Whisky and Navigation
In the whisky wars of the late 19th century Canadien distiller Seagrams tried to skirt the prohibition on whisky imports by importing grain and distilling stateside. Not one to be duped, Hiram Walker found out about this and put an agent on the ship, the Forest City.
This agent had a magnet in his pocket and got on to the bridge next to the compass causing the ship to steer headlong through the fog into the rock cliff on an island in Lake Huron off Tobermory Ontario. A piece of that ship is still jammed into that cliff about 50’ up but most of it lies 100’+ under the waves and fog a monument to subterfuge, poor navigation security, hubris, leadership…and booze
I was reminded of that wreck this morning when I witnessed navigational confusion in the ranks at the fork in the road at the south end of Pine. More than half the group peeled off behind Eric, leaving him stranded out front like a centurion without a legion, possibly headed to their doom in the morning mist.
Who knows that fate awaited them? I can only attribute this age old act of sabotage to Willie’s limitless ability infect all the group’s Garmin computers. Heartwarming to know navigation continues to be a development oppy and that Steves bike has a reverse gear. I can only imaging what happened at the fork of Glen and Farm…must have been an audible of epic proportions
Walter Haywood Returns!
It’s always a pleasure when Walter returns. Since moving to Florida almost a decade ago we only see him on special occasions. Thanks to Steve and Nancy for hosting our reunion!
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- Walter Haywood
Ray Acheson Remembrances – His Indomitable Spirit
Oscar Lazaro – Never heard Ray ever complain – about anything….that will be for me forever.
Walter Haywood – One of his favorite sayings was it builds character if the effort is hard. Riding in rain that was so hard you could not see and him refusing to stop until the rain let up.
John Whisnant, Tom Day – The infusion pump. On one cold ride when Ray first had his infusion pump pic line in, Walter called us all: “Ray’s going out, everybody shows up, no wimping out” and we all rode in 40 degree rain not saying anything about how long or when we’d get back until hours later, we ended back in Wellesley with Ray saying “Wasn’t that great.” Of course he hadn’t felt that well for years given the osteomylitis he had for years in his face which the surgery removed and the antibiotics were controlling. I’m sure he didn’t notice. And I’m sure the infusion pump was not designed for bike riding.
Tom Day, Damon Bates – The Ray roll, Watchusett Climb etc… One of my favorites was when Ray collapsed in the fetal position at the top of Wachusett foaming at the mouth. I was actually quite worried…but of course he recovered for the ride home
John Whisnant – Ray’s advice to those who hesitated to ride through the coldest winter days: “Start late. Turn back early.”
John Whisnant – Ray stopped half way up Leviathan climb on a B2B. Down but not out. He proceeded to get back on his bike, ride down the hill to get up some speed, do a U turn and started up again. And makes it.
John Whisnant, Damon Bates, Walter Haywood – The Tandem with Walter at the PMC. We also can’t forget the sound of his blaring mini harmonica as he captained the tandem with Walter. When we heard that sound gaining from the rear it was time to get out of the saddle and sprint for the train… Riding the tandem with him was an adventure. He being a masher and me a spinner it was amazing how we managed to ride so well. I would get so upset with him at times that I would not pedal.
Tom Day – Refused to get SAGGED. In 2004, Ray, John Whisnant and I were cycling with the America by Bike group from Newport CA to MA. John had to abandon the ride in Dalton, Texas after a crash. Ray and I kept going. In Missouri or some cold, rainy, windswept place—Ray was caught without the right clothes (surprise) as it poured and lightning about 10 miles into our 100+ mile day…We holed up in a house under construction for about an hour, then as we rode on it was clear that Ray was in hypothermia trouble….we all formed a pack around him and rode together with him shaking til until we found Mike and the SAG wagon—who said “get in the car Ray.” Ray said “No” etc. back and forth until Mike finally said…”OK OK I promise I’m not going to SAG you, I’m just going to get you warm.” and gave him a change of clothes and warmed him up until he could ride on.
Oscar Lazaro – Ray falling off the bike on a 98F day – waking up in an ambulance with only Walters’ Peet’s card on him as ID “I promise I am Ray not Walter” – and the EMS guy looking at the cracked helmet and saying – this guy hit his head hard!!
Oscar Lazaro – Ray rolling over the bumpy railroad tracks and having his false teeth fall out – and I forget who ran over them but they got a flat!
Oscar Lazaro – Ray going in for a physical and having the nurse pull a “code red” on him because his HRT was at 35…due to his fitness level
Chip Norton – My BEST OF RAY was watching the epic training battles he used to have with our good friend, Warren Hellman. The two came from totally different backgrounds but became very close friends in the 1970’s through their mutual love for training/competing. Warren was a former national collegiate swim champion with a disfigured arm from childhood polio. When we would go on training runs or rides, the two of them would constantly battle for front position to the point of body and/or bike contact. There were times they would come close to punches. Ray always had to stay ahead; whenever you ran with him, he’d always stay a shoulder ahead no matter what the pace. Always the competitor who would always laugh about it after the fact.
