Metro Boston: Good ride today?
#4301
What??? Only 2 wheels?
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Boston-ish, MA
Posts: 13,434
Bikes: 72 Peugeot UO-8, 82 Peugeot TH8, 87 Bianchi Brava, 76? Masi Grand Criterium, 74 Motobecane Champion Team, 86 & 77 Gazelle champion mondial, 81? Grandis, 82? Tommasini, 83 Peugeot PF10
Mentioned: 189 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1222 Post(s)
Liked 645 Times
in
232 Posts
You guys are making me think about a ride in Dover and Somerville!
I rode my commute in again today. Temps pushing 60. I got about a mile from work and thought the front brake lever felt odd. Checked the lever and saw the cable fraying at the anchor! The ride home will have to be done carefully.
I rode my commute in again today. Temps pushing 60. I got about a mile from work and thought the front brake lever felt odd. Checked the lever and saw the cable fraying at the anchor! The ride home will have to be done carefully.
__________________
Real cyclists use toe clips.
With great bikes comes great responsibility.
jimmuller
Real cyclists use toe clips.
With great bikes comes great responsibility.
jimmuller
#4302
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 3,175
Mentioned: 15 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 534 Post(s)
Liked 1,741 Times
in
890 Posts
Just a couple of shots from this weekend.
The Community Path Extension to Lowell Street - so close to completion - the fence is currently scheduled to come down in the spring. Yellow is the running/walking surface (will be on both sides soon). Here are the plans.
And in the topsy-turvey world of construction projects, Beacon Street reconstruction in Somerville has begun, I'm travelling in the "bike lane" remnants here. If you haven't seen the plans for this defacto bicycle highway, you should take a look at what is coming.
-mr. bill
The Community Path Extension to Lowell Street - so close to completion - the fence is currently scheduled to come down in the spring. Yellow is the running/walking surface (will be on both sides soon). Here are the plans.
And in the topsy-turvey world of construction projects, Beacon Street reconstruction in Somerville has begun, I'm travelling in the "bike lane" remnants here. If you haven't seen the plans for this defacto bicycle highway, you should take a look at what is coming.
-mr. bill
rod
#4304
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 7,384
Mentioned: 49 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 800 Post(s)
Liked 218 Times
in
171 Posts
Since it was warm, with a forecast of cold, wet, maybe snow, I carried a maximum volume of cold weather gear, and it fit in fine. My only problem was an occasional heel strike against the pannier. I’m concerned because when it gets colder I will be wearing more footwear. So I may need a longer rear rack to accommodate.
Also in anticipation of this winter, I had my studded tires put on this weekend, and also installed tire liners to hopefully forestall flats. Studded tires (not so much Marathon Winters) and tire liners are reputed to have increased rolling resistance, but given the increased weight of my Cannondale mountain bike, and the extra gear I carry, it’s not noticeable. When winter ends though, the CF bike becomes a special treat.
FYA, I posted this morning about my studded tire use on this thread on the Winter Cycling Forum, “How to make the decision to put on studded tires.”
PS: See also this subsequent reply to this thread on the Commuting Forum, ”Commuting with a single (rear) pannier.”
PPS: Here's another reply about the "single pannier theory,"
Last edited by Jim from Boston; 11-25-14 at 01:01 PM. Reason: Added PPS
#4305
What??? Only 2 wheels?
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Boston-ish, MA
Posts: 13,434
Bikes: 72 Peugeot UO-8, 82 Peugeot TH8, 87 Bianchi Brava, 76? Masi Grand Criterium, 74 Motobecane Champion Team, 86 & 77 Gazelle champion mondial, 81? Grandis, 82? Tommasini, 83 Peugeot PF10
Mentioned: 189 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1222 Post(s)
Liked 645 Times
in
232 Posts
I made it home safely! Yay! I used only the rear brake/right lever. It's hard to signal a right turn with your right arm and operate the right brake lever simultaneously. Inspection this evening showed only two strands left on the front. Before I ride the Peugeot again that cable will be replaced.
__________________
Real cyclists use toe clips.
With great bikes comes great responsibility.
jimmuller
Real cyclists use toe clips.
