Metro Boston: Good ride today?
#3426
What??? Only 2 wheels?
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#3427
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Jim, here is a map from a few weeks ago. Beautiful ride! Lots of climbing. Harvard General Store is a great spot to have lunch and recharge.
Harvard Group Ride - Belmont, MA
Harvard Group Ride - Belmont, MA
#3428
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Did an out and back to Concord this morning to spin the legs out after yesterday's Harvard ride. Made it back before the sky opened up.
Had to fight the traffic to get to Plymouth for a gig. An hour long trip took me close to 3 hours, as 128 was a parking lot. Should have taken the bike like these 2 guys, would have been much faster!
Had to fight the traffic to get to Plymouth for a gig. An hour long trip took me close to 3 hours, as 128 was a parking lot. Should have taken the bike like these 2 guys, would have been much faster!
#3430
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#3431
What??? Only 2 wheels?
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At some speed, the bass would become a flounder. Which is to say, it would B flat.
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Real cyclists use toe clips.
With great bikes comes great responsibility.
jimmuller
Real cyclists use toe clips.
With great bikes comes great responsibility.
jimmuller
#3432
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#3433
What??? Only 2 wheels?
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I did my 30 mile round trip commute today. I rode the old faithful Peugeot UO8 because it has lights. I started out 20 min earlier than normal in a light mist, had a flat about a mile from the house, put in a new tube and continued on my way, took a slightly longer way in so as to run on the MM Bikeway instead of climbing the Concord Rd hill on the somewhat heavy UO8 with the generator load running, got to work about when I usually do.
An obligatory crappy cell phone pic (because I don't have one with the Peugeot at the office):
An obligatory crappy cell phone pic (because I don't have one with the Peugeot at the office):
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Real cyclists use toe clips.
With great bikes comes great responsibility.
jimmuller
Real cyclists use toe clips.
With great bikes comes great responsibility.
jimmuller
#3434
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10 miles on the Minuteman after work, just to inaugurate the Memorial Day weekend, even though the cool (50s), gray, damp weather seemed to have more of April than June in it. Not many folks out tonight, just a few migratory teenagers, a couple of bicycle commuters, and a woman walking a Great Dane the size of Jim's tandem.
More tire-pressure tweaking, this time dropping the 55mm Schwalbe Big Ben's on the old GT down to 30/35. Was able to nip along at a good clip, and tested the air-suspension effect of the balloon tires on every root and pot hole I could find, as well as the cobblestone shoulders of the Minuteman where it passes under the Maple Street overpass. That trick seems to pretty much work, no pinch flats and kept all my teeth... We'll see what I end up using them for: a Hindenburg reenactment, maybe.
rod
More tire-pressure tweaking, this time dropping the 55mm Schwalbe Big Ben's on the old GT down to 30/35. Was able to nip along at a good clip, and tested the air-suspension effect of the balloon tires on every root and pot hole I could find, as well as the cobblestone shoulders of the Minuteman where it passes under the Maple Street overpass. That trick seems to pretty much work, no pinch flats and kept all my teeth... We'll see what I end up using them for: a Hindenburg reenactment, maybe.
rod
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#3436
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"I ride a bike too!"
Heart melting. The next generation.
-mr. bill
Heart melting. The next generation.
-mr. bill
Last edited by mr_bill; 11-29-17 at 11:34 AM. Reason: photobucket
#3439
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Took another ride on the Charles River paths, this time heading East down to the Charles River Basin and beyond. Tried a route from Arlington to Harvard Square comprising the Minuteman, Rindge Avenue, Sherman Street, and Garden Street that is direct, quiet, and scenic, with a pleasant climb up Observatory Hill. Crossed the river at the Large Anderson Bridge, and followed the path alongside Storrow Drive down to the Esplanade, exploring as far as the railroad tracks leading to North Station, before back-tracking to cross at the Science Museum, then West on the (sometimes bumpier) Cambridge side. This was, if anything, a more serious trip in the time machine than the ride out to Watertown, since this really was my old stomping ground: the tangle of associations with two marriages, numerous friends, my education both formal and informal, several jobs, and the whole bygone gestalt of Boston and Cambridge in the Vietnam Era would fill more than one book: this was a walkabout in the Dreamtime. But much is new, as well, and it was fascinating to observe that from the perspective of the bike (I've driven by all of this stuff in the intervening years, of course); it's also pleasing to see that the Boston side from the B.U. Bridge to Allston is no longer unpaved single-track. And one thing that hasn't changed is the behavior of the people in these public spaces, each with a little personal bubble of exercise, or sun-bathing, or strolling, or family, but conscious of their presence in the larger scene; different from the 'burbs, for sure. Nice to be back.
