Metro Boston: Good ride today?
#7226
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Another beautiful day and got out for a lunchtime ride. Forgot to restart map my ride after lunch so I'm not sure of the total distance. 5.15 out but took a longer route home to avoid construction. I'm going to call it 12 but was probably a bit more - with rolling hills.
Getting stronger every time out.
Getting stronger every time out.
#7227
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Took the Ebisu out to Depot Park this afternoon. Conditions were interesting: temperatures fell about 20degF in the course of the ride, with an apparent headwind coming and going. So managing sweat wasn't a big problem. Lovely day, of course, and lovely ride.
The button-activated stop light at the Hartwell Ave. crossing really can stop a remarkable number of cars. A godlike power...
Bedford: the old industrial-park fence has seen better days. The skunk cabbage, on the other hand, is in its power.
The stationary Ebisu races the stationary Buddliner, and leads by a nose.
Young birch trees gracefully bent over the trail in Bedford, a souvenir of last Winter's storms.
The young gentleman in the blue jersey, seen receding rapidly towards the horizon, wishes to be taken as an authority figure on Minuteman etiquette, but it sounds like Young Man Blues to me...
Along about that time, I realized I was traveling without my Zefal frame pump. A search of the photographic record suggests I've been doing that on the Ebisu since mid-February. Once I got home, I ordered 2 more, one for the Ebisu and one for a pending build.
As I was crossing Wiggins Ave., I heard the Hanscom AFB public address system playing The Star-Spangled Banner. It was 5 o'clock, and they were striking the colors.
Spring has, if not sprung, then at least commenced springing.
rod
The button-activated stop light at the Hartwell Ave. crossing really can stop a remarkable number of cars. A godlike power...
Bedford: the old industrial-park fence has seen better days. The skunk cabbage, on the other hand, is in its power.
The stationary Ebisu races the stationary Buddliner, and leads by a nose.
Young birch trees gracefully bent over the trail in Bedford, a souvenir of last Winter's storms.
The young gentleman in the blue jersey, seen receding rapidly towards the horizon, wishes to be taken as an authority figure on Minuteman etiquette, but it sounds like Young Man Blues to me...
Along about that time, I realized I was traveling without my Zefal frame pump. A search of the photographic record suggests I've been doing that on the Ebisu since mid-February. Once I got home, I ordered 2 more, one for the Ebisu and one for a pending build.
As I was crossing Wiggins Ave., I heard the Hanscom AFB public address system playing The Star-Spangled Banner. It was 5 o'clock, and they were striking the colors.
Spring has, if not sprung, then at least commenced springing.
rod
Last edited by rholland1951; 05-09-18 at 08:23 PM.
#7228
What??? Only 2 wheels?
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Indeed another nice bike commuting day. I've been riding the Peugeot PFN10 this week. Tomorrow however I will ride the Masi.
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Real cyclists use toe clips.
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jimmuller
Real cyclists use toe clips.
With great bikes comes great responsibility.
jimmuller
#7229
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Just a heads up.
Minuteman Bikeway in Arlington will be closed
Sunday Morning May 13th from 8:00am to 9:00am
between Bow Street and Mill Street.
-mr. bill
Minuteman Bikeway in Arlington will be closed
Sunday Morning May 13th from 8:00am to 9:00am
between Bow Street and Mill Street.
-mr. bill
#7230
What??? Only 2 wheels?
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Thanks. I saw the signs commuting this morning. We can take out tandem elsewhere...
__________________
Real cyclists use toe clips.
With great bikes comes great responsibility.
jimmuller
Real cyclists use toe clips.
With great bikes comes great responsibility.
jimmuller
#7231
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So lots of back and forth on the Minuteman these days to physical therapy. Anyhow, mid-afternoon mid-week, noticed today all the different people.
So, here's to the Multiple Users.
Of course walkers:
And couples walking:
And runners:
And of course people on bikes (with a milk crate):
E-longboarder:
Rollerblader (far more popular back when the Minuteman opened):
Someone in an aero position on the bike:
Dog walking their human:
Even on the Minuteman, there are obstacles faced by people in wheelchairs:
How this all works:
-mr. bill
So, here's to the Multiple Users.
