Ride Reports and News

The weather was a bit sketchy today -- I was watching the giant green blob on the radar covering Connecticut all afternoon, keeping my fingers crossed and hoping it wouldn't creep up into our neck of the woods. As ride time approached, it did a little creeping, but it was moving slowly enough that it seemed like we would mostly be clear.

The questionable conditions kept many of the regulars away, but intrepid riders Jerome, Kavi, and Rachel joined Ari and me for our Hatfield loop. During the pre-ride discussion in the parking lot, it started raining lightly, causing me to pull out my phone and take another look at the radar, where the green blob was still slowly creeping northward. It still seemed like it was moving pretty slowly, though, so we decided to give it a shot.

I was questioning this decision as we pushed north on King Street in increasingly heavy rain, and came close to pulling the plug, but another couple miles further north brought gradually diminishing precipitation, and a bit of a tailwind, until it was almost dry by the time we got to Cronin Hill Road. We settled into a nice paceline rotation as we moved south through Hatfield, with the group working well together. The rain started up again as we moved further south, but never really got beyond a sprinkle on our way home.

We rolled back into Sheldon Field at a near-record 6:45 PM after a very speedy ride of around 15 mph. I told the group that we would have to do some laps around the parking lot to eat up the rest of our allotted ride time, but nobody seemed interested in joining me for that.

Next week we're back to our Easthampton loop, come out and join us if you're up for the challenge of the giant Park Hill Road climb!

I was around this holiday weekend and nobody had posted an NCC Saturday ride, so I decided to do so. I admit, I was hesitating a bit because of the terribly humid and hot weather plus not so many riders are around, being on the actual 4th of July date. But being lazy for those reasons was not an option for me! I posted a note tossing around an earlier start time to beat (some) of the heat. I decided on an 8 AM start. I chose the route up to the Patten are of Shelburne not only because it is beautiful, but, the major climb is in the shade, and we got the open fast, part out of the way early.

At the start we had four riders, including myself.  Notably, Ari was among us.  Ari co-leads the Monday intro rides.  I have not ridden with him since he was a young teenager and hardly recognized him!  It was so awesome to have him along and to catch up (literally and physically) with him!

It was already greasy and gross feeling at the start Around 77 degrees, sun beating down and humidity somewhere at 80%!

We headed out of town over to Hatfield and Whately’s River Rd at a fairly brisk pace for a Saturday… but I was happy to get this part out of the way early before the sunshine really beats down, as there is no shade here. Somewhere in north Hatfield, we picked up John M. He told me that he parked at “a watering hole so shave off some miles”. Once we crossed over Rte 116 to the north segment of River Rd, we also found Brent, A Kinda cool picking up unplanned riders, so now we were at six!

It was on to Greenfield and our hydration stop. I had wondered if Colrain Rd was still closed over I-91. Mike H messaged me and confirmed yes,  and suggested we take the bike path to avoid it. (thanks, Mike!) I have only been on the Riverside Community Path a few times before… it parallels the Green River and the interstate. It is pretty, but the pavement is showing its age and needs some love.

We fueled up at the Harper’s store, where Wendy and Keith met us. 

And so we ascended the main climb- Brook Rd. Not an epic climb, but it is work. At least it was mostly in the shade. Ouch. I couldn’t chase.

And not to be done, there still was the ascent up… and up. Where we took a quick photo op at the Wheel View beef farm. I do not have long enough arms for selfies!

It was a rapid descent to the Bardwells Ferry bridge (with a few quick punches). I was unable to grab any wheels. But I enjoyed the scenery.

We stopped on the bridge and pondered our choice of activity for the day- so many folks enjoying the cool water of the Deerfield.

After the (what seemed) grueling climb back up out of the ferry, K & W peeled off back for home. The rest of us headed to Conway center, where Brent split away on 116 for home.

We slogged up through Conway and Whatley- somewhere there John also peeled off, leaving Tim P, Madeline, and I to conquer N. Farms Rd climb to get back home.

A great route- another of my favorites, and fine crew of riders to keep me motivated and pushed to my limits. I loved that we picked up riders on the way!

I arrived in downtown Northampton about 12:15, ~60 miles, 15.8 MPH average, 3274′ climbed. Good times, as always!