Tom Snow – 50 at 50. Jean asked Ray what he wanted for his 50th birthday. Ray replied “Can you drive me to Rhode Island and then meet me every 3 miles on the way home? I’d like to run 50 miles on my 50th birthday.” Not only did Ray run, but he ran it in 7:26, and refused to stop until Jean finally said to Ray “Get in the car Ray”, well beyond the 50 mile point.
Tom Snow – Spinning. Ray would often go to the YMCA to spin. He mentioned on one of our rides in the winter that the spin bikes were missing the saddles, perhaps to make sure no one would use them unsupervised. This didn’t deter Ray. He merely rode the spin bike, without saddle to complete his hour long sufferfest. He actually liked it. The YMCA later named the room after him.
Ray Acheson Remembrances – His Handyman Business
Oscar Lazaro – Ray telling me that laying down the stone tiles on our mudroom and laundry will be brainless and only take 2 days (took us 2 weeks – and it still ain’t right!) – but we had a lot of laughs!
John Whisnant – Ray’s trucks. After retiring from Raytheon, I don’t think Ray missed a work day. He reinvented himself as a carpenter and an all-purpose handyman. Many of the HPGers had Ray replace steps, install doors, put on new clapboard, etc. His conveyance was a flatbed Dodge truck, which progressively rusted away due to salt spray from driving it on the beaches in Martha’s Vineyard to entertain his grandchildren. More than once, he would get to my house and explain how the brakes had failed completely and he was lucky to have stopped before hitting anyone. Finally Ray decided to buy a new Ford Transit van and spec’ed it out with racks for his tools and equipment. I though it was great Ray had bought something for himself since he was always putting others first, and Ray was really pleased with it. I was sure that there would be years of Ray handyman projects before this truck rusted out as well. We miss you Ray.
Ray Acheson Remembrances – Friendship
John Whisnant – Ray’s 10 straight weekends/10 century rides he and I did together the summer of 2001 after my own surgery
Walter Haywood – We were planning to ride 100 miles on our 100th birthdays. We ran together for many years when I was on the police force and he was working at Raytheon we would meet in Newtonville sq on his lunch hour and he would try and find every hill in the area to run up. He was one great person and I will miss him greatly.
Steve Cutter – In 1991 I decided to run my 1st Boston marathon he had run something like 18. I mentioned it to Ray & his response was I’ll do it with you. We trained all winter together. We would hide a water bottle on our way to Hopkinton & run the route back. We had a great time training together. After we completed the race he was more excited for me that I completed my 1st Boston.
Dave Schatz – In the last few years Ray and I had a running joke that Jean was paying me to slow down and ride with him, just so she could get him out of the house.
Tom Day – After a ride Ray would like to sit at Peet’s eating a lemon poppy seed muffin and enjoying his friends.
Tom Snow – During my separation and divorce, Ray would often stay when the others would leave Peet’s. He would sit on the bench next to me. When he felt the moment was right, he would ask how I was doing with my situation. He was always willing to lend his support when you were down.
Ray Acheson Remembrances – His Bike Routes
Steve Cutter – In 1991 Ray had recently vacationed in the West Coast and was commenting how beautiful it was. We decided to ride from SF to LA and end up at his son Jim’s house. The plan was I would coordinate airline and hotel while Ray would do the route. When we got on the plane I asked to to see the route. He reached into his bag and pulled out the AAA trip guide highlighted along the interstate from San Fran to LA. I said Ray, “We can’t bike on the interstate. What route did you do in the car?” He said, “This is the route we did”.
Ray Acheson Remembrances – The Bike Gear…
John Whisnant – Ray with a 5 patch inner tube for the MA Senior Games qualifying event
Walter Haywood – During one of our rides to the PMC Rays was having trouble with his shorts and we found out the trouble was because he was wearing jockey shorts under his cycling shorts.
Tom Day – The water bottle was merely a decoration. He would never drink from it, even while they rode across America. Ray needed to be reminded to drink while crossing the Mojave Desert by Tom.
Dave Keefe – The Fanny Pack loaded with carpenter’s tools, while everyone else fussed over lightweight cycling tools and streamlined bags.
Tom Snow – The constantly dirty bike, in disrepair…though Jean has been quick to comment that late in his life Ray made a point to clean his bike.
Tom Snow – The fast wheels. He was very proud of the carbon race wheels and rode them everyday.
Tom Snow – The fixed gear was a constant companion when he rode solo. Most coaches will tell you to ride a fixed gear bike no more than two hours. He would routinely ride solo for 3 or 4 hours or more in his 70’s.