Of course walkers:
And couples walking:
And runners:
And of course people on bikes (with a milk crate):
E-longboarder:
Rollerblader (far more popular back when the Minuteman opened):
Someone in an aero position on the bike:
Dog walking their human:
Even on the Minuteman, there are obstacles faced by people in wheelchairs:
How this all works:
-mr. bill
Last edited by mr_bill; 05-11-18 at 09:01 AM.
#7232
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Here's to the Multiple Users continued....
Riding a foldable bike:
Someone out on an EliptiGO:
Side by side pushing strollers:
Solo stroller:
This was a first for me though, photo shoot in the middle of the Minuteman:
Walking away from Starbucks:
Walking further away from Trader Joes:
He is always walking:
Finally, someone heading home from school:
-mr. bill
Riding a foldable bike:
Someone out on an EliptiGO:
Side by side pushing strollers:
Solo stroller:
This was a first for me though, photo shoot in the middle of the Minuteman:
Walking away from Starbucks:
Walking further away from Trader Joes:
He is always walking:
Finally, someone heading home from school:
-mr. bill
Last edited by mr_bill; 05-11-18 at 09:03 AM.
#7233
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Rode the Nordavinden around in circles on the Alewife Greenway, Mystic River Path, Boston Ave., Somerville Community Path, Alewife Linear Park, and the cis-alpine section of the Minuteman, then spent an hour working the Minuteman Bike Count at Swan Place, followed by a gratuitous ride out to Lexington, just cause my legs said please.
At the corner of Broadway and Route 16, a cyclist precipitated an accident by ignoring the don't-walk signal, causing the first car to stop in mid-turn; the driver of the second car tried to go around her, and somehow misjudged the distance. The offending cyclist can be seen (by the sharp-eyed) pedaling away from the calamity on the sidewalk. Schmuck!
Alewife Brook, of course, flows into the Mystic River.
Sneaking around the back of Ball Square on Boston Ave.
Public art on the Somerville Community Path: Arlington take note.
Counting heads at Swan Place (I counted around 300).
Swan upping: counting swans on Peepers Pond (I counted 2).
Back home, a couple of bunnies took a shine to the Nordvinden, so I counted them, too.
rod
At the corner of Broadway and Route 16, a cyclist precipitated an accident by ignoring the don't-walk signal, causing the first car to stop in mid-turn; the driver of the second car tried to go around her, and somehow misjudged the distance. The offending cyclist can be seen (by the sharp-eyed) pedaling away from the calamity on the sidewalk. Schmuck!
Alewife Brook, of course, flows into the Mystic River.
Sneaking around the back of Ball Square on Boston Ave.
Public art on the Somerville Community Path: Arlington take note.
Counting heads at Swan Place (I counted around 300).
Swan upping: counting swans on Peepers Pond (I counted 2).
Back home, a couple of bunnies took a shine to the Nordvinden, so I counted them, too.
rod
Last edited by rholland1951; 05-10-18 at 11:33 PM.
#7234
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The early morning sunshine has finally allowed me to hit the road at 0500 without my headlight!!! Mr blinky is still blinking however. I covered my 30 mile route Monday, Tuesday, Thursday on my Roubaix and Friday on my R3. I also took my Boone 7 cross bike out this morning for 22 miles. I know it's supposed to be my winter bike but it really is a fast fun light and enjoyable bike to ride. It was made more so with the brand new Chris King build wheelset I mounted yesterday. Turquoise Chris King R45's with HED Belgium+ rims.
#7235
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Took the LHT for a quick spin up to Lexington and back in the late afternoon, cool, clear, and breezy. Lots of folks out taking the air on the Minuteman, mostly staying out of each other´s way. One of those days when the bell prevented misunderstandings.
rod
rod
#7236
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Good job, you got pretty much everyone and everything, even the rarely seen ellipti-bike! I see that the Japanese Knotweed is already taking over the path...
Shame. The driver of the Ford is to blame as well - drivers are so impatient here - but cyclists like that just make it more difficult for the rest of us
At the corner of Broadway and Route 16, a cyclist precipitated an accident by ignoring the don't-walk signal, causing the first car to stop in mid-turn; the driver of the second car tried to go around her, and somehow misjudged the distance. The offending cyclist can be seen (by the sharp-eyed) pedaling away from the calamity on the sidewalk. Schmuck!
rod
rod
#7237
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Anyway, Iove all the pictures!