Brutally hot tomorrow.  I'm planning to do the old TNR loop, leaving from the rail trail in Florence (behind Florence Bank) at 7.  If we finish by 9 it should be a balmy 85 degrees by then.  

At 4:51 pm, Jonathan texted me to say that, given the predicted storms later this afternoon/evening, he was opting out of the TT. WTF? I thought. Sure, there might be a chance of some scattered drizzles here and there but what has become of our rocks, our stalwarts, our never-say-die regulars (yes, I'm talking to you as well Ms. Warwick)? 

All was good until I was about a mile from the finish line. And then the heavens opened up. Talk to Andy sometime about his ride back to where the Butterfield Boys live. Holy moley! Madeline and I rode back to Hatfield through a downpour, through flooded roads and through the gates of Hell. So, JOK, my sincere apologies. You were a wise, insightful and a great weather prognosticator.

Small turnout tonight (Tim did the TT earlier) but here are the results:

1. Shawn Lakota; Time: 45:18; 24.37 mph; 5 points

2. Andy MacDonald; Time: 45:37; 24.2 mph; 4 points

3. Madeline Nagy; Time: 49:18; 22.39 mph; 3 points

4. Tim Pitkin; Time: 52:47; 20.92 mph; 2 points

5. David Goodwin; Time: 53:36; 20.6 mph; 1 points

Two PRs - Shawn by 1:38 (!!) and Andy by 0:14.

Next week, weather gods permitting, is the Shutesbury HC.

After a rainout last week, we enjoyed a spectacular evening for tonight's Monday Night Intro Ride. We had a large group of strong riders join us for our Northampton route -- Carl and Clarissa on their tandem, David, Sheri, Mark, and Jerome joined newcomers Cheryl, Audrey, Kavi, along with Ari and me.

We took the bike path out to Grove Street, then climbed Burt's Pit Road to Ryan Road and then Sylvester. This route is nice and shady on a hot afternoon, and the new pavement on Burt's Pit is very nice. We took Reservoir Road past Musante Beach, and then to the bike path to return us to town, stopping along the way for a photo-op at the Florence history mural https://gazettenet.com/2023/07/24/mural-in-florence-nears-completion-51714949/. We arrived back at Sheldon Field at around 7:05 PM, recording a brisk pace of about 13.1 mph.

Next week we'll be on our Hatfield loop on Monday July 6 at 5:30 PM -- come out and join us!

6 of us met at Keyes street in Florence for the 'Meandering Monday' route through the Hamptons and some ( but not alot) of hills.     Pamela, Kent, John Wallender, Sarah N, Sima, and myself found ourselves at Outlook Farm at 21 miles, ( that's why all the meandering), where we enjoyed their tasty treats and facilities. 

There were NO mishaps today - yay!

35 miles, 2,000 feet of climbing, at a 14 mph pace. Lots of fun, great company, and arrived home not exhausted: another yay!

A formidable group assembled at Pulaski Park this morning for the SMR.  We had nine riders at the start, and Wendy, the "King of QOMs"  met us at the start of Clessen Brook Rd.  We had Tim the Tornado Cary (ride co-leader), Madelyn Mad-Dog Nage, Chris The Candyman Owens, Brent The Kardiac Kid Auerbach, Conan Dirty Deeds Deady, John Boltcutter Marshall, relative newbie Seth The G-man Gotlieb, and, last but not least, everyone's favorite vintner dentist, Ian Dr. Pain on the Bike, Modestow.  

The pace was solid all day long, and the climbs were relentless.  Village Hill in Burgy, Hemenway, Ashfield Rd, Main Poland, Creamery Rd were all  contested at the front, but I have no idea what was happening there because I was perpetually at the back.  We stopped for a bathroom break and refreshments at the Good Times Cafe, then went around Ashfield Lake to Rte 112.  We picked up Wendy and then hit Clesson Brook Rd, a nice, stair-step sort of climb.  We had a photo opp at the top (I'm having trouble getting my photos to upload, but it's on my Strava post).  I was lobbying for a "Human Pyramid" but no one would cater to my request. 

