Assabet River Beach Bash - June 20, 2018

RIDE REPORTS


Wednesday, 20 June 2018, Assabet River Beach Bash
Ride Leaders:  Bill Lane & Tom Fortmann

39 or 27 miles, 10:00 & 10:30 am starts from Concord Town Parking Lot, Concord, MA

Riders – 39 mi (23):  Tom, Barry Kaditz, Bill Umphrey, Bill Wachur, Bob Apsler, Brett Serkez, Catherine Schroeder, Celia Donatio, Dave Balaban, Ellen Gugel, Herb Kavet, Jack Donohue, Julie Dodd, Kathy Horvath, Kevin Donnelly, Marc Baskin, Mike Byrne, Neil Martin, Ron Marland, Sandy Gotlib, Tim Wilson, Tom Wolf, and Wing Chow.

Riders – 27 mi (21):  Bill, Ann Northup, Bill Widnall, Butch Pemstein, David Kobes, Emily McPhillips, Harriet Fell, Ilkka Suvanto, Janet Miller, Jeff Smith, Jim Whinfield, Lisa Najavits, Nancy Schlecht, Patrick Ward, Robert Wilson, Robyn Maislin, Rochelle Holman, Sally Chapman, Susan Sabin, and first-timers Arnie Zaff and Joni Syrotick.

Present at lunch:  Steve Kolek.

39 miles - We traversed familiar Strawberry Hill and Newtown Roads, through Concord and Acton to Westford.  We then began climbing through Graniteville to reach the radars and radio telescopes on Millstone and Haystack Hills, with a view like “Close Encounters of the Third Kind.”  The weather was excellent, the pace brisk, and the only mechanical problem was a dislodged chain which was quickly fixed.

The return through Westford and Chelmsford included a special treat of freshly paved roads.  The only delays were another dislodged chain, requiring removal of the rear wheel (the first rule of a major chain malfunction), and a wait for a very long train. We arrived at Bill’s house shortly after 1:00 pm, more or less on schedule.

Thanks to Kathy who performed admirably as sweep, keeping the pack (mostly) together and reporting status to the leading group.  The sweep thanks all of the arrows, especially those caught on the other side of the train tracks.

Report by Tom Fortmann & Kathy Horvath.


27 miles - At the ride start, Ann Northrup announced that Winslow Green was having surgery that day. Winslow, a longtime PMC rider was co-founder of this Beach Bash, co-leading the ride for eleven years from Plymouth and Concord.  We all wish him well and the speediest of recoveries.

With the weather powers on our side, we set out on familiar roads from Concord, through Acton on Newtown Road, to the back of Nagog Pond. At this point, with our pace at a respectable WW average of 13.1 mph, we had regrouped twice and it became clear that one rider, new to the Wheelers, was slower than the rest of the group.  Ever the gentleman and now nominated for sainthood by the ride leader, Bill Widnall offered to take over riding with her separately, and to bring them both safely to lunch at our 1:15 pm ETA.  They arrived at lunch an hour later than the rest of us, full of stories of their epic journey up the new section of the Bruce Freeman Rail Trail, complete with pond visits, encounters with snapping turtles, and other wildlife wonders. Meanwhile, the short ride continued to a brief rest stop at Heart Pond and then headed back through quiet roads in Carlisle to Concord. There were no mechanicals.

Many thanks to those who arrowed and especially to Butch Pemstein for sweeping.

Back at our home, twenty-seven attended lunch, overlooking the Assabet River on a glorious afternoon.  We thank everyone for their extraordinary generosity.  We will be able to contribute $304 to the PMC, a record for this ride.  Finally, thank you to my wife, Connie, for her behind the scenes work in laying out the lunch.

Report by Bill Lane.

At Haystack Observatory

Aggie’s Ice Cream Ride - June 13, 2018

RIDE REPORT

Wednesday, 13 June 2019, Aggie’s Ice Cream Ride
Ride Leader:  Karen Saltus
33 miles, 10:30 am start from Kittery Lion’s Club, Kittery, ME

Riders (12):  Karen, Amy Ellis, Chuck McWilliams, Dale Ferguson, Dan Krechmer, Jim Goldberg, Karen Ontell, Ray Best, Rochelle Holman, Ron Marland, Susan Sabin, plus one unidentified rider.

We set out from Kittery on a gorgeous summer day.  We cycled along beautiful back roads, at times riding along the Piscataqua River and Great Bay.  Flowers were in abundance and there was very little traffic.  The group was fantastic about getting in single file on the few occasions when cars came along.

