Ride tomorrow - 10am - Grafton

[RFollansbee]

I'm heading out for 3-3.5 hours tomorrow. Was planning on heading out to Purgatory/Sutton and some of the local hills. Could meet in Grafton center or anywhere towards Sutton. Let me know if interested.

Rob

[ahamilton]

Sounds like a route I would be happy to ride, except 10:00 AM might bring icy roads into play. I'm going to post something that starts later in the day (probably in Stow or Berlin), and if I get no responses, then I'll probably head out to Grafton.

[RFollansbee]

Alan -

I can always head over that way instead and meet somewhere around 11:00ish in the middle. Driving around this morning the roads near me are in much better shape - virtually no salt and sand and no snow on the road to melt like I saw in Marlboro, Hudson and Stow on the way into work. I don't think we got as much snow - our yard is completely bare again.

[ahamilton]

Rob - sounds like you have it pretty good in your area. As long as it doesn't snow/rain between now and tomorrow AM it should be OK at 10:00. Maybe I'll recind my ride posting for noon.

[ahamilton]

I did cancel my ride post. I'll see you in Grafton center tomorrow @ 10:00. Any particulars as to parking locations and meeting place?

[JoeH]

I'll plan on meeting you guys tomorrow. will ride from home and can swing by Pic if anyone wants to tag along. Rob, where are you starting from? might be tough to get there for 10:00 - weather says headwind all the way for me. any interest in slightly later start or meet a little further East? Westboro center possibly? lemme know. thanks, Joe

[RFollansbee]

Joe and Alan -

I'm pretty much free from 9:30-2:00. I can leave Grafton center and head east at 10:00am and meet people in the Roche Bros plaza at 10:30 if that works. Alan - your call if that's easier or else parking spaces are available right around Grafton common or in the Grafton Inn lot (we could might right there on the common). If we meet near the rotary in Westboro center we can head west out Ruggles St to North St in Upton and then head towards Northbridge into Sutton and Purgatory. Depending on how much time you have we can ride the hills near Blackstone National over to Boston St and climb back through Sutton center to Grafton and back to Westboro or cut it shorter after Purgatory.

[onegeardoug]

Mind if I tag along? I don't know you guys, but unless you plan on putting the hammer down (which doesn't seem likely this time of year) I'm pretty sure I can hang on...and maybe even do my share of blocking the wind.

I'm new to the area, so I would need specifics on the start location.

Doug Kennedy

[RFollansbee]

Hey Doug -

Where are you located? Right now we can either all meet in Grafton on the common (Route 140) or I can meet anyone there at 10:00am and meet anyone else at Baystate Commons (Roche Bros plaza) on Rte 30 near the Westboro rotary at 10:30. See route above if anyone else wants to meet along the way after Westboro.

If no one needs to meet in Westboro we can meet in Grafton and head straight to Purgatory. No difference to me.

[JoeH]

Rob, route sounds good. glad you know your local geography, since I get lost easily. I'll vote for Westboro center @ 10:30, provided that works for Al and yourself. That way maybe some locals may be tempted to hook up. Dear 'one gear', where are you starting from?

[onegeardoug]

I'm in Marlboro, near the Hannafords. If you're gonna go 3-3.5 hours, I'd drive to the start. I don't need (can't handle!) any more time in the saddle than that this time of year.

[RFollansbee]

Fine w/ me - I'll have a tail wind from Grafton out to Westboro. I'll leave it up to Alan if he wants to meet in Grafton or meet you guys in Westboro. Call my cell if anyone is running late or lost - 781-799-1953.

[onegeardoug]

Westboro is closer and 10:30 is warmer, so I guess I'll find you guys there.
Doug

[ahamilton]

Westboro @ 10:30 works for me. I'll be driving over to meet you there. No time limit on the ride for me, but my legs will not be able to handle anything too nuts. I also don't know that area at all, so if you drop me I'll be screwed.

[RFollansbee]

I started a new thread w/ the new main meeting location to see if that draws out more people. People seem to think Westboro is closer to civilization than Grafton.

Also, Alan - after riding w/ you last weekend I'm more worried about my legs than yours.

[JoeH]

Alan, quit your sandbagging. winter rules in effect - wait at the top for everyone.

[ahamilton]

Joe - I had to red line it many times just to keep up with everyone last week. I guess I just hide 185 bpm well. I was hurting during and after. Winter rules in effect, except for a few hard, short efforts on some hills.