This week 06-21-16

The ride schedule is updated.  See http://www.southshorebikers.com/index.php/ride-information/ride-schedule/.  Mike will lead a ride on Sunday through a different portion of Middleboro.  We usually go in the area to the north of 44 and visit areas such as the Togoland rollers.  We will meet on Sunday at the Nicholls middle school for a different area.  This ride will go into the Lakeville region.  The ride is at 8 AM.  Please be ready to roll at 8.

On Saturday we ride from Norwell.  The ride is at 8 AM.

We will have several different speed groups depending on interest and abilities.

Bill

Brian makes it a special ride

Brian being notty Here is a picture of Brian in front of the some of the Saturday crowd.  You know that he took the picture himself.  He says that the ride is better just because he rode with us.  What do you think?  Many of us are not sure. 🙂

It was a great Father’s day weekend.  During the week many of us rode with Crack’o’dawn club to Provincetown from Plymouth.  This is a favorite ride of many members.  Judy has been doing it for years.  Mohammed’s first P220160615_073401P was on Wednesday.  Glenn did it for his third time.  Arvella is in the CycleLife jersey, but she is a South Shore Biker, too.  John is on the left.

You can order your South Shore Biker kits, now.  Go to the DNA Cycling webstore at https://www.dnacycling.biz/ssb/team-gear.html.

Thanks,

Bill

06-12-16 Weekend in review

Quabbin Tower
Quabbin Tower

We had a great weekend.  Many rode the Marshfield loop on Saturday.  A number of made it into a 55 mile ride from Halifax.  The weather held for us.  We had a bit of weird set of weather for the weekend, but we make do.  Best to enjoy rather than be miserable.  A storm front moved across the region on Saturday.  The humidity level was high.  It rained on the people heading to Vermont while we had sunshine.

On Sunday in the western regions toward the Berkshires we had lots of wind.  We were equipped for the wind with the men soldiering against the huge Atlantic winds battering us on the coastal route.

Climbing to the top
Climbing to the top

John took some of us on the 7 Hills Wheelmen Quabbin Century.  This century features a lot of climbing.  My garmin registered 8,000 in elevation gain.  The first picture shows John in his SSB jersey on the climb to the Quabbin observation tower.  This tower is in the southern part

Looking at the Quabbin from the bottom
Looking at the Quabbin from the bottom

of the reservation.  The place is massive.  We would eventually reach the northern part, later.  The metric group – they only rode 60 miles – would ride with us to the southern part of the Quabbin for the view.  They would not ride to the tower with us.

At the bottom you could ride along the water for a bit.  There are several dams.  When we left the Belchertown area of the reservation, then we headed towards Windsor.  On the way to Windsor there was a steep descent.  You could pick up speed but the the reservation funnels wind across one of the set of dams.

20160612_110946
Tom reviewing the massive amount of water

You are up higher than the surrounding terrain.  The dams are over 100 feet tall.  They are like large earthern works.  The wind rips across the water.

At the top
At the top

The climb to observation tower features a 5% grade for 1 mile.  We were happy to reach the top.  The road features a wide and smoothly paved road.  This is great stuff.  All of the rated climbs are actually outside of the Quabbin Reservation.  Strava counted 5 rated climbs for this course.  We had more elevation gain than the folks that rode the B2VT.

Closing on Rutland...in Oakham
Closing on Rutland…in Oakham

The last picture is around mile 92.  A steady climb for miles concludes at this small village.  The next descent would start at the other side of this stop sign.  Just one big hill to go after this descent according to one gentleman.  He neglected to consider the absolute last hill on the final approach to the carpark.  Still, the roads in Rutland were great. The smooth pavement really helped.

Bill

 

 

 

06-11-16

We have been suffering through a tough week.  Where is the sun?  or the heat?  Tuesday had Tornado watches and lightning from small weather cells.  Wednesday evening had the torrential downpour during ride time while the middle of the day was gorgeous.  Each morning has been cold with temperatures in the 30s and 40s.  Where is June?

We will have a 30 mile ride from Furnace Brook Middle School in Marshfield on Saturday.  Ride time is 9 AM.  The B Group will leave from Halifax at 8 AM.  B group will roll for approximately 55-60 miles.  We will have a coffee stop for all at French Memories in Duxbury.

Bill

First Weekend of June

The first weekend of June is upon us. It is starting to warm. It took a while for the temperature to reach some of the normal season highs.

The Saturday ride will be from Norwell High at 8 AM to beat the heat. Be ready to roll at 8 AM, sharp.

Bill