RIDE REPORTS
Wednesday, 18 July 2018, Roll over Dover
Ride Leaders: Kathy Horvath & Curt Dudley-Marling
35 or 50 miles, 10:00 am start from Nahanton Park, Newton, MA
Riders – 35 mi (16): Kathy, Brett Serkez, Clyde Kessel, Don Buchholtz, Gene Ho, Harriet Fell, Ilkka Suvanto, Irv Kurki, Jim Whinfield, John Allen, Ron Marland, Roy Westerberg, Sally Chapman, and first-timers Joan Sarles, Bob Keller, and Rick Stimpfle.
Riders – 50 mi (14): Curt, Alan Cantor, Barbara Martin, Catherine Schroeder, Celia Donatio, Dave Balaban, Everett Briggs, Frank Hubbard, Lindy King, Sandy Gotlib, Steve Delaney, Veronica Vedensky, Wing Chow, and first-timer Wing Chow (?!).
Present at (Panera) lunch (4): Brett Serkez, Clyde Kessel, Everett Briggs, and Helen Greitzer. Others may have lunched elsewhere, but there have been no reports of such activity . . . . .
The weather was spectacular and the riders courteous, patient, and was eager to ride and enjoy the beautiful weather. The leader cannot take credit for either of these. She does learn something new each time, however. In this instance she learned that when you change a start location on a GPS file, sometimes other parts of the route change, too.
Despite a couple of problems with navigation, the group was congenial and quickly volunteered to arrow as needed. We discovered a rest stop (thanks to Gene’s guidance) at Farm Pond, which has restrooms and a very kindly staff who assisted a rider with road rash from a slow speed spill. We enjoyed the lovely, shady streets, regrouped a couple of times after hills, and saluted Bob Keller who was not only new, but on his second ride of the season. Bravo! And, as always, special thanks to our sweep, Harriet.
Report by Kathy Horvath.
Farther. Faster. Funner. The weather was perfect and the route was lovely. All seemed to agree that it was especially nice to ride on roads less traveled – by us at least.
The pace was quick – I often found myself “leading from the middle” (for this I blame our new puppy who does not yet sleep through the night) – but everyone managed to keep up and we stopped to regroup only once or twice. We had an extended stop at the Richdale Foodstore in Millis which offered a wide variety of Hostess gourmet desserts and, more importantly, restrooms.
Thanks to Kathy for organizing the ride and to Steve who was our sweep (your check is in the mail, Steve). Overall, a great ride with great people.
Report by Curt Dudley-Marling.
Sunday, July 22, 2018
Monday, July 16, 2018
Sherborn to Norfolk - July 11, 2018
RIDE REPORT
Wednesday 11 July 2018, Sherborn to Norfolk
Ride Leader: Alan Cantor
40 miles, 10:00 am start from Steve the Bike Guy, Sherborn, MA
Riders (20): Alan, Annemarie Altman, Arnie Zaff, Bob Apsler, Dave Balaban, Dmitry Gorenburg, Doug Hobkirk, Frank Hubbard, Gene Ho, Herb Kavet, Jim Whinfield, Kathy Horvath, Kevin Donnelly, Larry Davis, Sally Chapman, Sandy Gotlib, Veronica Vedensky, Wing Chow, and first-timers Bruce Barnett and Tom Schuler.
It was a great day for a ride, with beautiful weather and wonderful riders. We went up some hills, down some hills, and spent lots of time on flat roads.
Thanks to all those who arrowed - there was great cooperation with arrowing (except for the person who got ahead and proceeded to keep on going past the second to last turn). And special thanks for the excellent sweeping done by Gene.
Report by Alan Cantor.
Wednesday 11 July 2018, Sherborn to Norfolk
Ride Leader: Alan Cantor
40 miles, 10:00 am start from Steve the Bike Guy, Sherborn, MA
Riders (20): Alan, Annemarie Altman, Arnie Zaff, Bob Apsler, Dave Balaban, Dmitry Gorenburg, Doug Hobkirk, Frank Hubbard, Gene Ho, Herb Kavet, Jim Whinfield, Kathy Horvath, Kevin Donnelly, Larry Davis, Sally Chapman, Sandy Gotlib, Veronica Vedensky, Wing Chow, and first-timers Bruce Barnett and Tom Schuler.
It was a great day for a ride, with beautiful weather and wonderful riders. We went up some hills, down some hills, and spent lots of time on flat roads.
Thanks to all those who arrowed - there was great cooperation with arrowing (except for the person who got ahead and proceeded to keep on going past the second to last turn). And special thanks for the excellent sweeping done by Gene.
Report by Alan Cantor.
