Ipswich to Cape Ann - September 25, 2024

 RIDE REPORT

Wednesday, 25 September 2024, Ipswich to Cape Ann

Ride Leader:  Simon Lingard

34 miles, 10:00 am start from Ipswich, MA

Riders (6):  Simon, Adam Walpert, Ed Hill, Frank Aronson, Gene Ho, and Scott Mandell.

We all decided on the 34-mile route option and the group kept together the entire ride, without using human arrows, and maintained an overall 15 mph average.  The weather was cloudy, low 60s - perfect cycling weather.  We enjoyed country lanes, many of which were newly paved, and the magnificent ocean views along the Manchester and Gloucester coastline.  We stopped at White Beach to take the attached photo and had a rest stop at Stage Fort Park.

Five of us had post-ride coffee at Zumi's (sadly they'd run out of pastries).

Report by Simon Lingard.

From Concord to Westford and Around Keyes Pond0 - September 11 2024

 RIDE REPORT

 

Wednesday, 11 September 2024, From Concord to Westford and Around Keyes Pond

Ride Leader:  Ken Hablow

41 miles, 10:00 am start from Concord, MA

 

Riders (21):  Ken, Aiko Pinkoski, Barry Kaditz, Barry Nelson, Dave Balaban, David Goldberg, Frank Aronson, Gary Williams, Jim Whinfield, Julia Zhogina, Marc Baskin, Mark Friedman, Mike Hanauer, Renee Rees, Rick Lawrence, Scott Mandell, Simon Lingard, Stan Kay, Wing Chow, and first-timers Debra Mello and Ken Gray.

 

It was a gorgeous late summer day, starting ou8t a tad chilly, but temps got into the low to mid-70s with a light wind.  The first ten miles were the hilliest, not steep but definitely “up.”  There were different pace groups which caused us to split up a bit.  Once we got past these hills, we stopped to re-group.  The rest of the route was more rolling.  We all stopped at the Dunkin Donuts at mile 17, and then continued through Forge Village.

 

At mile 22 we had a big OOPS!  It seems the town of Westford had started paving some of their very lightly travelled back roads.  The road that we were supposed to take was closed.  I know the area well, so a detour was not an issue, other than the fact that it was not on anyone’s navigation.  I told the sweep, Rick, where we were going – he also knows the roads in that area.  We had been using sporadic arrows where absolutely necessary.  However (there is always a “however”), the lead group stayed straight at one bend in the road with a road to the right, so no arrow was left.  The second group took the right turn.  We all ended up in the same place, with only a half mile difference in the route, but it took us a while on our phones to figure all this out.  Once we regrouped, we were on the original route and headed out on the return to Concord.

 

When we left the Dunkin Donuts (before the detour), there were several stragglers that told us to go ahead, as they had navigation and did not wish to hold up the entire group.  Wing Chow rescued one rider from the confusion of the detour.  Others used GPS to get back onto the route.

 

All-in-all, it was a nice day and a good group.  Everyone seemed to like the route.

 

Thanks to Rick for sweeping and to all those who arrowed.

 

Report by Ken Hablow.

Pond Tour: Flint’s and Walden - September 4 , 2024

 RIDE REPORT

Wednesday, 4 September 2024, Pond Tour:  Flint’s and Walden

Ride Leader:  Barry Nelson

33 mi, 9:30 am start from Weston, MA

Riders (9):  Barry, Aiko Pinkoski, Aliza Edwards, David Goldberg, Frank Aronson, Harry Spatz, Ken Weber, Mark Friedman, and Wing Chow.

Present at lunch:  Helen Greitzer.

It was not a typical WW ride, since we did not use human arrows.  We were a relatively small group and all had the GPS route, except for Frank who left his Garmin device at home.  We stayed mostly together until returning to Concord center.  The leader (who had become the sweep because he was the slowest rider) created confusion about the rest stop location, leading to at least three separate groups from Concord back to Weston.

Helen made a surprise visit to join Harry and Barry for an outstanding lunch at Heirloom in Weston center.

Report by Barry Nelson.

Island Cruise - August 21, 2024

RIDE REPORT

Wednesday, 21 August 2024, Island Cruise
Ride Leader:  Alan Cantor
36 miles, 10:00 am start from Sherborn

Riders (18):  Alan, Aiko Pinkoski, Aliza Edwards, Bill Perry, Charley Lax, Christine Talbot, Dave Balaban, Everett Briggs, Francie Sparks, Frank Aronson, Frank Calabrese, Gary Williams, Gene Ho, Janusz Wicher, Kim Wach, Renee Rees, Richard French, and Simon Lingard.

 

On what may have been the most beautiful day of this summer, we had a really wonderful ride on mostly smooth roads.  The riders make the ride and this was a fantastic group with lots of good spirit and energy.  It was a pleasure to lead them. 

