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On Sunday, August 16th, 32 riders assembled at Seacoast Sport Cycle for a long ride through NH and VT to Ben and Jerrys Ice Cream in Waterbury VT. It was a hot day but everyone showed up on time, geared up and full of fuel!
We were also happy to have Charles, Rob and Adam from Seacoast join the ride. They are usually too busy to come along so I was really glad they were able to get away!
Once again, Giles graciously offered to run Sweep and we headed out nearly on time.
Once past the typical stop and go, lights and traffic, through Derry, we cleared the noise and ran steady on into Hopkington. There, the route made right on to 103 and another immediate hard right on to Briar Hill Road! I pulled in enough to let the line pull in behind me and looked back. I realized immediately that the last rider in had pulled up far enough that the riders behind wouldn't see us unless they saw him turn. I spun around and headed back to the intersection and sure enough...the rest of the group began speeding right past us!
ARRRGHHHH! Fortunately, most of the riders saw us out of the corner of their eye and I started to run down the others. But as I did I saw the group brake and start turning around...at about the same time I remembered what happened on the Curtis Ribs Ride when I chased down a couple of escapees'! Didn't nead a repeat of that!
We regrouped and a couple of folks thought that we had everyone! So off we went. (Turns out we were still missing 4 but we all reconnected at Ben and Jerrys so it worked out fine!)
The rest of the ride was great at times and slow at other times because of traffic. Everyone was hot but spirits were high and the overall pace was enjoyable.
(I did hear complaints of someone passing on the RIGHT. That's a no-no on any ride as far as I'm concerned. Note to self...add to riders meeting...no passing on the right!)
We stopped in Lebanon for gas and Rob and Charles suggested an alternate route to the one I had chose so Rob led the group out of Lebanon.
Good choice. Rt. 14, which runs along 89 was a great ride and saved us the trial of the traffic we would have encountered in Woodstock. We cut off on 107 and over to Town Hightway 2 (Camp Brook Road) which is a minor gap road. Really nice and we managed that without being hindered by traffic!
At this point is worth mentioning that the last time I was at Ben and Jerry's there was a Hot Dog/Italian Sausage stand and I had posted up that we would not be stopping for lunch! It's a long day as it is and a lunch stop would have made it even longer.
We arrived to find that 'Food' meant Popocorn and Lemonade. I think some folks got a little grouchy at that!
Next year, I will plan to leave earlier...probably at 7:30. That way we can stop for lunch at the Rochester Cafe which I know to be a great lunch stop from previous rides. (Skip...if you're reading this...thanks!)
On up 100 we ran to Ben and Jerrys. Except for about 8 members who decided to take 100b for a change of pace! We all ended up at the same place at about the same time. Hot, thirsty and HUNGRY. And, there to great us, was Doc! Good to see you buddy!
Shortly after we arrived the missing 4 pulled in and a happy reunion took place with much thumping on backs and tears of joy. (All right. I actually got a ration of grief for losing them but they were pretty gracious all things considered!)
Everyone had something and a few of the group split off to go find some real food and take their own route home! Another subgroup decided that they would either slab home on 89 or bolt down 100 on their own. The rest of us grabbed a group photo, mounted up, and headed out!
The next hours ride to the floating bridge was some of the best of the day. Rt. 2 to 12 was pretty nice and the group was small enough now that it was possible to make some passes! Then we bolted up 64 over a ridge and into a valley. Really nice! And Rt 14 south through Ainsworth State park was a joy of twisties and a drop of 15 degrees in temperature as we romped along a little brook through a canopy of shade trees! We waited at 65 which leads to the Floating Bridge. In short order Toby pulled up and let me know that Adam had a mechanical issue and to have Charles come back to see him! So, Mark and Charles went back where Giles and Adam waited. The rest of us rode the 4 miles to the Floating Bridge to wait!
The Bridge was closed but there were a lot of locals swimming and fishing! We hung out, drank water, and relaxed while we waited to hear from Charles.
Eventually a voice message from Charles let me know all was well and the four of them were heading home. (Giles had come looking for us and missed the floating bridge by 100 yds!)
The remaining group made one more stop at the Boat in a Meadow!
We hit the intersection of 89 a dozen miles later and we all jumped on for the slab home! One last memory was the girl that 4 of us saw at the last fuel stop outside of Lebanon. I know...with out pics this thread is worthless.
Thanks to everyone for joining this ride. For your patience at the occaisional burble! To Giles for Riding 'Sweep' and to Rob and Charles for the improved route!
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Originally Posted by Doc
The only guy I recognize is Mark. I love it! We had stopped in Lebanon for fuel. One of the new guys who just joined the board, he has a Ninja 500 like my bike and was talking pix of it at the gas station. I'm asking him "Are these going to be "on the cover"??!! 
