest stop every ten miles, including a long one with a water spigot at the halfway point, so maybe that helped as well.  Several of the riders did report a very high water consumption.

On the way, we came across Marc Baskin who joined us by riding the route backwards until we met.  Similarly, we passed David Wean riding the other way but he was looking for the short group, not us.

Somewhere in the Norfolk area we were surrounded (engulfed? inundated? smothered?) by moths.  I wonder if they were gypsy moths, since I heard a report a few days ago that there was a terrible gypsy moth resurgence in some areas this year.  Apparently, the dry weather has killed the fungus which normally keeps the moths in check.

Thanks to Rick Carlson for sweeping, to Frank Hubbard for finding the rest stop with water, and to all the arrows.

Ride report by Clyde Kessel.

Smooth as Silk Ride - June 22, 2016

RIDE REPORT

Wednesday, June 22, 2016, Smooth as Silk
Ride Leaders:  Jack Donohue & Bernie Flynn
35 miles, 10:00 am start from Bedford Public Library, Bedford, MA

Riders (4​2​):  ​Jack, Bernie, Tom Allen, Adena Schutzberg, Andrea Clardy, Andy Lewis, Ann Northup, Barbara Martin, Bill Haynes, Bill Lane, Bob Wolf, Butch Pemstein, Chris Schuch, Chuck McWilliams, Cindy Holthouse, Dave Balaban, Dmitry Gorenburg, Dom Jorge, Don Buchholtz, Don Mannes, Emily McPhillips, Francie Sparks, Fred Newton, George Stromberg, Irv Kurki, James Hsia, Janet Miller, Jeff Smith, Jon Clardy, Larry Kernan, Lindy King, Mary Kernan, Mike Hanauer, Richard Lawrence, Richard Vignoni​​, Robert Wilson, Steve Bogue, Steve Page, Steve Robins, Susan Sabin, Tim Jacoby, and Wing Chow.

This ride was the inauguration of my Wednesday Wheeler Attendance App 2.0.  I'm happy to report it worked flawlessly, except for a minor glitch when your hamfisted leader poked John Allen instead of Tom Allen.

The beginning of summer brought a lot of Wheelers out of the woodwork whom I didn't know or hadn't seen in a long time.  I had advertised a classic Wheeler
ride, moderate pace, human arrows, regrouping as required, but was not sure how this was going to play out.  The problem of keeping a diverse group together was solved by Bernie who offered to take a group that wanted to go faster.  He advertised a no frills ride: no arrows, no sweep, and no prisoners, and I'm sure he did not disappoint.

In a classic bait and switch, I changed the route at the last minute to make it even smoother than silk, adding a newly paved portion of South Street in Carlisle.  Everyone seemed to enjoy the gratuitous climb up Vose Hill.  There was a bit of confusion when some of the group decided not to do the hill, but wait for those who did.  I first told this group to wait at the intersection of Routes 27 and 225, and someone suggested the Bruce Freeman Rail Trail (BFRT) instead, which seemed a better idea.  When we got to the bottom of the hill, I waited for the sweep and told the rest to go ahead and wait with the others at the BFRT which was just ahead.  Unfortunately, I forgot that the BFRT crosses Rte 27 twice, and the spot I pointed to was not where the others were waiting.  Several of the group started down the trail, so I had to go chasing after them.  Moral of the story:  leader should lead.

The weather had started out gloomy, but improved, and I was thinking we might achieve a moisture-free ride.  We did have some serious rain in Chelmsford, but just as I was thinking about stopping to put on rain gear, it let up.  Several of the group cheated and got weather updates via their phones.  Being superstitious, I view this as a harbinger of bad luck and may have to adopt Pamela Blaylock's approach of forbidding the "W" word to be spoken on rides.

No one wanted to stop at Heart Pond off the BFRT in Chelmsford (possibly because of the "W" word), but I made everyone stop for a photo op in front of the cranberry bogs.  All in all, the ride went very well, but Butch did report that, in his view from the rear, several Wheelers cut a rather wide swath on the road.  Admittedly, there was very little traffic, but, as you all recall from your WW Safety Agreement, this is a no-no.

A group of us went to Ken's Deli after the ride and feasted on their giant sandwiches.  A goodly percentage of the group ended up ordering large, cool glasses of beer, which hadn't occurred to me.  Next time.

Thanks to Butch for sweeping, and to Bernie for providing an outlet for the type A riders.

Ride report by Jack Donohue.



















More photos

Assabet River Bash Ride and Party - June 15, 2016

​

RIDE REPORTS

Wednesday, June 15, 2016, Assabet River Beach Bash
Ride Leaders:  Bill Lane & Winslow Green/Jack Donohue
39 & 26 miles, 9:30 & 10:15 am starts from 71 Lowell Road, Concord, MA

Riders - 39 mi (16):  Bill - assisted by Bob Apsler, Chuck McWilliams, Curt Dudley-Marling, Dave Balaban, Elizabeth Seabury, Ellen Gugel, Everett Briggs, Francie Sparks, Larry Kernan, Mary Kernan, Scott Bernstein, Steve Carlson, Steve Page, Tim Jacoby, and one unidentified late arrival.

Riders - 26 mi (30):  Winslow, Jack, Andy Lewis, Ann Northup, Barbara Jacobs, Barbara Pike, Bill Aldrich, Bill Hanson, Bob Wilson, Butch Pemstein, Cecilia Scimia, Edie Baxter, Elissa Brown, Fred Newton, Harriet Fell, Jacque Smith, Janet Miller, Jeff Smith, Jim Whinfield, Judi Burten, Kathy Horvath, Kaz Zelny, Patrick Ward, Richard Fortier, Robyn Maislin, Stan Kay, Steve Maislin, Susan Sabin, Wing Chow, and first-timer Robin Callahan.