#7238
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Not justifying the illegal cyclist crossing, but I don't think you can blame the cyclist for a car behind the one that properly stopped trying to make an illegal turn around the stopped car and hitting it in the process. That's poor - and dangerous if properly executed - driving.
...
...
rod
Last edited by rholland1951; 05-15-18 at 07:44 AM.
#7239
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Took the Ebisu out for another later-afternoon ride up to Lexington and back, if for no other reason than to carry its newly-acquired pump.
The weather was fine and the Minuteman was bustling.
After hundreds of iterations of the same 10-mile ride, it's gotten harder to see anything for the first time, so I was delighted to find this little arboreal gateway to Arlington's Great Meadow.
Good, quick ride, over too soon, but that was kind of the point this afternoon.
rod
The weather was fine and the Minuteman was bustling.
After hundreds of iterations of the same 10-mile ride, it's gotten harder to see anything for the first time, so I was delighted to find this little arboreal gateway to Arlington's Great Meadow.
Good, quick ride, over too soon, but that was kind of the point this afternoon.
rod
#7240
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No question, the second driver was incompetent, and may be one of those poor souls who doesn't really know where the corners of her car are; I have no doubt her insurance company will pick up the tab for damage to the first car. That being said... having watched the whole thing go down, there was nothing ambiguous about the chain of causation here: the cyclist got the whole sorry sequence rolling, and then rolled his sorry self away from the scene before papers were passed.
rod
rod
Not justifying the illegal cyclist crossing, but I don't think you can blame the cyclist for a car behind the one that properly stopped trying to make an illegal turn around the stopped car and hitting it in the process. That's poor - and dangerous if properly executed - driving.
#7241
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Took the Trucker DeLuxe on a variant of the North Bridge loop, rolling out on the Minuteman, Route 225, River Road, and Monument Street, then rolling back on the Reformatory Branch and the Minuteman, 31 miles in all. Temperatures started in the low 60s and finished in the mid 50s, with a bit of headwind on the return. The 53mm Compass Rat Trap Pass Extralights floated over rough pavement at speed on Monument Street, and mushed through such mud as they encountered on the Reformatory Branch. Kept a good pace and made my legs happy.
A bit of traffic on Monument Street.
Top of the hill.
Monument Street: road work.
Reformatory Branch: peace and quiet.
Vernal pool, or plain old swamp?
The multi-path path.
Back to the Minuteman for rush hour.
rod
A bit of traffic on Monument Street.
Top of the hill.
Monument Street: road work.
Reformatory Branch: peace and quiet.
Vernal pool, or plain old swamp?
The multi-path path.
Back to the Minuteman for rush hour.
rod
Last edited by rholland1951; 05-17-18 at 09:23 AM.
#7242
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Took the Rawland Nordavinden out for a 43-mile ramble through Arlington, Lexington, Bedford, Concord, Lincoln, Wayland, and Sudbury. Rolled around Water Row, listening to bullfrogs and woodpeckers, and pursued by a dinosaur. Criss-crossed the Sudbury River numerous times. Paid courtesy calls to Ponyhenge and the Cambridge Reservoir. Made some non-standard (for me) route choices, including Tower Road (beautiful) and Bedford Road climbing out of Lincoln Center (long, steep!). Home in time to keep a 6:30 dinner date.
Spent a lot of time on Route 126.
Crossing the Sudbury River for the first time of many, on Sherman's Bridge Road.
Water Row in Spring, a damn fine swamp.
Pursued by a dinosaur.
Again across the Sudbury.
Ponyhenge endures.
The Cambridge Reservoir appears to be fully charged, all that mud is covered by water.
Note to the guy driving the black pickup truck with the skull decal on the rear window, and several other drivers: FOOTBALL is the "game of inches"; DRIVING is supposed to involve a little more clearance while passing, especially while passing bicycles.
rod
Spent a lot of time on Route 126.
Crossing the Sudbury River for the first time of many, on Sherman's Bridge Road.
Water Row in Spring, a damn fine swamp.
Pursued by a dinosaur.
Again across the Sudbury.
Ponyhenge endures.
The Cambridge Reservoir appears to be fully charged, all that mud is covered by water.
