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-   -   Metro Boston: Good ride today? (https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=518426)

sherbornpeddler 03-08-09 10:07 PM

Metro Boston: Good ride today?
 
Where'd you ride today?
I slacked off this winter; went skiing, used my trainer and have been out only a little.
What a great weekend! 37 miles Friday, 30 Sat. and 65 miles today. Went Dover, Wellesley, Weston Observatory, Lincoln, Concord, Carlisle and back via Sudbury, Wayland, Natick and Wellesley.

I'm riding Fixed Gear with fenders and 35c tires as long as there is so much runoff, salt, sand and our version of California earthquakes (aka potholes). I came back sans blinky and water bottle.; still great ride.

You?

buzzman 03-08-09 10:22 PM

I did a Southeastern MA ride today (Sunday) and ended up on the Cape. Great ride. On Tuesday I'll ride over to Providence, RI spend a day there then ride back to Boston (Newton, actually). I may do a longer loop out into western RI ( my old stomping grounds) and then back to Boston that way.

Lots of sand and salt and, yes, potholes. But all in all sure felt good to be out and on the bike again. Funny I say that because I commuted all winter but there's something different about a little road ride/tour.

ZIPP2001 03-09-09 05:30 AM

Staurday I rode rte. 202 in New Hampshire (out and backk). Sunday I was down in Westminster, Leominster, Fitchburg, and headed home via rte. 12 to Winchendon. Great to be out on the road.

sherbornpeddler 03-09-09 05:36 AM

Buzzman, that sounds like a "Spring has officially arrived" ride. A northern route, I like Blackstone on up to Grafton, later in the season (later in my leg fitness). Sitting the porch at Figgs in Carlisle with a cup of chili defines the season for me.

Zipp, Nice ride. How is 202 this Spring?

atom bomb 03-09-09 06:27 AM

Sunday: truly a "return of Spring" day. But as we see ... it must actually be the beginning of Winter.
I managed to get my old bones on the road bike for the first time since October for a fast 25 miles out to Dover and back. Slept well last night.

ZIPP2001 03-09-09 04:55 PM

Hey Sherbornpeddler I picked rte. 202 because on the wide breakdowm lane, and I didn't want to get super wet. It was great 99% of the ride was nice and dry.

sherbornpeddler 03-09-09 07:25 PM

Zipp2001
My roads were uncomfortably narrowed by the sand and ice. Today is a snow day*.
As the roads clean up and potholes acquiesce, you must have great riding in your neck of the woods. I’m more familiar with roads further north and east Mason, Milford, Temple, New Ipswich, Peterborough.

I’ve ambition** to do a 200K starting east of Milford, MA looping around Peterborough.

* aka rest day after over doing "return of Spring"
** ambition: aka “chickened out so far”

buzzman 03-09-09 07:52 PM

I'm full of good intentions this time of year. But it's tough to actually get the rides in. I planned the ride well in that the weather sucked for riding on the Cape today. But tomorrow I'm aiming for Providence by lunch time. Don't know how the weather will be. Supposed to be sunny but on the cool side.

For those of you who head north- do you ever do a ride we used to call the Jaffrey turnaround? It makes for a good 100 miles+ from Newton/Belmont. We used to ride there, strike a match (Jaffrey is the match capital of the world- or was) and ride home. It's a good shake out the cobwebs ride.

ZIPP2001 03-09-09 08:57 PM

Sherbornpeddler

I'm planning to ride up over Temple Mtn. into Milford then over to 13 back into Mass. sometime early spring. I haven't biked that way in a few years, but time to start rolling that way. My father-in-law lives in Milford so I have done a bunch of roads out that way. Do you know of any time trials in Sourthern NH. ? The two I did in MA. stopped many years ago, and now that i'm back on the bike i'm looking for one to do. My zipp's aren't USCF approved, so I have to find a TT that is not USCF run.

sherbornpeddler 03-09-09 10:59 PM


Originally Posted by buzzman (Post 8500037)
I'm full of good intentions this time of year. But it's tough to actually get the rides in. I planned the ride well in that the weather sucked for riding on the Cape today. But tomorrow I'm aiming for Providence by lunch time. Don't know how the weather will be. Supposed to be sunny but on the cool side.