On a near perfect day for cycling, sixteen riders answered the call of a sufferfest in the name of returning the host quickly enough to set out the lunch.  We made our way through Acton and up the subtler climb to Westford, thrilled at the subsequent -9% descent on new pavement, before winding our way to the final climb to MIT's Haystack Observatory - though a common cycling destination, it was a pleasant first for more than a few.  We had a brief respite at the top while waiting for three who insisted on staying behind for our one mechanical, wisely avoiding thirteen advisors on how to fix a flat.  From there we enjoyed a reprise of the impressive radars while making our way home east of Westford through Carlisle.

At around mile 30, a swap of ride leaders from Bill to Bob Apsler was performed, so that the former could sprint home and gain seven minutes extra to prepare lunch.  We had a lovely day for lunch on the patio which overlooks the Assabet River.  Many thanks to all who arrowed and to Everett for sweeping.  The greatest thanks goes to everyone for their generosity in supporting the Pan Mass Challenge at this lunch, allowing us to donate $250 to our riders in the PMC.  Thank you all.

Report by Bill Lane.

We departed at 10:15 for a moderately paced 26 mile ride through surrounding towns to the north and west of Concord.  Due to the large size of the group, we divided into two separate groups for greater safety.

Special thanks to Jack for leading the second group.  Thanks to Fred for being the communications deputy, and to Butch and Pat for sweeping.  There were no mishaps and we all returned to the Lane residence for the usual "Beach Fare" served in the screened porch and eaten on the lovely shaded patio overlooking the lawn which extends down to the Assabet River.  There were no takers for swimming in the river, as the Assabet Beach is not on a par with that at Plymouth, but, considering the greater ease in reaching this lovely destination, it seems like an excellent alternative.  Thanks to Bill and Connie Lane for hosting this traditional June ride, once again, and for the hospitality at their lovely new home. 

Report by Winslow Green.

Boondoggle Ride - June 8, 2016

RIDE REPORTS

Wednesday, June 8, 2016, Boondoggle rides
Ride Leaders:  Janet Miller, Patrick Ward, & Ken Hablow
30 & 38 miles, 10:00 am start from Cousins Park, Concord, MA

Riders (47):  Janet, Patrick, Ken, Alan Krupp, Amy Lawrence, Andrea Clardy, Ann Northup, Barbara Martin, Barbara Pike, Barry Nelson, Betty Hoffman, Bob Wadsworth, Bob Wilson, Chuck McWilliams, Curt Dudley-Marling, Dick Harter, Dom Jorge, Doug Hobkirk, Edie Baxter, Ellen Gugel, Emily McPhillips, Francie Sparks, Fred Newton, Ilkka Suvanto, Jack Donohue, Jacque Smith, James Hsia, Joanne Samuels, Jon Clardy, Julie Dodd, Kathy Horvath, Kaz Zelny, Larry Kernan, Mary Kernan, Mike Hanauer, Pat Brennan, Rich Taylor, Rick Lawrence, Robyn Maislin, Scott Bernstein, Selig Saltzman, Steve Bogue, Steve Maislin, Susan Sabin, Tod Cochran, Wing Chow, and Winslow Green.

A group of forty-seven riders gathered at the Cousins Park start.  With such a large group, Ken Hablow kindly offered to lead a group of faster riders (15 mph+), which meant that we had three groups with more manageable numbers than we would have had otherwise.  Pat Ward took attendance and Janet gave a safety talk before the ride start.  Ken’s group left a few minutes after 10:00 am, followed a few minutes later by Pat’s group, who also rode the 38 mile route.  My group followed soon after, as soon as I had finished ordering lunch, taking the 30 mile route.

38 mile ride, spirited pace:
A group of nineteen riders, led by Ken, left on a spirited version of the long ride.  This helped to keep the long ride group from becoming unwieldy.  Since we were all compatible, we stayed together as a group and only used arrows on two occasions. We stopped at Haskell Field in Sudbury for a bathroom break at mile 7, and again at the Dunkin Donuts at mile 19 (so Barry could get his much needed muffin).  We had a pleasant ride, though we hustled to get back home before the non-existent thunderstorms.

Thanks to Barry Nelson for sweeping.  

Report by Ken Hablow.

38 mile ride, standard WW pace:

A fairly large number of riders took up Ken’s offer - this made the long ride easier to lead as we had a smaller group that could keep quite close together at a (somewhat faster than) standard WW pace.  The arrows did a fine job, as did our sweep, Steve Bogue.  We kept our two pit stops quite short and, as Janet had planned, we arrived back at her home at almost the same time as the 30 mile riders - so we all enjoyed warm pizza!

It was a great day.  The route was often beautiful, the weather was cool and bright, and we had no mishaps of any kind.

Report by Pat Ward.

30 mile ride:
Our ride was somewhat eventful.  Two people fell, though neither were hurt and both continued on the ride.  The first occurred as we made a right hand turn on rough pavement; the second occurred when four riders, close together and going up hill, approached a stop sign.  We also lost one rider who mistakenly thought that our group had left the pit stop at Haskell Field.  He tried, unsuccessfully, to catch up with Pat’s group.  Although we never saw him on the road after that, he did report that he got back safely.  Chris Schuch and Doug Hobkirk joined us along the road.  One rider had a flat tire and fixed it at the rest stop at 20 miles.  Thanks to Dick Harter for his patient sweeping, and to all those who acted as arrows.  Even though my average pace was only 12.5 mph, the group tended to become spread out.

We arrived back moments before the pizza was delivered and those that chose to stay for lunch enjoyed chatting and relaxing in the peaceful surroundings of my condominium grounds.