Hello to this Forum from Boston
07-14-08, 08:52 AM
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Hello to this Forum from Boston
Hello to this Forum,
I stumbled upon this Forum from another totally unrelated Blog and I was quite impressed at the volume of activity and range of interests. Back in the 60’s in the Motor City, I had an “English Racer,’ and longed to tour at about age 14, but then joined the car culture. In Ann Arbor MI in the 70’s I really realized the utility of bicycles for commuting, and began touring on a five-speed Schwinn Suburban, but soon bought a Mercier as did my girlfriend, later my wife. We toured in Michigan and Ontario.
In 1977 we moved to Boston on our bikes, as a bicycling honeymoon from Los Angeles to Washington, DC and then took the train up to Boston. We have toured in New England and the Maritime Provinces, and one trip to the DelMarVa peninsula. The Mercier wore out and now I ride a Bridgestone RB-1 purchased in about 1991. After the birth of our son in 1988, I have pretty much been a year–round commuter only, but in the past few years I have done a century or two a year and I follow a ten week training program for centuries published long ago in Bicycling Magazine.
I have a really great commute that belies, IMO, the image of Boston as a city unfriendly to bicycling. I live in Downtown and ride to a suburb 14 miles distant in the reverse traffic commuting pattern. Then in the evening, I take my bike back to Boston on a commuter rail train, since the train is empty on the reverse commute. The Train Station is about 3 minutes from work, the Downtown Station is about three miles from home, and the train ride is about one-half hour long. For those who commute in the regular direction, I feel your pain, but my half-commute is so tolerable, that I miss only a few days during the entire year, usually because of rain. I furthermore usually leave home before 6:00 AM, and this is my idea of Peace on Earth. To train for a century, I just do ever-lengthening routes to work.
I have been perusing this site for a few weeks and I have had several comments to make so I hope to make useful contributions to future discussion threads, as well as glean from the comments of others.
Sincerely,
Jim from Boston
Addendum: Since joining Bike Forums, I have also ridden on the Second Annual Fifty Plus Ride at Watkins Glen in the Finger Lakes Region in 2010 in conjunction with the (NY) Southern Tier Bicycle Club; and with the Third Annual Ride in Chelsea MI in 2011, called "One Helluva Ride," sponsored by the Ann Arbor Bicycle Touring Society.
Also since subscribing, I have adapted to riding my Cannondale Mountain Bike in rain and winter precipitation, including on icy roads, thanks to advice from the Forums.
Second Addendum: On June 1, 2012 I was hit from behind by a car while commuting home on a Friday evening. I was off work for three months, and off the bike for five. See this post, “One of our own was hit Friday Night,” with my first reply a few weeks later:
The Bridgestone was totaled in the accident, and in April of 2013, I bought a Specialized S-Works.
Third Addendum:
On 7/28/13, I was the "host" for a Fifth Annual Fifty-Plus Ride held in the Metropolitan Boston area.
Fourth Addendum:
On 7/26/14, we did the Sixth Annual Fifty-Plus Ride again in Boston.
Fifth Addendum:
We did the Seventh Annual Fifty-Plus Rides in Chelsea, MI on 7/11/15, and in Raystown, PA on 10/10/15.
Sixth Addendum:
In August this year of 2016, I bought an aluminum Specialized Diverge to use as a new. lighter beater bike, and reserve the heavy duty Cannondale MB for Winter riding, with studded tires. For the past three weeks though, I have had plantar fasciitis, and it's too painful to just stretch my left foot to mount any bike, so I've ridden it just two blocks.
In addition, this has been the nicest riding summer since my accident in 2012. The fasciitis has been getting better, so today (9/10/16), I plan to go for two separate rides, totaling about 25 miles, on the Cannondale which is more comfortable to ride with the platform pedals. Then hopefully, I can resume riding again on the clipless bikes.
See also this summary:
I have been an avid cyclist, as a lifestyle since about 1972; self-described year-round commuter, occasional centurian (in-training during the nice weather), and former cycle tourist, including a cross-country ride…”Road Warrior” is my self-applied nickname. I happened serendipitously on Bike Forums in 2008, and it was frankly incredible to find a community that shared so many concerns I had kept to myself as a lone cyclist.