For those of you who head north- do you ever do a ride we used to call the Jaffrey turnaround? It makes for a good 100 miles+ from Newton/Belmont. We used to ride there, strike a match (Jaffrey is the match capital of the world- or was) and ride home. It's a good shake out the cobwebs ride.

Buzzman, Let me know when you feel like cobwebbing. I hope you have a great lunch in Providence.

sherbornpeddler 03-09-09 11:22 PM

meatball
 

Originally Posted by ZIPP2001 (Post 8500588)
Sherbornpeddler

I'm planning to ride up over Temple Mtn. into Milford then over to 13 back into Mass. sometime early spring. I haven't biked that way in a few years, but time to start rolling that way. My father-in-law lives in Milford so I have done a bunch of roads out that way. Do you know of any time trials in Sourthern NH. ? The two I did in MA. stopped many years ago, and now that i'm back on the bike i'm looking for one to do. My zipp's aren't USCF approved, so I have to find a TT that is not USCF run.

Zipp
Hence the monicker! It was either that or a fan of the true genius in Doonesbury.

Sad it is that the World's greatest place to eat, the Wilton Diner on Main St, just off of 101 is gone; no longer providing swedish meatballs and blueberry creme pie.

The sum of my TT experience is the Dover TT, Dover MA. It is the best TT I've ever been to.....
7 miles, http://markdionne.com/tt.html

Great guys run it.

neuronal 03-09-09 11:38 PM

Speaking of cape rides, does anyone have a decent (scenic) ride from boston to provincetown? I hear there's a popular bike trail once you get closer to the cape.

Jim from Boston 03-10-09 04:33 PM


Originally Posted by sherbornpeddler (Post 8493989)
Where'd you ride today? [3/8/09]

Nowhere; I had a big meeting (convention) in Boston. On Saturday, I did my 14 miles from Kenmore Square to Norwood and 14 miles back, with a tail wind. Not much, but I'm time-limited and most of my riding is in the early morning when it's still cold. You and Buzzman really get around though.

I don't start distances until May. In my mind, I think of the pleasant weather riding from May to October as "leg season," when people wear shorts en masse. It begins on the first Sunday in May with the Walk for Hunger, and ends on Columbus Day Monday with the Tufts 10K Road Race ;-)

Suzie Green 03-10-09 05:29 PM


Originally Posted by ZIPP2001 (Post 8500588)
Sherbornpeddler

I'm planning to ride up over Temple Mtn. into Milford then over to 13 back into Mass. sometime early spring. I haven't biked that way in a few years, but time to start rolling that way. My father-in-law lives in Milford so I have done a bunch of roads out that way.

I never cared for riding on Rt. 13. The section south of Brookline, through Townsend is just in terrible condition with no shoulder to ride on and kamikaze drivers (although those are everywhere). Can you come back via Rt. 31 instead, from Wilton NH down into the Willard Brook area east of Ashby? The road is a bit more biker friendly, especially in crummy springtime conditions.

I did get out Saturday too, riding down into the Holden and Rutland area.

sherbornpeddler 03-10-09 06:34 PM


Originally Posted by Suzie Green (Post 8506190)
I never cared for riding on Rt. 13. The section south of Brookline, through Townsend is just in terrible condition with no shoulder to ride on and kamikaze drivers (although those are everywhere). Can you come back via Rt. 31 instead, from Wilton NH down into the Willard Brook area east of Ashby? The road is a bit more biker friendly, especially in crummy springtime conditions.

I did get out Saturday too, riding down into the Holden and Rutland area.

Seems like wise advice. Back roads are pretty hilly but less travelled through Temple, Greenville and Mason?

I'm trying to come up with a well spoken pun, "like Rt. 13, I crack up when I heave a sign of Spring but that is being narrow minded about the fast drivers".

sherbornpeddler 03-10-09 06:42 PM


Originally Posted by Jim from Boston (Post 8505839)
Nowhere; I had a big meeting (convention) in Boston. On Saturday, I did my 14 miles from Kenmore Square to Norwood and 14 miles back, with a tail wind. Not much, but I'm time-limited and most of my riding is in the early morning when it's still cold. You and Buzzman really get around though.