Note to the guy driving the black pickup truck with the skull decal on the rear window, and several other drivers: FOOTBALL is the "game of inches"; DRIVING is supposed to involve a little more clearance while passing, especially while passing bicycles.
rod
Last edited by rholland1951; 05-18-18 at 07:20 AM.
#7243
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#7244
What??? Only 2 wheels?
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I've just been riding to work as usual. Monday rode the Masi, Tuesday I had a dr appointment and boy am I glad I didn't ride, Wednesday rode the Masi again, Thursday rode the Grandis, today rode the Peugeot PFN10. Great fun. Yesterday and today were wiiiiiindyyyyy, out of the east and cold.
__________________
Real cyclists use toe clips.
With great bikes comes great responsibility.
jimmuller
Real cyclists use toe clips.
With great bikes comes great responsibility.
jimmuller
#7245
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Hopped on the LHT for a quick spin up to Lexington as the clouds rolled in, racing raindrops on the Minuteman. Stayed ahead of them until Maple Street, then rode through gentle drizzle for the rest of the ride, enjoying the rain-shadow of the tree canopy where it arched over the path. Lots of other folks out on similar errands, as well as kids' soccer games with parents cheering from under umbrellas.
rod
rod
Last edited by rholland1951; 05-19-18 at 12:21 PM.
#7246
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I got today's riding in early on 2 separate rides. I hit the road at 0430 on my Boone 7 cross bike with its new wheels and blingy turquoise hubs for 19 miles before an early morning non cycling commitment. Shorty afterwards I hit the road on my Roubaix at 8:00 AM for another 31 more miles. It was cool sunny and gorgeous! This week I rode my Roubaix Monday morning for 30 miles, the R3 Tuesday for another 30 and Friday for 30 more on the Roubaix.
#7247
What??? Only 2 wheels?
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We snuck in 23 miles on the tandem and managed to finished before he rain hit! Averaged 13.9mph which is substantially higher than our typical.
Spotted this beast as we were starting out:
Spotted this beast as we were starting out:
__________________
Real cyclists use toe clips.
With great bikes comes great responsibility.
jimmuller
Real cyclists use toe clips.
With great bikes comes great responsibility.
jimmuller
#7248
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This morning I took my Boon 7 cross bike out for 39 lovely Sunday morning miles. I pushed it hard and rode it as fast as my Roubaix. This super light 1X bike has become my favorite bike I've ever owned. Maybe it has to do with rolling right over bumpy cracked, pavement patches that I would otherwise dart and weave around (Monument st has plenty to choose from, so does 117). The canti brakes aren't the sexiest but with Kool Stop pads they slow me down well enough so far. Evidently there was a charity event in the Lincoln, concord area. They seemed to be going up the streets I was going down.
#7249
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Anyhow, “WIDE LOAD”, GTFOOTW!
Did you know that an operator can not see the hood of a Kenworth T680, *AND* if someone is driving a Kenworth T680 your white helmet might blend in with the white hood they can’t see? Once upon a time they blamed you for not wearing a helmet. Now they blame you for not wearing the right color helmet.
”Duel 2016” is a short film. Four notes, bah dum, bah dum....
-mr. bill
Last edited by mr_bill; 05-20-18 at 04:10 PM.
#7250
Chuggin' Along
My first stop was Fern's which is about five miles from home. Pushed on to Concord center and then on to a short loop around Walden Pond. (126 to 117, and Sudbury Road). Back through Concord Ctr, and back to Fern's for a coffee while I sat out a rain shower. It sure was a great day to be out,(except for a little rain) not too warm, and it was nice to smell the lilacs along the way. My Roubaix handled the wet road home just fine, and it was a "flat-free" outing which is always a good thing.
I got talking with the new owner of Fern's. He is going to move the bike rack to the back of the building, and make a nice shaded area for riders to hang out. He says he is also going to supply a pump for anyone who might need it along with some other amenities.
I got talking with the new owner of Fern's. He is going to move the bike rack to the back of the building, and make a nice shaded area for riders to hang out. He says he is also going to supply a pump for anyone who might need it along with some other amenities.
__________________
Note to self:
If a road has the word "Hill" included in it's name, it might not be a good idea to try it.
Note to self:
If a road has the word "Hill" included in it's name, it might not be a good idea to try it.