Sunday, July 8, 2018
Westford Ho - July 4, 2018
RIDE REPORT
Wednesday, 4 July 2018, Westford Ho
Ride Leader: Curt Dudley-Marling (subbing for Jack Donohue)
36 miles, 10:00 am start from Bikeway Source, Bedford, MA
Riders (9): Curt, Andrea Clardy, Barry Kaditz, Dan Krechmer, Don Buchholtz, Emily McPhillips, Jon Clardy, Ray Komow, and Susan Broome.
Nice ride, nicer people, with scorching temperatures. By the time we got back to Bikeway Source in Bedford, the temps were well into the 90s with high humidity. So we kept the pace down (probably a little slower than normal Wheeler pace) and stopped often.
In addition to the scheduled stops at Great Brook and Grassy Pond, we added a stop at Kate’s Corner in Chelmsford, to top up our liquids and just get out of the sun for a while. We also did two shorter stops, closer to the end of the ride, to give folks a chance to recover from doing a couple of hills in the extreme heat.
In the end, one of our group was beaten by the heat and unable to finish. Thanks to Emily McPhillips for going back to check on him. She recommended he stay put while she finished the ride, and then she drove back to pick him up. We were all impressed by this act of kindness. Thanks, Emily!!
All in all it was a lovely ride, even if the heat made what should have been a fairly easy ride into a bit of a challenge. Thanks to Ray for sweeping. Scheduled lunch at Ken’s Diner was cancelled because Ken’s was closed for the 4th of July.
Note: I led the ride because Jack Donohue had a nasty fall the previous day. He was missed and we all hope he’s back on the road soon.
Report by Curt Dudley-Marling.
Wednesday, 4 July 2018, Westford Ho
Ride Leader: Curt Dudley-Marling (subbing for Jack Donohue)
36 miles, 10:00 am start from Bikeway Source, Bedford, MA
Riders (9): Curt, Andrea Clardy, Barry Kaditz, Dan Krechmer, Don Buchholtz, Emily McPhillips, Jon Clardy, Ray Komow, and Susan Broome.
Nice ride, nicer people, with scorching temperatures. By the time we got back to Bikeway Source in Bedford, the temps were well into the 90s with high humidity. So we kept the pace down (probably a little slower than normal Wheeler pace) and stopped often.
In addition to the scheduled stops at Great Brook and Grassy Pond, we added a stop at Kate’s Corner in Chelmsford, to top up our liquids and just get out of the sun for a while. We also did two shorter stops, closer to the end of the ride, to give folks a chance to recover from doing a couple of hills in the extreme heat.
In the end, one of our group was beaten by the heat and unable to finish. Thanks to Emily McPhillips for going back to check on him. She recommended he stay put while she finished the ride, and then she drove back to pick him up. We were all impressed by this act of kindness. Thanks, Emily!!
All in all it was a lovely ride, even if the heat made what should have been a fairly easy ride into a bit of a challenge. Thanks to Ray for sweeping. Scheduled lunch at Ken’s Diner was cancelled because Ken’s was closed for the 4th of July.
Note: I led the ride because Jack Donohue had a nasty fall the previous day. He was missed and we all hope he’s back on the road soon.
Report by Curt Dudley-Marling.
Sunday, July 1, 2018
Maine Coast from Rye, NH - June 27, 2018
RIDE REPORTS
Wednesday 27 June 2018, Maine Coast from Rye, NH
Ride Leaders: Ken Hablow & Susan Sabin
60 or 38 miles, 10:30 am starts from Odiorne Point Boat Launch, Rye, NH
Riders – 60 mi (14): Ken, Bernie Flynn, Bob Apsler, Bob Wadsworth, Carol Hartigan, Elizabeth Wicks, Everett Briggs, Gene Ho, Greg Stathis, Kathy Horvath, Maria Noya, Ray Komow, Russ Keene, and Veronica Vedensky.
Riders – 38 mi (20): Susan, Andrea Clardy, Bob Anderson, Carol Anderson, Chuck McWilliams, Dale Ferguson, Don Mannes, Gerry Sheetoo, Jon Clardy, Judith McMichael, Linda Chasen, Nancy Schlecht, Patrick Ward, Rich Taylor, Rochelle Holman, Ron Marland, Selig Saltzman, Tami Kellogg, Tom Clark, and first-timer Debby Sabin.
What a beautiful day to ride up the coast of Maine. The temperature fluctuated from mid-70s to very low 80s, with filtered sun and a slight southerly tailwind. We started from the Odiorne Point Boat Launch, in Rye, which is an idyllic spot on the water.
Both rides went through New Castle, on to Portsmouth, through Kittery Village, and then up the coast to Nubble Light on Cape Neddick. The tailwind was very noticeable riding along York Beach. The long ride stopped at Nubble for a photo op, then onto Shore Road. We made a detour through Perkins Cove before stopping in Ogunquit for lunch.