We arrived at Aggie’s about ten minutes before they opened and happily waited.  After a leisurely break, we looped around for a few miles before re-joining the route and heading back to Kittery.  The group stayed together for the first half of the ride, but heading home we felt a few raindrops, so some folks picked up the pace.  We ended up being sprinkled on all the way home, but, since it was still somewhat warm, we were not very uncomfortable.  Ten of us headed to Warren’s for a great lunch afterwards.

The leader notes that she should have emphasized the “human arrow” procedure before the ride, as several times no one stopped to arrow and the leader ended up becoming an arrow!

Thanks to everyone who made the long drive up to Kittery, and to Dale for sweeping the ride.  The leader and Rochelle re-connected after what they estimated was over twenty years of not seeing each other (we had previously been in the Seven Hills Wheelmen together).

Report by Karen Saltus.

Deer Island - June 6, 2018

RIDE REPORT


WED, June 6, 2018, Deer Island
Ride Leader:  Tom Allen
36 miles (in an urban setting with some interesting bike paths), 10:00 am start from Mayor Danehy Park, Cambridge, MA

Riders - (16):  Tom, Adena Schutzberg, Andy Brand, Bob Wadsworth, Butch Pemstein, David Fay, Don Mannes, Harriet Fell, Jeff Kushner, Jeff Smith, Jim Campen, Rochelle Holman, Stuart Kaufman, Susan Sabin, Veronica Vedensky, and Wing Chow.

The day started cool and gray.  A few of us were in long pants and all of us were wearing windbreaker tops.  Starting off through Cambridge and Somerville we rode to the current eastern end of the Somerville Community Path and took the ramp up to Lowell Street. This being the season for road construction, we detoured onto Trull Street and on up to Broadway.

We then pedaled along the bike path, sandwiched between Rte 93 and the Mystic River, where we saw a great blue heron and numerous black-crowned night herons.  Crossing the river, we entered the Mystic River Reservation where we encountered more construction.  Paths are being re-bedded and prepped for paving, forcing us to do a bit of dirt biking.

From the Wellington Station parking lot, we headed north and intercepted the Northern Strand Bikeway that brought us through Malden and into Revere.  Construction once again forced a detour on our way to Revere Beach, where we posed for the group photo. Meanwhile, Wing Chow who had missed the muster at the start managed to catch up just in time to be in the picture.

By the time we reached Deer Island, the sun appeared and some layers were shed.  The ride around the perimeter of Deer Island was very scenic and pleasant.  Only a brief whiff of sewage from the treatment plant met our noses as we achieved the appropriate alignment with the light sea breeze.

The return route brought us through East Boston and over a white-knuckle grid deck bridge to Chelsea.  The rather idyllic Commandants Way in the Admiral Hill section spit us out onto Beecham Street where we enjoyed the company of very large trucks and some moonscape-like potholes.  As we left this area we were able to get an up-close view of the new casino construction.

 The rest of the way back was uneventful and we lost a couple of riders along the way who sought more direct routes back to their individual homes.  Six of us enjoyed a Mexican lunch at Jose's, conveniently located hard by Danehy park.

All my warnings about urban riding seem to have brought out a hardy group that thoroughly enjoyed the ride and adventure.  We did the entire ride without arrows, keeping the group together.  Thanks to Stuart Kaufman for serving as sweep and keeping us safe and in tow.

Report by Tom Allen.

North Shore: Nahant, Marblehead, Salem - May 30, 2018

RIDE REPORTS


WEDNESDAY, 30 May 2018, North Shore – Nahant, Marblehead, Salem
Ride Leaders:  Gardner (Sandy) Gray & William Feiring
41 or 30 miles, 10:00 am start from Nahant Beach, Nahant, MA


Riders (25):  Gardner, William, Adena Schutzberg, Andy Brand, Barbara Jacobs, Butch Pemstein, Celia Donatio, Dan Krechmer, Dave Balaban, David Fay, Don Buchholtz, Elissa Brown, Elsa Lawrence, Ilkka Suvanto, Judi Burten, Julie Dodd, Kevin Donnelly, Nancy Schlecht, Rochelle Holman, Ron Beland, Selig Saltzman, Ted Nyder, Tom Lawrence, Veronica Vedensky, and Wing Chow.

