Northshore Ride & Woodman's on Sunday 9/11

[ionbeam]

Let me preface this by noting that Sunday is 9/11. When I first suggested this ride all I thought about was the ride being on the second Sunday of Sept. and didn't realize the date. We know people that lost family members on one of the planes and in a World Tower.

Shady lanes, salt marshes, estates, scenic coastal roads, WOODMANS for lunch and then choose between more coastal roads or bucolic routes through Hamilton, Wenham and Ipswich.

The day starts with breakfast at Eggies @ 8:00 and KSU no later than 9:00.

Eggie's Family Restaurant

6 Main Street

Atkinson, NH 03811

(603) 489-1858

Meandering roads over to Stage Fort Park in Gloucester for a short break then on to a working seaport dock area. Depending on the crowds there may be a quick photo stop at the iconic Man At The Wheel.

Around the perimeter of Gloucester, thorough Rockport and Annisquam, then to Essex and Woodman's for lunch. We should arrive at Woodman's at roughly 12:30 - 1:00.

Woodman's of Essex

121 Main Street, Essex, MA 01929-1305

(978) 768-6451 ‎

We can go from Woodman's to Newburyport and call it a day, or continue the ride along coastal NH and up to Odiorne Point State Park. The park is a WWII defensive position with some bunkers still in place, a war memorial and a Science Center for all things aquatic.

On to very pretty New Castle and Fort Constitution built in 1666 and used during the War of 1812.

The route home would take us past Albacore Park where the submarine USS Albacore is open to the public. If you have never been through a sub before put this on your list. If you have any trace of claustrophobia definitely take this OFF your list.

Right now this is the rough framework on which the ride will be built:

Eggies to Woodman's

Woodman's to New Castle

 

[MarFJR]

Is that 8:00am KSU or are we eating at 8:00?

 

[Fred W]

Schwing!!

We (TMJ and I) are definitely in. There are few things we like better than Ipswich Fried Clams.

And, although I have no personal relationships or ties with anyone that was stricken on 9/11, I think a celebration of the joys of life, such as this, is a most fitting tribute to the day.

 

[ionbeam]

Is that 8:00am KSU or are we eating at 8:00?

Grub gets ordered at 8:00. Departure time will occur once the grub is consumed and there is no other reason to sit there. You can gamble on how late you can sleep and still catch us before we leave :lol:

We just got back from riding much of the Woodman's ride. We found that both Cape Ann and the Atlantic Ocean are still there but cram-packed with tourists. We explored the parking lot situation at Woodman's and discovered that it is beyond huge. And it was packed with cars, the picka-nik tables out back were full, the upstairs dining room was full and Woodman's was preparing meals indoors and outdoors on the front sidewalk too.

No Polo in Hamilton at Myopia Hunt Club but there was an Equestrian Event that caused a traffic snafu bigger than what we saw at the Hopkington Fair.

If you were to make a list of every conceivable weather condition and pin it to the wall then blindfold the weatherman and have him throw a dart at the list, this morning the dart for next Sunday was 100% sun. Take that forecast to be as accurate as the selection method.

 

[bluejag]

Alan, Gail and I were in the area today also and Woodman's seems to be a bi monthly stop for us so we will be in for this Diner Dash. Next weekend should be MUCH more quiet as the tourists should be gone and all the kiddies are back in school.Yes it is a special day, one that all those who were lost would want all of us to enjoy in their memory.

 

[MEM]

You guys are killin' me here

 

[Pepperell]

Grace and Carl will be along. May skip Breaky in order to reserve space fer clams... By the way, our anniversary is 9/13; close enuff!!

I now pronounce this..,

Gathering Of The CLAMS? 2011

​

...got clams?

 

[MarFJR]

Thanks for clearing that up Allen,

As I told you last weekend. We are both looking forward to this one. I think my front tire has one more good ride in it.

Oh and Claims… :dribble:

 

[Fred W]

Carl may be onto something. While Eggie's makes a killer Irish Eggs Benedict (I can attest to that!), it'll be a tough digestive day to wolf that down followed so closely by a heaping portion of "Chubby's" best bivalves. (Sorry MEM... Woodmans has the worlds best Fried Clams, not Ossies!!)