This enthusiasm has definitely increased my enjoyment of cycling. As far as improving it, what I have gotten directly from BF are:
I stumbled upon this Forum from another totally unrelated Blog and I was quite impressed at the volume of activity and range of interests. Back in the 60’s in the Motor City, I had an “English Racer,’ and longed to tour at about age 14, but then joined the car culture. In Ann Arbor MI in the 70’s I really realized the utility of bicycles for commuting, and began touring on a five-speed Schwinn Suburban, but soon bought a Mercier as did my girlfriend, later my wife. We toured in Michigan and Ontario.
In 1977 we moved to Boston on our bikes, as a bicycling honeymoon from Los Angeles to Washington, DC and then took the train up to Boston. We have toured in New England and the Maritime Provinces, and one trip to the DelMarVa peninsula. The Mercier wore out and now I ride a Bridgestone RB-1 purchased in about 1991. After the birth of our son in 1988, I have pretty much been a year–round commuter only, but in the past few years I have done a century or two a year and I follow a ten week training program for centuries published long ago in Bicycling Magazine.
I have a really great commute that belies, IMO, the image of Boston as a city unfriendly to bicycling. I live in Downtown and ride to a suburb 14 miles distant in the reverse traffic commuting pattern. Then in the evening, I take my bike back to Boston on a commuter rail train, since the train is empty on the reverse commute. The Train Station is about 3 minutes from work, the Downtown Station is about three miles from home, and the train ride is about one-half hour long. For those who commute in the regular direction, I feel your pain, but my half-commute is so tolerable, that I miss only a few days during the entire year, usually because of rain. I furthermore usually leave home before 6:00 AM, and this is my idea of Peace on Earth. To train for a century, I just do ever-lengthening routes to work.
I have been perusing this site for a few weeks and I have had several comments to make so I hope to make useful contributions to future discussion threads, as well as glean from the comments of others.
Sincerely,
Jim from Boston
Addendum: Since joining Bike Forums, I have also ridden on the Second Annual Fifty Plus Ride at Watkins Glen in the Finger Lakes Region in 2010 in conjunction with the (NY) Southern Tier Bicycle Club; and with the Third Annual Ride in Chelsea MI in 2011, called "One Helluva Ride," sponsored by the Ann Arbor Bicycle Touring Society.
Also since subscribing, I have adapted to riding my Cannondale Mountain Bike in rain and winter precipitation, including on icy roads, thanks to advice from the Forums.
Second Addendum: On June 1, 2012 I was hit from behind by a car while commuting home on a Friday evening. I was off work for three months, and off the bike for five. See this post, “One of our own was hit Friday Night,” with my first reply a few weeks later:
Just felt that I should let people know that Jim From Boston, was hit Friday Night while commuting home from work. He is "Okay" from what I have heard, no nerve damage but several major bone breaks…
Third Addendum:
On 7/28/13, I was the "host" for a Fifth Annual Fifty-Plus Ride held in the Metropolitan Boston area.
Fourth Addendum:
On 7/26/14, we did the Sixth Annual Fifty-Plus Ride again in Boston.
Fifth Addendum:
We did the Seventh Annual Fifty-Plus Rides in Chelsea, MI on 7/11/15, and in Raystown, PA on 10/10/15.
Sixth Addendum:
In August this year of 2016, I bought an aluminum Specialized Diverge to use as a new. lighter beater bike, and reserve the heavy duty Cannondale MB for Winter riding, with studded tires. For the past three weeks though, I have had plantar fasciitis, and it's too painful to just stretch my left foot to mount any bike, so I've ridden it just two blocks.
In addition, this has been the nicest riding summer since my accident in 2012. The fasciitis has been getting better, so today (9/10/16), I plan to go for two separate rides, totaling about 25 miles, on the Cannondale which is more comfortable to ride with the platform pedals. Then hopefully, I can resume riding again on the clipless bikes.
