Monday, August 02, 2010
Monday, July 26, 2010
18th Annual Cohen Classic Ride Report (2010)
It was one of the coolest Cohen Classics to date. Better known for heat and humidity, we really lucked out with a nice sea breeze and no real head wind. Six riders headed out from North Hampton Elementary School. Lisa, Donna, Sheldon, Jack, Tammy & Kathy who really was riding a 50 lb mountain bike, no exaggeration! Kathy pumped up her tires and Lisa reversed her front tire to get the odometer/speedometer going again and away we went.
We hit the coast and headed north. We rode thru the morning fog. Made it to Wallis Sands before the official 8:00am opening. No signs of the monster jellyfish. The workers were nice enough to take group pics for us, even before 8:00am. Lisa rode ahead of the pack as a rabbit and discovered a man roasting a pig at Odiorne State Park. We chatted and he lifted up the lid for an official viewing. He was preparing it for an afternoon wedding.
We made it to breakfast and enjoyed a nice meal at Cafe Espresso. The waitresses were very accommodating to us. From there Tammy & Kathy headed back. Kathy riding "the Beast". Lisa, Sheldon, Jack and I continued north. Before we hit the store a white van drove by us and I heard, "Donna?!", with a giggle. It was my friend Liz who lives in Nahant. Her parents live in Maine and she frequently visits. A few years ago the same thing happened.
We continued north and waved and rang our bells at a peloton of bright pink clad SeaCoast riders. Lisa made it up near Nubble Light but the bridge was closed and there was a detour. She looped back to let us know. At that point we all decided to turn back. No Nubble Light this year..... maybe next year.
The Portsmouth Bridge went up as we approached. At that point I had a flat so we took the time to change it. Thanks for the help Jack & Sheldon! We made it back and Tammy was waiting for us. Thanks Tammy! Sheldon, Tammy and I enjoyed lunch at Not Your Average Joes in Newburyport making it a TriState ride. : )
Thank you to all who showed up to ride and kept the tradition going. It really is a beautiful route and a delicious breakfast. Next year-- two weeks before the PMC again.
We hit the coast and headed north. We rode thru the morning fog. Made it to Wallis Sands before the official 8:00am opening. No signs of the monster jellyfish. The workers were nice enough to take group pics for us, even before 8:00am. Lisa rode ahead of the pack as a rabbit and discovered a man roasting a pig at Odiorne State Park. We chatted and he lifted up the lid for an official viewing. He was preparing it for an afternoon wedding.
We made it to breakfast and enjoyed a nice meal at Cafe Espresso. The waitresses were very accommodating to us. From there Tammy & Kathy headed back. Kathy riding "the Beast". Lisa, Sheldon, Jack and I continued north. Before we hit the store a white van drove by us and I heard, "Donna?!", with a giggle. It was my friend Liz who lives in Nahant. Her parents live in Maine and she frequently visits. A few years ago the same thing happened.
We continued north and waved and rang our bells at a peloton of bright pink clad SeaCoast riders. Lisa made it up near Nubble Light but the bridge was closed and there was a detour. She looped back to let us know. At that point we all decided to turn back. No Nubble Light this year..... maybe next year.
The Portsmouth Bridge went up as we approached. At that point I had a flat so we took the time to change it. Thanks for the help Jack & Sheldon! We made it back and Tammy was waiting for us. Thanks Tammy! Sheldon, Tammy and I enjoyed lunch at Not Your Average Joes in Newburyport making it a TriState ride. : )
Thank you to all who showed up to ride and kept the tradition going. It really is a beautiful route and a delicious breakfast. Next year-- two weeks before the PMC again.
Thursday, July 23, 2009
17th Annual Tri-State Cohen Classic Ride Report
The 17th Annual TriState Cohen Classic took place on Sunday July 19, 2009. Meeting in Newburyport were: Cape Cod Mike (Who awoke at 3:00 am to make it. A VERY pleasant surprise!), Donna, Drew, Lisa, Ed, Queen Kathy, Steve-Bob, and Arthur. Ethan & Jim arrived a few minutes late of the official start. New Dave, Tam and Margie met us enroute.