John Whisnant – The Jersey Ray wore to compete in the Senior Games road race was his favorite. Ray, Walter and John qualified for the 2003 Senior Games in Norfolk, VA. Riding the course prior to the races, it was clear the course was crazy unsafe – the roads were elevated through a marshland with steep banks on both sides and no shoulders. Walter decided not to race. John finished without mishap in his age group. They waited for Ray to finish. Time went by and Ray didn’t show. John rode his bike counter to the course direction only to find Ray had crashed down an embankment and was surrounded by emergency medics working on him. The medics cut his shirt open to look for injuries, which looked extensive. Ray was adamant that “Jean will pick me up”, but John finally convinced Ray to get in the ambulance, and they rode to the hospital together with sirens full blast. At the hospital, they found Ray had broken ribs and a punctured lung. After several days in the hospital and finally getting home, Jean repaired the jersey. Ray wore it proudly.
Ray Acheson Remembrances – The Ladies Man
Tom Snow – Ray’s kindness and charm was apparently obvious to members of the fairer sex. After the first leg of a PMC ride, at Mass Maritime, two community showers are temporarily provided for the riders – one for men and one for women. On a particularly hot day, Ray had found himself at the end of the men’s line. He entered the shower tent and had the place all to himself. Out of the blue, an attractive young lady, covered with only a towel, interrupts Ray, while he was showering, with a question “Do you mind if I join you?” She explained that the line for the women’s shower was too long. Ray, being a gentleman, politely accommodated her request.
The “Ray Ride” Defined
Being recognized as one of a select few at 20th his PMC
April 2, 2014
Hi,
As many of you know, our dear friend Ray Acheson passed away unexpectedly last year. He was a great friend and an inspiration – a gentle man made of iron.
One of his most memorable sayings while sitting on the bench at Peet’s after a ride was “that was almost as good as the Mother’s Day ride”. He would say it often, and always with a twinkle in his eye.
For that reason we have chosen the Saturday before Mother’s Day (May 10th) to hold a ride in his honor. We will meet at 8:00am at Peet’s in Wellesley. We will ride the Concord / Carlisle route, and perhaps add a few Ray detours along the way. A pre-determined route, properly marked and followed would be out of character. A familiar yet random route, with at least one unexpected stop, some debate, and perhaps even getting lost would be more like it. Starting on time is unlikely. All are welcome.
In Ray’s memory, we will suggest some very Ray-like behaviors for the ride (thanks Dave Schatz for the idea):
– carry a full water bottle but do not drink it…ever…not even once…during or after the ride
– wear a jersey with rips and scars (the original red, white, blue HPG for the old timers in the group)
– use tubes that have been patched at least 17 times
– put your heaviest tools in your saddle bag so that it sags down to your rear tire (I’ll spare everyone the imagery that Dave shared, but you can use your imagination)
– no booties
– your bike must not be clean
– your chain should have dirt and some rust
– if it’s raining, dress as if it is warm and sunny and don’t mention the rain
– if it’s cold, dress as if it is warm and sunny and don’t mention the cold
– if it’s hot, dress as if it’s warm and sunny and don’t mention the heat
– do not stretch before, during or after the ride. it’s best if your muscles are so tight that you can barely lift your leg over the saddle
– bonus points if you suffered a boxing injury as a young man, carried a severe injury for decades, finally submit to surgery and then continue riding as if nothing ever happened, going on your rides with us while having with a large battery powered medical device hidden in your bike jersey pumping antibiotics into your veins
– more bonus points if you show up with severe pain and swelling from gout and do not mention it until we notice that you need help getting off your bicycle
– and ride like Ray, the toughest guy ever
Hope you can join us. If you can, please think of some Ray stories to share. I know that his oldest bike/run friends – Walter, Chip and Steve will have many. His grandson Travis will be joining us – carrying the torch for the family.
Tom
ps – while Ray volunteered eagerly and raised lots of money for charity, this is not a charity ride. It is simply a ride among friends remembering a special man.
Ray Acheson Remembrances – Obituary
Acheson, Raymond J.
A lifelong resident of Newton, age 77, passed away March 5, 2013. Beloved husband for 65 years of Jean (LaTona). Devoted father of Deborah Acheson and her husband, Douglas Brown of East Greenwich, RI, James and JoAnne Acheson of LA, Laura Capello and her husband, Anthony of Newton, and Julie Acheson of Newton. Loving grandfather of Travis, Elijah, and Jesse Brown, Jimmy, Alessandro, and Luca Acheson, and Lucia Capello. Dear brother of Robert Acheson, Joan Legee, and Nancy Pressler. Visiting hours at Eaton Mackay Funeral Home, 465 Center St, Newton Corner, Sunday 4-7 pm. Funeral on Monday 10:30 am at Second Congregational Church, 60 Highland St, West Newton. In lieu of flowers, donations in Ray’s name may be made to the West Suburban YMCA 276 Church St, Newton, where he was a member for 64 years. Burial will be private.
Published in The Boston Globe on Mar. 8, 2013 – See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/bostonglobe/obituary.aspx?pid=163510863#sthash.MG7O3ox1.dpuf
Ray Acheson Memorial Ride 2014
The Ray Acheson memorial ride. 50 mile Carlisle loop in the rain. Classic Ray conditions…only 20 degrees colder would have made it pure vintage Ray. Lots of memories…
damonbates
HPG Bike Blog 