OK, I solved this via a work-around - chose "None" link and "HTML" typography with the following code in it:
<a href="/index.php/ride-reports/$cck->getValue('art_alias');">*value*</a>
This is not ideal because if I ever change the Ride Reports alias or move the menu items around (e.g. put Ride Reports under Trail Finder), I'll have to remember to change this value. Good enough for now, though.
Of course, if any of you, Sebloders, have ideas on what I could check on to make the proper use of the "Link" functionality, I'd be eternally grateful. Haven't had any issues with it before other than this and also it doesn't work for me on field where I'm using sdDatabaser Typo plugin. Thanks much, P