I think we'll plan on coming for the 8AM meet-up but go ultra easy on the breakfast. Maybe some coffee and something small. I hope we don't dissapoint the staff at Eggie's...

 

[ionbeam]

Carl may be onto something...it'll be a tough digestive day to wolf that down followed so closely by a heaping portion of the best of "Chubby's" best bivalves...but go ultra easy on the breakfast..

Notice I didn't call this a formal Breakfast Club Ride? :lol: This is about the lunch with nice ride included as a bonus. Eggies was a convenient place to meet which also has first aid coffee to get us started.

 

[Asphalt Junkie]

Count Paul & Gina in! We usually get out to Essex at least once a season, but we haven't managed to make it yet this year.

...Eggie's makes a killer Irish Eggs Benedict (I can attest to that!)...

Yeah, we both had our eye on that when we checked out the menu, but Carl is right--have to save room for lunch! I guess we can always get one order and split it...

 

[Fred W]

Yeah, we both had our eye on that when we checked out the menu, but Carl is right--have to save room for lunch! I guess we can always get one order and split it...

I like the way you think. :thumbsup: We may follow your lead on that one!

 

[ionbeam]

For anyone that is interested in a sneak peak, the GPS route is HERE. Thank you for the tweaks and hosting the file Fred! If we do the entire ride it will be 160 miles and 5:45 hrs of moving time.

The ride crosses itself at one point for a very short distance; coincidentally at Woodman's. The first time past Woodman's we will wave good morning. The next time we see Woodman's it will be the lunch stop.

We are looking forward to seeing everyone at Eggies.

Edit to add:

At the location below, the road goes steeply uphill with a side-to-side slope; compounding the problem is a short line-of-sight for traffic when crossing Rt 110. It isn't really dangerous, but it helps to be aware, especially for anyone that may be inseam challenged. Be patient and go at your own pace here, we will wait for everyone to comfortably get across the road.

 

[bluejag]

Thank's Alan for setting this up great ride in OUR backyard, many friend's along this route (from Andover/Boxford to Kittery point) there are some awesome ocean view's (should be some excellent photo op's due to ocean storm's building up the wave's this weekend!!)a friend of our's is adding on to their (already $1m home in Rockport on the water of course)I'm trying to get adopted LOL (Hey we all have do do our part) Did not know the Professor lived in the Boxwood's Good friend's live right up the street (Porter)Told Gail to lad up the cam cause the sea's will be ROCKIN!!! :yahoo:

Bring your appitite! P.S. Alan you DO know how many Ice Cream stand's are on this route right?????

 

[Pepperell]

This one isn't on the route, but we sometimes swing by after an afternoon at Woodman's. Richardson's Dairy. It's in Middleton on Rte 114. The Ice Cream stand is an extension of their farm which has been in the family since 1695.

Richardson's Dairy - "Cow to Cone"

 

[Fred W]

Unless you'll be wanting ice cream for breakfast, it doesn't look like we'll be anywhere near Middleton after noon. The plan seems to be to run up the coast of NH on 1A and 1B thru Portmouth before wending our way back westward.

Now if we ran the whole route bass-ackwards then Rte 114 wouldn't be that far off the projected path. But then we'd have to have supper at Eggies!!

 

[ionbeam]

This one isn't on the route, but we sometimes swing by after an afternoon at Woodman's. Richardson's Dairy. It's in Middleton on Rte 114. The Ice Cream stand is an extension of their farm which has been in the family since 1695.

Richardson's Dairy - "Cow to Cone"

We will be too early to stop at Benson's in West Boxford, Benson's Ice Cream is real good. We will also be near Annabell's Ice Cream in Portsmouth.

Helen and I were in line at Benson's when I noticed that from the back the guy in line looked a lot like my brother that lives in south west Connecticut, 200 miles away. It turned out that my brother did in fact drive up to Benson's for an ice cream. I could understand doing that on a motorcycle, but in a car?!?! :lol:

 

[Fred W]

Man, Irish Eggs Benedict, Worlds' Best (and original) Fried Clams and then High Butterfat Ice Cream? This really is the CCC!! :blink:

 

[ionbeam]

Then there is always the Portsmouth Brewery which we will pass right by. And, just down the street in Portsmouth is Smuttynose Brewing.