Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - Another new Bostonian

Well, I finally did what I'd been talking about for over a year, and moved to Boston from Columbus, OH this past Saturday. Woo! I've been lurking on this forum since I built up my Bridgestone fixed conversion in February. I was going to ask about a good street map, but a quick search pointed me towards Rubel's maps. I've already got my first cool Boston bike riding story, too.

I couldn't wait to ride out here, so on Sunday I hopped onto Comm Ave in Allston and rode to Boston Common. Along the way I hooked up with another fixed rider named Sean, who was also just out and about. Hooray for friendly people! Anyway, I wandered around the common for awhile, enjoying the sight of everyone frolicking in the gorgeous weather.

Somehow, though, I managed to get a flat. I usually carry everything I need for such an occasion, except I lost my mini-pump in the move. D'oh. Having nothing better to do, I just started walking up Newbury St, hoping to find a shop or someone with a pump. Lots of people were out on their road bikes, mountain bikes, etc., but nobody had a pump.

Finally, I see this guy whizzing by on a red track bike, and shout "Do you have a bike pump?!". To my surprise, he actually turned around and was more than happy to lend me his pump while I changed my tube. His name was Henry, and he's also a lurker here, though I don't remember his nick. Naturally, we chatted about riding in Boston, pedal systems (he's SPD, I'm crank bros), his gorgeous red Colnago track frame that he got from the Keirin Cafe in Germany, the MIT races, etc., before going our separate ways.

Sorry for the long-winded story, but it's such a good omen that I immediately was able to hook up with cool people on my first day here. I can't wait to meet more of you.

Brian

Even the elitist bike messengers here will help you if you need a pump or something. They might make fun of you behind your back and talk about how you don't "deserve" your bike or something, but unless they have had some experience with you riding stupidly in traffic/etc/etc, they'll help you out if you're in need.

Glad you got a good impression! Where in Allston did you move? I will apologize on behalf of the intelligent part of the city for the goon/meathead problem in your neighborhood. I am finally leaving the A/B for greener pastures (East Cambridge) after 2 1/2 years at the end of the week.

I'm in Lower Allston until the end of August, at which point I'll probably sign a lease somewhere nearby. I've got some friends in the area, and I really dig it so far, but they did warn me of the college meatheads.

This may have been discussed already, but I'm not sure how to search for it. Are there any regular rides through the city, like on early weekend mornings or late at night? In Columbus we had a group that would leave around 10pm and just go on adventures. Sometimes we just rode out to a distant spot and came back, and on others we'd just get in good-spirited mischief. I really dig nightime urban riding, and I'd love to hook up with a group here.

on thursday nights we go for short fast bike rides in cricles at the mit track that all you need to do

I've heard rumors of a once upon a time Wednesday night ride. I dont think its still on, but it used to meet at the reflecting pool I think. Maybe we should get something like that going again, what with all these new Bostonians.

I'm down for both. And because I am a new Bostonian, where is this reflecting pool, relatively speaking? Or we could pick a new spot. What would people say to Wednesday around 9:30 or 10pm?

If I'm not mistaken, I believe the Wed night ride was on Saturdays.

The reflecting pool is the Christian Science Center's reflecting pool down at the intersection of Mass & Huntington Ave.

http://www.zweknu.org/pics/boston/p/night_111_huntington001.jpg

i say wednesday night at 9:30 at the pool!!

Hey brian it's henry! errr I might be there... I have to see if I can do both wed and thurs nights.

Crud...I gotta work til 10:30 or so. Oh well...I've got work at 5 am the following day so I should be thinking bed by the time Im done with work anyway.

No can do, I've got volunteer responsibilities of various sorts every Wed night.

hmmm ok so maybe not wednesday but i'll see you guys thursday for riding in circles

I'll go wednesday...Im in brighton so I can meet up with you on the way in allston.