The weather cooperated for a change. It was a spectacular day weather-wise. We pedaled over the Newburyport bridge along the coast to Hampton Beach. Steve-Bob got a flat. New Dave, Ethan and Jim went to assist. We all met up at Hampton Beach. A few traditional pics were taken. Never of the scenic ocean because of the sun rising. But McDonalds and arcades as the backdrop. Up the coast we pedaled taking in the surf, surfers, sunshine and blue sky. Next stop Wallis Sands where we met up with Tam and Margie. Our group became 13. Pics were taken.
There was no regrouping at the bridge. We all made our way to Cafe Espresso for breakfast. It was great. A woman at a nearby table offered to take a group pic. How nice was she?! Our waitress, Emily, was wonderful. Very efficient and accommodating. She also gave us separate checks!
From there, Ethan and his posse, Jim and Arthur, headed home. The rest of us headed north over the bridge. We had a bit of a wait as a huge freighter was crossing. The bridge stayed up for quite a while as the Clipper Star, assisted by many tugboats, made its way through.
Across the bridge, CCMike noticed a boy on the side of the road. His parents were with him. He hit a tailpipe in the road and took a spill. CCMike stopped and assisted. With a backpack full of first aid gear the wound was cleansed and dressed. The parents were most appreciative. Mike performed his mitzvah for the day.
We continued north to Frisbees. Then it was time to turn back. We all headed back together. The lead group quickly got out in front. We regrouped and Steve-Bob led us on an inland route. Queen Kathy took a tumble. Thankfully, a few folks outside their home offered assistance and provided a bandaid.
We all regrouped and then ended up back on coastal 1A since New Dave and Tam had parked there. At a bathroom stop we met a woman doing her 5th PMC. She will be riding for Team WOW. It was hairy riding back through Hampton Beach. With smoke, fumes, crazy drivers, and crazy pedestrians and surfers. And grated bridges to cross. We made it back to Port Plaza safely.
Next year may be a Bi-State ride with lunch in MA making it Tri-State. The option will be to begin further north and avoid the craziness of Hampton Beach.....
And to think..... we used to ride Saturday mornings to Hampton?!?
This ride also caused tension between the speedy riders and the back of the pack. (For the second week in a row.) I realize it is no fun waiting around when you are out biking. The North Shore Cyclopaths always look out for each other and everyone is accounted for when we ride. If someone wants to take off, fine. Just inform someone in the group. If there is too much waiting around for speedier riders, they can add on a loop or circle back so the group stays together. The back of the packers also need to rest, get out of the saddle and find some shade every now and then. We've never been about speed or racing. It is all about the breakfast first off, and the camaraderie secondly. Above all else safety first.
--Donna
The weather cooperated for a change. It was a spectacular day weather-wise. We pedaled over the Newburyport bridge along the coast to Hampton Beach. Steve-Bob got a flat. New Dave, Ethan and Jim went to assist. We all met up at Hampton Beach. A few traditional pics were taken. Never of the scenic ocean because of the sun rising. But McDonalds and arcades as the backdrop. Up the coast we pedaled taking in the surf, surfers, sunshine and blue sky. Next stop Wallis Sands where we met up with Tam and Margie. Our group became 13. Pics were taken.
There was no regrouping at the bridge. We all made our way to Cafe Espresso for breakfast. It was great. A woman at a nearby table offered to take a group pic. How nice was she?! Our waitress, Emily, was wonderful. Very efficient and accommodating. She also gave us separate checks!
From there, Ethan and his posse, Jim and Arthur, headed home. The rest of us headed north over the bridge. We had a bit of a wait as a huge freighter was crossing. The bridge stayed up for quite a while as the Clipper Star, assisted by many tugboats, made its way through.
Across the bridge, CCMike noticed a boy on the side of the road. His parents were with him. He hit a tailpipe in the road and took a spill. CCMike stopped and assisted. With a backpack full of first aid gear the wound was cleansed and dressed. The parents were most appreciative. Mike performed his mitzvah for the day.
We continued north to Frisbees. Then it was time to turn back. We all headed back together. The lead group quickly got out in front. We regrouped and Steve-Bob led us on an inland route. Queen Kathy took a tumble. Thankfully, a few folks outside their home offered assistance and provided a bandaid.
