Rides and Races - Boston rides

what are boston peeps doing for new years?

I'm currently collecting New Year's party invitations, without actually committing to anything.

Boston *****es, critical mass is tonight, 5:30ish pm at copley square.

Ah, shoot. Yet another Critical Mass that I completely forgot about. I still haven't made it out to one here. I don't know how I'm going to feel about it, but I at least want to go to one. There's always next month...

Having been caught in it like three times while trying to get home, I've decided that while I get the point, the tactics are completely off the mark.

Hell, I'm on a bicycle and I honestly can't get where I'm going in a timely and safe fashion when CM is wandering all over the road. Argh.

But this isn't really supposed to be a debate about CM. I'm just wicked tired. As you were.

My bike has been acting up... I am hoping it's not as serious as it feels like it might be. But I've been having an awful hankering to go for a ride... maybe on Tuesday. Havn't been able to get out for quite awhile, not seriously. The new job I'm starting on Wednesday is about 9 miles from me though and I wouldn't mind trying to bike most days, just gotta find a good route.

Anyone know a quick and easy route that would go from around the Fenway green line T stop to the Malden orange line T stop? I've not biked out that way before and have no idea what I'd be up against, will be doing some recon soon though.... figured I'd ask in case someone knew something off the top of their head.

My bike has been acting up... I am hoping it's not as serious as it feels like it might be. But I've been having an awful hankering to go for a ride... maybe on Tuesday. Havn't been able to get out for quite awhile, not seriously. The new job I'm starting on Wednesday is about 9 miles from me though and I wouldn't mind trying to bike most days, just gotta find a good route.

Anyone know a quick and easy route that would go from around the Fenway green line T stop to the Malden orange line T stop? I've not biked out that way before and have no idea what I'd be up against, will be doing some recon soon though.... figured I'd ask in case someone knew something off the top of their head.

Get to Sullivan Sq., you could either go through downtown to Charlestown or go over the BU Bridge and cut through Cambridge. Timewise you're probably looking at about equal times, maybe a little quicker through Cambridge. Go over the Malden Bridge out of Sullivan Sq., it's the turn off the Rotary next to the Schraff's Center with a sign that has a Rte.1 logo with an arrow. Watch out for random baby carriages, fishing poles, broken glass and giant potholes on that bridge. It's sketchy. Keep going up Rte 99 to the Rte 16 rotary, and take the second exit towards Main St. in Everett (there's clear signage for that one), then just stay on Main St. through Everett into Malden. The Malden Center T stop is on Pleasant St., which interesects Main if I remember correctly. It's close to Main St. though, that I do remember. Good luck and careful in those roundabouts.

are we riding tuesday?

OK... I like the sound of going through Cambridge, straight down Prospect, straight down Washington, cross the bridge, then around the rotary and on to Main (where I'm going is actually on Main, near the T stop)... Aside from the glass you speak of, and my experiences with Prospect being, uh, bouncy, it seems like it might be a nice ride. I hope I'm able to do it more days than not, even though it'll probably take about the same time as jumping on the orange line :P Thanks for the tip.

Yep, ride on Tuesday. You guys missed a great one last week. It involved me riding from Allston to Harvard Square, waiting until 10 for nobody to show up, riding back to Spike's in Allston, then home. Woo!

But then, I shouldn't complain, because I guess I've missed a number of rides lately. But it's a new year!

OK... I like the sound of going through Cambridge, straight down Prospect, straight down Washington, cross the bridge, then around the rotary and on to Main (where I'm going is actually on Main, near the T stop)... Aside from the glass you speak of, and my experiences with Prospect being, uh, bouncy, it seems like it might be a nice ride. I hope I'm able to do it more days than not, even though it'll probably take about the same time as jumping on the orange line :P Thanks for the tip.


It's not just glass on the Malden bridge, it really is stuff like discarded refrigerators and washing machines in the breakdown lane. Watch out for that bridge, especially in the dark.

Back in town - woot. Unfortunately, these are the latest forecasts for tomorrow [edit: updated]...

Tuesday: Periods of snow before noon, then periods of sleet between noon and 3pm, then periods of snow after 3pm. High around 34. Breezy, with a east wind 18 to 21 mph increasing to between 26 and 29 mph. Winds could gust as high as 39 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of 2 to 4 inches possible.

Tuesday Night: Periods of snow, mainly before 9pm. Low around 25. Blustery, with a northeast wind between 23 and 28 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of 2 to 4 inches possible.

Unless ya dun got some knobby tires (which I don't), I'd think twice about rolling in that ****.

It's not just glass on the Malden bridge, it really is stuff like discarded refrigerators and washing machines in the breakdown lane. Watch out for that bridge, especially in the dark.

hah, that sounds like some fun, I am looking forward to seeing this ****!

