Metro Boston: Good ride today?

[buzzman]

...Also, as an additional caveat to folks contemplating taking the train to Springfield and riding to Westfield, avoid Rt. 20. That road is a nasty piece of work (and this coming from a guy who commutes into Post Office Square on a daily basis), it adds a few miles to the journey, but it's much easier to just detour south via 147, Springfield St. and 57, then come into Westfield through N. Longyard and Shaker Rd.

Thanks for the info. The boxed bike is not ideal but I'll consider it- it would be fabulous if it were as easy as the MBTA commuter trains or the Harlem Line I take into NYC from upstate NY.

Regarding that stretch of Rt. 20 I will absolutely second that emotion. I've ridden cross state on Route 20 a few times and always regretted the decision- horrible in some sections. Funny, if the train were more bike friendly and/or Rt. 20 were more accommodating getting back and forth across the state by bike would be so much easier.

Anyone get any good rides in this weekend? I managed to get a few in on Saturday- nothing today in the rain. But Saturday was good- did the Harvard Loop, missed a turn on the way back that would have added about 12 miles so ended up shy of the 100 I had hoped to do- 92 miles- and I only managed that by doing an extra loop around the Concord TT course.

I still feel slow as molasses but I'm at least getting some miles in finally.

[sherbornpeddler]

Rt 20 by Sturbridge was just paved last year? I only say this from the start of the PMC, might be wrong.

Buzzman, Nice ride!
Harvard loop sounds nice. I've got to get out there and go aforementioned Wachusett way.
Saturday I was the fixed gear caboose on a geezer canter to Starbucks in Concord and back.
Sunday I massaged moss and alerted the weeds that despite 15 years of solid, consistent, predictable history and that I will likely do nothing different, this is my year. I’m talking weed free, green fescue. The economy and I both get good at climbing and see a lot of green.

[spokenword]

Anyone get any good rides in this weekend? I managed to get a few in on Saturday- nothing today in the rain. But Saturday was good- did the Harvard Loop, missed a turn on the way back that would have added about 12 miles so ended up shy of the 100 I had hoped to do- 92 miles- and I only managed that by doing an extra loop around the Concord TT course.

92 miles isn't anything to be ashamed of!

I had errands and chores to take care of this weekend, so kept my rides short. Rode from Belmont to Concord via Concord Rd. and Trapelo to the Bedford Rd. climb to 2A. Picked up some cheese at that wine/chees shop in Concord Center. Intervals along Lowell Rd. to Carlisle, then intervals again along 4/225 to Bedford. Climb over Great Rd. to Lexington then easy spin back and made an omelette with some of the cheese that I bought in Concord. Sunday was a rest day.

[sherbornpeddler]

Today was nothing like 92 miles, nothing like intervals and buying cheese and nothing like my miserable attempts at yardwork.

Today was a beeyootiful bicycle stroll on the Blackstone River Trail. First we visited a cute, elderly couple in Cumberland who spend every warm spring day tending their incredibly lush garden.

We began our ride on the brand new northern section of the trail in Woonsocket. This juuust opened and is handsome, clean and already popular. It is perfect for familes, populated enough with walkers and "strolling" bikers that you should leave the spandex at home, take a comfort bike and put a cuff strap on your bluejeans. We headed south along the river and canal stopping to admire and, for a short while, mimic the turtles sunning. Waterfalls, bridges and spotless path made the trip smooth and pleasant. We only rode 15 miles but it was very pleasant. Next week we'll visit the North Providence to Bristol trail.

[Jakedatc]

Make sure you have an extra tube for the E.prov- bristol path.. seagulls think some sections are excellent bombing rangers for clams so there are shells in a few spots.. i've never had a problem but they can be sharp. Have fun though.. on the Northern sections there are some nice open stretches to get a bit of speed up.. a bit more stop and go as you get closer to bristol through warren.

