George Barnes | Worcester Telegram & Gazette | January 2, 2020
https://www.telegram.com/news/20200102/central-mass-hikers-bikers-skaters-swing-into-2020
With the sun breaking through Wednesday morning, people found opportunities to get off their couches and head outside to celebrate New Year’s Day with first day hikes, skating, and even bicycling.
At the Wachusett Reservoir, more than 100 people joined reservoir rangers Andy Leahy and Sean Flood in a hike from Gate 22 near the West Boylston-Boylston town line.
The large group enjoyed a two-mile round-trip hike to the South Bay area of the reservoir, which looks across to Dover Point. It was one of 10 hikes held by the state Department of Conservation and Recreation’s First Day Hikes Initiative. The national effort to get people to enjoy state parks got its start in Massachusetts in 1992. Another Central Massachusetts hike was held at the Blackstone River and Canal Heritage State Park at River Bend Farm in Uxbridge.
A smaller group took to bicycles for the 2nd Annual Worcester County Women’s Cycling Ride. Icy roads and cold weather conditions limited those taking part in the ride, which was also open to members of the Seven Hills Wheelmen.
Four people joined ride leader Jessica Piwowarski in what was planned as a 30-mile tour through parts of Central Massachusetts. The ride was cut short because of the windy cold weather and icy conditions, but the small group still traveled 18.5 miles, beginning at Brookfield Orchards, traveling to Oakham Center, and returning to the orchard to enjoy cider doughnuts and hot apple cider.
“It’s just a great way for cyclists to get out and start the new year off on the right foot,” Piwowarski said.
The slick roads made for challenging cycling conditions.
“The craziest part of our ride was on the back roads,” Piwowarski said. “The trees were covered with ice and it was beautiful. We encountered one treacherous spot where the roads were poorly cleared. The wind started blowing and we were showered with ice.”
The cold did not keep people from skating on the Worcester Common Oval. The skating rink saw close to 350 people of all skills and ages take to the ice during the afternoon.
Makayla Michalowski, an employee of the DCU Center which manages the rink, said the rink was busy throughout the five hours it was open. She said it has also been busy throughout the holiday season, not only with children out on holiday break and their parents, but people from throughout the country who may be visiting for the holidays.
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