See also this summary:
This enthusiasm has definitely increased my enjoyment of cycling. As far as improving it, what I have gotten directly from BF are:
- the motivation and tips to ride in rain, and wintry roads, i.e. studded tires
- the Fifty-Plus Annual rides that motivate me to train in the nice weather
- the safety tip to watch the front wheels of a car rather than the body or hood to anticipate what the driver is going to do
- the opportunity to post and literally "journal" my thoughts and activities about cycling and lifestyle (even if nobody else reads them), but which I wouldn't write down otherwise.
Last edited by Jim from Boston; 09-10-16 at 04:04 AM. Reason: Added Summary
07-14-08, 09:03 AM
#2
Lanky Lass
Hi Jim, it sounds as if you never let go of your love of cycling! Glad to have you here to contribute 
.
Welcome to BF, and feel free to PM me with any questions
!
East Hill
Forum Moderator
.Welcome to BF, and feel free to PM me with any questions
!East Hill
Forum Moderator
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TRY EMPATHY & HAVE LOVE IN YOUR HEART, PERHAPS I'LL SEE YOU ON THE ROAD...
___________________________________________________
TRY EMPATHY & HAVE LOVE IN YOUR HEART, PERHAPS I'LL SEE YOU ON THE ROAD...
07-14-08, 09:13 AM
#3
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Join Date: May 2008
Location: New England
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Hi Jim, welcome to BF! That's quite a riding schedule/commute you have! I live in Cambridge. Check out the regional forum https://www.bikeforums.net/forumdisplay.php?f=232 and also this Boston-area one https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=385697
Hello to this Forum,
I stumbled upon this Forum from another totally unrelated Blog and I was quite impressed at the volume of activity and range of interests. Back in the 60’s in the Motor City, I had an “English Racer,’ and longed to tour at about age 14, but then joined the car culture. In Ann Arbor MI in the 70’s I really realized the utility of bicycles for commuting, and began touring on a five-speed Schwinn Suburban, but soon bought a Mercier as did my girlfriend, later my wife. We toured in Michigan and Ontario.
In 1977 we moved to Boston on our bikes, as a bicycling honeymoon from Los Angeles to Washington, DC and then took the train up to Boston. We have toured in New England and the Maritime Provinces, and one trip to the DelMarVa peninsula. The Mercier wore out and now I ride a Bridgestone RB-1 purchased in about 1991. After the birth of our son in 1988, I have pretty much been a year–round commuter only, but in the past few years I have done a century or two a year and I follow a ten week training program for centuries published long ago in Bicycling Magazine.
I have a really great commute that belies, IMO, the image of Boston as a city unfriendly to bicycling. I live in Downtown and ride to a suburb 14 miles distant in the reverse traffic commuting pattern. Then in the evening, I take my bike back to Boston on a commuter rail train, since the train is empty on the reverse commute. The Train Station is about 3 minutes from work, the Downtown Station is about three miles from home, and the train ride is about one-half hour long. For those who commute in the regular direction, I feel your pain, but my half-commute is so tolerable, that I miss only a few days during the entire year, usually because of rain. I furthermore usually leave home before 5:00 AM, and this is my idea of Peace on Earth. To train for a century, I just do ever-lengthening routes to work.
I have been perusing this site for a few weeks and I have had several comments to make so I hope to make useful contributions to future discussion threads, as well as glean from the comments of others.
Sincerely,
Jim from Boston
I stumbled upon this Forum from another totally unrelated Blog and I was quite impressed at the volume of activity and range of interests. Back in the 60’s in the Motor City, I had an “English Racer,’ and longed to tour at about age 14, but then joined the car culture. In Ann Arbor MI in the 70’s I really realized the utility of bicycles for commuting, and began touring on a five-speed Schwinn Suburban, but soon bought a Mercier as did my girlfriend, later my wife. We toured in Michigan and Ontario.
In 1977 we moved to Boston on our bikes, as a bicycling honeymoon from Los Angeles to Washington, DC and then took the train up to Boston. We have toured in New England and the Maritime Provinces, and one trip to the DelMarVa peninsula. The Mercier wore out and now I ride a Bridgestone RB-1 purchased in about 1991. After the birth of our son in 1988, I have pretty much been a year–round commuter only, but in the past few years I have done a century or two a year and I follow a ten week training program for centuries published long ago in Bicycling Magazine.