With great bikes comes great responsibility.
jimmuller
#4306
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Massachusetts
Posts: 4,530
Mentioned: 34 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2112 Post(s)
Liked 663 Times
in
443 Posts
You can signal a right turn with your left hand too.
Glad you made it home safe.
Helpful hint, if the right brake cable is the same age as the left brake cable, replace it too while you are at it. Fatigue is funny that way, you've probably only got a few weeks/months left in the other brake cable. (Don't ask how I know.)
-mr. bill
Glad you made it home safe.
Helpful hint, if the right brake cable is the same age as the left brake cable, replace it too while you are at it. Fatigue is funny that way, you've probably only got a few weeks/months left in the other brake cable. (Don't ask how I know.)
-mr. bill
#4307
What??? Only 2 wheels?
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Boston-ish, MA
Posts: 13,434
Bikes: 72 Peugeot UO-8, 82 Peugeot TH8, 87 Bianchi Brava, 76? Masi Grand Criterium, 74 Motobecane Champion Team, 86 & 77 Gazelle champion mondial, 81? Grandis, 82? Tommasini, 83 Peugeot PF10
Mentioned: 189 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1222 Post(s)
Liked 645 Times
in
232 Posts
Yeah, I know, but I figure the bent-elbow signal isn't as intuitive as simply pointing in the chosen direction. Ever since "they" invented self-canceling electric turn signals people's driving skill have been deteriorating.
Hmmm, how do you know? Don't answer that.
I intend to replace cables and housings. They are Mafac brakes and I don't have any cables for them. Will have to make an LBS run when we get back home. Off to visit the family tomorrow.
I intend to replace cables and housings. They are Mafac brakes and I don't have any cables for them. Will have to make an LBS run when we get back home. Off to visit the family tomorrow.
__________________
Real cyclists use toe clips.
With great bikes comes great responsibility.
jimmuller
Real cyclists use toe clips.
With great bikes comes great responsibility.
jimmuller
#4308
Senior Member
Thread Starter
You can signal a right turn with your left hand too.
Glad you made it home safe.
Helpful hint, if the right brake cable is the same age as the left brake cable, replace it too while you are at it. Fatigue is funny that way, you've probably only got a few weeks/months left in the other brake cable. (Don't ask how I know.)
-mr. bill
Glad you made it home safe.
Helpful hint, if the right brake cable is the same age as the left brake cable, replace it too while you are at it. Fatigue is funny that way, you've probably only got a few weeks/months left in the other brake cable. (Don't ask how I know.)
-mr. bill
Ha! Mr. B, I bet we learned the same way.
I used to break my brifter cable frequently enough so I could predict it by miles. I recall the time I rode over to try the Dover Time Trial and snapped the cable minutes before the start. It taught me to lean a little more towards prevention and a shade less towards penny pinching. The night before I put a set of new cables on my desk so I wouldn't forget. Now that I switched to a lower grade, heavier cable I'll need to recalibrate or just rely on an annual overhaul.
Speaking of miles, I got in another warm weather, narrow tire ride on a slight variation of my last Sherborn-Dover-Westwood loop. .
#4309
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 7,384
Mentioned: 49 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 800 Post(s)
Liked 218 Times
in
171 Posts
Anybody riding on Thanksgiving Day? For the past three (nice) Thanksgiving Days, mtalinm and I did a Ride from Norwood to Boston, but this year dinner plans have changed, and a Nor’easter looms.
I've missed a lot of commuting this fall, so it's ironic that the opportunity presents itself tomorrow in messy weather and I may give it a shot.
We shall see.
I've missed a lot of commuting this fall, so it's ironic that the opportunity presents itself tomorrow in messy weather and I may give it a shot.
We shall see.
#4310
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: 25 miles northwest of Boston
Posts: 29,549
Bikes: Bottecchia Sprint, GT Timberline 29r, Marin Muirwoods 29er, Trek FX Alpha 7.0
Mentioned: 112 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5224 Post(s)
Liked 3,581 Times
in
2,342 Posts
sounds like a lovely tradition. I suspect the roads are normally fairly quiet? good luck with the weather!