 

On a sour note, however, I learned at ride’s end that an arrow had left their post early (before the sweep had released them).  It’s the human arrowing system that makes the WW rides so unique and available to riders of all abilities, so to hear that it broke down is very disturbing.  There is an easy way to not be an arrow, and that is to not ride near the leader. 

 

There was a mechanical issue when one of the bikes had a motor failure and could not continue.  AAA came to the rescue!  Yes, AAA provides rides for bikers that break down (I had used this service earlier this year and was very pleased - well worth the membership fee).

 

Thanks to the many arrows who remained at their posts until being released by the sweep, and to Gene for patiently and ably being the sweep.

Report by Alan Cantor.

 

Too Cool for School Ride - August 14 2024

RIDE REPORT

Wednesday, 14 August 2024, Too Cool for School Ride
Ride Leader:  Jack Donohue
31 miles, 10:00 am start from Bedford
Riders (10):  Jack, Aiko Pinkoski, Barry Nelson, Curt Dudley-Marling, Dave Balaban, Ethan Smith, Frank Aronson, Gary Williams, Linda Nelson, and Simon Lingard. 

They say you should learn from your mistakes.  In my case, it was more like "deja vu all over again."

The ride de jour was going to be my Elm Street ride.  I advertised it somewhat late in the game since there was no ride as of Tuesday.  Meanwhile Clyde had sent out an email about Rte 225 being closed west of Carlisle for all weekdays.   I didn't put the two together until Tuesday night, as I was lying in bed wondering if I had checked this.  I hadn't and, in the spirit of "if something can go wrong it will," the ride went there.

So, Wednesday morning I was scrambling to find a route that one could actually ride.  My first thought was to just move the route around avoiding Carlisle center.  That added a few miles and hills and seemed like a bad idea.  Then I came up with the solution:  lead a different ride.  I had several in my repertoire that started at the same place.  So I emailed all the registrants with the new route.  Problem solved?  Not really.  Turns out about half the group didn't get the memo and still had the route from the original ride, which was completely different.

I had figured most of the group would have navigation and go off the front never to be seen again.  Instead, we had a group with the wrong navigation or no navigation at all.  But this was a Wednesday Wheeler ride known for its human arrows.  What could go wrong?

No sweep was forthcoming, so I deputized Curt, who was one of the GPS-less.  What was I thinking?  The sweep absolutely has to have navigation.  We started out and for the first few turns we all stayed together.  As long as Curt was visible we didn't need any arrows.  I figured we could all stay together sans arrows.  Wrong!  Somehow, at some point we ended up with no Curt and no arrows.

To make a long story longer, Barry called Curt and we got him back into the fold.  Then we ran into a detour.  No more cues from my Lady of the Phone.  Fortunately, Linda stepped into the breach and guided us through the uncharted region.

Other than that it was a nice day, nice route, good group.  We passed the four advertised School Streets, though one was in fact a School Way.  Close enough.

Report by Jack Donohue.

Seabrook to Portsmouth Seacoast Ride - July 24 , 2024

 RIDE REPORT

Wednesday, 24 July 2024, Seabrook to Portsmouth Seacoast Ride

Ride Leader:  self led

31 miles, 9:00 am start from Seabrook, NH

Riders (2):  Frank Aronson and Susan Broome.

Two riders enjoyed a very scenic, dry route along the seacoast from Seabrook to Portsmouth and back.

Verbal report by Susan Broome.

Harvard-Bolton - July 17, 2024

 RIDE REPORT

Wednesday, 17 July 2024, Harvard-Bolton

Ride Leader:  Tom Allen

31 miles, 9:00 am start from Boxborough, MA

 

Riders (6): Tom, Wing Chow, Renee Rees, John Trotter, and first-timers Richard Schoenfeld and Harry Spatz.

 

The forecast heat may have kept our numbers down, but it turned out that the combination of an earlier than usual start, shaded roadways, and self-made breeze kept us comfortable.  As we entered Harvard from our Boxborough start we encountered our first climb.  We waited for one of the group who was slow on the up-hills.  As we progressed that rider suggested that he continue on his own following the route on GPS.  As everyone else was keeping pace, I accepted his offer.

 

The roads were indeed lovely and largely shaded. The Berlin portion of the route took us over roads that were less familiar and a particular pleasure to ride.  Returning to Bolton and Harvard we did a bit more climbing and enjoyed some exhilarating downhills.  We stopped briefly at the top of Prospect Hill for a photo and continued on to the planned stop at the Harvard General Store. 

 

No one needed relief, so we proceeded on Old Littleton Road to the extended descent that provided both breeze and shade.  However, the final three miles back to the start was stark contrast with bright sun and a very warm breeze from the south making us feel the heat. 

 

Three of us stayed for lunch at the Craft Food Hall.  Our solo rider joined us somewhat later having completed the full route on his recumbent.

 

With the small group we rode without arrows or a designated sweep. (I was often leading from the sweep position.)

 

I found this to be a particularly lovely route that deserves another go in, perhaps, the fall season.

 

Report by Tom Allen.