I resumed riding the Sunday Leisure ride today. Probably only about 12-15 miles from Kettle View Park to the San Francisco Bakery, for a cookie, and back. Weather was amazing. Mid 70s, sunndy, T-shirt and shorts weather.

57 miles today. It was warm at 61 and windy. I rode in Massachusetts today for the first time in a while. This ride included: Sutton, Douglas, Uxbridge, Mendon and Millville (all in MA).

Purgatory Chasm in Sutton

http://i1131.photobucket.com/albums/...psb04c7cf1.jpg

This part of the Park was given to the state by the Dudleys to honor their son, whose plane was shot down over Sicily in 1943.

Covered bridge at Sutton Falls

http://i1131.photobucket.com/albums/...ps042df741.jpg

http://i1131.photobucket.com/albums/...ps91a5ca1b.jpg

At a working mill in the area, these workmen were using a block and tackle to load this truck from the 3rd story.

http://i1131.photobucket.com/albums/...ps103d2bc0.jpg

http://i1131.photobucket.com/albums/...pse950c8d0.jpg

Farm in Uxbridge

http://i1131.photobucket.com/albums/...psbadee5fb.jpg

Crown and Eagle Mill in Rodgerson's village in Uxbridge

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This building is pretty palatial in person. I stopped and turned around to get this picture.

Udor Tower in Millville (1877-1886)

http://i1131.photobucket.com/albums/...psb92b029d.jpg

built by Charles Fletcher as a cistern for his household. 25' high 9' diameter fieldstone tower. UΔΩP = (hydor) is Greek for water

Blackstone River in Millville, the engine that powered many mills

http://i1131.photobucket.com/albums/...psfc8ef63a.jpg

A nice ride on a lot of new to me roads. My first ride this year with shorts. It was spitting rain, but didn't start in earnest until right when I pulled up to my car. Perfect timing!

It's "Sheldon Brown Ride Day" on my calendar.

In the spirit of that, I rode my wife's new (1974) Raleigh to the co-op, worked there for an hour, then took the long way home.

Only 10 miles altogether, but of unsurpassed quality and beauty. Cool, nearly cold, breezy, but with high cumulus clouds and an evening sun perfectly filtered through the atmosphere.

JJS, all I can say is wow. Thanks for the report and the pics. I wish I'd been there.

Of course it figures that a classicist like yourself would know that UΔΩP bit. Me, I'd have tried to crack a bad pun.

Rode 4.2 miles each way to the place I'm interviewing at tomorrow. I wanted to clock it. 24 minutes. 10.5 MPH. If I get offered the gig, and I accept, my goal is to hit 18 MPH and ride it in 14 minutes.

Broke a little bit of a sweat. Was a bit overdressed with my riding jacket. It's 3 times the distance of my current commute, so I definitely heated up more. Will ask about showers at the office. Might make sense to bring a change of clothes and shower there.

When I was planning out the route, Google Maps pretty well matched the route I planned. Definitely more traffic on this commute, but nothing onerous or scary.

Schwinn in Paris
 

Was able to squeeze in some riding with the Schwinn World Voyageur during a business trip to Paris.

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8526/8...614ecd22dd.jpg

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8379/8...cd6f86a053.jpg

Packed for airline. Only issue, I broke the seat collar bolt when tightening. Local Gitane shop was able to find a replacement.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8526/8...8b282e31cd.jpg

My sweetie and I did 40.50 on the tandem today. Not bad for a 30 y.o. bike and an old geezer with a beautiful wife. Temps in the mid-40's, somewhat windy but tolerable. Lots of bikes out today, and most of the snow is gone except for the dark places.

http://world.std.com/~muller/pics/bike_fence_Jim.jpg

45.9 miles today. The plan was to get moderately lost on unfamiliar roads while still know more or less where we were. In Dusntable Center:

http://users.rcn.com/jimmuller/pics/inDunstable.jpg

I did my first bike commute of the season today. Went vintage:

http://users.rcn.com/jimmuller/pics/commute1.jpg

http://users.rcn.com/jimmuller/pics/commute2.jpg

Jim, you're getting some killer mileage these days! :) That tandem gets a lot of seat time. Keep it up! :thumb:

When I was looking at the weather last week, I determined that today was going to be a pretty nice day and decided to take leave. Fortunately, the stars aligned perfectly and the weather actually cooperated. Today's ride essentially was a trip by car from my home to west of Boonsboro to leave the car for some service I then rode home back to do some chores and repair my water heater and then rode back. The total length of the ride was 43.4 miles and involved 1,909 feet of climbing. The climb from Burkittsville up to Crampton's Gap is brutal. Surprisingly, I managed to average 14.6 MPH on the ride. Pretty respectable for me. ;)

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8527/8...4b25dab4_b.jpg
Brunswick Boonsboro Turnaround - 1 by Sallad Rialb, on Flickr

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Brunswick Boonsboro Turnaround - 2 by Sallad Rialb, on Flickr

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Brunswick Boonsboro Turnaround - 3 by Sallad Rialb, on Flickr

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Brunswick Boonsboro Turnaround - 4 by Sallad Rialb, on Flickr

Thanks, PG. But as for mileage, you sure are piling it on Rapide-ly yourself! Nice pics too.