#4312
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 3,175
Mentioned: 15 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 534 Post(s)
Liked 1,741 Times
in
890 Posts
Did manage to get out for a short ride on Thanksgiving afternoon, 8 miles on a compact loop through Arlington, West Medford, and Winchester, following the course of the Mystic River, the Mystic Lakes, and the Aberjona River outbound, returning on a route just to the East on Washington Street and Grove Street. Took the LHT shod with 38mm Compass tires, which did just fine with the occasional slush and rough pavement; there was no ice worth worrying about, temperatures in the mid-30s. Little traffic, of course.
A few leaves remain on a few trees, but there was just enough snow on the ground to prematurely conjure Winter. The kids in West Medford have got a snowman organized on the basketball court.
Speaking of Winter, the Friends of the Lexington Bikeway are passing the hat once again to pay for plowing of the Lexington section of the Minuteman. Unlike the Arlington and Bedford sections, which are plowed by the DPWs in their respective towns, the Lexington section relies on the (tax deductible) kindness of strangers to get the snow and ice off. After the ride (and after hearing the forecast for a couple more inches of November snow tonight), I sent 'em some. Tis the season.
rod
A few leaves remain on a few trees, but there was just enough snow on the ground to prematurely conjure Winter. The kids in West Medford have got a snowman organized on the basketball court.
Speaking of Winter, the Friends of the Lexington Bikeway are passing the hat once again to pay for plowing of the Lexington section of the Minuteman. Unlike the Arlington and Bedford sections, which are plowed by the DPWs in their respective towns, the Lexington section relies on the (tax deductible) kindness of strangers to get the snow and ice off. After the ride (and after hearing the forecast for a couple more inches of November snow tonight), I sent 'em some. Tis the season.
rod
Last edited by rholland1951; 11-27-14 at 11:24 PM.
#4313
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 7,384
Mentioned: 49 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 800 Post(s)
Liked 218 Times
in
171 Posts
Anybody riding on Thanksgiving Day? For the past three (nice) Thanksgiving Days, mtalinm and I did a Ride from Norwood to Boston, but this year dinner plans have changed, and a Nor’easter looms….
I may give it a shot...
I may give it a shot...
We have a similar commute, in opposite directions, so I showed him a pleasant, but convoluted route through residential West Roxbury that goes between, but avoids Centre St and West Roxbury Parkway. Traffic was light, and even on Washington St through Norwood and Westwood we could ride two abreast (we both wore rear view mirrors), so we had a nice chat.
…Besides meeting these E-acquaintances face-to-face, it is also much fun to meet them as residents of Bike Forums and especially Fifty Plus. None of my own personal circle know much of the Forums whereas those attending [rides] are now face-to-face acquaintances and also know the other personalities on the Forums. So we now as face-to-face friends could chat about those other subscribers [and their posts]…and their personalities as we perceive the personae they project on the Forums, making you all more “real” than I alone would imagine…
We parted company at Weld and Centre Streets since m’ had to get home to Westwood to make the mashed potatoes for his 2 o’clock family dinner.
Last edited by Jim from Boston; 11-28-14 at 08:41 AM.
#4314
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Just a couple of shots from this weekend.
The Community Path Extension to Lowell Street - so close to completion - the fence is currently scheduled to come down in the spring. Yellow is the running/walking surface (will be on both sides soon). Here are the plans.
And in the topsy-turvey world of construction projects, Beacon Street reconstruction in Somerville has begun, I'm travelling in the "bike lane" remnants here. If you haven't seen the plans for this defacto bicycle highway, you should take a look at what is coming.
-mr. bill
The Community Path Extension to Lowell Street - so close to completion - the fence is currently scheduled to come down in the spring. Yellow is the running/walking surface (will be on both sides soon). Here are the plans.
And in the topsy-turvey world of construction projects, Beacon Street reconstruction in Somerville has begun, I'm travelling in the "bike lane" remnants here. If you haven't seen the plans for this defacto bicycle highway, you should take a look at what is coming.
-mr. bill
#4315
Senior Member
Thread Starter
You know when you see something and think that is interesting as you pass it but would have to turn back to take a picture?
I got out for 21 miles on combination errands and cruise. My winter bike is a mountain bike with knobby tires, platform pedals and no fenders or rack. I'm still trying to fit a rack that will serve as a rear fender. Not as resolute as many of you but I did enjoy this pre winter day. The snow pleasantly contrasted with bark and brick.