I don't start distances until May. In my mind, I think of the pleasant weather riding from May to October as "leg season," when people wear shorts en masse. It begins on the first Sunday in May with the Walk for Hunger, and ends on Columbus Day Monday with the Tufts 10K Road Race ;-)

Methinks Buzzman is better. I'm feeling either age or jumping to bigger miles in too-eager rites of spring. Pretty sure it is the miles.

Winterwalk and then the Marathon signal the end of spring and the last Dover TT is the end of the season pour moi.

Here is hoping for a long short season. :lol:

sherbornpeddler 03-10-09 06:43 PM

actually, taking the fenders off is the end of spring in Boston

Jim from Boston 03-10-09 07:53 PM


Originally Posted by sherbornpeddler (Post 8506673)
Methinks Buzzman is better. I'm feeling either age or jumping to bigger miles in too-eager rites of spring. Pretty sure it is the miles.

Winterwalk and then the Marathon signal the end of spring and the last Dover TT is the end of the season pour moi.

Here is hoping for a long short season. :lol:

What?!! In my mind the Marathon is the start of "not too much more winter left." ;-)

Suzie Green 03-10-09 07:56 PM


Originally Posted by Jim from Boston (Post 8507037)
What?!! In my mind the Marathon is the start of "not too much more winter left." ;-)

On the same note, aren't we supposed to get "another inch or two of partly cloudy" weather tonite? :roflmao2:

buzzman 03-10-09 09:34 PM


Originally Posted by sherbornpeddler (Post 8506673)
Methinks Buzzman is better. I'm feeling either age or jumping to bigger miles in too-eager rites of spring. Pretty sure it is the miles.

Winterwalk and then the Marathon signal the end of spring and the last Dover TT is the end of the season pour moi.

Here is hoping for a long short season. :lol:

ooooh, don't jinx me!:p I'm hanging in there but barely with the mileage increase.

I'm very slowly getting some miles in but not at too great a rate. Today was funny though. I'd ridden down to the cape on Sunday. Then spent the day yesterday in the rain/snow, reading and relaxing planning to ride over to Providence today. My wife was heading back to Boston in the car when I suddenly remembered I had a class to teach tonight in Boston (a reschedule). Threw the bike quickly on the back of the car and got back early enough to do a 25 mile loop out to Weston before hopping on the commuter for my usual 21 mile round trip. So I managed to get 46 miles in ( the ride to Providence would have been 53) so I'm not too disappointed.

ZIPP2001 03-11-09 10:59 AM

Suzie Green

Thanks for the heads-up on rte. 13, (forgot how bad it was) maybe i'll hit rte. 124. I want to come out below Willard Brook, so I can ride thru it then follow rte. 119 back to rte. 202 in NH.


sherbornpeddler

Thanks for the lead on the Dover TT. I used to do the one in Gardner, and West Boylston and enjoyed them very much. I'm going to go do the Dover course in the next week of two, so I can get a lgood ook at the course. I haven't done a TT since 2001, and I really want to try it again.

It looks like some of us are within range of each other, what do you all think about doing a ride together ? I'm open for any distance, and don't mind driving somewhere to meet.

sherbornpeddler 03-11-09 02:56 PM

Zipp, Good invitation.
As the snow melts and more bikes blossum, we might gather more.

Got ideas for where? I can offer my familiarity with my area up to Carlilse and down to Franklin, less so to Grafton and Blackstone. I'm interested in Worcester and as discussed on up to NH but am someplace between Winter brittle and Spring sapling in terms of long distance fitness.

ZIPP2001 03-12-09 08:48 PM

You're Millford, Peterborough ride sounds good. I have a fun ride that I do quite often that involves Worcester, George Street, and Mt. Wachusett. When it gets nicer just yell and i'll ride.

buzzman 03-12-09 10:47 PM

whew.

I'm back from my little "mid-winter tour". Managed to grind out 77 miles today on a semi-circular route from Providence RI back to Boston.