We all regrouped and then ended up back on coastal 1A since New Dave and Tam had parked there. At a bathroom stop we met a woman doing her 5th PMC. She will be riding for Team WOW. It was hairy riding back through Hampton Beach. With smoke, fumes, crazy drivers, and crazy pedestrians and surfers. And grated bridges to cross. We made it back to Port Plaza safely.
Next year may be a Bi-State ride with lunch in MA making it Tri-State. The option will be to begin further north and avoid the craziness of Hampton Beach.....
And to think..... we used to ride Saturday mornings to Hampton?!?
This ride also caused tension between the speedy riders and the back of the pack. (For the second week in a row.) I realize it is no fun waiting around when you are out biking. The North Shore Cyclopaths always look out for each other and everyone is accounted for when we ride. If someone wants to take off, fine. Just inform someone in the group. If there is too much waiting around for speedier riders, they can add on a loop or circle back so the group stays together. The back of the packers also need to rest, get out of the saddle and find some shade every now and then. We've never been about speed or racing. It is all about the breakfast first off, and the camaraderie secondly. Above all else safety first.
--Donna
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Monday, July 21, 2008
16th Annual Tri State Cohen Classic Ride Report (2008)
Donna's Wrap-Up for 2008!
It was another hot day for the 16th Annual TriState Cohen Classic. Thankfully not as hot and humid and miserable as predicted. Nine riders showed up to ride. A few after the 6:00am start so the start time became 6:20 am.
The morning ride along the coast was cool and the sky full of clouds. Just a few rays of sun shown thru the clouds.
We stuck together and made our way to Portsmouth to Cafe Espresso for breakfast.
The ride thru Portsmouth was a bit treacherous. We passed the Meany Toast which had a line out the door. Breakfast at Cafe Espresso was very good. Our waitress, Sue, was exceptional. She even offered to give us separate checks!
After breakfast, Ethan and Little David headed back. The rest of the crew made it carefully over the bridge into Maine. Lisa, Lynda and Steve-Bob continued on to Cape Neddick and Nubble Light. Tammy, Sheldon, Mike Meehan and myself (Donna) made it to Captain Simeone Store in Kittery Point and headed back.
We made it thru hot, hectic, Hampton Beach and made a stop for ice coffee at Dunkin Donuts. Then one more stop for a Powerball ticket.
It was hot on the return ride. No shade in sight. But we made it back. All except Steve-Bob???? Lisa and Lynda somehow got separated from him.
Drew met us for lunch. Lynda, Lisa, Drew and I enjoyed our traditional lunch at Not Your Average Joe's in Newburyport.
No flats, No crashes, No problems this year.
Steve-Bob--Let us know you made it home!
Donna
It was another hot day for the 16th Annual TriState Cohen Classic. Thankfully not as hot and humid and miserable as predicted. Nine riders showed up to ride. A few after the 6:00am start so the start time became 6:20 am.
The morning ride along the coast was cool and the sky full of clouds. Just a few rays of sun shown thru the clouds.
We stuck together and made our way to Portsmouth to Cafe Espresso for breakfast.
The ride thru Portsmouth was a bit treacherous. We passed the Meany Toast which had a line out the door. Breakfast at Cafe Espresso was very good. Our waitress, Sue, was exceptional. She even offered to give us separate checks!
After breakfast, Ethan and Little David headed back. The rest of the crew made it carefully over the bridge into Maine. Lisa, Lynda and Steve-Bob continued on to Cape Neddick and Nubble Light. Tammy, Sheldon, Mike Meehan and myself (Donna) made it to Captain Simeone Store in Kittery Point and headed back.
We made it thru hot, hectic, Hampton Beach and made a stop for ice coffee at Dunkin Donuts. Then one more stop for a Powerball ticket.
It was hot on the return ride. No shade in sight. But we made it back. All except Steve-Bob???? Lisa and Lynda somehow got separated from him.
Drew met us for lunch. Lynda, Lisa, Drew and I enjoyed our traditional lunch at Not Your Average Joe's in Newburyport.
No flats, No crashes, No problems this year.
Steve-Bob--Let us know you made it home!
Donna
