ABC Ride: Wednesday, November 20 at 10:30 a.m. from Ashland Community Center, Ashland, Ma
Joel Arbeitman
The Ashland Bike Club’s next ride has been scheduled for Wednesday, November 20 at 10:30 a.m. from the Ashland Community Center in Ashland.
GPS Address: 162 W. Union St (aka Route 135), Ashland, Ma (please park in the rear lot)
Route Name: ABC – The AHHA Route
Ride
Rating:
Distance: Easy (20.9)
Elevation:
Moderate-Challenging
(50)
Total Gain: 1055 feet
Steepest: 7.8%
Wednesday’s
Weather
Wednesday’s
forecast calls
for a sunny day with temps between 50 and 55.
It will be a little
cool but still
great riding weather. Ride while you can …
the season is
growing shorter.
The
Ride
This
will be ride #56 this year. Why
did we
call it the AHHA route? Because
it
starts in Ashland, then goes to Hopkinton, then to Holliston,
and then back to
Ashland. The route
travels on quiet,
scenic, country roads with lots of farms and natural settings. It’s our
first time doing this exact route although most of the roads
will be familiar.
The ride is very “roller coasterish” with lots of ups and downs. Most of the hills are fairly easy but there are a few tough ones on the route as well. Overall, we’ve rated the ride distance as “easy” and the hills as “moderate-challenging”.
An optional post-ride lunch at Mexico City, which is just up the street on Route 135 from the Ashland Community Center, is a possibility.
Here’s a link to a map of Wednesday’s route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/49079310
You can print our “official cue sheet” for the ride by clicking the link above, then click “More”, then click “Print Map and Cue PDF”, and finally click “Print Official”.
Off the
Route
Our “Off the Route” feature
includes interesting
topics that we think are worth sharing with the ABC cycling
community. Please let
us know what you think.
E-Coli Recall on Carrots - READ
THIS!!!
Sheesh – you would think buying organic carrots would be a
safe
thing to do but NOPE.
If you have some of these “healthy” orange snacks at home, DUMP ‘EM. E-Coli is serious business.
Read the article: https://www.pbs.org/newshour/amp/health/one-person-dies-dozens-sickened-after-eating-carrots-contaminated-with-e-coli
Calling all NATICK riders and
other cycling advocates
What: MassDOT FREE
Public
Information Meeting and Project Update
Re: Natick – Route 27
over Route 9
Interchange
When: Thursday,
November 21 from 6:30
to 7:30 P.M.
Where: ZOOM (link
provided with
registration?)
Pre-Registration Link:
Click
here
MassDOT is holding a public hearing (everyone is welcome to attend this free Zoom session) on their plan to rebuild the bridge on Route 27 in Natick where it passes over Route 9.
As cyclists, the more of us who speak up at these hearings to ensure the design will make using the roads safer, not just for ABC but for all cyclists, the better off we’ll all be. As the saying goes “the squeaky wheel gets the grease.”
You don’t need to be an expert to join the discussion. Ask for bike lanes; ask for separated bike lanes; ask for better “cycling signage”; ask for fewer places where cars and trucks can turn across the bike lanes; ask for lowered speed limits. My experience with MassDOT has been very positive. We have been classified as “vulnerable road users” and MassDOT is there to help us when they can.
Here's the invitation I received that includes the Zoom link:
Public Information Meeting and
Project Update
Natick – Route 27 over Route 9 Interchange
Reminder! The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) will host a virtual public information meeting for the Routes 27/9 bridge replacement and interchange improvements project. This project will include the replacement of the structurally deficient Bridge No. N-03-020 which carries North Main Street (Route 27) over Worcester Street (Route 9) and consists of the reconfiguration of the interchange to a modified Diverging Diamond Interchange (DDI) configuration.
The public is encouraged to attend this meeting and learn more about the status of the Project and provide feedback. There will be information on the project background, the project design, the schedule and construction phasing, public involvement, and next steps. Public input will be reviewed and considered to the maximum extent possible.
MassDOT Virtual Public
Information Meeting
Thursday, November 21 from 6:30 to 7:30 P.M.
Registration for this event is required. Please click here for the event registration. Please feel free to extend this invitation to others that may have an interest in attending.
For more information on the project please visit the project website:
https://mass.gov/NatickRoutes27and9
Please feel free to extend this invitation to others that may have an interest in attending.
Be sure to check your email after 9:00 a.m. Wednesday morning to make sure we didn’t cancel or postpone the ride and … don’t forget those helmets.
See you soon.
Joel