We then headed inland to Mt Agamenticus. Most of the group made it to the top, some partway. The ride leader, not having anything to prove, waited at the bottom. Although the access road is only 0.75 miles, it kicks up to almost 14%. We had a Karen Saltus sighting as we were going up Mountain Road and she was coming down. Thanks to Karen for most of the routes today!
The inland route back was on quiet rolling hills. We stayed together as a group so there was no need for arrows. About fifteen miles from the end some riders got ahead and the rest of us got trapped at a one lane construction site. This broke the riders into three groups: very fast, fast, and not-so-fast.
Thanks to Gene for sweeping.
Several of us stayed for a shoreside dinner at BG’s Boathouse in New Castle before heading home.
Report by Ken Hablow.
Riders on the 38 mile route were all delighted with the mix of scenery - coves, sailboats, classic NE cottages and villages - plus enough shade and trees on the return leg to keep us all happy. Kudos to the route designer!
We took a break at Nubble Light and, after the inland route back, the group split just short of Portsmouth. At that point, about half the group, led by Judith McMichael, went straight back to their cars. The other half enjoyed lunch overlooking the harbor, followed by a quick hop back to our cars.
It was great seeing two old-time wheelers, Tami Kellogg and Tom Clark, neither of whom had cycled with us for years, 'Twas especially nice for me to have my daughter, Debby, along - she loved the ride and the company.
Thanks to Dale for sweeping the entire ride.
Report by Susan Sabin.
Wednesday 27 June 2018, Maine Coast from Rye, NH
Ride Leaders: Ken Hablow & Susan Sabin
60 or 38 miles, 10:30 am starts from Odiorne Point Boat Launch, Rye, NH
Riders – 60 mi (14): Ken, Bernie Flynn, Bob Apsler, Bob Wadsworth, Carol Hartigan, Elizabeth Wicks, Everett Briggs, Gene Ho, Greg Stathis, Kathy Horvath, Maria Noya, Ray Komow, Russ Keene, and Veronica Vedensky.
Riders – 38 mi (20): Susan, Andrea Clardy, Bob Anderson, Carol Anderson, Chuck McWilliams, Dale Ferguson, Don Mannes, Gerry Sheetoo, Jon Clardy, Judith McMichael, Linda Chasen, Nancy Schlecht, Patrick Ward, Rich Taylor, Rochelle Holman, Ron Marland, Selig Saltzman, Tami Kellogg, Tom Clark, and first-timer Debby Sabin.
What a beautiful day to ride up the coast of Maine. The temperature fluctuated from mid-70s to very low 80s, with filtered sun and a slight southerly tailwind. We started from the Odiorne Point Boat Launch, in Rye, which is an idyllic spot on the water.
Both rides went through New Castle, on to Portsmouth, through Kittery Village, and then up the coast to Nubble Light on Cape Neddick. The tailwind was very noticeable riding along York Beach. The long ride stopped at Nubble for a photo op, then onto Shore Road. We made a detour through Perkins Cove before stopping in Ogunquit for lunch.
We then headed inland to Mt Agamenticus. Most of the group made it to the top, some partway. The ride leader, not having anything to prove, waited at the bottom. Although the access road is only 0.75 miles, it kicks up to almost 14%. We had a Karen Saltus sighting as we were going up Mountain Road and she was coming down. Thanks to Karen for most of the routes today!
The inland route back was on quiet rolling hills. We stayed together as a group so there was no need for arrows. About fifteen miles from the end some riders got ahead and the rest of us got trapped at a one lane construction site. This broke the riders into three groups: very fast, fast, and not-so-fast.
Thanks to Gene for sweeping.
Several of us stayed for a shoreside dinner at BG’s Boathouse in New Castle before heading home.
Report by Ken Hablow.
Riders on the 38 mile route were all delighted with the mix of scenery - coves, sailboats, classic NE cottages and villages - plus enough shade and trees on the return leg to keep us all happy. Kudos to the route designer!
We took a break at Nubble Light and, after the inland route back, the group split just short of Portsmouth. At that point, about half the group, led by Judith McMichael, went straight back to their cars. The other half enjoyed lunch overlooking the harbor, followed by a quick hop back to our cars.
It was great seeing two old-time wheelers, Tami Kellogg and Tom Clark, neither of whom had cycled with us for years, 'Twas especially nice for me to have my daughter, Debby, along - she loved the ride and the company.
Thanks to Dale for sweeping the entire ride.
Report by Susan Sabin.
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| Long Ride Riders |
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| Short Ride Riders |
Wednesday, June 20, 2018
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.
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.
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| At Haystack Observatory |
Saturday, June 16, 2018
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.
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.
Monday, June 11, 2018
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.
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.
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