November 5, 2026 | Holden Reservoir
For Timothy and Sharon of Fort Worth, Texas, a bicycle trip through New England has offered plenty of scenic views—and a rather dramatic change in elevation.
The couple, who preferred not to share their last names, are spending eight days cycling from Portland, Maine, to Norwich, Connecticut, where their son now lives.
Their route brought them through Worcester by way of Reservoir Street and the Holden Reservoir, offering a picturesque introduction to the city amid the changing autumn foliage.
Photographer Antonio Pastor encountered the travelers along the way, capturing them with their loaded bicycles against a backdrop of towering pines and fallen leaves.
The Holden Reservoir, owned by the City of Worcester, is part of the city’s drinking water supply system. The surrounding landscape offers opportunities for walking, cycling and fall sightseeing, with nearby trails connecting to the Cascades Park area.
For the visiting Texans, however, New England’s rolling terrain has provided an unexpected workout. Accustomed to the comparatively flat landscape back home, they’ve discovered that a scenic ride through the Northeast comes with its fair share of climbing.
And Worcester, as any local cyclist can attest, is hardly inclined to give visitors a break.
About the photographer: Antonio Pastor is a technology business executive who has called Worcester home since 2005. An avid cyclist and photographer, he combines his passions to capture distinctive images of Worcester and the surrounding communities during his daily bike rides.
About the series: “This Is Worcester” is a Worcester Guardian photography series celebrating the people, places and everyday scenes of Central Massachusetts. Readers are invited to submit photographs for consideration to carsenault@theworcesterguardian.org. Please include a brief description, location and photographer credit.
