Where'd You Ride Today? (New & Improved)
#6627
Senior Member
Ruins
This is a short loop I’ve been meaning to set up for some time. Today I rode 32 miles on the Dawes and stopped at 5 abandoned mill sites in Cranston and Scituate RI. I’ve included pictures from all these old mills in posts before, but I thought it would make a cool theme for a ride. This is the time of year to do it, as all the obscuring foliage is gone.
#1 Cranston Foundry/Furnace (1812)
This site was used as an iron foundry as early as 1768. Later this site was used by Union Dye (1831) and most importantly by George Richardson the renowned pewter smith. By the late 19th century this building was in ruins. Three dams upstream harnessed the power of the Furnace Hill Brook (what else!).
#2 Henry Jordan’s sawmill (before 1849, probably late 18th century) powered by headwaters of Furnace Hill Brook
mill pond and dam
Only the mill pond, dam and raceway remain. This mill was probably built by the Silas family in the late 18th century before they moved to Scituate (and built another sawmill in Hope).
#3 Saundersville Upper mill (before 1835) rolls and cotton laps later braiding machinery added
mechanized trench hell
Everything west of the central north south road is submerged under the reservoir and the rest of the village was condemned as part of the watershed; only a few foundations remain in the reforested land.
#4 Old Pond factory (1810) a cotton mill powered by two water wheels foundered by Captain Aborn (Moswansicut River)
all that remains of 3 story stone building
raceway out
#5 Harrisdale mill(1845) cotton mill founded by Ansel Harris
Dawes at Peeptoad pond. This pond powered the Harrisdale mill.
The ride was cold at 30 degrees. It started snowing for the last 7 miles. I used toe warmers in my shoes for the first time. They were a big help! I was a little worried about my new brooks saddle and the wet, but it seemed none the worse when I got home.
#1 Cranston Foundry/Furnace (1812)
This site was used as an iron foundry as early as 1768. Later this site was used by Union Dye (1831) and most importantly by George Richardson the renowned pewter smith. By the late 19th century this building was in ruins. Three dams upstream harnessed the power of the Furnace Hill Brook (what else!).
#2 Henry Jordan’s sawmill (before 1849, probably late 18th century) powered by headwaters of Furnace Hill Brook
mill pond and dam
Only the mill pond, dam and raceway remain. This mill was probably built by the Silas family in the late 18th century before they moved to Scituate (and built another sawmill in Hope).
#3 Saundersville Upper mill (before 1835) rolls and cotton laps later braiding machinery added
mechanized trench hell
Everything west of the central north south road is submerged under the reservoir and the rest of the village was condemned as part of the watershed; only a few foundations remain in the reforested land.
#4 Old Pond factory (1810) a cotton mill powered by two water wheels foundered by Captain Aborn (Moswansicut River)
all that remains of 3 story stone building
raceway out
#5 Harrisdale mill(1845) cotton mill founded by Ansel Harris
Dawes at Peeptoad pond. This pond powered the Harrisdale mill.
The ride was cold at 30 degrees. It started snowing for the last 7 miles. I used toe warmers in my shoes for the first time. They were a big help! I was a little worried about my new brooks saddle and the wet, but it seemed none the worse when I got home.
Last edited by JJScaliger; 01-03-15 at 11:34 PM.
#6630
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I did a similar ride to a week ago, can't help it it's a good one
Just out of the burbs and climbing.
Still climbing. It's not all straight up climbing to Mt. Lofty mostly up a bit down lots of twisty's some very steep parts. I go through the hills the long way "scenic way"
The grey between the horizon and blue sky is bushfire smoke.
I go back down an even longer way. Very fast.
Fire in the distance lucky the winds going away from me. If it stays that way I would expect Gorge Road to stop it coming this way. Weather conditions are getting worse over the next week though.
It's 150km fire front out of control. 12 homes lost another 20 expected to be lost they can't get to them to check yet. No lives lost but I can't help thinking about the wildlife.
Just out of the burbs and climbing.
Still climbing. It's not all straight up climbing to Mt. Lofty mostly up a bit down lots of twisty's some very steep parts. I go through the hills the long way "scenic way"
The grey between the horizon and blue sky is bushfire smoke.
I go back down an even longer way. Very fast.
Fire in the distance lucky the winds going away from me. If it stays that way I would expect Gorge Road to stop it coming this way. Weather conditions are getting worse over the next week though.