This time I did stop, turned back and snapped this three foot diameter tree on Pleasant St. in Millis. I rode out to Norfolk and back to check out a route and gage the time it will take for a meeting next week. With 30F clothes and aforementioned winter bike I rode about 3 mph slower than my narrow tire, spandex road bike.
I got out for 21 miles on combination errands and cruise. My winter bike is a mountain bike with knobby tires, platform pedals and no fenders or rack. I'm still trying to fit a rack that will serve as a rear fender. Not as resolute as many of you but I did enjoy this pre winter day. The snow pleasantly contrasted with bark and brick.
This time I did stop, turned back and snapped this three foot diameter tree on Pleasant St. in Millis. I rode out to Norfolk and back to check out a route and gage the time it will take for a meeting next week. With 30F clothes and aforementioned winter bike I rode about 3 mph slower than my narrow tire, spandex road bike.
Last edited by sherbornpeddler; 11-28-14 at 06:17 PM. Reason: text ammendment
#4316
Life Is Good
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Central Massachusetts
Posts: 1,695
Bikes: Zipp2001 Carbon Belt Drive SS, Kestrel RT900SL, Kestrel KM40 Airfoil 1x10, Orbea Occam H30, Trek Stache 5 29 Plus, Giant Yukon 2 Fat Bike
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 277 Post(s)
Liked 870 Times
in
443 Posts
Ready for some winter fun !
#4317
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 3,175
Mentioned: 15 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 534 Post(s)
Liked 1,741 Times
in
890 Posts
Took a ride up the Mystic Valley Parkway and out to Horn Pond at sunset, a 10 mile loop through Arlington, West Medford, Winchester, and Woburn, pleasant ride with temperatures falling through the 30s. Discovered Jabberwock Reptiles, but the weather being what it was, they all stayed in their cages and didn't come out to play.
rod
rod
#4318
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Zipp! Great to hear from you and you look great. Still hammering hills "out west"? We only have a couple of inches of snow and the roads are bare here in Sherborn. I rode 7 miles on my mountain bike this morning running an errand. It was about 27F and unlike you I had 3 layers and ski cloves.
#4319
What??? Only 2 wheels?
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Boston-ish, MA
Posts: 13,434
Bikes: 72 Peugeot UO-8, 82 Peugeot TH8, 87 Bianchi Brava, 76? Masi Grand Criterium, 74 Motobecane Champion Team, 86 & 77 Gazelle champion mondial, 81? Grandis, 82? Tommasini, 83 Peugeot PF10
Mentioned: 189 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1222 Post(s)
Liked 645 Times
in
232 Posts
Indeed! It has been a while.
So, like, we went away for three days, and when we came back what did we find??? You guy have trashed the roads with snow and salt! Plus, my Peugeot commute vehicle sitting in the living room seems to have developed a flat rear tire while we were gone. The bike and the roads were perfectly fine when we left them. What have you been doing while we were away??
The challenges never stop, do they?
So, like, we went away for three days, and when we came back what did we find??? You guy have trashed the roads with snow and salt! Plus, my Peugeot commute vehicle sitting in the living room seems to have developed a flat rear tire while we were gone. The bike and the roads were perfectly fine when we left them. What have you been doing while we were away??
The challenges never stop, do they?
__________________
Real cyclists use toe clips.
With great bikes comes great responsibility.
jimmuller
Real cyclists use toe clips.
With great bikes comes great responsibility.
jimmuller
#4320
Life Is Good
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Central Massachusetts
Posts: 1,695
Bikes: Zipp2001 Carbon Belt Drive SS, Kestrel RT900SL, Kestrel KM40 Airfoil 1x10, Orbea Occam H30, Trek Stache 5 29 Plus, Giant Yukon 2 Fat Bike
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 277 Post(s)
Liked 870 Times
in
443 Posts
Thanks SBP & J ! Almost a foot of snow, so after this photo I jumped on the trainer I set up in the driveway for a little freeze fest 15 miler. The roads out this way aren't quite ride-able yet, I think I'll have to go toward my winter riding route in Sterling for some real outdoor riding. Stay safe out there and I hope everyone has a Fantastic Holiday Season.