[sherbornpeddler]

re seagull bombing run check list:
1. spare tube
2. helmet

[sherbornpeddler]

How y'all are? I'm curious how we are doing after spring thaw? I've yet to ride Wachusett or Greylock. I'm at 1754 miles year to date, about 1/2 of last year, instead getting mileage out of minor aliments.

I did do Durham to Sherborn today, 100.08 miles including a little noodling the last 10 local miles to get my third century of 2009. From Durham, took Rt 108 south to Rt 125 then got a little off track south of Haverhill, jogging north on Rt 38 but used it as an excuse to swing through Carlisle and home on a route so well known I turn navigation over to my bike.

How are you doing?

[Jim from Boston]

How y'all are? I'm curious how we are doing after spring thaw? I've yet to ride Wachusett or Greylock. I'm at 1754 miles year to date, about 1/2 of last year, instead getting mileage out of minor aliments.

I did do Durham to Sherborn today, 100.08 miles including a little noodling the last 10 local miles to get my third century of 2009. From Durham, took Rt 108 south to Rt 125 then got a little off track south of Haverhill, jogging north on Rt 38 but used it as an excuse to swing through Carlisle and home on a route so well known I turn navigation over to my bike.

How are you doing?

Hi sbp,

Nice to hear from you. As an early AM rider, spring thaw around here begins May 1, IMO. My winter commute is about 70 miles/week, but now I am in week 5 of a 10 week training program for a July Century, about 150 miles this week. BTW, it's for the Prouty ride in NH.

Last Sunday I was on Rte 38 from Winchester to Wilmington and it was a nice road, especially on an early Sunday morning. I had wanted to get on 38 back in Medford, but got lost and wound up on Rte 3 from Arlington to Winchester. It's frustrating how street name signs are lacking around here, but even getting lost can be an interesting and learning experience, and I accrue the miles anyway.

[sherbornpeddler]

James de Boston! Delighted to hear from a real commuter and thank you for your navigation commiseration. My daughter and I plan on the 11 July Prouty one day ride so I'll PM you as we get closer. I'd like to do the century but likely will go on her shorter ride. If the stars align with my gumption I'll get my miles in riding up the day before.

[Jim from Boston]

Hi sbp,

See my PM.

PS: I just realized that this thread began in March.

[dmann]

Doin' good out here in Lancaster, Ma. just turned 500 miles on the new toy (started in April). Still lots of winter road sand, pot holes and tree debris from the ice storm on the back roads. Seems a lot of towns are cutting way back on their maintenance due to budget shortfalls, plenty of "shovel ready" work waiting for nObama $$$.

[sherbornpeddler]

I wish cars were more aware we need to dodge potholes.
Dmann, have you tackled Wachusett? It is on my to do list. I also want to make a run up to Peterborough via your neck of the woods.

[dmann]

Spb….Wachusett remains on my to dream list, it’s a nasty little zit just waiting to pop ones ego! The ride into Princeton can be challenging enough; the Rte 62 approach from Sterling is pretty much a 4 mile climb, same for Rte 31, then 2.5 to 3 miles on the Mtn. As for dodging potholes, I have become more assertive/belligerent, I take a look in the big 3rd eye mirror and whenever possible move further into the road, let the cars slow down or pull further around, its my road too

[sherbornpeddler]

25 June Thursday might be the day Rocinante and I tackle potholes, cell phone distracted drivers and that strange tectonic-weather shift causing hills to gain height as I get older and out and back loops become (I’m sure, Im sure, Imsure, imsure, Escher, W.C. Escher) uphill and against the wind both ways.

[bikinggrrrl]

The whole pothole thing got me thinking....

Do you know how anyone can help put pressure on a town's DPW to resurface their roads? As I ride past Walden Pond on Route 126, I often have to take the lane to get through. The Lincoln roads are amazingly awful. I used to think to myself as I strained to keep up with the flow of traffic, "If the residents of Lincoln want me to ride on the right side of the road, they will put some dang pavement there." Well they recently cold-patched some of the holes so I have changed my mantra to "If the residents of Lincoln want me to ride on the right side of the road, they will put some smooth pavement there."

