Rides and Races - Boston rides

Hey Rob, was that you I saw riding down near MIT yesterday around 7 p.m.? Or maybe it was earlier in the day...I can't remember...studying is rotting my brain.

After this ****ing exam maybe I can finally join you guys on a Tuesday night ride (or perhaps a trip to the ghettodrome)...

I was wondering about a Rob-sighting last night, too. Around 8:15, on Harvard Ave in Allston, hauling ass through the insane wind. :)

I was wondering about a Rob-sighting last night, too. Around 8:15, on Harvard Ave in Allston, hauling ass through the insane wind. :)

yeah, it was nuts out last night as far as the wind. luckily there was no wet stuff involved as well

You all make me sad. One day it was raining a tiny bit on my way home. That's all I have to report.

This relentlessly mild climate sucks ass.

Why do we make you sad? I rode to Wellesley Friday and Saturday in that wind. Tomorrow we might have snow... and my snow bike is ready.

But the lame weather makes Boston feel like DC.

I would kill to have some snow or wind or quite possibly even rain. "Sunny and fifty degrees" just robs me of the will to live. What's the point, day after day?

Oh christ, I forgot you're on the west coast. Ha! Now it all makes sense. Too bad for you!

I was wondering about a Rob-sighting last night, too. Around 8:15, on Harvard Ave in Allston, hauling ass through the insane wind. :)

This was definitely me. Man, the wind dogged me all day yesterday but it made the riding fun, especially heading back from West Newton...completely effortless!

I'm not sure if it was me near MIT or not, but probably it was. I'm everywhere.

Oh fook ya, I love snow. This morning's ride was a blast.
https://home.comcast.net/~jrowedc/Jansnow.jpg

Oh fook ya, I love snow. This morning's ride was a blast.

It took me almost 40 minutes to ride in from Davis Square! I was pleased to note that there were other cyclists out there. Midway in the ride, I had to switch to ski goggles (thanks, Jeff!) because my $10 sunglasses from Newbury Comics just weren't cutting it.

It took me almost 40 minutes to ride in from Davis Square! I was pleased to note that there were other cyclists out there. Midway in the ride, I had to switch to ski goggles (thanks, Jeff!) because my $10 sunglasses from Newbury Comics just weren't cutting it.

Those parts where it was a sheet of compact snow/ice hidden under fresh snow were the best.

wierdely enough, riding the slow-ass MTB from cambridge to longwood doesn't cost me that much time compared to the fixie- it's about 5 additional minutes, and most of that is my reluctance to run red lights in the snow.

Those parts where it was a sheet of compact snow/ice hidden under fresh snow were the best.

wierdely enough, riding the slow-ass MTB from cambridge to longwood doesn't cost me that much time compared to the fixie- it's about 5 additional minutes, and most of that is my reluctance to run red lights in the snow.

Maybe it was more like 30 minutes, which is an additional 10 minutes on my commute. I've been thinking about converting my Santa Cruz Chameleon (which has horizontal drops and a removable derailleur hanger) into a singlespeed MTB for snow commuting, but there really aren't enough times where I feel it'd be necessary to warrant the extra effort. Mainly the streets are more clear by the time I get out on them, although there are two or three days every season that I regret not having something more solid under me.

Maybe it was more like 30 minutes, which is an additional 10 minutes on my commute. I've been thinking about converting my Santa Cruz Chameleon (which has horizontal drops and a removable derailleur hanger) into a singlespeed MTB for snow commuting, but there really aren't enough times where I feel it'd be necessary to warrant the extra effort. Mainly the streets are more clear by the time I get out on them, although there are two or three days every season that I regret not having something more solid under me.

It's the little back streets in lower cabridge and brookline which are never cleared which would give me fits with the skinny tires- the cut through the loose snow, but not compacted snow or ice.
When i was on all major roads, it wasn't a problem to ride with a road bike all but a couple of days out of the year.

Despite the weather, i also saw a whole bunch of people riding today, which warms my little black heart.

does anyone want to come over and lend me their pedal wrench so that I can go out in this crap!!! I guess I lost/forgot mine in florida and have been riding the colnago this whole time. I really want to ride.

