The latest from the Gang ... 

Dan Y, Dick r, Sheila P, Kimm S, Alan U

It was a beautiful but cool morning as 5 of us met at NARA Park in Acton to bike to the West Concord/Sudbury line. This part of the trail is being extended to Framingham next year so we’re looking forward to riding this then. The trail today wasn’t very busy. We saw a grey heron, swans and a brave woodchuck who scampered out on the trail from the underbrush. Importantly for this group Sheila and Kimm introduced the rest of us to a new coffee shop and bakery where we enjoyed some refreshment on our return. 

Alan Ulrich

Marianne, Maureen, Ines, Helgard, Barbara, Mary, Sheila, Ellen, Dick, Neal, Dana, Chip, Judith, Pat and Alan behind the camera

Another beautiful day greeted 15 Gang members as we gathered at Lake Louisa in Milford for a 20 mile bike ride through the countryside. We passed horse stables, rode through a curved railroad tunnel, and stopped at a 7 arch bridge on the trail for a group photo. And of course we stopped along the trail for lunch at a local cafe. Another great day for a great bike ride

Alan U

Larry M, Judith L, Judy T, Janet F, Dick Rai, Beverly C, Helgard K
(missing fro picture Miriam and, Alan Ulrich) behind the camera)

The third time’s a charm!  Once again this week we were blessed with blue skies and mild temps as 9 of us rode from Newburyport to Plum Island. Biking through a new section of the Newburyport waterfront park we passed a large oceangoing yacht tied up at waters’ edge.  On the road we stopped to look at “penguins” in the Merrimack River, the pink house scheduled for demolition or removal by US Park Service, and Plum Island Airport. Our ride ended at the northern tip of Plum Island where we saw the yacht underway, viewed a lighthouse, and posed for a group photo.  On the return to Newburyport we stopped for a delicious lunch at Bob Lobster. 

Alan U

Standing: Larry, Gaille, Daniel, Ilene, Larry, Alan, Dick, Betty, Susan, Dibba, Anker and Marco.
Kneeling: Mike (guest), Joan, Kate, Tina, Ines, Nancy and Ellen.
Hiding: from the camera: Miriam

It just doesn’t get any better than this. Blue skies, temps in the low 70s, a very gentle breeze and a great group of 20 Gang members!

We set out from Fort Phoenix State Reservation in Fairhaven along the southeast coast. Starting on quiet neighborhood streets we soon picked up the rail trail which led us through woods, past great ocean views, through marshes and eventually to Mattapoisett. On our way back we took a detour along a quiet country road where some of us spied two ospreys. Returning to Fort Phoenix we made the short ride to the Hurricane barrier that protects New Bedford harbour. 

We ended our day with a picnic lunch replete with tablecloths, chips, and cold drinks provided by ride leader Joan and watermelon by bike leader Betty. A great day indeed!

Alan U

Judith L, Nancy B, Sheila P, Maryann D, Alan U, Ines A, Marco A

 Thankfully the forecast was wrong - again!  This time in our favour.  

A stalwart crew of seven gang members had a great bike ride from Salem NH through Windham , ending in Derry NH. We rode through rock cuts in Windham where the temperature dropped and it felt like someone turned on the air conditioning. Riding through Windham Depot we passed the historic train depot and a B&M caboose.  Continuing north we arrived at beautiful Hood Park in Derry where we stopped for a picnic lunch and conversation  before turning around and heading back to Salem. 

Alan U

Nine TOHG members of the walking group spent a sunny but rather warm morning touring the Mt Auburn Cemetery.   We walked approximately 2+ miles on paved mostly shaded roadways. We stopped by the Mary Baker Eddy Memorial (the founder of the Scientology Church) which looks over a small pond; found Henry Wordsworth Longfellow’s tombstone and then proceeded to the Tower where some of us climbed the 95 steps for the 360 degree view including Boston.  We finished at the Chapel that overlooks the Mt Auburn Street entrance.

Afterwards we split up with some going grocery shopping at the local ethnic shops, three to a small park nearby for a bag lunch’s and conversation and a couple heading home.

Where else could you find public restrooms with stained glass windows?

Meredith P

Alan U, Elizabeth C, Kate Kand Dick R 

Blue skies and pleasantly warm temps set the tone for our bike ride as four TOHG members biked along paved and unpaved trails through Bare Cove Park. This park was a US Naval ammunition depot during World War II and there were still many vestiges of its use at that time (although fortunately no ammunition). We rode beside Weymouth Back River and Fresh River where we spotted a few herons or egrets, past the South Shore Conservatory, South Shore Model Railway Museum and Bare Cove Fire Museum. We stopped at the Dock House fir a picnic lunch before finishing our ride. 

Alan U

Our bike ride was rescheduled from an earlier date that was rained out. Today the weather conditions were great!  Temps and sunshine made the day perfect. 

We started at Bedford Depot towards Alewife in Cambridge. A short  on road detour in Lexington was necessary as DPW was replacing part of the trail. We picked up two members in Arlington and continued to Cambridge where Joel led us on a beautiful side trip through marshes and eventually to a park on the Cambridge Arlington line where Arthur D Little Co. once stood and where there was signage with history and photographs. Working our way back to Bedford we stopped at the Kickstand Cafe in Arlington centre for an Al fresco lunch. 

The ride joined: Miriam,  Kimm S, Joel S, Alan U, Cathy A, Neal S, Ines A, Kate K, Monica A.

Alan U

Rick, Laurie, Hyman and Sandy

For the Mashpee-Popponesset kayaking trip the weather was absolutely perfect! This paddle was around Popponesset Island on Cape Cod where there are some beautiful vacation homes right near the Nantucket Sound.

Popponesset Beach area was originally inhabited by the Wampanoag people, and the name "Popponesset" comes from a Wampanoag word meaning "place of the ground nuts."

Kayak rentals are available from Rideaway Adventures for anyone who wishes to make this trip in the future - and it's one you won't forget.

Sandy S

Mary W, Neal S, Beverly C, Sheila P, Pat T, Barbara B (hidden), Alan U, Dan Y,
Kimm S, Lawrence M

Ten Gang members gathered to ride on the historic Revolutionary War era Battle Road trail from Lincoln to Concord. 

The weather was perfect with moderate temps, low humidity and bright sunny skies. Setting off on the trail we soon discovered that the National Park Service had other plans which did not include using the trail. Work crews were scattered along the trail making “improvements” and doing repair work for forcing us onto busy Route 2A for our ride. Making the best of the situation we rode on the road to downtown Concord where we stopped for coffee before returning to our starting point. We took a different route back on quieter back roads passing a large pumpkin and squash field and the backside of Hanscom Airport. 

This is the 2nd year in a row we’ve been detoured on this trail. Hoping 2025 will see us back on the trail. 

Alan U