Anyone ever try to contact a town's DPW or selectmen to complain about road conditions? Perhaps write a letter to the editor of local newspaper? I'm not of the mindset that roads should be beautifully maintained for my comfort, but there are definitely roads out there that pose a hazard to cyclists.

FWIW, Carlisle recently did some resurfacing. Rutland Street from the Billerica line to Great Brook Path as well as River Road (aka Monument Street on the Concord end) from Skelton Road to the Concord town line. Plans are in the works to do West Street soon.

[dmann]

Rode into a wood-chipping crew and then a "fix-em-up" road patching crew this afternoon in the Sterling/Princeton area. Unsurprising to me was that all I heard as I pedaled past was Spanish and that the "attempted" repairs were just that...attempted. Sadly, we have lost a war without knowing it......

[sherbornpeddler]

Say dmann,
Time passes and I still ponder which war? Road conditions, Spanish road crew? Something else, as you say, "without knowing it"?

Non biking related thoughts are what I enjoy most about biking. Sometimes road conditions pop back into my head just in time to suddenly steer around a pothole. Personally I veer towards political correctness, tolerance, pulling our fair share. I revel in cycling down a New England road with sun and shade, twisting and turning prodding conversation about hyperinflation, global economy, CEO worship, corruption, stifling entrepreneurs, potholes and wars.

Rode down through Woonsockett today with my daughter to watch lacrosse at Bryant. Nice ride, friendly folk redirected us to the campus and we missed the thunderstorm.

There is something about flying just in cruising speed on shady New England roads (particularly near Emerson's and Thoreaus' stomping grounds) that makes for lively conversations I enjoy. Kinda like shooting the breeze is frowned upon but if I'm chatting with a fishing pole and line then I'm multi-tasking.

[nickthaquick1]

[COLOR=black]

There is something about flying just in cruising speed on shady New England roads (particularly near Emerson's and Thoreaus' stomping grounds) that makes for lively conversations I enjoy. Kinda like shooting the breeze is frowned upon but if I'm chatting with a fishing pole and line then I'm multi-tasking.

i did my undergrad at bryant! and lived with the majority of the lacrosse team in 2008. now that i think of it the roads up and around that area would be excellent for cycling, thanks for the idea!

how is the bike path out in cumberland as far as traffic goes? i used to live in one of those old mill-turn-new-apartment types right on the river, but this was before my biking days.

[sherbornpeddler]

The Blackstone trail beginning at the southern most Woonsockett factory is magnificient. Perfect. It is well used but not crowded. My wife and I go on ride dates down and back on the East Providence to Bristol trail.

Roads around Bryant are very inviting. Nice rolling hills, beautiful area is Smithfield. Our ride to Woonsocket included some of Rt. 126 which wasn't the best but I like exploring urban areas too and Woonsockett has some fascinating history and renovated areas. Traffic seems aware of bicycle traffic and is moderate speed so we didn't feel uncomfortable.

Bryant Universtity has really boomed into a beautiful campus. Great Italian restaurant just south on rt 7 too.

[dmann]

sherbourne...

Time passes and I still ponder which war? Road conditions, Spanish road crew? Something else, as you say, "without knowing it"?

Without getting to cynical, we are losing this country to those whom have no interest in its history, culture, traditions and values; all they want is its money. The moral relativists and PC police have created an Orwellian landscape where the tyranny of the minority prevails callously ignoring the voice of the majority. I am a generation 1.5 American (my fathers parents and my mother were immigrants) as such my childhood could have easily focused on my European roots, but thankfully my parents and local community would have none of that, they were Americans first and insert ethnicity here second. I have witnessed this same pride to be an American in the many Asian and African immigrants that I have had the pleasure to work with. I DO NOT see this from the vast majority of Hispanics I have come across even those born here who inexplicably continue to speak in broken heavily accented English. When I had occasion to spend extended time overseas I made the effort to function within those societies and cultures without any expectation that they submit to my ethnic identity. As you can tell the absolutely abhorrent weather has reduced me to a ranting fool…I need to ride, only 42 miles in the saddle over the last 7 days.