Headed west into a stiff, cold wind on 14W out of Providence across the Scituate Reservoir- still big chunks of ice but gorgeous on a cold sunny day. Then swung up 102 N to Woonsocket. Snaked through Woonsocket and zig zagged my way through Franklin and on up to Newton.

I was sooooooo slow. Part of it was the wind and my new front bag was giving me some grief. But 14 W actually has some tough climbs, as does 102. Lots of potholes, tons of sand and RI still has some of the most airhead of drivers, and I really wonder about how legitimate their car inspections are- so many cars with bad mufflers, non-working brake lights and body damaged.

Had some nice help for directions from some guys at a Sunoco in Woonsocket- one of the guys who worked there was a cyclist.

But it was tough- the daily commute keeps me fairly fit in comparison to the average person but I felt like a pretty out of shape cyclist today- the only thing impressive about today's ride was that I didn't wimp out and I got home in one piece.

sherbornpeddler 03-13-09 12:00 AM

you da man! Wow!

Suzie Green 03-13-09 08:37 AM


Originally Posted by ZIPP2001 (Post 8520181)
You're Millford, Peterborough ride sounds good. I have a fun ride that I do quite often that involves Worcester, George Street, and Mt. Wachusett. When it gets nicer just yell and i'll ride.

Is it just me, or does Mt Wachusett get steeper every year? LOL...these 50+ legs are finding it harder and harder to make it to the top! :lol: I do wish they would resurface the "down" road though. I'm scared to death when I descend. Conversely, the main road going past the ski area is fun, I can hit 50 mph on it. I feel like such a kid! :D

buzzman 03-13-09 09:35 AM

I only do this once in a while but how many of you use the "bit off more than I can chew commuter rail option" for your rides outside of Boston?

I've grabbed trains in Attleboro when I knew I left too late to make it home by dark. Same thing on the Framingham/Worcester line. And even on my most recent outing I had to make a quick detour back to Boston for an obligation I'd forgotten (my wife drove me back) but then to continue my trip cycled a quick 10 miles to the train station and grabbed the commuter train to Providence and pretty much picked up where I'd left off.

I feel "oh so European" when I do this. It also works if you want to get a jump on traffic on a long ride- take the train to Worcester, for example, as a start for a cross Mass. ride or up to NH or VT.

I had a late start on my long ride from Providence (1:15). I was reassured once I got to Franklin and much of the rest of my ride paralleled the commuter train so it gave me the option to ride to the next town at any time and just hop on the train.

ZIPP2001 03-13-09 08:55 PM

Hey Buzzman: Would like to meet up with you and ride closer to the city sometime. I plan on taking my bike into Boston this year and spend the day rolling thru the city. My wife and I go there several times a year and spend the day walking the city, so now I want the bike part.

Suzie: I was doing Mt Graylock in N. Adams every year, but they closed it for two years to resurface the roads. It opens back up this year so i'll give it a shot, I like pain I guess.

I always hate the down road at Mt. Wachusett, but once you get on Mile Hill Rd. you can blast by the ski lodge. I'm not far behind you at 49 year old legs.

buzzman 03-13-09 10:06 PM


Originally Posted by ZIPP2001 (Post 8526520)
Hey Buzzman: Would like to meet up with you and ride closer to the city sometime. I plan on taking my bike into Boston this year and spend the day rolling thru the city. My wife and I go there several times a year and spend the day walking the city, so now I want the bike part.

Suzie: I was doing Mt Graylock in N. Adams every year, but they closed it for two years to resurface the roads. It opens back up this year so i'll give it a shot, I like pain I guess.

I always hate the down road at Mt. Wachusett, but once you get on Mile Hill Rd. you can blast by the ski lodge. I'm not far behind you at 49 year old legs.


IM me. I ride into and out of Boston pretty much every day. And, if I can maintain any kind of discipline, will be doing my loops west of the city with some regularity.

I have no speed right now so you may be disappointed if you're looking to hammer about.:p

sherbornpeddler 03-14-09 04:37 AM

Riding the FG w riding buddy up to Waltham for the museum bicycle exhibit (CRW going at 10AM but I'll be later) then looping around Waltham and back. Should be great weather and always great food on Moody St.


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