Metro Boston: Good ride today?
07-31-11, 02:27 PM
#1226
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It was nice to read about all the weekend rides, especially the Mass Bike Century. I encountered it last year on a weekend ride out to Bolton that day, and I was in the vicinity of the ride yesterday. As usual though I had to go into work on Saturday, so I did a Kenmore-Norwood loop.
I planned on 64 miles via the route I intended last week via Acton and Rte 27 that was cut short by rain. I went out Belmont St from Cambridge to Beaver in Waltham, then Totten Pond Road and Winter St to Traplelo Rd, past Walden Pond and through Concord to Acton on Rte 2A. Rte 27 was not a great ride due to uneven pavement through Maynard, Sudbury and Natick. In particular in Sudbury, the sunlight filtering through the trees dappled the road surface with bright patches on the otherwise shaded road and made it difficult to see cracks and potholes on some fast downhill runs. From Natick I took Union St to Pleasant into Dover Center and then on to Norwood.
What a gracious post, sbp. I ride those towns frequently on my Kenmore-Norwood loops. What are these new swooping shaded quiet roads of which you speak?
I planned on 64 miles via the route I intended last week via Acton and Rte 27 that was cut short by rain. I went out Belmont St from Cambridge to Beaver in Waltham, then Totten Pond Road and Winter St to Traplelo Rd, past Walden Pond and through Concord to Acton on Rte 2A. Rte 27 was not a great ride due to uneven pavement through Maynard, Sudbury and Natick. In particular in Sudbury, the sunlight filtering through the trees dappled the road surface with bright patches on the otherwise shaded road and made it difficult to see cracks and potholes on some fast downhill runs. From Natick I took Union St to Pleasant into Dover Center and then on to Norwood.
What great riders you are! It is good to hear about all the big rides, great commuting and Bike Boston progress. Your routes are fantastic and your dedication and grit even more impressive...
Early this morning I rode with an old friend who led me on a new route. We rode from Holliston west out to Whitehall Reservoir, turned NE at Woodville, E to Cordaville, SE through Hopkinton State Park, Ashland and back to Holliston. The weather was so nice any ride was a pleasure but this route introduced to me a number of new swooping, shaded quiet roads.
I wish you all smooth roads and safe riding.
Early this morning I rode with an old friend who led me on a new route. We rode from Holliston west out to Whitehall Reservoir, turned NE at Woodville, E to Cordaville, SE through Hopkinton State Park, Ashland and back to Holliston. The weather was so nice any ride was a pleasure but this route introduced to me a number of new swooping, shaded quiet roads.
I wish you all smooth roads and safe riding.
07-31-11, 05:06 PM
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FYA to subscribers of this thread, I just posted this note to Mayor Menino's "Bicycling Commisioner," Nicole Freedman:
EDIT: Oops; I addressed it to Miss Freedman 
Originally Posted by Jim from Boston
Dear Miss Freedman,
...On Saturday, 7/30, I was perusing the Race Across America website, and I randomly looked at the roster for 1994, and noted Nicole Freedman as a member of a successful four-woman team. Congratulations if you are the one; that's a lifetime accomplishment.
However, I would not have sent to this post just for that matter. This morning (Sunday) I was listening to a local talk show interview with Amy Snyder, who has just written a book on RAAM called “Hell on Two Wheels.” She was quite well spoken and informative on the race. She herself is a triathlete but has not ridden RAAM. According to the interview, she'll be making some personal appearances in Massachusetts in August. Perhaps you already know about this. Her website is: https://www.hellontwowheelsbook.com/
and you can sign up for her schedule...
...On Saturday, 7/30, I was perusing the Race Across America website, and I randomly looked at the roster for 1994, and noted Nicole Freedman as a member of a successful four-woman team. Congratulations if you are the one; that's a lifetime accomplishment.
However, I would not have sent to this post just for that matter. This morning (Sunday) I was listening to a local talk show interview with Amy Snyder, who has just written a book on RAAM called “Hell on Two Wheels.” She was quite well spoken and informative on the race. She herself is a triathlete but has not ridden RAAM. According to the interview, she'll be making some personal appearances in Massachusetts in August. Perhaps you already know about this. Her website is: https://www.hellontwowheelsbook.com/
and you can sign up for her schedule...
Last edited by Jim from Boston; 07-31-11 at 05:42 PM.