 

After that, there was a lot more up and down.  We saw a big snapping turtle, which I understand makes a nice stew.  I got stung several times by a bee and screamed like a little B-word.  People split off in drips and drabs, and I was pretty clapped out by the end.  I had 58 miles and 4,442 feet, a ride time of 3:46, and an average speed of 15.4 mph.  We got home (as promised) by 1:30.  Good times.   Joe 

Hi, All

I am able to lead an NCC SMR this weekend.  I have outlined a route on mostly familiar roads, but there is 3.2 miles of gravel.  The route climbs up Clesson Brook, which is one of my favorite climbs.  

Meet at 9AM at the Academy of Music.  You can find the route on Ride with GPS, titled, "NCC SMR 06/27/2026.  I'll try to post on NCC Calendar as well.  Joe

First off, thanks so much to Jonathan OK for taking on the timing, statistics and reporting of the TT and HC events in my absence. At the start of today's hillclimb, I tried to butter him up enough for him to agree to continue doing this. I was not successful so you're all stuck with me for the rest of the year.

I had hoped that my fitness from two months climbing, climbing and climbing in France and Italy would translate to a big win tonight. I managed to pass my usual rivals early on (I'd say up to about the half mile point) and then was steadily passed by them all soon thereafter. Ryan was so far ahead of everyone that he was able to stop and enjoy an espresso and a cornetto crema at a darling little cafe on the hillclimb. Fun times!

We welcomed both Jeremy and Martin tonight (excuse me if this wasn't your first TT or HC event - I'm too tired to look it up). There were two screaming PRs tonight, the aforementioned Ryan who bested his time by 1:03 and Shawn (despite all the usual disclaimers at the start about how bad he is on hills) improved by a whopping 1:12. Nice job fellers!

We had 13 5:30 starters and 1 earlier starter (Tim). Here are the results:

1. Ryan Davis; Time: 22:41; 17.72 mph; 14 points

2. Garret Theberg; Time: 24:45; 16.24 mph; 13 points

3. Andy MacDonald; Time: 27:29; 14.63 mph; 12 points

4. Jonathan O'Keeffe; Time: 28:30; 14.11 mph; 11 points

5. Martin Cahillane; Time: 28:51; 13.93 mph; 10 points

6. Madeline Nagy; Time: 29:16; 13.74 mph; 9 points

7. Shawn Lakota; Time: 29:26; 13.66 mph; 8 points

8. Melissa Warwick; Time: 29:40; 13.55 mph; 7 points

9. David Goodwin; Time: 30:30; 13.18 mph; 6 points

10. Jeremy Gantz; Time: 31:49; 12.63 mph; 5 points

11. Joe Lellman; Time: 32:54; 12.22 mph; 4 points

12. Jake Poirier; Time: 33:10; 12.12 mph; 3 points

13. Tim Pitkin; Time: 33:28; 12.01 mph; 2 points

14. Alicia Wendolowski; Time: 37:00; 10.86 mph; 1 points

Next week is the dreaded (at least by me) long time trial. Let's hope for snow.

Meet at Pulaski Park in Northampton Saturday June 20th at 9 am.  https://ridewithgps.com/routes/55361475

Download the route to your GPS unit, it is different from the standard NCC and my last ride.  My routes change frequently.

B-/C+ pace road ride, rolling 47 ft/mile, with a long, gradual climbs out of Millers Falls and Lake Wyola, with a coffee/snack stop at Cushman’s Café on the way back.  B Riders welcome to ride on without waiting.

• ·       Rider type: Intermediate/Advanced, very comfortable riding in a tight paceline
• ·       Average speed full ride: ~16-17 mph on this rolling route (12-15 mph on a hilly route)
• ·       Normal rolling speed in a rotating pace line on a flat road: 17-21 mph

I do climb slowly (C).  We try not to drop, waiting at turns and top of climbs when riders can be seen.  Riders can cut the ride short or ride faster after alerting the ride leader.

Riders are expected to bring their own tools and supplies and be able to fix a flat and minor mechanical issues.  Cell phones and RideID are recommended.

Only those who have signed the club waiver can join our rides (current members have already signed): form.jotform.com/213646475508058. After your second ride, we ask that you join the club.

Updates, communications, and discussions on NCC Google Group: groups.google.com/a/nohobikeclub.org/g/ncc-discussion-group