It's 150km fire front out of control. 12 homes lost another 20 expected to be lost they can't get to them to check yet. No lives lost but I can't help thinking about the wildlife.
Last edited by jbchybridrider; 01-04-15 at 06:11 AM. Reason: spelling
#6632
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Location: Dayton, Ohio
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Dayton Ohio Area
Oakwoood to the University of Dayton, to the River downtown, to Beavercreek, then home.
Wow - was it ever windy.
Thank goodness my wife made some new cocoa, peanut butter, granola whatevers for me.
I have no idea what she puts in them, but they give me the energy to ride another 30 miles when I'm tired as heck.
Good thing, because riding up hill, with the wind howling dead in my face, took a LOT of energy.
I was on my Trek 500, wishing for my 520 with one more chainring!
Oakwoood to the University of Dayton, to the River downtown, to Beavercreek, then home.
Wow - was it ever windy.
Thank goodness my wife made some new cocoa, peanut butter, granola whatevers for me.
I have no idea what she puts in them, but they give me the energy to ride another 30 miles when I'm tired as heck.
Good thing, because riding up hill, with the wind howling dead in my face, took a LOT of energy.
I was on my Trek 500, wishing for my 520 with one more chainring!
#6633
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6 laps around Audubon park from my nearby home. Photo taken by my wife as she walked. Lovely day after string storms last night, 55deg C, mild northwind.
This thread is a seemingly unending source of inspiration and beauty. Thanks all for your fascinating posts from around the globe. Looking forward to share more of your rides in 2015!!
hans
This thread is a seemingly unending source of inspiration and beauty. Thanks all for your fascinating posts from around the globe. Looking forward to share more of your rides in 2015!!
hans
Last edited by handers; 01-04-15 at 01:52 PM.
#6634
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Just in the last few posts we get a geographical history of Rhode Island, an Australian travelogue, the back woods of New Jersey, and cocoa, peanut butter, granola balls!
I injured myself in a mountain biking accident a week ago and so am living vicariously through all of you for a little while. Thank you all!
Brent
#6635
What??? Only 2 wheels?
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handers, well put!
Brent, recover quickly!
VR, spectacular mood shots!
Brent, recover quickly!
VR, spectacular mood shots!
__________________
Real cyclists use toe clips.
With great bikes comes great responsibility.
jimmuller
Real cyclists use toe clips.
With great bikes comes great responsibility.
jimmuller
#6636
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@obrentharris: Brent, sorry about the spill. Best wishes on a speedy recovery.
Had to do an errand in the Vacaville area (east of Napa) this morning, so I figured I'd bring my Look and explore some new roads while I was there. Beautiful, quiet, back country roads with a mix of mountains and vinyard-filled valleys. Forgot my helmet but made it out of there before the winos finished their tastings.
Helmetless, moving selfy in honor of Drillium Dude:
Had to do an errand in the Vacaville area (east of Napa) this morning, so I figured I'd bring my Look and explore some new roads while I was there. Beautiful, quiet, back country roads with a mix of mountains and vinyard-filled valleys. Forgot my helmet but made it out of there before the winos finished their tastings.
Helmetless, moving selfy in honor of Drillium Dude:
#6637
“Senior” Member
Lots of great photos here. Out on shakedown cruise on my new just completed 74 raleigh international on the campion trail in irving texas last week. In low 40s and overcast. Very smooth ride. This is a photo of how I ride it. Also took photos with original pedals and brake pads for posterity. Looks great in photos but has pretty good patina.
#6638
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I hope you heal up quickly Brent and are back on the bike. Take care of yourself, I'd sure like to ride with you this April at L'Eroica..
#6639
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#6640
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#6641
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^Thanks northbend! I hope you have a great time in April. Wish I could join you and other forum members at L'Eroica, but I need to catch a plane to Europe on April 12th for a work trip. L'Eroica's coming to Califonia and I've got to cross the pond.
#6642
#6643
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#6644
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#6645
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#6647
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A lot of people did a lot of work to create that trail, looks beautiful with the damp moss, thanks, northbend.
#6648
You gonna eat that?
#6649
You gonna eat that?
I rode 23 miles in freezing temps with a dozen or so of my friends.
By the time I got home it was 23 and my water bottle was frozen.
By the time I got home it was 23 and my water bottle was frozen.