I have a really great commute that belies, IMO, the image of Boston as a city unfriendly to bicycling. I live in Downtown and ride to a suburb 14 miles distant in the reverse traffic commuting pattern. Then in the evening, I take my bike back to Boston on a commuter rail train, since the train is empty on the reverse commute. The Train Station is about 3 minutes from work, the Downtown Station is about three miles from home, and the train ride is about one-half hour long. For those who commute in the regular direction, I feel your pain, but my half-commute is so tolerable, that I miss only a few days during the entire year, usually because of rain. I furthermore usually leave home before 5:00 AM, and this is my idea of Peace on Earth. To train for a century, I just do ever-lengthening routes to work.
I have been perusing this site for a few weeks and I have had several comments to make so I hope to make useful contributions to future discussion threads, as well as glean from the comments of others.
Sincerely,
Jim from Boston
03-05-09, 09:57 PM
#4
aka Tom Reingold
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Nice introduction. I should write one about myself. We have a fair bit in common. I lived in Boston and cycled there extensively. I also worked at the Bicycle Workshop on MIT campus. Maybe you were a customer of mine back in 1980 or 1981.
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Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
01-09-15, 02:32 PM
#7
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this is hysterical
01-09-15, 07:47 PM
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Glad you're still here, Jim!
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02-15-16, 07:24 AM
#9
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Second Addendum: On June 1, 2012 I was hit from behind by a car while commuting home on a Friday evening. I was off work for three months, and off the bike for five. See this post, “One of our own was hit Friday Night,” with my first reply a few weeks later: The Bridgestone was totaled in the accident, and in April of 2013, I bought a Specialized S-Works.
Sorry I didn't do nested quotes in your honor ... maybe after the next cup of coffee.
02-15-16, 09:26 AM
#10
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anyone know how to find your 1st post? I doubt mine was anywhere near as articulate
02-16-16, 06:44 AM
#11
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Thanks for those greetings to this old introduction to BF from 2008.
FYA, I recently wrote about my posting style. rr6, since you asked, my first post to BF after this Introduction, was on 7/14/08. You may find it amusing, since you are a fellow Metro Boston cyclist, and as you previously posted to my thread last January,
Bitter Bostonian joins the ranks
Hey all,
My name's Rob. Been commuting around The Bean for about three years now, getting my stripes. So I figure I should come to the internets to say hello.
To stereotype, I'm about 40% fixed gear kid, 40% three-speed dork, 10% spandexerrific, and 10% crazy winter commuter.
And that's about it, I suppose. . .
Hey all,
My name's Rob. Been commuting around The Bean for about three years now, getting my stripes. So I figure I should come to the internets to say hello.
To stereotype, I'm about 40% fixed gear kid, 40% three-speed dork, 10% spandexerrific, and 10% crazy winter commuter.
And that's about it, I suppose. . .
Pronoid pedalist
Hi robsolete,
I once heard that the opposite of a paranoid is a pronoid, i.e. someone who believes the world is organized for their benefit. I just introduced myself to this forum today, praising the cycling here in Boston (living in Kenmore Square) and how I've organized my riding to enjoy it. On Saturday I did a beautiful century up the North Shore Coastline, though I admit such fine weather is a limited treat.
See also a recent posting to the General Cyling Discussion Group entitled, "Impressed by Massachusetts Bicycle Setup." Impressed by Massachusetts Bicycle Setup
Sincerely,
Jim from Boston
Hi robsolete,
I once heard that the opposite of a paranoid is a pronoid, i.e. someone who believes the world is organized for their benefit. I just introduced myself to this forum today, praising the cycling here in Boston (living in Kenmore Square) and how I've organized my riding to enjoy it. On Saturday I did a beautiful century up the North Shore Coastline, though I admit such fine weather is a limited treat.
See also a recent posting to the General Cyling Discussion Group entitled, "Impressed by Massachusetts Bicycle Setup." Impressed by Massachusetts Bicycle Setup
Sincerely,
Jim from Boston
