The Pink Beacons reemerged for the second running of the Rhonde De Rosey. It was a cool feeling to think that just a year ago at this event, we were joking about a Newbury Comics Cyclocross team and a year later we had done it. We were a five man team this year with Thom making his debut and secret weapon, Andy E, rounding out the
OG trio.
Rolled out at a pretty good clip. Long stretch of pavement over to Belmont before the first trails. I had ridden the first section on a
waffle cross ride so we stayed on course. Crossed Mass Ave, dodged the ultimate frisbee games, and headed back into the woods and marsh. We got a little lost rolling through Great Meadow and again into Whipple Hill, but kept it moving. A long time walking our dog in Whipple Hill, made me a little too cocky on the navigation front, and we ended up bushwhacking through a backyard to get back out to the road...... Mid ride photo stop and we were off to the
Ride Studio Cafe which was packed on such a nice day. Got our button, refilled our bottles and rolled out.
I think this year's Rhonde was more like it's namesake the RVV as you jumped around from climb to climb. More climbing and maybe a little more pavement than last year. Definitely a lot drier than last year! From Lexington it was another longish pavement stretch to Prospect Hill Park (cue ominous music).The pain that this climb inflicted was offset by the joy of discovering a new place to ride that was right under my nose! The descent down from the water tower was a little hairier than I was ready for and I jumped off and ran down the leafy stairs section. People were going all over the place at this point. We got lost, and we lost Thom. There were enough teams on the road that we figured we would meet back up before long and we bushwhacked again over an abandoned railroad bridge(not the correct one-how many could there be?) into the back of a junkyard and then back onto the right track. Onto the railroad trail and aquaduct paths we went. Groups were coming back together here. We hit the road again and were working with some other teams. After some hard chasing Thom reappeared-that may have been the ride of the day to track us down.
Wellsley center could not come up soon enough as we were all running low on water (who was laughing at the Camel-staches now?) and all a little hungry. How can you not love a "race" where people are stopping to eat and chill?
After refueling we headed out towards Cutler and the grand finale of dirt sections.
Cutler is fun and I should ride in there more. I got separated from Billy and Andy-ahead and Thom and Nick-behind, so I just rolled around an enjoyed the flow. We regrouped and had only a few miles to get back to the
Washington Square Tavern. We put or heads down and pounded it out.
Beers,food, and a raffle were up next. There are four other perspectives on our ride so hopefully one of the crew steps up with their side of the story.
Thanks to Rosey, Chip, the Washington Square Taven, and everyone that worked to set this up. Good times for a
good cause. I hope we will see a 3rd edition.
I failed to use my camera effectively. Here is the only action shot