#4321
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 3,175
Mentioned: 15 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 534 Post(s)
Liked 1,741 Times
in
890 Posts
Rolled out the Minuteman to the barricade at Seasons Four in Lexington this afternoon, 10 miles, leaving a bit before kick-off for the Pats game, mostly to get a look at trail conditions in this little thaw after our little dose of premature Winter. The trail surface is wet with meltwater in many spots, with some fair-sized puddles in Lexington, but is otherwise clear; presumably we'll get some black ice on Tuesday morning, after more melting tomorrow.
Encountered a cyclist riding no-hands with a Christmas wreath around his neck, and, a bit later, a dog with a green strobe on his collar.
The Friends of Lexington Bikeways have their signs out again. In addition to the familiar snow-removal appeal with a url for tax-deductible contributions, they have a new sign giving an email address (mmbikeway At gmail Dot com) to report hazardous conditions. Stand by for snow-and-ice season...
rod
Encountered a cyclist riding no-hands with a Christmas wreath around his neck, and, a bit later, a dog with a green strobe on his collar.
The Friends of Lexington Bikeways have their signs out again. In addition to the familiar snow-removal appeal with a url for tax-deductible contributions, they have a new sign giving an email address (mmbikeway At gmail Dot com) to report hazardous conditions. Stand by for snow-and-ice season...
rod
Last edited by rholland1951; 12-08-14 at 11:25 AM.
#4322
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: The banks of the River Charles
Posts: 2,029
Bikes: 2022 Salsa Beargrease, 2020 Seven Evergreen, 2019 Honey Allroads Ti, 2018 Seven Redsky XX, 2017 Trek Boon 7, 2014 Trek 520
Mentioned: 19 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 696 Post(s)
Liked 910 Times
in
487 Posts
Thanks for the condition update, hopefully I can get back on the MM next weekend.
#4323
Senior Member
Thread Starter
28 miles through Millis, Norfolk, Dover and back to Sherborn. Causeway St. in Medfield is like a larger scale version of Strawberry Hill/Wilsondale in Dover. Riding East they both swoop like downhill skiing.
#4324
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 7,384
Mentioned: 49 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 800 Post(s)
Liked 218 Times
in
171 Posts
I just discovered Causeway Street this summer, and it has become a favorite segment of several oft-ridden routes through Millis, Medfield, and Walpole to or from Norwood. I had heard of the name from a new colleague who lived just off it. One day I searched for it while riding Forest through Millis, and I found the intersection, though somewhat hidden and easily missed. Whenever I ride it, I usually do a ride-by past my colleague’s house to say Hi if he’s outside.
For myself, particularly as a map afficianado (self-professed “cartographile”) a joy of cycling is discovering these hidden gems. Furthermore, as I posted this summer,
The comparison with Wilsondale St. was also notable to me because I have often passed it riding on Dedham/Westfield St. I thought it was likely a dead end, but note on the map it hooks back up to Dedham Street via Strawberry Hill St. Looks like a nice detour to try sometime.
Finally I note Wilsodale St passes Powissett Brook, and I do know Powisswtt St in Dover quite well, So I googled “Powissett,” and nearly all the entries were for Powissett farm, and there is also a Powisset peak. But I could not find the origin of the actual name, seemingly an Indian name. So there’s another reason to strike up a conversation with my Dover acquaintances.
Wonkily yours,
JfB
PS: I suppose these street names are as obscure to the several Metrowesterners living in the vicinity of the Minuteman, as their geographic names are to me, but hopefully our respective descriptions beckon us all to ride in all those sectors of the Metroverse.
Last edited by Jim from Boston; 12-01-14 at 05:28 AM. Reason: added PS
#4325
What??? Only 2 wheels?
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Boston-ish, MA
Posts: 13,434
Bikes: 72 Peugeot UO-8, 82 Peugeot TH8, 87 Bianchi Brava, 76? Masi Grand Criterium, 74 Motobecane Champion Team, 86 & 77 Gazelle champion mondial, 81? Grandis, 82? Tommasini, 83 Peugeot PF10
Mentioned: 189 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1222 Post(s)
Liked 645 Times
in
232 Posts
Yes on both counts!
__________________
Real cyclists use toe clips.
With great bikes comes great responsibility.
jimmuller
Real cyclists use toe clips.
With great bikes comes great responsibility.
jimmuller