[sherbornpeddler]

Dmann,
We do crave miles, don’t we? Thanks to a 67 miler a couple of days ago I've 173 miles over the last 7 days. My brain, body and outlook so soggy I'm starting to do chores around the house.

When I venture out and think beyond potholes and cellphone drivers with worn out windshield wipers I ponder such stuff. I'm not sure the latest ethnic group is different in benefit to the American soup but I am sure it is different flavor. I imagine my ancestors squinted to see attributes of the each current wave of new folks. Some nose-to-the-grind stone, some arts, some roll-up-the-sleeves labor. If you and I were riding towards Princeton, I’d compare our country to a region like Europe or SE Asia, we trail in diversity, languages, cultures and, most importantly, really good food.

If we turned off Rt 62 and were approaching Wachusett, I’d worry about population growth, standard of living, tax burden on social services, try to think globally rather than just national. I do like the hustle and entrepreneurs of the newest folks, the hand painted signs for a new restaurant and families. I’m not a fan of imperialism, intolerant religions and thinking we are right and “they” are “bad”.

Nice road, your pull.

[dmann]

Sherbourn,
If we are approaching Wachusett from my side of Rt 62 its going to be a long and arduous climb! I am neither a fan/supporter of imperialism nor the "they are bad" school of Americana. All I seek is a level stretch of road for all, like Rt 68 through Rutland and an embracing of this countries language, history and values, those of the melting pot. Generations of "them" hold up in the Barrios of Lowel or Brockton stubbornly clinging to island cultures they fled and spitting at me is just plain wrong. We're at the junction of Rt 62 and Rt 31, your lead for the kick into Princeton center.

[sherbornpeddler]

Nice pull but don't expect anything fancy into virtual Princeton.
BTW, I just rode to Concord, MA, had a sandwich and back at 15.7 mph. Pretty leisurely given 1/4 of the ride was beautiful, quiet meandering along a flood plain.
Barrios have good and bad for sure. Poor behavior and lack of safety in barrios is poor behavior regardless of ethnic group, I agree.

My local area, I like the new Brazilian food in Framingham but miss the Italians that moved out. The Italians replaced the Irish and so forth. The bottom rung on the ladder either work hard to assimilate (Italian and Irish?) or retain their culture (China town in Boston). Seems like the Brazilian want to retain their language and culture but I have to say I see a lot of hustle.

This is so much a better conversation while riding than typing. I hope we meet up on the climb to Wachussett.

BTW, I googled Framingham. My perception is way, way off. I would have guessed it was 20% Brazilian probably because of the change from “in my day”….
. Irish - 17%
· Italian - 12%
· English - 8%
· German - 5%
· Black or African American - 5%
· Brazilian - 5%
· Puerto Rican - 4%
· Russian - 4%
· French (except Basque) - 3%
· Polish - 3%
· Other Hispanic or Latino - 3%
· French Canadian - 3%
· Asian Indian - 2%
· Portuguese - 2%
· Chinese, except Taiwanese - 2%
· Central American: - 2%
· Scottish - 2%
· Scotch-Irish - 1%
· Swedish - 1%
· Subsaharan African - 1%
· Greek - 1%
· South American - 1%
· Salvadoran - 1%
· Canadian - 1%
· West Indian (excluding Hispanic groups) - 1%
· European - 1%
· Guatemalan - 1%
· Lithuanian - 1%
· Arab - 1%
· Eastern European - 1%
· Dominican Republic - 1%
· British - 1%
· Mexican - 1%


Conversations while riding New England roads is pretty cool. Thanks for the ride.

[sherbornpeddler]

I hope y'all got out in this beeeyutiful weather! Rode singlespeed to W. Concord with my daughter during mid day. There was very little traffic and great tune up for our ride in the Prouty this weekend.

[bikinggrrrl]

Nice to have some lovely weather for riding lately. SBP, I'll have to keep my eye out for you in the Concord area!