The Polaroid Building is for lease.
"Make History"? Inhabit it, in any case...
When did the Charles become blue? This isn't a complaint. The river I remember was brown, lumpy, and smelled like a sewer... the Dirty Water of which the Standells sang.
Make way for duck boats.
Some of the new things are absolutely charming. Too bad this one doesn't have bike and pedestrian access...
Commuter rail heading into North Station; time to turn the bike around.
The view from the Tute.
What are a gaggle of domestic geese doing running loose in Cambridgeport? Turns out they have a homepage and a blog...
It was starting to get dark... And a big old line of storms was settling in from the North.
The rain held off until I got back to Harvard Square, however. I felt the first, tentative drops as I was passing the American Repertory Theatre. A cool-but-moderate shower ensued, lasting the rest of the ride. I briefly considered seeking shelter at Jose's; a margarita would have hit the spot, but they had their customary Saturday night line for seating, so I rode home in the rain and made my own fun.
18 miles through Arlington, Cambridge, Allston, Back Bay, Beacon Hill, and the approaches to North Station in the West End.
rod
The Polaroid Building is for lease.
"Make History"? Inhabit it, in any case...
When did the Charles become blue? This isn't a complaint. The river I remember was brown, lumpy, and smelled like a sewer... the Dirty Water of which the Standells sang.
Make way for duck boats.
Some of the new things are absolutely charming. Too bad this one doesn't have bike and pedestrian access...
Commuter rail heading into North Station; time to turn the bike around.
The view from the Tute.
What are a gaggle of domestic geese doing running loose in Cambridgeport? Turns out they have a homepage and a blog...
It was starting to get dark... And a big old line of storms was settling in from the North.
The rain held off until I got back to Harvard Square, however. I felt the first, tentative drops as I was passing the American Repertory Theatre. A cool-but-moderate shower ensued, lasting the rest of the ride. I briefly considered seeking shelter at Jose's; a margarita would have hit the spot, but they had their customary Saturday night line for seating, so I rode home in the rain and made my own fun.
18 miles through Arlington, Cambridge, Allston, Back Bay, Beacon Hill, and the approaches to North Station in the West End.
rod
Last edited by rholland1951; 05-26-14 at 08:48 PM.
#3440
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I was looking at the map, and I never realized that North Washington St. leads directly into Rutherford Ave (Rte 99) to the Alford St Bridge. The Alford St Bridge is my gateway to the North Shore, but I always access it via Edwin Land Blvd. on the Cambridge side.
#3441
What??? Only 2 wheels?
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Sharon and I did 40.3 MetroWestCentric miles with a co-worker yesterday, and another ride today of 37.3 miles, also MetroWestCentric. Spent some time exploring new-to-us residential roads in Chelmsford, plus a run westward that we don't usually do. Tomorrow we're planning to ride a new area with a new group, NEWTS (New England Wicked Tandem'S, or maybe New England Wicked Tandem Society) out of Shrewsbury. It's pretty hilly out there, but the ride is only 42 miles so I figure we'll be okay.
A quick pic from Emerson Field, Concord. In about 6 weeks the serenity of this quiet, beautiful playground and the surrounding quiet tree-lined streets will be shattered by the incessant clanging of banjo notes as we perform at the annual July 4 festivities on this very spot! For today though it was nice place for a mini-picnic. Now I am home, having a beer, having glued up two new sew-up wheel I built yesterday. Life is good.
