Second Time around is Better for Watershed Ride

Second time around is better for Watershed Ride.

EverythingWestport.com

Tuesday, October 07, 2008

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Riders endure cold, wet conditions to support the Coalition for Buzzards Bay.

Event organizers cheered on the 65 riders who braved a cold drizzle to begin a 75 mile ride on Sunday that raised more than $35,000 in support of the Coalition for Buzzards Bay. “The money supports the programs of the coalition,” said Kristin Thoms, Communications Specialist. “Last year’s inaugural Ride, which drew 41 adventurous cyclists, raised more than $23,000. We did much better this year despite the less than perfect weather conditions.”

The second annual Watershed Ride took cyclists from Westport to Woods Hole, covering some of the most beautiful cycling routes in the region. Cyclists of all levels participated in a fully-supported ride, raising much needed funds for the work of the Coalition in raising awareness of the rich variety of our watershed.

Click here to learn more about the ride!

Cyclists began at Horseneck Beach in the main parking lot in Westport and pedaled 75 miles through farmland, coastal villages, New Bedford’s waterfront, cranberry bogs and along the back roads of Cape Cod. The event culminated in a celebration at the Finish Line at the Quissett Harbor House in Quissett with food, drinks and music. The end-of-the-Ride celebration featured some fantastic local food and the region’s best beer from Buzzards Bay Brewery.

The Ride was a fully-supported event with rest stops, lunch at Eastover Farms in Rochester, on-the-road bike mechanics and first aid. Limited transportation from Woods Hole to Horseneck Beach was available. Village Bicycle of Westport provided last minute tune-ups and repairs at their on-site kiosk. John Asselin of Westport’s Village Bicycle, pictured below left, provided last minute adjustments and lubrication before the ride for anyone who came over to the kiosk.

All riders were briefed on mandatory safety procedures, as there are peculiarities and cautionary conditions around the route which pose challenges to the riders. Safe cycling techniques were also covered as weather conditions were less than perfect, and the wet, slick roads can be tricky.

According to John Vasconcellos (pictured below, center) of the Coalition for Buzzards Bay “there are a number of ways we can support the vital work of The Coalition. Whether it's through becoming a Coalition member, volunteering your time, or learning how to care for the Bay everyday by creating a healthy and sustainable lifestyle, our ability to defend the Bay, to address new challenges, and to fulfill our commitment to pass on a better Bay to our children is made possible by your personal investment in The Coalition for Buzzards Bay.”

Last year’s top fundraiser ($1700!), Phil Whittaker of Rochester (above, second from left), was looking forward to this year’s ride. “Last year, that was the longest ride I’d ever been on,” he said, suiting up for the rain. “I was pretty tired. I had a couple of 100 mile and 75 mile rides since then, so I’m better prepared for this one.” For the record, Whittaker raised $1800 this year, making him the top fundraiser for the past two years. Cyclists of all levels and abilities from ages 13 to 72 raised more than $35,000 in support of the Coalition’s programs in research, conservation, advocacy, and education.

“The ride will take me about 4 hours to complete,” Whittaker said. “We avoid Route 6 and follow the waterfront. I’ll probably average a speed of 20 to 21 mph.”

Wendy Hill of West Falmouth (pictured left in above photo, second from right) and Leslie Knowles (right) of South Dartmouth were suited up and ready to go, and were all smiles as they moved to the starting line. Registration was busy (above right) as over $35,000 from 63 riders was collected to support the Coalition’s goals.

Click here to review 2008 fundraising results.

The weather-worn, World War II watchtower on Gooseberry Island was under a mantle of heavy gray skies, but East Beach still provided a magnificent view of Buzzards Bay, which according to Vasconcellos “is part of the diversity of landscape within the Buzzards bay watershed.”

“Even in these conditions, the Coalition's well-planned route could be appreciated as we rode past the open fields and beautiful stonewalls of Westport with occasional views of tranquil, golden marshes, then up by Padanarum Harbor and down around the New Bedford Peninsula to Fort Taber Park, where we refueled with power bars, drinks and bananas,” said Watershed Rider and Coalition member, Vicky Lowell. Lowell added, “With police details at crucial intersections, the ride through New Bedford and Fairhaven was untraumatic, and soon we were north of Route 6 in a landscape which has been slowly converting from farms to suburbanization, but still features acres of cornfields and other attributes of rural ambience.” Quotes courtesy of Coalition of Buzzards Bay. Hot apple cider and cocoa along with an assortment of sandwiches and fresh fruit awaited hungry cyclists at Eastover Farm in Rochester.

“We were very successful last year in raising money for the important work of the Coalition,” said Vasconcellos. “This beautiful ride through the watershed vividly illustrates the need to preserve, protect and restore it,” he said.

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