The latest from the Gang ... 

The cool weather that greeted us on this ride was a welcome relief from the oppressive heat earlier in the week.  We had a large group of 18 who met at the trailhead in Woonsocket to bike about 10 miles to Cumberland RI.  This is a beautiful scenic trail which parallels not only the Blackstone River but also an active railroad utilised by the Providence & Worcester Railroad. 
We passed two dams, bridges, an old barn with picnic tables, a large recreational area but amazingly enough no coffee shops!

Well what's a Gang bike ride without a coffee stop?  When we returned to our starting point most of us went off to the nearby Coffee Connection while a couple of others had ventured off trail in Cumberland to  another coffee shop.

Alan U

Five members visited the beautiful Fuller Garden in North Hampton on a lovely warm May Day. A delicious lunch at Petey”s Summertime Seafood in nearby Rye, NH followed the garden visit.

Sheila P

Eighteen Gang members enjoyed a beautiful day riding from Amesbury to Seabrook NH to the Newburyport line. The trail consisted of paved, gravel and short on road portions as it wound from downtown Amesbury, through woods and eventually to a salt march at the Salisbury/Newburyport line. 

Along the way we stopped at the exact spot where the last successful New England train robbery occurred in July 1926.  The bandits escaped with $65,000 worth over $1 million dollars today in 2026. We also talked about how the “Ghost Trail” got its name. 

The trail was surprisingly quiet so it seemed we had the trails all to ourselves. And what bike ride is complete without a coffee stop at the end where we enjoyed some camaraderie?

Alan U

Sixteen TOHG members met at the Mt. Auburn Cemetery for a guided tour conducted by Chloe a member of the cemetery staff.  The rain predicted for Wednesday held off till afternoon and we had a beautiful tour with flowers and trees at their seasonal best.  Chloe provided interesting details about the history the cemetery and some of its occupants.

The cemetery was founded in 1831 around an Egyptian motif and all plants are native or Asian. We climbed the hill to the tower which provides an excellent view of the Cambridge and Boston skyline. Some of the sites we saw included the Isabel Stewart Gardner gravesite, the holding area used to store bodies awaiting burial during the winter months, Lake Auburn, and a tree with knees (growths of their roots going straight up out of the ground).

Twelve members of the group went to Greg’s Restaurant for lunch.

Neal S

Ten TOHG members chose a beautiful sunny day to ride both the western and eastern portions of the Independence Greenway. Starting on the western section we rode alongside part of the Ipswich River, past an active quarry where gravel is mined and continued past Crystal Pond where we saw Canada Geese with their goslings. 

We next picked up the eastern part of the Greenway near Northshore Mall riding west where the trail ends at a couple of cemeteries, about 10 miles total for both sections. 

And what’s a Gang bike ride without coffee?  We finished at Cafe Nero for refreshment and conversation al fresco. 

Alan U 

Six members of the TOHG West Mystery Group met at The Charles River Museum of Industry & Innovation by the Charles River in Waltham. We had a wonderful tour guide who gave us a long and extensive tour of the Museum.

After our tour we walked several blocks and ate a delicious lunch at Pickle.

Jan U

The 39th Annual TOHG Meeting was held at the Woburn Country Club on a sunny April 12th. We had a wonderful brunch with great friends, food, and setting. We welcomed our new members in attendance. We voted on a new Board member, Neal Schmitt (most were returning for another term), and got a presentation on bylaws from Tina L and Bruce Wa, as well as a vote to rescind the constitution.

Most of all, we enjoyed each other’s company. As Linda McH said, “once you join the Gang, you ALWAYS have a friend to do things with!” We had lots of friends at the annual meeting, and will be doing a lot with them again, soon.

Nora McK

Although the weather was highly unusual and the temperatures were like late spring/early summer, a great time was had by all and there were no injuries!

First, our weather was blue sky and bright sunshine, normally the best conditions for a ski trip.  Alas, the daily high temperatures were between 60 and 70 degrees!   We were fortunate to enjoy skiing as soon as the lifts opened and at higher elevations.  Many continued to ski despite the slush, demonstrating their high-level skiing skills!  Additionally, skiers visited the 1960 Winter Olympics museum at the peak of Alpine Meadows.  

On several different days, we visited Tahoe City for shopping and the spectacular views of Lake Tahoe. One highlight of the trip was a 20-mile bicycle ride around part of Lake Tahoe, which involved bright sunshine and (very) minor hills.

Most trip goers also participated in Happy Hour, despite the blinding sun in the hotel lobby.

In addition to the two restaurants at the Everline hotel, group members took the very convenient bus shuttle to the Base Village, where we enjoyed shopping and dining at the numerous stores and restaurants.  Of particular note, the Six Peaks Grille in the hotel offered what one Gang member described as the best filet she had ever had.  In The Village at Palisades Tahoe, Gang members enjoyed Fireside Pizza Company, and a group dinner that was organized by Nancy B at the PlumpJack Café.

Bruce W

The Mystery Group headed out to the Abbot Public Library to see the Seacoast Quilt Guild’s quilt show, then off to the sewing studio to learn how to made a “mug rug,” and topped the day off with a delicious lunch at Amores, all in Marblehead. Marge C was sorely missed because of a flat tire!! 

Pat C

Spring skiing, dinner, and ping pong at Stowe week of March 9, 2026.
John B