Originally Posted by Road Fan (Post 15445501)

We're now at the threshold of April, and I'm curious about what plans exist. I've got several lists of possible bike rides to put in my schedule, and I want to know what's current in 50+ for an Annual Ride…

Originally Posted by Jim from Boston (Post 14841002)

… Here’s some of the basic logistics:
THE RIDE:
As they describe it: “All rides (8, 26, 47, 62 and 100 miles) will traverse the heart of American Revolutionary history, from Paul Revere’s Ride through Lexington and Concord, to nearby battlefields. Longer rides visit the towns and villages that sent the first Minutemen. After the rides, everyone is invited to stay at Lexington High School for lunch and socializing. Lunch will be provided by Redbones! [A local, well-regarded BBQ joint that’s bike-friendly—they even have valet bike-parking. The terrain, IMO, is gently rolling hills.]
For details, see: !http://massbike.org/summer-century-family-ride/

…Here’s my preliminary suggestion: I anticipate that visitors who trek up to Boston would also like to visit the city and environs, as well as socialize with our compatriots….So a tentative plan is:

• Thursday: ? early arrivals, with a (?) ad hoc get-together late afternoon/early evening
• Friday: expected arrivals, with a planned activity that afternoon and/or early evening
• Saturday: the Ride with a following activity, to be decided
• Sunday: to be decided
• Monday – Wednesday: to be decided (though if there is not much interest, I’ll not take the days off.)

Originally Posted by Barrettscv (Post 15087809)

There has been interest in having an event in the Dodgeville-Blue Mound area of Wisconsin. …

Originally Posted by Jim from Boston (Post 15131172)

Today I called the MASS BIKE office and spoke to the Ride Director, and he admitted they were slow in organizing last year. However, for this year he said the date is Saturday, July 27, and would be officially announced in February. He said he would be delighted to have riders from the Fifty-Plus Forum.

Boston and environs is a very confusing, yet so-charming place, that I would not want first-time visitors to spend their time reconnoitering and getting lost, so I am offering myself as “host, “checkpoint, “advisor," or whatever.

Here’s my preliminary suggestion: I anticipate that visitors who trek up to Boston would also like to visit the city and environs, as well as socialize with our compatriots. I had hoped to make myself available for a few extra days, from Thursday, 7/25, til Monday, 7/29 to provide flexibility for travel plans. I checked our company’s vacation schedule, and someone else is off through Friday, 7/26. I could be available mid to late Friday afternoon and thereafter, and possibly late afternoon-evening on Thursday, for any early arrivals. I have requested vacation days Monday, 7/29 through Wednesday, 7/31.

So a tentative plan is:

This is all tentative and flexible, but at least the date is pretty reliable, and will be officially announced in February. I look forward to further plans as the Ride Date approaches.

Originally Posted by Road Fan (Post 15448243)

Jim, is there lodging near the ride start/finish?

Originally Posted by Jim from Boston (Post 14841002)

LODGING:
In general, hotels in Boston proper and vicinity are more expensive than in the Midwest, though the rates decrease farther from downtown. There are some hotels near the starting point of the ride, Lexington, MA. I have perfunctorily searched for campsites, and the few there are are pretty far from Boston and Lexington.

The cheapest alternatives are that perhaps we could provide floor or couch space for a few riders (not more than four), but this is not a promise. A new Boston Youth Hostel has opened in downtown Boston so you might want to check availability (bostonhostel.org). There are several colleges in the area, but I don't know what their policies are about rentals of dorm rooms. There are also fraternities and sororities, which I think allow alums to stay short-term. Finally, perhaps some visitors have friends or relatives in Boston and environs who could accommodate them for a summer weekend.

Originally Posted by Road Fan (Post 15578333)

Bump, I want to find this thread easier!

Originally Posted by Jim from Boston (Post 14841002)

… This will be the fourth annual ride sponsored by a cycling advocacy group, MASS BIKE…

THE RIDE:
As they describe it: “All rides (8, 26, 47, 62 and 100 miles) will traverse the heart of American Revolutionary history, from Paul Revere’s Ride through Lexington and Concord, to nearby battlefields. Longer rides visit the towns and villages that sent the first Minutemen. After the rides, everyone is invited to stay at Lexington High School for lunch and socializing. Lunch will be provided by Redbones! [A local, well-regarded BBQ joint that’s bike-friendly—they even have valet bike-parking.] The terrain, IMO, is gently rolling hills.
For details, see: !http://massbike.org/summer-century-family-ride/...

Originally Posted by Jim from Boston (Post 15131172)

….Here’s my preliminary suggestion: I anticipate that visitors who trek up to Boston would also like to visit the city and environs, as well as socialize with our compatriots. I hope to make myself available for a few extra days, from Thursday, 7/25, til Monday, 7/29 to provide flexibility for travel plans.