08-01-11, 09:07 AM
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Turns out this was a pinch flat: a cry for help from my front wheel, which I've been abusing in various ways, through a mix of off-road riding and road-repair riding. My LBS (Tyler, at Paramount Bicycle Repair) spoke firmly to it and now it's circular again. Took a little 10-mile ride yesterday evening, and all appears to be well. No complaints: this is my first flat in 3300 miles.
rod
rod
08-01-11, 09:16 AM
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Yesterday's planned ride was derailed by a debilitating back spasm. It left me pretty much immobile for about 12 hours. Up and walking today, but I fear that it may be a while before I can ride again. I hope the doctor has good news this afternoon...
08-01-11, 04:58 PM
#1230
----
Great to read about all the rides- especially the MBCentury- sorry to hear about cmolway's crash, though.
Unfortunately, my work schedule is not allowing me the time to ride the way I had been for the 1st half of the summer. My rides are short and sweet these days. A short 2 mile ride to work and back and then a 25 mile loop after work.
Being on the Cape means no real hills compared to the Berkshires so it's nice to see that average speed staying up there on the rides. Beautiful weather and scenery.
Unfortunately, my work schedule is not allowing me the time to ride the way I had been for the 1st half of the summer. My rides are short and sweet these days. A short 2 mile ride to work and back and then a 25 mile loop after work.
Being on the Cape means no real hills compared to the Berkshires so it's nice to see that average speed staying up there on the rides. Beautiful weather and scenery.
08-01-11, 07:49 PM
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What??? Only 2 wheels?
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Ouch. Could that be a piriformis cramp? That's what bothered me, but I was able to ride if I was careful.
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08-02-11, 04:29 AM
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Doctor thinks it's a bulging L5 disc that I irritated while trying to sit down. He also noticed a lot of hip/IT band tightness yesterday that may have contributed to things. I didn't ask yet about riding. But I'm bringing up the subject today. The good news is that he didn't think it was a serious long term issue. Although I do need to find myself a quality stretching plan...NOW!
08-02-11, 06:38 AM
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Ouch Godshammgod. Sounds painful. Do you have a trusted chiropractor? He/She might be able to help as well. If you are interested, I can recommend one that we use from time to time.
08-02-11, 08:00 AM
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'bents are fantastic if you have a bad back. They're fantastic even if you have a good back.
08-02-11, 12:47 PM
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During a sunset ride in Lexington yesterday, came across what I thought was a discarded fan belt. When it whipped out of the way, I realized it was a snake.
rod
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08-02-11, 06:05 PM
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I do. He was actually recommended by an EMT. Specializes in sports medicine, so hopefully he can figure out if cycling is the cause. I've already started doing some stretching/stability exercises, which are helping. Thanks for all the positive thoughts everyone!
08-02-11, 07:42 PM
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Banged out 45 miler today with baby in tow. Longest ride yet with him. Made it home just as the skies opened up with large pellet type raindrops.
Godshammgod, I'm glad you are on the mend already.
Rod, don't think I have come across a fanbelt (or a snake) but did manage to plow through a large swath of maggots feasting on a dead raccoon one day. The girly-girl in me came out as I had the heebie-jeebies for a good 100 yards. ew ew ew
Godshammgod, I'm glad you are on the mend already.
Rod, don't think I have come across a fanbelt (or a snake) but did manage to plow through a large swath of maggots feasting on a dead raccoon one day. The girly-girl in me came out as I had the heebie-jeebies for a good 100 yards. ew ew ew
08-02-11, 08:12 PM
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What??? Only 2 wheels?
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There is a road snake on my commute route. Which is to say, it hasn't moved and is composed of rubber and fabric, having once been a fan belt. A real one would be really cool! Did you by any chance note it color?
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08-02-11, 08:56 PM
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Black with longitudinal yellow stripes. Skinny. The part of my brain that insists on glib answers for everything said "garter snake" at the time, but it could just as easily have said "dachsund". Is there a herpetologist in the house?
rod
rod
Last edited by rholland1951; 08-03-11 at 06:45 AM. Reason: typo
08-03-11, 07:04 AM
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on a road near you...
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sent you a pm btw: the 3yo and I are headed your way on Saturday to ride the quiet roads of Carlisle if you want to meet up for a "bike anchor" ride.
08-03-11, 07:25 AM
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I've been lurking and getting nice ideas from this thread but thought I'd introduce myself. I've been commuting to work in the Longwood Medical Area from Brookline on a singlespeed but just recently bought an old Trek 560 to wrench on and started doing some road cycling. First few weekends I started on the Minuteman but this morning went down to Dover via Newton/Needham. Nice roads down there and saw a number of cyclists. Compared to my commute it was quite relaxing!
08-03-11, 02:53 PM
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Would love to do a bike anchor ride! Will respond thru PM to make plans.