Twenty-five WWs braved the convoluted route to Nahant Beach for the start of a spectacular ride up the coast.  At the start we broke up into two groups with Gardner (Sandy) Gray leading the 41 mile ride, with Butch Pemstein as sweep.  William Feiring led the 30 mile group and Barbara Jacobs was his sweep.  Both groups stayed together - past Lynn Beach, into Swampscott, and on to Marblehead Neck where we stopped to take in the sights at Chandler Hovey Park.  We continued together through Marblehead to Fort Sewall, where the 40 mile group headed out first, to continue north, and the 30 mile group headed back to Nahant. 

Just after the two groups split, the 40 mile group headed down a gravel path through Chadwick Lead Mills Park where Tom Lawrence caught a stick in his wheel and went down hard.  Tom was taken to the hospital for xrays and observation.  Note:  Tom’s new helmet was dented - thank goodness that he was wearing it.  Tom is sore, but is recovering nicely at home.

The 40 mile group continued north through Pickering Point, Pickering Wharf, the Salem Ferry Dock, Winter Island Park, and onto Salem Willows Park where we headed back south, through the outdoor Salem Mall.  With the wind now at our backs, we had a fast ride back to Nahant where some folks jumped into their cars, while others continued on through Nahant and to lunch at the Tides.  Outside of Tom’s accident and a wardrobe malfunction, all had a great time exploring the Ghost coast.

Report by Gardner Gray.

The 30 mile group made a stop at Red Rock Park, on Lynn Shore Drive, to take in some beautiful ocean views.  Once we hit the trail parallel to Nahant Road, we were hoping for a nice tailwind but, instead, there was a strong crosswind (reminded me of driving my car over a bridge on a very windy day).  Once we made it to Nahant, we still didn't get any tailwinds, but had some headwinds.  A lot of us had never been to Nahant and really enjoyed the great vistas.

Report by William Feiring.

Cape Ann - May 23, 2018

RIDE REPORTS

Wednesday, 23 May 2018, Cape Ann Loop with Remote Start
Ride Leaders:  Richard Vignoni and Gardner (Sandy) Gray
67 mi - 9:30 am start from Gordon College, Wenham, MA
31 mi – 10:00 am start from Stage Fort Park, Gloucester, MA

Riders - 67 mi (17):  Richard, Andy Brandt, Barbara Martin, Bob Apsler, Dan Krechmer, Everett Briggs (who rode from home), Gene Ho, Greg Stathis, Kaz Zelny, Kevin Donnelly, Maria Noya, Ray Best, Ray Komow, Russ Keene and first-timers Jim Goldberg, Linda Chasen, and Stephanie Shenton.

Riders - 31 mi (28):  Gardner (Sandy), Adele Ferreira, Andrea Clardy, Barbara Gaughan, Barbara Jacobs, Chuck McWilliams, Dale Ferguson, Dave Balaban, David Fay, Dmitry Gorenburg, Elsa Lawrence, Gerry Sheetoo, Jack Donohue, Jack Mroczkowski, Jon Clardy, Joe Tavilla, Judi Burten, Marie Keutmann, Nancy Cahn, Neil Martin, Paul Brandon, Richard Fortier, Rochelle Holman, Ted Nyder, Tom Lawrence, and first-timers Catherine Schroeder, Karen Ontell, and Susan Grieb.

With near perfect weather, seventeen riders showed up at Gordon College for the Cape Ann Remote Start ride option.  The group included several first-time WWs and several established WWs who were doing this ride for the first time.  Shortly before the planned ride start, the leader had a tire blow-out which delayed the start.

We headed out, working our way up the coast and making the usual loops through Kettle Cove and Magnolia.  We biked through Stage Fort Park, then started our way (counterclockwise) around Cape Ann.  We rode behind the buildings at the state fish pier where several large fishing boats were docked.  We hung out at the end of the fish pier waiting for the remainder of the group, who had been delayed due to the opening of the drawbridge on Rte 127 over the Blynman Canal, to arrive.  While the weather gods were good to us, I must have ticked off the tire god, as I had a second flat.  Bob Apsler took the group through the Rocky Neck Art Colony, then waited for us at Eastern Point Lighthouse, while Gene, Jim, Russ, and I stayed behind to fix the flat.

