katezila

Ok normally this would be a post for the commuter forum, but since I know there's a good chunk of members who live in the boston area, and i have a preference for the vintage bicycle, I thought I would post here instead.
I've accepted an internship in Boston and I'm wondering if it's possible to affordably rent a bicycle for a month there? I've seen MyBike but... Well mountain bikes are nice I guess... I'd really like to rent or lease something of the more utility/transport style. I can not bring one of my bicycles with me.
Please if anyone has suggestions let me know! I'd like to be able to rely on something other then the bus while I'm there!

nlerner

What size do you ride? I can set you up with a 70s Raleigh Sports, lady's 21" frame.

Neal

katezila

21 should be right for me! I'm 5'6". But the internship doesn't start till mid July so if its a bike you're planning to sell please don't hold on to it for me.

Fenway

Boston's bike share is starting this summer if you're interested in that option. Otherwise you might want to check out OldRoads near the Cambridge Side Galleria for a vintage bike.

ScottRyder 

Katezila, if you're going to be in this area we'll have to put together a C&V ride in your honor ... Maybe we can get Tugral to run his NH Seacoast ride again.

Scott

TireLever-07

I think Bicycle Bill's in Brighton rents bikes. I'd say any suburban yard sale 1980's Japanese, european road bike would be a steal. Craig's List in Boston is pretty high for what I'd call, ready to ride stuff. There is a home, front porch flipper. He is one block behind the Porter Square strip mall. Wheelworks Somerville and Belmont sell used bikes. Belmont has a clearance store next door. Check the main store's basement too, leftovers etc. Chris

nlerner

A 19.5" frame would likely fit better but you're welcome to try it when you arrive. This isn't a bike I'm planning to sell. It's my wife's old road (she now has a 80s Raleigh Mixte), one I've scavenged some parts from, but it'll be ready to roll once you arrive. Probably best to email me to continue this conversation: lerner.n@gmail.com

Neal

scozim 

I was going to wait to post but I'll be in Boston (first time for me) the week of July 11 and staying in the Park Plaza hotel which I think someone told me is downtown.

I was wondering the same thing. I've heard great things about Boston and was hoping to get at least one ride in by renting a bike. I'd rather pack cycling clothes than a suit any day.

ScottRyder 

Scozim, what size bike do you ride?

Scott

scozim 

53-55 cm ideally. I've got a Trek at 56 cm but dismount carefully.

4Rings6Stars

I ride a size or two smaller, but send me a PM or email when it gets closer if you havne't found anything, I might have something that would work. However, my fleet has drastically changed/in the process of changing though so I'm not sure what I will have in July. After tonight my only three 'keepers' will be my ti Merckx, IF, and MX Leader (you would have to leave your first born to borrow one of those )

edit. Not to volunteer somebody else for lending a bike...but I know forumite "bikemore" rides that size range and has oodles of bikes in his basement...

southpawboston

My wife would be happy with loaning out to anyone who's interested, her 1970s Dutch step-through bike with Sturmey Archer 3-speed. It's pretty heavy at 42 lb, but a nice bike for taking in Boston casually. It's a 22.5" (57cm) frame.

ScottRyder 

Oh well, I'm 58-60 cm. Can't help you out.

Scott

nlerner

And I'm full of bikes the same size (which is why it's fun to trade with Scott!). Sorry.

Neal

brianinc-ville

Boston folks,

Off-topic, sorta, but I'm going to be in Cambridge for the month of July and while my wife and I are bringing our own bikes, we're looking for suggestions for interesting urban bike routes and other info. Any good blogs/sites/resources you'd recommend?

Cheers,
Brian

henryfayols

To getting a vintage bike it will be not so costly & you can easily get it.

southpawboston

Brian, that's great! July is a great time to enjoy the area (temps should be cooler than in NC!). There are a lot of nice bike day-trips you can take. Check out the following area bike blogs for potential routes:

https://bummels-jaunts.blogspot.com/

https://lovelybike.blogspot.com/

The minuteman trail is a nice converted rail path that takes you from Cambridge out west to Bedford. From there there are some lovely roads that you can take through Lexington, Concord... out to Walden pond and the DeCordova museum in Lincoln... all in one day.

You can also take the commuter train to the North Shore for a nice ride through small fishing towns with wonderful coastal views.

There's also the Charles River Bike Path that follows the river from Boston all the way West to Waltham... that's probably the best ride for taking in the cityscapes.

Of course, Cambridge itself is quite bike friendly and a really fun city to explore by bike, and it's amazing how much more of the city you can see in such a short time when you're on bike compared to other forms of transportation.

Let me know when you're in the area (I work in Cambridge and live in the neighboring town, Somerville). If you'd like some company, I'd be happy to do a ride! Just PM me...

nlerner

Brian, get a copy of the Rubel's bike map for eastern Mass. it's a terrific resource:

https://www.bikemaps.com/regmaps.htm

Neal

himespau 

+1 on the charles river bike path, but I prefer the Boston side once you have the option near Harvard (last time I was on the Cambridge side eventually I reached a point when I was riding on sidewalk which was much less than smooth so I left the trail to ride on the roads). If you do take that out toward Waltham (my favorite early Saturday morning ride), be aware that there are several places that it goes packed dirt/wooden bridges for a couple of miles. Not everyone appreciates that, but I like it.

I've been meaning to try the minuteman trail one of these weekends. A couple of weeks back, I ran into a couple that had a map of the area with some of the better bike paths/MUPs (and better roads with bike lanes) on it. I'd love to get my hands on one of those as I'm new to exploring the area. I'd imagine they could be found at an lbs, but someone here probably has a better idea. Just got an e-mail that the lbs most local to me (Ferris Wheels in Jamaica Plains) is starting up a bike rental for hybrids, but at $40 a day if you're planning on doing more than a couple of days, finding something used on CL (even at our high prices) would probably be a better option.

himespau 

Ha, looks like Neal already knew what I was talking about re: maps and beat me to it.

bikemore 

I am not a regular reader. (Something about too many other things going on). I have at least one 52cm steel road bike I could rent out, even an extra lock to go with it. I am about 3/4 of a mile from the Park Plaza and about 1/4 mile from a ramp on to the Charles River bike path. I might have a second in that size, but I haven't looked recently. Also have a couple off 55cm.

bikemore 

There are a bunch of online maps of bike paths in the Boston area. This is a long list:

https://www.massbike.org/resourcesnew...s/#boston_path

Unfortunately the links listed on this page are blocked at work (what gives??).

katezila

Thanks for the suggestions and help everyone! And hey I'm glad this thread's helping some other people out too! I'll have to scope out all these maps myself.
Southpaw I'll be sure to contact you around July if I'm still in need.

Haha! Why do I feel like I'm getting in over my head? I've never done a big ride or even a group ride before!

ScottRyder 

No worries, we're a very mellow group. Ride, eat, drink beer.

Scott

nlerner

The last few group rides I've been on it was eat, ride, drink beer and eat, ride some more. Not that I'm complaining or anything.

Neal