08-03-11, 05:13 PM
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Banged out 45 miler today with baby in tow. Longest ride yet with him. Made it home just as the skies opened up with large pellet type raindrops.
Godshammgod, I'm glad you are on the mend already.
Rod, don't think I have come across a fanbelt (or a snake) but did manage to plow through a large swath of maggots feasting on a dead raccoon one day. The girly-girl in me came out as I had the heebie-jeebies for a good 100 yards. ew ew ew
Godshammgod, I'm glad you are on the mend already.
Rod, don't think I have come across a fanbelt (or a snake) but did manage to plow through a large swath of maggots feasting on a dead raccoon one day. The girly-girl in me came out as I had the heebie-jeebies for a good 100 yards. ew ew ew
08-03-11, 05:42 PM
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Welcome to the Boston BF community! This thread is inhabited by some very nice folks. A lot of locals also hang out in the C&V thread.
__________________
Real cyclists use toe clips.
With great bikes comes great responsibility.
jimmuller
Real cyclists use toe clips.
With great bikes comes great responsibility.
jimmuller
08-03-11, 06:41 PM
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We started cycling with him when he was 8 months old (April after he was born .. right after the street sweeper went through to move loose sand from the roads). I know others who started earlier. Much much earlier. Any trailer you buy will issue a big warning NOT to cycle with your child before s/he turns 12 months in age, so I encourage you to talk with your pediatrician about where your daughter is, developmentally, and whether or not she could support herself adequately and safely in a trailer.
08-03-11, 07:05 PM
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welcome Orrery. sounds like you've discovered Dover, the city of (cycling) dreams. I live next door in Westwood but sadly spend most of my time barreling into Boston...
08-03-11, 07:22 PM
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He'll be 3 years later this month. Ooops. Can I still call him a "baby"? Probably not, but he'll always be my baby.
We started cycling with him when he was 8 months old (April after he was born .. right after the street sweeper went through to move loose sand from the roads). I know others who started earlier. Much much earlier. Any trailer you buy will issue a big warning NOT to cycle with your child before s/he turns 12 months in age, so I encourage you to talk with your pediatrician about where your daughter is, developmentally, and whether or not she could support herself adequately and safely in a trailer.
We started cycling with him when he was 8 months old (April after he was born .. right after the street sweeper went through to move loose sand from the roads). I know others who started earlier. Much much earlier. Any trailer you buy will issue a big warning NOT to cycle with your child before s/he turns 12 months in age, so I encourage you to talk with your pediatrician about where your daughter is, developmentally, and whether or not she could support herself adequately and safely in a trailer.
08-04-11, 03:32 AM
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For the amusement of my fellow Metro Boston cyclists, yesterday (Wed, 8/3) afternoon on the Howie Carr Show on WRKO radio, 680 AM, he did a recurring rant about Boston cyclists. You can hear a podcast at:
https://audio.wrko.com/a/43506364/bic...no-respect.htm
As I probably previously mentioned I'm an avid talk show fan and I listen while riding, and at work. In fact my BF user name is how I'm addressed when I (rarely) call in: “… and now here’s Jim from Boston. What’s up Jim?” On the occasions when I call in, or E-mail Howie and other WRKO hosts, I sardonically refer to myself as their "Number One Fan among Boston's Bicycle Commuters.”
https://audio.wrko.com/a/43506364/bic...no-respect.htm
As I probably previously mentioned I'm an avid talk show fan and I listen while riding, and at work. In fact my BF user name is how I'm addressed when I (rarely) call in: “… and now here’s Jim from Boston. What’s up Jim?” On the occasions when I call in, or E-mail Howie and other WRKO hosts, I sardonically refer to myself as their "Number One Fan among Boston's Bicycle Commuters.”
08-04-11, 04:15 AM
#1249
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I've been lurking and getting nice ideas from this thread but thought I'd introduce myself. I've been commuting to work in the Longwood Medical Area from Brookline on a singlespeed but just recently bought an old Trek 560 to wrench on and started doing some road cycling. First few weekends I started on the Minuteman but this morning went down to Dover via Newton/Needham. Nice roads down there and saw a number of cyclists. Compared to my commute it was quite relaxing!
mtalinm and I do similar commuter routes but in reverse directions. My extended commutes also take me through the Cities of Cycling Dreams you mentioned. This thread is a nice place for cyclists of all abilities to journal their rides around metro Boston.
08-04-11, 05:42 AM
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Thanks all for the warm welcome! I don't have enough posts to send private messages yet but thanks Jim for the useful compendium of the region.