A quick pic from Emerson Field, Concord. In about 6 weeks the serenity of this quiet, beautiful playground and the surrounding quiet tree-lined streets will be shattered by the incessant clanging of banjo notes as we perform at the annual July 4 festivities on this very spot! For today though it was nice place for a mini-picnic. Now I am home, having a beer, having glued up two new sew-up wheel I built yesterday. Life is good.
__________________
Real cyclists use toe clips.
With great bikes comes great responsibility.
jimmuller
Real cyclists use toe clips.
With great bikes comes great responsibility.
jimmuller
#3442
Senior Member
I made it! I finally got the chance to ride the Minuteman trail! Wow. That thing is crowded. I got on at Fort Lexington (the municipal building) and rode to Arlington center and back on my new (to me) Kona cargo bike, the smaller version. I did not know that Uncle Same was from Arlington. Now I do. There was a lot of Lexington to ride through. It was funny I saw a lot of roadies on the lexingotn part and a lot of fitness-hybrids on the arligotn part. Riding hard. I find it odd that in a span of miles easily covered by a fat guy on a cargo bike I could encounter two entirely different type of cycle-fauna. All riding like they were getting some kind of trophy at the end. No one said "hi" either. Ok, SOME people did but not like out in the countryside. Any way, some day I will return. Need to get to Cambridge next time.
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#3443
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Thanks, Rod, as usual for another photo essay, in particular this one of my stomping grounds in Metrobostoncentral based in Kenmore Square. I haven't ventured much into the North Station area though.
I was looking at the map, and I never realized that North Washington St. leads directly into Rutherford Ave (Rte 99) to the Alford St Bridge. The Alford St Bridge is my gateway to the North Shore, but I always access it via Edwin Land Blvd. on the Cambridge side.
I was looking at the map, and I never realized that North Washington St. leads directly into Rutherford Ave (Rte 99) to the Alford St Bridge. The Alford St Bridge is my gateway to the North Shore, but I always access it via Edwin Land Blvd. on the Cambridge side.
rod
Last edited by rholland1951; 05-26-14 at 01:03 PM.
#3444
What??? Only 2 wheels?
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We did another ride through MetroWest today, only 32 2/3 miles. Didn't do the NEWTS ride. The weather was threatening, raining here when we would have been leaving, promising to break 80F. And I plotted the route into TopoNAm and found it had 3600ft of climbing in 42.2 miles. That just didn't appeal for today. It's a bit more than two loops around ANP's Park Loop Road plus a run up Cadillac, though taking more distance to do it.
We did hit a few nice points however.
We never see these critters near the Carlisle Cranberry Bog. Probably some evolutionary thing.
One more stop in Great Brook Farm State Forest. How much can we carry?
We did hit a few nice points however.
We never see these critters near the Carlisle Cranberry Bog. Probably some evolutionary thing.
One more stop in Great Brook Farm State Forest. How much can we carry?
__________________
Real cyclists use toe clips.
With great bikes comes great responsibility.
jimmuller
Real cyclists use toe clips.
With great bikes comes great responsibility.
jimmuller
#3445
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Out early on a gray spitting morning - memorial day theme in these pics in general.
I know everybody (including Google) calls this the Larz Anderson Bridge, but it's the Nicholas Longworth Anderson Memorial Bridge - at least so says the plaque on the bridge. Interesting place for the Subaru to pass.
1812:
The sharrows in front of the Museum of Science are welcome. The "bikes may use full lane" signs were only read by bicyclists:
The North Bank Bridge, aka the Sinusoidal Bridge, connecting to Charlestown:
Old Ironsides:
Charlestown HarborWalk. Yes, it's a slow ride, but it makes me smile, even on a gray day:
Ccccaaaahhhbbbbbbllllllessssssss:
Must carry here:
Slowest descent ever:
You can't see it, but I can. The driver is looking in his side mirror, at me, and I'm giving him a big thumbs up:
-mr. bill
I know everybody (including Google) calls this the Larz Anderson Bridge, but it's the Nicholas Longworth Anderson Memorial Bridge - at least so says the plaque on the bridge. Interesting place for the Subaru to pass.
