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Metro Boston: Good ride today?

Old 12-12-18, 06:18 PM
  #7876  
mr_bill
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Caught between three worlds.

So, my world has gotten bigger,
(Stairs are no longer an obstacle most of the time!)

and smaller,
(_W_a_l_k_i_n_g__o_h__s_o__s_l_o_w_l_y_!_)

and tinier still.
(__W__a__l__k__i__n__g___a__c__r__o__s__s___t__h__e___r__o__o__m
__s__o___s__t__r__a__n__g__e__!__)

But after 100 days, finally tonight to be able to walk my first few steps in my own shoes, priceless.

For long “walks” still on the knee scooter, so today during my tele-cons:

The Somerville Community Path between Mass Ave and Davis is open again.
Plus, there is a delightful meander at the terminus of the path.
GLX, wow, full speed ahead.

Today marks mile 466 on the knee scooter. Not sure if I’ll make it to 500 miles.

-mr. bill

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Old 12-12-18, 06:46 PM
  #7877  
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Go get ‘m kid. You keep at it
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Old 12-14-18, 09:00 PM
  #7878  
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Spotted on my commute a few days ago. Woburn's municipal organic free-range turkey flock is doing well.

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Old 12-17-18, 04:54 PM
  #7879  
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MB: Grt P&I edition.

Still fearful of the (inevitable?) one step back....

BUT, so far!

Spent the weekend baking and cooking and roasting. (BTW, why do we bake cookies)?

Cookies came out (humbly) great, stock came out (frankly) awesome, and the (delish) small roast chicken fed us last night and will still feed us again.

All of which is to say my small world in my kitchen has gotten much bigger. Won’t forget the mise en place lessons, but nice to no longer have to plant a pivot “foot.”

But. The rest of the world. Balconies, ha!

I was able to balcony (yes I verbed a noun) the John Coltrane concert at Blackman Auditorium. So many steps. Giant steps. Spectacular concert as always.

And First Parish balcony no longer off limits.

“Weaning” out of the boot much more quickly than I ever imagined.

So, big milestone. 24 hours without the boot. (Which means I slept without the boot.)

Someday, I will be back on a bike, rather than “just” wearing tshirts about bikes. (PGH “choose your adventure” T.)

-mr. bill







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Old 12-20-18, 04:17 AM
  #7880  
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I hit 7000 miles for the year this past Saturday. I decided to take the next few weeks off to pursue other fitness goals. If the weather stays nice I’ll start riding on the weekends in mid-late January. Yesterday I took delivery of my new Seven. The crankset and skewers are back ordered so the shop put on a loaner in the interim.

It’s tough to make out the navy blue Chris King bits and pieces.

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Old 12-20-18, 06:19 AM
  #7881  
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Originally Posted by mr_bill
...
Still fearful of the (inevitable?) one step back....

BUT, so far!
...
“Weaning” out of the boot much more quickly than I ever imagined.
Well done and may it continue!


Originally Posted by Ghazmh
>Pics of new Seven<
Ooh, nice!

I've just been riding my commute, though sporadically. Too many things demanding attention. Yesterday was chilly regardless of what the thermometers said. Maybe it's me getting worn out.
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Old 12-20-18, 08:15 AM
  #7882  
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ooh ahh we know you'll get your money's worth out of it, whatever you paid!
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Old 12-20-18, 07:50 PM
  #7883  
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Originally Posted by rumrunn6
ooh ahh we know you'll get your money's worth out of it, whatever you paid!
Thanks. It’ll be a garage queen until spring time. I selected the frame model that accommodates up to 32mm tires along with Velo Orange mid reach brakes that can go around a tire that big. Full Dura Ace drivetrain, Chris King BB and headset along with Chris King R45 hubs laced to HED Belgium+ rims. I’m just waiting on the Phil Wood blue QR skewers which the shop should get in about 2 weeks. The Dura Ace crankset should arrive in April. After many miles on my R3 and Roubaix I learned what design elements and components add to the experience and what is hyperbole. Notice how I have foregone the deep section carbon wheels, Di2, and disc wheels of those bikes.
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Old 12-21-18, 08:55 AM
  #7884  
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Originally Posted by Ghazmh
selected the frame model that accommodates up to 32mm tires along with Velo Orange mid reach brakes that can go around a tire that big. Full Dura Ace drivetrain, Chris King BB and headset along with Chris King R45 hubs laced to HED Belgium+ rims. I’m just waiting on the Phil Wood blue QR skewers which the shop should get in about 2 weeks. The Dura Ace crankset should arrive in April. After many miles on my R3 and Roubaix I learned what design elements and components add to the experience and what is hyperbole. Notice how I have foregone the deep section carbon wheels, Di2, and disc wheels of those bikes.
wow, you know a lot about bikes! & no, I didn't notice anything to mentioned!
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Old 12-21-18, 10:42 AM
  #7885  
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Originally Posted by Ghazmh


Thanks. It’ll be a garage queen until spring time. I selected the frame model that accommodates up to 32mm tires along with Velo Orange mid reach brakes that can go around a tire that big. Full Dura Ace drivetrain, Chris King BB and headset along with Chris King R45 hubs laced to HED Belgium+ rims. I’m just waiting on the Phil Wood blue QR skewers which the shop should get in about 2 weeks. The Dura Ace crankset should arrive in April. After many miles on my R3 and Roubaix I learned what design elements and components add to the experience and what is hyperbole. Notice how I have foregone the deep section carbon wheels, Di2, and disc wheels of those bikes.
Originally Posted by rumrunn6
wow, you know a lot about bikes! & no, I didn't notice anything to mentioned!
Well, I'll have to admit I was curious about the Dura Ace/Ultegra mixed drivetrain.