So a tentative plan is:

• Thursday:? early arrivals, with a (?) ad hoc get-together late afternoon/early evening
• Friday: expected arrivals, with a planned activity late afternoon and/or early evening
• Saturday: the Ride with a following activity, to be decided
• Sunday: to be decided
• Monday – Wednesday: to be decided (though if there is not much interest, I’ll not take the days off.)

…

Originally Posted by DnvrFox (Post 14483065)

OTOH, there just aren't a lot of folks in Kansas who are in the BFN 50+ - actually, there aren't a lot of folks in KS, period.

What is most important is someone who will take charge and organize things, no matter the location. Without that, there will be no ride, be it KS, MA or CA.

Another consideration is to alternate around the country, not expecting all folks to be able to attend all years, but giving the oportunity every few years. north, south east, west, central.

Originally Posted by Planemaker (Post 15585507)

Ouch. I am from Kansas and that hurts. :)

Originally Posted by irwin7638 (Post 15711339)

Has there been any word about registration for this event? I hope the recent tragedy does not dampen anybody's determination.

Marc

Originally Posted by Jim from Boston (Post 15657432)

Speaking of bicycling fashion shows, the local organization here in Boston, Mass Bike, is holding a swanky Bike Night!: From the Bikeway to the Runway on Friday, June 7. The description is:...

Originally Posted by Jim from Boston (Post 15585104)

… I had planned to post as soon as I got an official notice of the Mass Bike Family and Century Ride. I have called them a couple times in the past month, and they assure me that Saturday, July 27 is still the planned date, but they are planning a different route than before…

Originally Posted by irwin7638 (Post 15711339)

Has there been any word about registration for this event?…

Originally Posted by Jim from Boston (Post 15719513)

It was a fun, well-attended affair; pictures below. The staff knew me by name because of my persistent calls this spring about the Ride.

They officially announced the Ride for Saturday, July 27, with a new starting point in Acton, MA, rather than Lexington, an estimated 5 to 10 miles away, next to Concord, MA. Details should be found soon on the website: http://massbike.org/ likely under Events>>Rides.

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=321975http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=321976http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=321977

Originally Posted by Road Fan (Post 15722051)

Jim, what did you wear?? (to the Mass Bike Fashion Show)

[From this recent Fifty-Plus thread, “50+ Fashion Show and Review”:]

Originally Posted by Jim from Boston (Post 15723113)

While I was not on the catwalk, I did have my picture taken by a professional photographer in front of one of those celebrity-type backdrops with the event logos plastered all over it. I seemed to be the only attendee who wore any bicycle-themed attire. I usually dress up with a bowtie, but for Friday night I wore my long necktie with the Tour de France motif pictured below, taken by me. (BTW, last night at dinner, my son the hipster coincidentally mentioned that such self-photos are called “selfies.”)

If my picture gets on the Mass Bike website, I’ll let you (and Miss Kenton) know. :lol:

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=322200http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=322201

Originally Posted by miss kenton (Post 15723288)

Jim,
While that certainly is a smart looking tie and a well-executed Windsor knot, how can one be certain that it is actually you sporting that tie and not, say, George Hincapie or Mayor Menino? How does one know you didn't discreetly photograph another man's chest with a secret camera hidden in a nondescript tie you were actually wearing? I've been on imgur enough to know a "selfie" usually includes "self." :p

Originally Posted by miss kenton (Post 10961425)

I am posting the only two good photos from the trip (besides the group shot tsl already posted). The close-up of Jim from Boston has been edited to protect the vanity of she who has bad helmet hair.
http://picasaweb.google.com/10801407...15167667470866
http://picasaweb.google.com/10801407...15158359313330

Originally Posted by trackhub (Post 15682238)

Boston Mayor Tom Menino, a friend to the cycling community…has announced that he will not run for re-election, which is making the many in the local cycling community wonder what might happen with all the progress that has been made for cyclists thus far. Any Boston area cyclists care to share thoughts?

God Bless you Mayor Menino. Hope you are on the mend soon.

Originally Posted by Bikey Mikey (Post 15727590)

Is that a full Windsor or half...or is it a clip-on?...

Originally Posted by Wikipedia

James Bond never trusted a man who boasted a Windsor knot; "It was tied with a Windsor knot. Bond mistrusted anyone who tied his tie with a Windsor knot. It showed too much vanity. It was often the mark of a cad." -From Russia With Love

Originally Posted by Jim from Boston (Post 15728117)

It’s a self-tied full Windsor.


The name is Boston...James de Boston. ;)