oddjob2

Everyone looks so happy! I'm jealous, I love the CC rail trail, although have only been on it between Orleans and Wellfleet. Did you make it up to PB Boulangerie and Bistro in Wellfleet, an authentic French Bakery to die for. When I was there a few years ago in the fall with my HS buddy, it was funny to stand in line there and run into some neighbors from Ann Arbor.

bikemore 

Ya, I had other reasons it wasn't a good idea to go, but I glad I missed the classic spring weather. I know the runners are going to love it Monday.

otg 

OK, I made it back to CT safe and sound. I really had a great time, and looking forward to doing more of these types of rides. Everyone I met was truly a pleasure to be around. I somehow managed to leave CT with one bike and getting back in the evening with three.

Dave

jimmuller 

Another report from today's CCRT ride. Weather prevented folks up north from coming down. Bummer. Rootboy showed up but had tweaked his back loading the bike into his truck, so he decided to head back home. Bummer. Nevertheless we had a great time. Unbelievably we had three Schwinns and our Peugeot.

Top506 brought a bunch of nice stuff:


otg checking out the possibilities (and trying to stay warm):


Somehow I ended arriving with 2 bikes and coming home with 2 plus a very, ah, distinctive frame (What was I thinking?):


On the trail at last, Top, myself, my sweetie Sharon, Scott, otg:


Top (a bike mechanic, wouldn't you know) was hearing noises from his front wheel. So a stop at the Harwich Bike Rotary was mandatory:


A stop for lunch, otg, Sharon, Scott, and his friend Jen (Top was off getting a sandwich):


A short trip to the Atlantic Ocean, accompanied by more cyclists from Woodstock, NY who happened on our lunch break:


To prove we made the entire trip, Dennis to Wellfleet, 22 miles, and back:


A stop at the Chocolate Sparrow in Orleans, with our new riding friends (and the sun!):


Back at the Harwich Rotary, 3 miles to go:

pastorbobnlnh 

Wish I could have come!

Scott, I think I spotted those same unicorns the last time I was on the CCRT.

ftwelder

Awesome, I am glad you had a great ride! We still had a lot of ice on the ground at 5 am.

I spoke to the founder of new youth bike program in my town yesterday. We are having a meeting to discuss a bike event for June in Bellows Falls (VT). They already have a building being renovated for mechanic training and I have twenty bikes in storage that have been donated locally.

I hope to hold a C&V ride and swap to benefit the bike program and introduce folks to local treats. Perhaps a tour of our restored and repaired covered bridges? Stay tuned.

rootboy 

Looks like a great time you guys. Sorry I had to bow out. Maybe next time.

pastorbobnlnh 

Hope it is on a Saturday!

top506

Today at 10AM Dennis was sunny, 54F, no wind. Go figure.....
As always, a great ride and good to see old friends and meet new folks. Found a guy on the trail with an '85 Cannondale ST-500.
Jim, I'm holding that Shogun while n+1 works it's way with you.

Top

ScottRyder 

More photos:

Rootboy/Scott, despite his tweaked back, looks like he could have eaten up some pavement of his Moto. That is one of the most stunning bikes I've seen, the bar tape was a beautiful. custom dyed dark lavender. He needs to share how he did that. I also saw one of has bags is person, stunning!




Lot's of these signs mounted on granite along the trail, I just captured a few.



The only rail trail that I know with a rotary or round-a-bout



Top, success after tuning his front wheel for maximum cruising speed (and no clicking) at the rotary.



The Chocolate Sparrow in Orleans, a major cyclist stop in finer weather for coffee and sweets. And bike watching!



Great photo of Jim and Sharon. She makes the best cookies!



Jennifer, marking on the map where we stopped for lunch, end of the trail, Wellfleet:



My typical lunch on the trail:



Very high spirited Jen (and stylish) having some technical difficulties with her headwear:



Scott

rootboy 

You travel in style, Scott! Typical lunch, eh? I'm feeling a bit of the pedestrian now with my fig bars n' water.
Great pics Scott. Really disappointed I couldn't make it as I was looking forward to it greatly. Next time.
And muchas gracias on the bike comments. I can certainly do a write up on the bar tape dying thing,
but figured nobody but me'd be nuts enough to want to do it. S.

otg 

Hi Top, had a great time yesterday, I think I've come up with a plan for the two bikes I got from you yesterday. I think I'm going to build up the Raleigh and give it to my son-in law. I can probably get it in pretty good shape for for little or no money with stuff I have laying around. I starting taking a closer look at the Nishiki, and stood over it and sat on it, and it fits me just fine. I must may just do a full restoration on that one, it seems like it may be worth it to me. especially with the Lapree deraileurs and Sugino triple. I know, I'm a bit crazy!

ScottRyder 

Oddjob2, we made it up that far but none of us stopped in. If I did, I'm afraid I'd never leave and head back to Dennis



It's our treat to hit the CCRT at 6 am and pedal the six miles north prior to their 7 am opening. The line isn't too long, but long enough to chat with various people from all over the world. Tourists, locals, fisherman, artists and actors. Our vintage bikes frequently get some attention, which is nice. I usually strap a string tied box of pastries and a bag of fresh bread on the rack for the family back home.



If you get down this way again, let me know.

Scott

Whodat

Thi looks like it was a great ride despite the weather. I'm sorry I missed it! Maybe I'll be able to catch one of the North Shore rides

Whodat

Do they break out that hand-cranked organ at breakfast, or is it just for dinner?

jimmuller 

These reports wouldn't be complete without some comments on the delightful company. It was a blast! It's hard to imagine a nicer and more fun group of riders. That's what made it such a fun day.

otg said he'd never ridden with a bunch of other folks like that before, that he did most of his riding with his son as they chased each other up the hills in western RI and northeastern CT. And this was only his 3rd ride this year. All we could say is wow. On the return he and our tandem were out front, and since we'd been leading him much of the day I offered "You can ride point if you want to." Next thing we knew he was out front and moving further away! And this was on a Schwinn Super Sport with no toe clips at all. Talk about a strong rider. All that chasing his son uphill must have paid off.

As I mentioned earlier, we had three Schwinns and our Peugeot tandem. Top and otg were riding nearly identical yellow Super Sports, from the same year even. What are the chances of that? And Scott's red/chrome '66 Paramount was stunning.

It was a marvelous day, even with the cold, cloudy, windy weather. Let's do it again!

otg 

Thanks Jim, I don't think I could have had a better time! I ended up bringing home an old Raleigh frame from Top, spent a few hours today cleaning it up and starting to build it up for my son-in-law. Turns out to be a 1984 Raleigh Record, kind of a low to middle end bike, but it is in fine shape and will be a great starter bike for my son-in law. I'm using mostly stuff I've got in the basement, including some stem shifters. Still need to track down a seat post and a stem and handlebars for it.

ScottRyder 

I do my Surf and Turf ride in September or October .. keep an eye out for that.

Scott

ScottRyder 

Mostly known for it's mornings and evenings. I'd like to bike to dinner but I'd be sleeping along the trail I'm afraid.

Scott