After joining the others at the lighthouse, we resumed our journey along the coast, going down the one-way “except for bicycle” street, and past Good Harbor Beach.  We biked down the dead end on South Street for the obligatory group photo-op, and took in the views looking back along the coast.  We rode over the tricky Pebble Beach dirt road and then it was another four miles to the T pier in Rockport, where we hung out for a bit, used the facilities, and filled our water bottles.  We then proceeded along the coast, circling Lobster Cove, and biking over the wooden footbridge.  Then it was on to lunch at Willow’s Rest.  Here we found some of the riders from the core group, as well as Everett who had gotten ahead of us due to our delayed start.

After lunch, Everett joined our group, keeping alive his longstanding tradition of biking from home and doing the extended route.  We headed out Rte 133 through the marshes of Essex, visiting Conomo Point where we lingered to enjoy the views.  Then we turned inland, arriving back at Gordon College a little before 5:00 pm.  Our average pace of 13.9 mph was a bit more aggressive than the advertised moderate/standard WW pace - my apologies.

Thanks to Kevin and Dan for sweeping the ride, and to all those who arrowed and participated.

Postscript:  If two flats in one day weren’t enough, the very next day after the ride, with the car fully loaded for a long weekend getaway, I had a blowout flat on Rte 128, with a two-inch gash in my tire.

Report by Richard Vignoni.

====================

The weather for the Cape Ann core ride was a perfect 10, with blue skies, cool air, and a slight breeze.  Shortly after the twenty-nine of us headed out, we had to wait a few extra minutes for the Annisquam River drawbridge (over the Blynman Canal) to be lowered.  We then passed the Gloucester Fisherman's Memorial that lists the hundreds of fishermen that have been lost while fishing out of Gloucester, including an uncle after whom I was named.

We then biked behind the buildings at the state fish pier, where several large fishing boats were docked, and on to Eastern Point Lighthouse where we had a good view of Boston to the south.  We took our obligatory group photo along beautiful Atlantic Avenue, with the ocean for a backdrop.

Then, to the surprise of my wife, Debbie, we all stopped in at my home on Long Beach for a short break and another look at the ocean.  We made the usual stop in downtown Rockport to use the facilities and to fill our water bottles.  After our rest stop, we proceeded along the coast, took in the “Stone Zoo,” rode beside Annisquam’s Lobster Cove, and biked over the wooden footbridge.  We then broke into two groups:  one group heading directly back to the cars and the other riding on to lunch at Willow’s Rest, where we met up with Richard and company.

For a complete photo diary of our ride visit the WW Facebook page at

     https://www.facebook.com/pg/WednesdayWheelers/photos/?tab=album&album_id=772435506278362

Report by Gardner Gray.

Rides from Sauta Field - May 16, 2018

RIDE REPORTS

Wednesday, 16 May 2018, Rides from Sauta Field
Ride Leaders:  Mike Byrne & Susan Sabin
42 or 30 miles, 10:00 am start from Sauta Field, Hudson, MA

Riders – 42 mi (24):  Mike, Barry Nelson, Bernie Flynn, Bill Wachur, Bob Apsler, Curt Dudley-Marling, Dave Balaban, Dom Jorge, Everett Briggs, Francie Sparks, Frank Hubbard, Fred Vaughn, Gene Ho, Gerry Sheetoo, Kaz Zelny, Ken Hablow, Kevin Donnelly, Lindy King, Marc Baskin, Ray Komow, Rich Taylor, Richard Vignoni, Robin Frain, Russ Keene.
Riders – 30 mi (19):  Susan, Ann Northup, Barbara Martin, Barbara Pike, Bill Widnall, David Fay, Elsa Lawrence, Fred Newton, Ilkka Suvanto, Nancy Schlecht, Richard Fortier, Robert Wilson, Rochelle Holman, Roy Westerberg, Tom Lawrence, Veronica Vedensky, Winnie Parker, and first-timers Bette Simollardes and Sally Chapman.
Present at lunch (2):  Helen Greitzer and Sue Mann.

I agree with Susan that it was a fine day for a bike ride!  Both the short and long routes were new, and I designed them to have a start/finish close to the new Byrne/Mann residence.  I want to thank all forty-three riders for turning out, and I appreciate the favorable comments about both routes that were received from many. 

I apologize to riders on the Long Ride who expected the ride to follow the normal Wednesday Wheeler format, i.e., that I (the "leader") would lead from the front, human arrows would be used when appropriate and would stay in place until released by the sweep, regrouping stops would be made (as seen fit by the leader), and the ride would be swept.  That is the type of ride format I intended to lead, but failed to deliver.  This was the first time I had actually led a WW ride (two WW rides I previously scheduled to lead were cancelled by snow or rain), and I failed to emphasize, prior to the start, the aforementioned format points.  I assumed people coming to a WW ride would understand and plan on riding the WW format.