Where do people meet up for rides? Like if I wanted to show up tomorrow? And when? I might opt out tomorrow but wouldn't mind meeting up at some point.

I've been trying to keep a regular ride going every Tuesday night, rolling out of Harvard Square (next to Out Of Town News) at 10pm. We had some success for awhile, up until the last two weeks. Nothing too crazy...the biggest one so far was riding down to the Marine Industrial Park in South Boston. At this point, if a few people show up and all we do is ride to a nearby bar, I'll be happy. :)

I think tomorrow is the perfect time for everyone to put their winter gear through a test run!

Mother****ing california nancy boy!

I'll ride tomorrow if ya are too scared, although I'd rather ride then get drunk.

Yep, I like my rides warm and sunny. That's why riding in Cali was nice last week. Oh yeah.

And the word "blustery" freaks me out.

I'll ride if it's snowing.

It's 5:25am and I haven't gotten to sleep yet. But f**k it. If I haven't collapsed from exhaustion, I'll ride tomorrow night.

hey why the hell not, i'll trow on the knobby's for tonight

Where is Out of Town News? I am prolly staying in tonight but in future weeks I think I'd be interested.

Right in the center of Harvard Square, it's that big newstand next to the red line entrance, Citizen's bank, etc.

oh gotcha, never knew the name of it.

"the pit"

Ya can't miss it.

Man, I would trade Cali weather any day for riding in the snow.

well i hurt my back last night, anyone for a ride tomorrow or saturday?

Weekly reminder: Tuesday night ride leaving the pit in Harvard Square at 10. The weather service says "Clear, with a low around 31. Southwest wind between 6 and 9 mph."

Thanks for a great ride to East Boston. Here's the route (http://tinyurl.com/c9hfu) (it may take a moment to load). Clicking this in was interesting for the aerial views of the industrial (read: smelly) parts of Chelsea.

Yes, it was a great ride. Sorry for the aggressive pace in the beginning. I was just happy to be back on my track bike for the first time in a couple days.

I take it everyone rides fixies?

no, lately when I've been riding it's been on a lemond cross bike. There are a few others who have shown up on gearies

Wouldn't mind riding with some local guys, but I don't know about that 10p.m. roll off time on a Tuesday.

I was nearly going to ride my road bike, but decided at the last minute to take the fixed gear out. I was also nearly going to stay home but I went anyway and had a great time. Definitely one kid was on a gearie.

hey rob what are you doing tonight? wanna go catch a ska band?

I'm playing music with Marc for a while. What time is the show, and where is it at? And is it free? Because I'm totally broke!

I'll second Rob's interest in the show. Yay ska!

it's at 9.30 at the common ground, i think it's like 5 bucks

hey Brian it's right by our respective houses! you should deff come check it out

Wouldn't mind riding with some local guys, but I don't know about that 10p.m. roll off time on a Tuesday.
I'm with you. It was cool in the summer, but it's less convenient now. I would prefer an earlier hour, but I'm not sure it works for the rest.

good news and bad news ya'll, I'm coming back on saturday so I'll be on the tuesday ride next week. The bad news is I have to get shoulder surgery some time in the next month or so which will put me off of a bike for at least a month... can't wait to be back.

get your ass back here, you owe me some booze

Tuesday Night Ride, The Pit in Harvard Square, 10pm. Will this be Henry's triumphant return?

do you guys ride every tuesday night? probably a dumb question i know. do you welcome newcomers? heh :o also the link for the last ride wasn't working so i'm wondering about how far you usually go. aside from going back and forth to places i haven't been putting in much distance lately.

We go most Tuesdays and welcome newcomers. I might not come tonight, though, because I'm coughing up my lung. Last week we did nearly 18 miles on the ride. It was a blast. Of course, the weather was tropical by comparison. I won't be hanging out on Constitution Beach tonight!

Yep, everyday Tuesday night. The cast of characters changes weekly, as does the nature of the ride. Last week we went out to East Boston and tooled around for a bit. That was 17 miles; not that much for some, but distance usually isn't the point. It depends on who shows up, and what everyone feels like donig.

I personaly hate new people and will not show up if new people will be there, they might have germs

I have germs.

but I already have your germs... and baby.

You weren't supposed to say!!

cool, sounds good. i don't think i can do tonight but next week definately. i'll just get a ride in right now probably so i can get the blood flowing, start getting myself back into shape. my lazy ass hasn't gotten a good ride in for a while so over 10 (giving myself some credit here..) miles i would prob fall behind.

Seems like some pretty grotty weather is heading in.

If it's snow, i'll be out. Freezing rain, on the other hand, pretty much eliminates any "fun".