Hey, I'm another new bostonian, is the MIT bit open to any and all? What time's it kick off?

monday night rides are the jammy jam.

MIT races are open to all fixed geared bikes. We kick off at 10:30ish.

Well, for now I'll plan on being at the reflecting pool around 9:30 on Wednesday, though it sounds like only a few people will be there. Hopefully I can meet a bunch of you on Thursday, and maybe organize another ride there.

If you ever feel like taking some trips to suburban Boston I can show you some half decent rides. They're usually tough and hilly though, but from what I hear they only add to you strength in the relatively flat city.

Hey. Im considering ditching work early and comming out to ride tonight. It's been a slow week and I could really use the excercise. Do you guys have a plan? I can't stay all that long tonight.

I believe the plan is vaguely 9:30 at the CS pool. BS to ensue.

I may or may not be there, maybe or maybe not riding the shifter. Current forecasts suggest an 80% chance of attendance with fix in tow.

Let's concrete up 9:30 @ reflecting pool. Me and my lady friend should make it out.

Alright, I've got to walk the dog real quick and then I'm out. I will be there. Probably on time but maybe 10 minutes late, don't leave without me, dammit! Wait up guys!

monday night rides are the jammy jam.

I'd say they're more like grape jelly. The kind that comes in a jar mixed with the peanut butter already. (hmmm, i want a sandwich, but i don't want to open TWO jars!! Dirty who knows how many knives!!)

Rutt -- did dave ship the burley yet? It was packed up on monday. I'm hoping he called you with the tracking number. I'll double check on friday when i'm back in the shop -- FOR THE LAST TIME. WOO HOO. That rules. No mas at the shop

Columbus misses you.

schubert

To the folks we dropped: sorry, really. We took the Hilton garage shortcut.

To everyone else, good ride. I clocked in at just a hair over 15 miles... We'll do more another night. Really this is just an excuse to post the official ride photo.

Good times. We'll have to try and make this a more regular thing, on a night that isn't a problem for Trevor so he can pace us.

Thanks for the ride guys and gal. It was a little...ummm...faster paced than I expected, but it's all good. Shants, you would have loved it. Weaving through downtown and south Boston was indeed the jammy jam.

Highlight: on the street below us in that photo are a bunch of summer campers getting back from their Boston Harbor cruise. They weren't allowed to talk to us, because we're strangers.

s2sxiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii - I called Dave yesterday, and he said he would ship it this morning (Wednesday). No word from him yet. And come on, you know you're going to miss the special bond you two developed.

No hard feelings. I hung back because I thought (brian?) was behind me and I figured you were going to stop at Revolution and we could just catch up to you there. We got down to the shop and no one was there so we wound around a few times and then went up Summer street. Couldn't find you so we went down Beacon and back to Kenmore square. I split off and went to find some friends for a few drinks at Kilroy's. Good to meet you all. Perhaps I'll try again next week.

yeah where'd you guys go? I thought it was gonna be a nice cruise through the city, not a red light running dash through night-time traffic...

I thought it was gonna be a nice cruise through the city, not a red light running dash through night-time traffic...

That's what you get for riding with Trevor. :D

Hey, I'm not a red light runner!

Ok, sometimes, but never if the way isn't clear. Come on, I'm the old fart with the helmet, brakes, and LIGHTS.

We did end up down at Rev and hung out for a bit, but we took a little more "scenic" route and had to stop a couple of times to keep from completely scattering the remainder of the group so you were probably long gone by then.

Better next time, ok?

yeah, but I'm the old fart with NO brakes helmet or light...

Hey, I'm not a red light runner!

I was referring more to how frickin' fast you are, not the lights. Although I must admit I am pretty slow compared to most. I'm still "training" after the Redbones ride before I go out with you guys again.

I'm still "training" after the Redbones ride before I go out with you guys again.
Hehe. I remember that one. ;)

Hey, you'll be an old man like me someday and then it won't be so funny... :D