Two words dominate the first week of group rides for 2022: fun and wind.
The first group ride of the season, Tuesday’s C ride, was cancelled due to cold, wind, and a radar that predicted rain. It would not have been pleasant for the group ride. The hard core time trial group battled through the weather and had an impressive 24 participants.
Wednesday’s A/B ride had a great turnout. Covering the typical Wednesday night route, we covered around 27 miles with 350 feet of climbing. As always, the ride started at a social pace before riders separated.
Our two rides on Thursday also battled the weather. The C+ ride from Easthampton had four riders. We got some pace line practice in, which was beneficial early in the season. Melissa led the Hilly A/B ride out of Northampton. According to Melissa, the group was “blown around and sprinkled on, but everyone made it back in one piece!”
At Pulaski Park on Saturday morning, we had more than seventeen riders for the B and C rides. Tim took the B ride up to Ashfield, while I led the six C riders up to Deerfield. We lost one rider at the ten mile mark to a mechanical and another rider departed in Whately. In total, we rode 41 miles with 1,600 feet of climbing.
We are looking for one or more individuals interested in leading the Saturday C ride this season. If you are interested, please let me know. As the ride leader, you have the important responsibility of selecting the route and the rest stop (bakeries, farmstands, etc.).
