Wild Goose Chase 2009

[7rider]

Oh my gosh, you all and your early rides

It's good for you. It builds character! Try coming out with us on the 7:30 rides. Always fun in the middle of February!

When I ride solo, I don't get started until at least 2:00pm. One of these days we need to have a late-day group ride.

Not bad this time of year...but by that time, other commitments for the day take hold. It's hard to find time to get out for a ride at that hour, when there are other things that need to be done. Unless, of course, it's kayaking at that time after biking on those mythical multi-sport days....

[divingbiker]

OK, I called Cambridge Pedal and Paddle and had a great conversation. We should definitely avoid the kayak put-in where we started last year. She's going to have tours there all day long, and it will be crowded.

But she recommended going to the Transquaking River, and paddling 5 miles between the bridges (on Drawbridge Rd and Decoursey Bridge Rd.) She said we could call them and they'd pick us up and take us back to our cars, or we could turn around halfway (2.5 miles) and paddle back. She said it was beautiful and peaceful and we'd love it.

Does that change your mind about paddling, Tam?

If you look at the map for the Terry ride you'd take Aireys Rd (just east of Route 16) south to Drawbridge Rd and the river crosses near Higgins Mill Pond Rd.

She also recommended two restaurants: Suicide Bridge Restaurant in Hurlock and Kay's at the Airport.

[Kalidurga]

1) Late-day rides: I do all my other stuff in the morning, then leave my afternoons free for riding. And, personally, I think I've already got character in spades (though probably not the kind you're referring to)

2) Hmmm, yes, that alternate location certainly might change my mind about paddling that Saturday. Good sleuthing, Janice, and great that they offered to shuttle us (did she mention what they'd charge for that?). Suicide Bridge restaurant sounds tasty, but ever so slightly pricey. How far is that from Cambridge?

3) Anyone want a free house out near Blackwater? I'm guessing this might be the old house that's on the way to the paddling put-in, near one of last year's Wild Goose rest-stops.

[Zen]

I thought there was a deadline on that house. I hope someone takes it.

Hmmm.40K.....I could subdivide my lot, sell the front house and move that to the back half of the property.

But I want to live in town.

[divingbiker]

2) Hmmm, yes, that alternate location certainly might change my mind about paddling that Saturday. Good sleuthing, Janice, and great that they offered to shuttle us (did she mention what they'd charge for that?). Suicide Bridge restaurant sounds tasty, but ever so slightly pricey. How far is that from Cambridge?

She said they'd charge $10 per kayak to shuttle us back to our cars. As an alternative, we can shuttle our own selves (leave one car at the end, then go get our other cars and drive back to the end to load the boats) if we want to park along the side of the road. She said theft hasn't been a problem, but of course we'll have our bikes with us so we need to consider that.

(Zen, I'm not sure how it would work to share Regina's kayak with your friend if we paddle 5 miles from bridge to bridge. I guess one of you could rent a kayak, but it might get pricey and they'd need to know right away since they have to rent kayaks to handle all the tours they're doing for the goose chase.)

Suicide Bridge restaurant is about 15 miles from Cambridge; I'm not too keen on it, both because of the menu (nothing vegan) and the price. I'd vote for either going to Easton (if someone else is willing to drive) or going to Kay's at the airport. Anywhere but where we ate last year.

So, who all is going? Martha, are you and your friend going to kayak with us this year?

[Zen]

(Zen, I'm not sure how it would work to share Regina's kayak with your friend

She can go for a ride. Or something.

Kay's at the airport.

I have no idea what the menu is there but I was looking at the Suicide Bridge menu and it looks like it could get spendy there

[Kalidurga]

For those of us planning to kayak on Saturday: Janice and I did some chattin' today and we're thinking that 12:00 noon would be a good time to meet. That would allow us time for a 2-3 hour paddle, then to head back to our various hotels and clean up for dinner, and still get to bed at a decent time to rest up for Sunday (for those of us who will need the rest ). Do want to meet at the boat put-in along Drawbridge Road, or try to figure out a spot along route 50?

In order to choose a place for dinner that evening, we should probably figure out where everyone's staying and go from there. I'm in Easton at the Days Inn. Anyone else staying up that way?

[ny biker]

Did you guys do the Peach Tree ride today? How was it?

[Becky]

Anyone planning to meet up Sunday morning for the ride? I'll be coming down that morning and I'm planning to do the metric.

[7rider]

Did you guys do the Peach Tree ride today? How was it?

Peach Tree loop was beautiful. Weather was absolutely spectacular. The scenary on that route is fantastic. The roads could be in better shape, but if they were, there'd probably be more tourist car traffic.


I'm also doing the metric for the WGC, Becky. Look for the cars (wagons) with the kayaks on them. I'll be on a Seven. I'm meeting a friend who is driving in for the day, and we're doing the metric together - If the weather is good, I'm hoping for a 17-18 mph average for the day - not crazy fast, but not dawdling. But, I don't know what my friend has in mind! I may be pulling her the whole way....or she may be pulling me!

[Becky]

I'm also doing the metric for the WGC, Becky. Look for the cars (wagons) with the kayaks on them. I'll be on a Seven. I'm meeting a friend who is driving in for the day, and we're doing the metric together - If the weather is good, I'm hoping for a 17-18 mph average for the day - not crazy fast, but not dawdling. But, I don't know what my friend has in mind! I may be pulling her the whole way....or she may be pulling me!

Thanks for the info. I'll be riding my ruby-colored Bianchi. If my last hilly metric is any indication (14-15 mph), 17 should be doable.

What time are y'all planning to roll out?

[withm]

So, who all is going? Martha, are you and your friend going to kayak with us this year?

Yes, I am meeting Annette at the Comfort Inn in Cambridge Friday night. We'll kayak on Sat. Just tell us where and when. Same for dinner Sat night. I'm easy. For Sunday she'll do a shorter ride but I'll probably do 40-ish whatever they are offering. Of course if the weather is nasty, I reserve the right to do something short.

Did you see all the other cue sheets they put on the website? I could spend a week over there doing all the rides. Sweet!

[Zen]

I'll be at the Comfort Inn as well, driving the Mothership.

[Zen]

I'm hoping for a 17-18 mph average for the day - not crazy fast, but not dawdling.

I am going to have a special beverage for you before the ride

Why drive all that way to zoom through the scenery?
I plan on enjoying the day at my leisure and taking lots of photos.

[7rider]

Becky...I've no idea what time we plan to shove off. More as we get closer, no doubt....