1812:
The sharrows in front of the Museum of Science are welcome. The "bikes may use full lane" signs were only read by bicyclists:
The North Bank Bridge, aka the Sinusoidal Bridge, connecting to Charlestown:
Old Ironsides:
Charlestown HarborWalk. Yes, it's a slow ride, but it makes me smile, even on a gray day:
Ccccaaaahhhbbbbbbllllllessssssss:
Must carry here:
Slowest descent ever:
You can't see it, but I can. The driver is looking in his side mirror, at me, and I'm giving him a big thumbs up:
-mr. bill
Last edited by mr_bill; 01-10-18 at 10:50 AM. Reason: photobucket
#3446
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Wow, lots of great ride reports and pictures.
After a busy weekend of gigs and family commitments, I finally snuck out at around 4 o'clock for a hilly 55 mile out and back to Great Brook. Lots of climbing. Skies threatened, but only produced a few spits and spats. Thankfully I stayed dry.
Mega Mt. Plus Great Brook Loop - Belmont, MA
Took a spin into deCordova and took some pics.
"Elegantka" by Ursala von Rydingsvard...
Alan Sonfist's "The Endangered Spcies of New England"...
"Humming" by Jaume Plensa...
Fletcher Benton"s "Donut With 3 Balls"...
"Tower(DC)" by Sol LeWitt, along with Orly Genger's "Red, Yellow, and Blue", and Dewitt Gafney's "Lincoln"...
After a busy weekend of gigs and family commitments, I finally snuck out at around 4 o'clock for a hilly 55 mile out and back to Great Brook. Lots of climbing. Skies threatened, but only produced a few spits and spats. Thankfully I stayed dry.
Mega Mt. Plus Great Brook Loop - Belmont, MA
Took a spin into deCordova and took some pics.
"Elegantka" by Ursala von Rydingsvard...
Alan Sonfist's "The Endangered Spcies of New England"...
"Humming" by Jaume Plensa...
Fletcher Benton"s "Donut With 3 Balls"...
"Tower(DC)" by Sol LeWitt, along with Orly Genger's "Red, Yellow, and Blue", and Dewitt Gafney's "Lincoln"...
Last edited by Bishbike; 05-26-14 at 08:39 PM. Reason: pics
#3447
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Wow, lots of great ride reports and pictures.
After a busy weekend of gigs and family commitments, I finally snuck out at around 4 o'clock for a hilly 55 mile out and back to Great Brook. Lots of climbing. Skies threatened, but only produced a few spits and spats. Thankfully I stayed dry.
Mega Mt. Plus Great Brook Loop - Belmont, MA
Took a spin into deCordova and took some pics.
"Elegantka" by Ursala von Rydingsvard...
Alan Sonfist's "The Endangered Spcies of New England"...
"Humming" by Jaume Plensa...
Fletcher Benton"s "Donut With 3 Balls"...
"Tower(DC)" by Sol LeWitt, along with Orly Genger's "Red, Yellow, and Blue", and Dewitt Gafney's "Lincoln"...
After a busy weekend of gigs and family commitments, I finally snuck out at around 4 o'clock for a hilly 55 mile out and back to Great Brook. Lots of climbing. Skies threatened, but only produced a few spits and spats. Thankfully I stayed dry.
Mega Mt. Plus Great Brook Loop - Belmont, MA
Took a spin into deCordova and took some pics.
"Elegantka" by Ursala von Rydingsvard...
Alan Sonfist's "The Endangered Spcies of New England"...
"Humming" by Jaume Plensa...
Fletcher Benton"s "Donut With 3 Balls"...
"Tower(DC)" by Sol LeWitt, along with Orly Genger's "Red, Yellow, and Blue", and Dewitt Gafney's "Lincoln"...
rod
#3448
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#3449
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We did another ride through MetroWest today, only 32 2/3 miles. Didn't do the NEWTS ride. The weather was threatening, raining here when we would have been leaving, promising to break 80F. And I plotted the route into TopoNAm and found it had 3600ft of climbing in 42.2 miles. That just didn't appeal for today. It's a bit more than two loops around ANP's Park Loop Road plus a run up Cadillac, though taking more distance to do it.
#3450
What??? Only 2 wheels?
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