As others have said, the ride started out chilly but with the sun, the day warmed up nicely. Eleven riders started out from Bryans Rd, including Leader Polly Choate, Dan & Diana Donahue, Walter Carr, Herman Young, Calvin Conyers, Jay Lewis, and Belinda Acre. The group welcomed new members Catherine Kitchell and Kevin Mundy, and guest Butch Counts. All went well on the first trip down Bumpy Oak and the rail trail up to White Plains, except several riders began to experience allergies from the abundant pollen, especially kicked up by the wind which seemed to be head on no matter which way we turned. We regrouped at White Plains. Just after leaving the Shell Station reststop on Marshall Corner Rd, Herman had a mechanical, a broken chain. Not knowing, the majority of the group had continued on and waited at the turn onto Bumpy Oak. There we learned from Dan & Diana that Herman was waiting at the Shell and Calvin had taken a shortcut on Promfret to get his car and retrieve Herman. At this point Catherine and Butch decided to ride on and finish the 33 mi route. With the wind and allergies still plaguing us, we also shortcutted, taking 225 to 210 and back, finishing with 30 miles. All of us got back to Bryans Rd at the same time, and 3 had lunch at the Lunch Box.