I have one, but I'm at work, so that won't help you. I'll be home in a few hours if you want to swing by the south end. Oh... I guess you'll need me to swing by. I could do that.

That would be awesome if you're seriously offering! What time do you get off of work? Call me when you get off. Thanks!

Of course dude. I'll give you a ring around six, say? I have your number.

Henry said I should bump this the night before, so here it is: Tuesday Night Ride, 10pm at the Pit in Harvard Square. Right now it looks like there could be some snow showers.

I have to run to chelsea tonight but if i'm back in time i'll be down. anyone up for a ride to west newton on thursday? I gotta exchange some grips.

hey anyone got a long reach front brake they are willing to lend me?

hey anyone got a long reach front brake they are willing to lend me?

can you use a centerpull?

I could use center pull if I could get a hanger

I have to be back for work by 1:30 on Thursday, so I'm down if you can go earlier in the day. You're going to Harris?

Also, mid-day bump for Tuesday Night Ride. :)

yeah I have to head out to harris, I picked up some cork grips for my motobecane and they split while I was putting them on

I could use center pull if I could get a hanger

I think i also have a hanger- this is all coming off an old frame i picked up somewhere.
If i remember correctly, it's got a hanger which fits in with the quill stem setup. Would that work for you?

yeah that would be awsome. Anychance you could bring it tonight? What can I give you for it?

Slightly OT: I just got an e-mail from Bikes Not Bombs about a wheelbuilding course. Four sessions, starting in February, where you first build a wheel for the shop then build your own (with a discount on parts through BNB). It seems like a lot of people learn this on their own, but I thought I'd post it for the people who, like me, appreciate a "class" environment.

February 9th - March 2nd
Each Thursday, 7-9:30
4 sessions, $75
Bikes Not Bombs, 59 Amory St. #103, Roxbury, MA 02119, 617.442.0004
Talk to Arik

Broadway's also got a class:

http://broadwaybicycleschool.com/classes.html

[scroll down all the way to the bottom].

Bump for tomorrow's Tuesday Night Ride. The current forecast is snowy and blustery. :)

Also, I'd like to make a handbill-size flyer for this. Something I can carry a stack of in my bag and hand out to friends and cool cyclists/bikes I meet. I'm going to take a crack at it, but maybe someone more graphic-design-inclined would be interested in helping.

bump for tonight, who's going? it sure is nasty out

I've been on the verge of puking all day. I'm out. Sorry, kids.

I just bought some rain pants. It also looks like the really nasty stuff will be over by 9. I'm going.

bump for tonight, who's going? it sure is nasty out

I'll be listening to the state of the union address, and drinking every time the president says something mind-numbingly stupid. I expect to be too drunk to ride by 9:15.

fatbat

hey,

i'd really like to meet up with you guys.

thing is - i work 3-11 M->F

How about getting a ride together sometime next weekend?


mayhaps we could get together all the boston area folks on this board?

there's the reace next saturday...

*edit* and i have to work. ****. i need the money more than i need the race... schlitz and giggles i requested off though

Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 19. West wind between 11 and 14 mph. Layer up, and don't leave me hanging by myself in Harvard Square this week. :)

Sorry kids, I have an article due tomorrow so tonight is crunch time. Also, I'm still sick, saving my energy for the race on Saturday...

I'm bike less this week... anyone got a bike I could borrow?

2 papers due tomorrow... sorry.

not a ride but also thursday is risk day!

pulled tendon on my left knee- I'm slowly riding the road bike back and forth to work, but nothing else.

so, who is coming tonite?

I'm not, sorry, I have a conflict. But I feel like my having missed the last 8 such rides automatically excuses me.

I may take out the girls bike tonight, but that will make it a slow ride for me

I'll be there, of course. I'd like to end up at Bill's Bar to catch a band, probably around midnight.

who's playing bills bar?

I'm going to see Piles (http://www.zebox.com/pilesofmusic/music/). Cool local band.

dudes. what's this race i hear about comin' up? the "one-shot" or somethin'? i'm gonna be in town the next few days. what up??

saturday, 4pm, flyer is in the alleycat sticky here in the forum.. looks like i'll be able to meet it and am looking for a pack to ride with

I'm racing. Hopefully I can keep up. I'm on antibiotics.