Instead, when I finished my pre-ride talk, I returned to my car to retrieve my bike and start my RWGPS app.  As I was turning around, I saw several of riders starting out of the parking lot, with most of the remaining riders following them.  I then had a problem with my RWGPS app not giving cues, and I stopped for a minute to try to resolve that, assuming the folks at the front of the pack would stop to let me catch up and lead.  That didn't happen until Rota Springs (half way through the ride), when they stopped for ice cream and porta potties.  Following Rota Springs, I started out in the lead group on Kendall Hill, but I was dropped on the hill and it was deja vu all over again.  I became concerned when I realized we no longer had a sweep, so I stopped and waited until I was sure there were no more riders behind me, and assumed the sweep position.

I wish to thank Francie and Barry for their company as we finished the ride together.  Special thanks to Susan for leading the Short Ride, to Everett for sweeping the first half of the ride, to Rich for attempting to resolve a situation (without a lot of cooperation), and to my partner, Sue, for hosting the end-of-ride lunch (mostly in my absence, until I arrived from bringing up the rear on the long ride).

NOTE TO SELF:  In future, when I lead a WW ride, I will be sure to emphasize that the Wednesday Wheeler ride format will be followed.

Report by Mike Byrne.

***********************************

What a beautiful day for a beautiful bike ride.  Thanks to Mike for creating such a gorgeous route.
 
But, for me, the leader of the shorter ride, it seemed the stars were somewhat crossed.  When I arrived at the start, I could no longer access the ridewithGPS route.  No how, no way.  (As it turns out three other GPS units, all on the longer ride, misbehaved exactly as mine did.)  Richard Vignoni gave me his phone and after a few fits and starts I got it to give me a map.  However, Richard had disabled an application that I generally rely on, so I made a record number of wrong turns, each quickly corrected, but after a while, whenever I turned, everyone hung back to see if I’d be making a U-turn.  Rochelle Holman, did yeoman’s duty, often acting as the leader of the leader, often taking arrows.  Without her, this ride could have ended up in Texas.
 
However, all were a terrific sports and everyone enjoyed the route and the company.  In all my irritation with the damned technology, I neglected to welcome our two new riders, Bette Simollardes and Sally Chapman.  Next time you see either of them, be sure to give them a big hello.
 
Thanks to Richard, Rochelle, and to Roy for sweeping.  Special thanks to Mike’s partner, Sue, who ordered and collected our lunch and welcomed us to their lovely home.

Report by Susan Sabin.

Not Quite Haverhill - May 9, 2018

RIDE REPORT

Wednesday, 9 May 2018, Not Quite Haverhill
Ride Leader:  Tom Allen
34 miles, 10:00 am start from Ipswich River Park, North Reading, MA

Riders (22): Tom, Bob Anderson, Butch Pemstein, Carol Anderson, Celia Donatio, Daniel Krechmer, David Wean, Dmitry Gorenburg, Everett Briggs, Herb Kavet, Ilkka Suvanto, Kevin Donnelly, Nancy Schlecht, Paul Brandon, Richard Vignoni, Rochelle Holman, Ron Beland, Ron Marland, Roy Westerberg, Stuart Kaufman, Veronica Vedensky, and Wing Chow.

The trees were all in bloom, the birds were singing, the sky was bright and blue, the temperature was perfect, and the roads were lovely!  It was just like being in a Disney animated feature!

This year's route underwent yet another modification - making it a bona fide loop, without a retrace section on return, and providing a smoother and safer approach to Ryer's Store for lunch.

A flat tire delayed our rendezvous at Ingaldsby Farm, where the photo was taken.  The proprietress was kind enough to take the picture and informed us that they have a bike repair kit available for stranded riders.  Not sure exactly what it provides, but it seems a nice gesture.

About a dozen of us enjoyed Ryer's sandwiches for lunch in their outdoor seating area.  (See above reference to perfect weather.)

As Jack pointed out in his report last week, having so many riders with GPS navigation changes the traditional nature of WW riding somewhat, but not necessarily for the worse.  From my point of view it relieves the leader from the burden of having to be always in front.  A more and more important consideration as we (by that I mean "I") age.

Thanks to Stuart Kaufman for sweeping and dealing with a couple of road issues.

Report by Tom Allen.