Today I'm grateful to share with you a bit; the last three years have been difficult ones, with a series of continuing minor maladies of the sort that suck the simple pleasures like walking and riding a bike right out of your life. Other than occasional very short checkout rides, my saddle time has been pretty much zilch. Thankfully most of those problems are in my wake and I was able to get out and feel the wind where my hair used to be twice at the end of last week. Two rides for a grand total of twelve miles or so, but twelve pleasurable miles.

I live just a few blocks from the MoPac Trail, right about at it's paved mid-point through town so I cruised three miles to the eastbound trailhead in a stiff headwind.

http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/j...ps42a4fd78.jpg

The sole point of interest along the way is the bridge over O Street--Zero Street if you grew up here in Lincoln--subject of fatuous local claims of being 'the longest, straightest Main Street in America'

http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/j...psdf0586d3.jpg

My partner in happiness

http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/j...ps90982bb6.jpg

Went for a ride Saturday- the beach:

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-E...0890.JPG?gl=US

The USS Ronald Reagan:

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-b...0893.JPG?gl=US

Some really, really, really ;) rich guy's boat:

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-e...0897.JPG?gl=US

The bike's motor wasn't running at top efficiency that day, but it was nice anyway.:thumb:

23S, good to see you got out and are rolling again!

Had a nice 26.6 mile jaunt on the Little Miami Scenic Trail today. Been itching for some nice weather on my day off from work (they've usually been cold, rainy/snowy, or both) and today couldn't have been any more perfect.

This shot isn't anything special by itself, but I was digging the lens flare that I hadn't noticed until I opened it up on my computer. Adds to the vintage effect, methinks:

http://24.media.tumblr.com/b031111fc...apero1_500.png

I probably looked quite comical setting this one up, as I was literally tip-toeing and hopping around to try and avoid trampling the flowers along the wall (not easy with a bike in your hands!):

http://25.media.tumblr.com/11f1f549a...apero1_500.png


Caught this photo op on my way back down the trail, hadn't noticed it on the way up:

http://24.media.tumblr.com/6c9805d91...apero1_500.png

Last Tuesday, I was off, and had the privilege to meet and ride with fellow PHX C&Ver Saguaro. I was psyched to try the AZ Canal trail that he had reviewed earlier this Winter.
I also had to do my belated birthday ride of 49 miles. Weather, health, and scheduling have kept my opportunity elusive. But fortune smiled upon me with a beautiful day, and Saguaro scheduling a Tuesday outing. I got to tag along.

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8384/8...33e4db62_b.jpg
49 at 49 -002 by WNG555, on Flickr

Saguaro had his 82 Nishiki Cresta outfitted in Randonneur mode. The Nishiki is beautifully preserved, and updated over the years with top end components. A very capable C&V bike!

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8389/8...fa410f5b_b.jpg
49 at 49 -003 by WNG555, on Flickr

The route began at Granada Park in north-central Phoenix, with the AZ Canal running past it. The paths are fully paved for our ride distance, and we have underpasses to avoid traffic and crossings. Since it's Spring down here, and we've had quite a wet Winter, the route was green with blooming trees, wild flowers, grass and of course, weeds. But the growth and 'greenery' was wonderful compared to the brown of the Summer. A very pleasant view along the water of the nearby canal.

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8390/8...ae8040d8_b.jpg
49 at 49 - 001 by WNG555, on Flickr
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49 at 49 -008 by WNG555, on Flickr
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49 at 49 -012 by WNG555, on Flickr

Our ride took us northwest through Phoenix, crossing the I-17 into Glendale, AZ. The morning was cool and crisp, and Saguaro and I were maintaining a pretty good rate, around 18mph. Before you know it, we reached the end of the AZ Canal and stopped for a rest at the start of the New River Trail, which ran North/South along Peoria and Sun City.
We first rode south to the end of the paved trail. I was quite surprised to see in the distance, the University of Phoenix Stadium, home of the Arizona Cardinals. Boy! I didn't fully realize just how far west we reached! We turned around and went north into Peoria, until pavement ran out near where the 101 highway begins heading East/West. The last time I was out here, I drove and it took a good hour from the East Valley. I couldn't believe we did it by bike!

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8116/8...fdde7ff6_b.jpg
49 at 49 -005 by WNG555, on Flickr
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49 at 49 -006 by WNG555, on Flickr

cont'd.....