What a bike, and a wonderful example of why the forbidden LBS is forbidden.


Anyhow, brief P&I update....

When I was in the aircast with the trekking poles I was able to do walking pace.
Now I'm half walking pace, but while speed is slow, at least my distance is increasing.

When I cross Pleasant Street/Medford Street, if I start when the walk light turns white I just finish when the countdown reaches zero.

Last night we went on our first walk together to get coffee since I started walking on my own two feet. I think the "what took you so long?" questions upon returning will probably stop now.

-mr. bill
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Old 12-21-18, 01:48 PM
  #7886  
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if I were on my death bed & could wish for one more day, I would want a simple day like that
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Old 12-22-18, 06:27 PM
  #7887  
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got out today for another ride Concord, Bedford & Billerica using Reformatory Branch & Narrow Gauge Trails.

temps ranged from low 50s to mid 40s. drove the bike to Concord & had some trouble finding a spot. the lots were full so parked on 62 way over by the library. got out of work early yesterday & was tempted to ride in the heavy rain & high winds but glad I didn't. today was a much nicer day & the sun even came out toward the end of my ride. the 2" studded marathons are wicked slow thru soft mud & soggy stone dust. I much prefer when the ground is frozen hard like stone (with these tires)







traffic was light away from town centers so crossing route 62 in Bedford was easy peasy


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Old 12-23-18, 09:42 PM
  #7888  
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P&I:

All I want for Christmas is my own two feet....

102 days post surgery my surgical wound has closed.

Everywhere I go people ask me about my ski poles, and that is so OK.

-mr. bill
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Old 12-24-18, 08:25 AM
  #7889  
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At least one more week w decent footing outside
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Old 12-24-18, 01:24 PM
  #7890  
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I managed 49.7 miles on the PFN10 today. Should have gone around the block a few times to make it 50.



At the Lincoln Town Library. I wish I knew more about this tree.

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Old 12-25-18, 10:59 AM
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Merry Christmas All! Santa brought me a new bike -- in the form of a gift card to the LBS. I can't wait to go pick out the first brand-new bike I have ever had.
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Old 12-25-18, 08:15 PM
  #7892  
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Originally Posted by NomarsGirl
Merry Christmas All! Santa brought me a new bike -- in the form of a gift card to the LBS. I can't wait to go pick out the first brand-new bike I have ever had.
Wise Santa, and congrats. You’ll have many hours of pleasure picking out your bike.

-mr. bill

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Old 12-25-18, 08:24 PM
  #7893  
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Originally Posted by jimmuller
I managed 49.7 miles on the PFN10 today. Should have gone around the block a few times to make it 50.



At the Lincoln Town Library. I wish I knew more about this tree.

Plant a few saplings, twist and wait.

Caltalpa.

Very Harry Potter.

-mr. bill
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Old 12-26-18, 06:50 AM
  #7894  
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Originally Posted by mr_bill
Plant a few saplings, twist and wait.

Catalpa.

Very Harry Potter.

-mr. bill
Thank you. Harry Potter, who's he? We did once lose a few Hobbits to that tree, though it was some years back.
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Old 12-26-18, 08:35 AM
  #7895  
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Originally Posted by mr_bill


Wise Santa, and congrats. You’ll have many hours of pleasure picking out your bike.

-mr. bill
I made it clear to Santa that I did not want to wake up to a shiny new bike under the tree.
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Old 12-26-18, 09:03 AM
  #7896  
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better to pick your own!
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Old 12-26-18, 09:47 AM
  #7897  
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Originally Posted by NomarsGirl
Merry Christmas All! Santa brought me a new bike -- in the form of a gift card to the LBS. I can't wait to go pick out the first brand-new bike I have ever had.
Nice. Gift card to the local LBS bike shop.

Of course, for those of us who hang out in the C&V forum (and are a bit C&V ourselves) all of our brand-new bikes tend to be old ones!.

When you get your new bike, pics or it didn't happen! You know the rules...
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Old 12-26-18, 05:50 PM
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Went to check out bikes. Gift card is for $750. Naturally they put me on a $2700 bike right off the bat. I can go over but not that much! Tested two different sizes of that bike because I'm right on the cusp between a 52 and a 54. I need the bigger one.

My current bike is a hybrid and too small for me. It was a hand me down from my husband and he never liked it. It was probably too small for him too and I'm taller than him by a couple of inches. I've never really ridden a road bike and was worried that I would feel too bent over. Raced around the parking lot and it felt pretty good. The question is how will it feel for 50-60 miles. Definitely liked the shifters much better than the twist ones on my hybrid.

I'm leaning toward a gravel bike. I didn't feel much difference between the $1500 gravel bike and the $2700 carbon bike. I'm sure there is a difference but a few laps around the parking lot isn't enough to tell. And I don't want a bike I can't let out of my sight for even a moment.
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Old 12-26-18, 06:59 PM
  #7899  
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This morning I took out my Boone 7 cross bike out for 22 miles wearing my new Bar Mitts that Santa AKA Mrs Ghazmh bought for me.
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Old 12-29-18, 10:05 AM
  #7900  
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MB:Grt P&I edition:

Walking farther and faster.

I’m no longer gettng dropped on the Minuteman. And crossing the street is less daunting.

And my left calf now has some meat in it. Not much, but a few ounces anyway.

-mr. bill
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