Wrap up: The Meshomasic was a great ride! This was NER first CT Ride Start AND a dedicated mixed terrain route with 50%+ unpaved! Big thanks to Justin E. for not just asking for a CT ride but actually designing a route and running the ride. Few know that early in the morning on the day of the ride Justin went out to the path across the I-84 bridge and swept away all the glass and debris that had accumulated from the passing cars. It was greatly appreciated.
We had a ton of interest from first-time riders which was nice to see. Sadly, a Nor’easter threatened to make for soggy ride with heavy rain forecast for almost the entire event and temps in the upper 40s. BUT as is often the case, the weather prediction was wrong: It was cool but the rain started much later in the day and most riders finished completely dry. The few that did get wet didn’t need to ride in the rain for all that long. The lesson for new Randonneurs: Don’t trust the forecast. Sometimes it rains on “nice” days and just as often it’s dry when you expect to be soaked.
We’re interested in feedback from 30 people who attempted the course. Hopefully this ride will be back next year.