We began our return to Phoenix, with a rest stop for water and energy bars. It was starting to get warm now, around 90 F. We rolled eastward toward Phoenix. The one thing that struck me was how quiet the surroundings were. Being away from vehicular traffic, only a handful of bikers and runners on the path, gave a sense of isolation that was very comforting. It's rather noisy and stressful riding with speeding cars on a regular basis.

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8117/8...15fe95ec_b.jpg
49 at 49 -014 by WNG555, on Flickr
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49 at 49 -015 by WNG555, on Flickr
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49 at 49 -016 by WNG555, on Flickr

As we got closer to 'home'...we were beginning to feel the effects of the miles, the heat, and hunger. Our pace got slower, and I was trying to conserve energy.

looking kinda tired...

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49 at 49 -018 by WNG555, on Flickr

Castle and Coasters...a PHX landmark off the I-17 Highway
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8263/8...4ab7c151_b.jpg
49 at 49 -021 by WNG555, on Flickr

Saguaro suggested that we perhaps make a detour for lunch. A new bicycle themed restaurant opened up near the canal path, and he thought it was worth a try. He didn't get any resistance from me! The place is called the Spoke & Wheel Tavern. It was decorated with cruisers and tandem bikes inside. And bikers who ride in, get special pricing all day.

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8126/8...537a98f7_b.jpg
49 at 49 -030 by WNG555, on Flickr
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8541/8...547bc3d8_b.jpg
49 at 49 -029 by WNG555, on Flickr
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8123/8...c617b7cb_b.jpg
49 at 49 -025 by WNG555, on Flickr

cont'd...

The food turned out excellent and I ate too much. We met a couple of young kids riding from California, on their way to Florida. They each departed from separate locations and met on the road to AZ. He was from Santa Cruz, she was from Boston. They will be riding together through Phoenix, but plan to part ways. She taking a more southerly route to Fl.

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8251/8...3abd6952_b.jpg
49 at 49 -026 by WNG555, on Flickr

I have to hand it to these two....a lot of enthusiasm and determination, especially the young girl, doing it solo.
We wished the two of them success and safety on their trip. And we got back on our bikes for the last few miles, before we both desire a nap from the food. My stomach was getting in the way as I mounted on my Bianchi. ;)

our jerseys are a bit tighter around the waist...
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8404/8...72f5772d_b.jpg
49 at 49 -027 by WNG555, on Flickr

A few more miles and we were back at the starting point of Granada Park. It was a very gratifying feeling to complete this ride. Thanks Craig for taking me on this wonderful route.
:thumb:

Saguaro's app indicated I actually did 51 miles....photo is good enough for history...
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8391/8...33c4c256_b.jpg
49 at 49 -031 by WNG555, on Flickr

Great pics, Will! I'm really bummed I didn't discover the part of the trail that led further north while I was in town, though. Oh, and the pics taken along the canal in your second set of pics? That's where I grew up; the pic showing the bridge in particular brings back memories: there's a similar footbridge near my old elementary school (Arroyo) - it was the stoners' hang-out :)

Thanks for the inadvertant trip down memory lane!

DD

That was a great day Will! I'm glad to have finally met you and see first hand that nice Bianchi you have. And meeting those two on their trans-continental tour was awesome. And I was able to try the Spoke & Wheel Tavern for the first time. Thanks Will, lets do it again sometime!

Second commute of the year, 25 mile round trip. Max speed 32.2mph coming down Cullen Hill Rd. I rode the UO8 today. I keep relearning why I've held onto that bike for 41 years. It's smooth as silk, rolls easily, handles a load with aplomb. Even loaded with work-related stuff it climbs easily. Yeah, okay, I have upgraded everything except the pedals and brakes.

Here's a pic from last year. Same route, same bike. This could have been today:

http://users.rcn.com/jimmuller/pics/station2.jpg

The Real Jersey Shore
 

Today's showcase from the Jersey Shore is Jack Nicholson's boyhood hometown of Manasquan, NJ

http://i1266.photobucket.com/albums/...ps13bbc34f.jpg

View from the bridge over the Manasquan river, dividing Point Pleasant & Manasquan

http://i1266.photobucket.com/albums/...ps15302703.jpg

Jack's High School (probably scored quite a few Betty's here)

http://i1266.photobucket.com/albums/...psfcec1ab6.jpg

Lucky you. Still snowing here. :notamused:

A bunch of us from the C&V forum rode the CCRT end to end and back, plus a side trip over to the Atlantic. About 45 miles total. Sharon and I were on the tandem, of course.

At the start:
http://world.std.com/~muller/pics/CC...3/DSCN1089.JPG

Facing the Atlantic:
http://world.std.com/~muller/pics/CC...3/DSCN1102.JPG

Return trip, a stop at the Harwich Bike Rotary, 3 miles to go and the sun is out!
http://world.std.com/~muller/pics/CC...3/DSCN1111.JPG