Metro Boston: Good ride today?
03-23-23, 06:41 AM
Newbie
Originally Posted by rholland1951
What width tires are you running?
rod
rod
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03-24-23, 09:48 AM
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Originally Posted by rumrunn6
currently choosing between new & used w/ low miles, both priced about the same 
Last edited by rumrunn6; 03-25-23 at 04:56 PM.
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03-24-23, 03:58 PM
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I decided it was time to check out the Reformatory Branch Trail condition, so I headed out that way this afternoon.
To get to the RBT, I rode the Minuteman out to Depot Park. I didn't know what to expect of the off-road trail surface, so I saddled up the hardtail MTB. I've got a similar stem mount on that bike that holds my Cateye Padrone and the action camera.
I generally prefer to use the Elm Brook Trail to get from Depot Park to the RBT, so that's what I did today. The surface conditions there were quite good. There was an interesting overhead condition however:
The RBT itself was fine. Certainly would have been no issue for the gravel bike. Definitely some evidence of the late winter wind storms we had:
My heart was really into riding the RBT to the end at Lowell Rd Concord, and my knees were feeling pretty good. But given the issues I had last weekend I decided to turn around at Hartwell Rd, near the Bedford water treatment plant. I headed back east on the RBT, this time using Railroad Ave to reach Depot Park, then the MM home to Arlington. It ended up being about 21 miles for the foreshortened ride.
I can't speak for the rest of the RBT, west of Hartwell Rd, but the part I traversed was certainly no mud pit.
As I write this a few hours after returning, I am feeling pretty good. I think all the quad stretching has helped. I live to ride another day!
Tom
To get to the RBT, I rode the Minuteman out to Depot Park. I didn't know what to expect of the off-road trail surface, so I saddled up the hardtail MTB. I've got a similar stem mount on that bike that holds my Cateye Padrone and the action camera.
I generally prefer to use the Elm Brook Trail to get from Depot Park to the RBT, so that's what I did today. The surface conditions there were quite good. There was an interesting overhead condition however:
The RBT itself was fine. Certainly would have been no issue for the gravel bike. Definitely some evidence of the late winter wind storms we had:
My heart was really into riding the RBT to the end at Lowell Rd Concord, and my knees were feeling pretty good. But given the issues I had last weekend I decided to turn around at Hartwell Rd, near the Bedford water treatment plant. I headed back east on the RBT, this time using Railroad Ave to reach Depot Park, then the MM home to Arlington. It ended up being about 21 miles for the foreshortened ride.
I can't speak for the rest of the RBT, west of Hartwell Rd, but the part I traversed was certainly no mud pit.
As I write this a few hours after returning, I am feeling pretty good. I think all the quad stretching has helped. I live to ride another day!
Tom
Last edited by bike_tom; 03-24-23 at 04:01 PM.
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03-24-23, 10:30 PM
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With the Nobilette still in the shop, Friday I took the Sam Hillborne and rode East.
Rode the hills-and-traffic drill through Arlington, Medford, Malden, Melrose, and Stoneham on Friday rather than the usual Saturday, hoping to dodge the East wind and cold rain the weather witches were predicting. Conditions Friday were favorable, and I rolled the Sam up hill, down dale, and in and out of Friday traffic that seemed heavier than the Saturday variety. Not a real surprise, that. I realized during the first hill climb that thanks to the speedy cranking on the Nobilette earlier in the week my legs were tired and a little sore, so I kept the gear ratios a little lower than usual and spun gently: not so fast, but fast enough.
I'm enjoying EDT since it returned: more usable daylight, with a better chance to photograph sunset colors, and the ride generally done before nightfall.
rod
Rode the hills-and-traffic drill through Arlington, Medford, Malden, Melrose, and Stoneham on Friday rather than the usual Saturday, hoping to dodge the East wind and cold rain the weather witches were predicting. Conditions Friday were favorable, and I rolled the Sam up hill, down dale, and in and out of Friday traffic that seemed heavier than the Saturday variety. Not a real surprise, that. I realized during the first hill climb that thanks to the speedy cranking on the Nobilette earlier in the week my legs were tired and a little sore, so I kept the gear ratios a little lower than usual and spun gently: not so fast, but fast enough.
I'm enjoying EDT since it returned: more usable daylight, with a better chance to photograph sunset colors, and the ride generally done before nightfall.
rod
03-25-23, 08:30 AM
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Originally Posted by bike_tom
I decided it was time to check out the Reformatory Branch Trail condition, so I headed out that way this afternoon.
To get to the RBT, I rode the Minuteman out to Depot Park. I didn't know what to expect of the off-road trail surface, so I saddled up the hardtail MTB. I've got a similar stem mount on that bike that holds my Cateye Padrone and the action camera.
I generally prefer to use the Elm Brook Trail to get from Depot Park to the RBT, so that's what I did today. The surface conditions there were quite good. There was an interesting overhead condition however:
The RBT itself was fine. Certainly would have been no issue for the gravel bike. Definitely some evidence of the late winter wind storms we had:
My heart was really into riding the RBT to the end at Lowell Rd Concord, and my knees were feeling pretty good. But given the issues I had last weekend I decided to turn around at Hartwell Rd, near the Bedford water treatment plant. I headed back east on the RBT, this time using Railroad Ave to reach Depot Park, then the MM home to Arlington. It ended up being about 21 miles for the foreshortened ride.
I can't speak for the rest of the RBT, west of Hartwell Rd, but the part I traversed was certainly no mud pit.
As I write this a few hours after returning, I am feeling pretty good. I think all the quad stretching has helped. I live to ride another day!
To get to the RBT, I rode the Minuteman out to Depot Park. I didn't know what to expect of the off-road trail surface, so I saddled up the hardtail MTB. I've got a similar stem mount on that bike that holds my Cateye Padrone and the action camera.
I generally prefer to use the Elm Brook Trail to get from Depot Park to the RBT, so that's what I did today. The surface conditions there were quite good. There was an interesting overhead condition however:
The RBT itself was fine. Certainly would have been no issue for the gravel bike. Definitely some evidence of the late winter wind storms we had:
My heart was really into riding the RBT to the end at Lowell Rd Concord, and my knees were feeling pretty good. But given the issues I had last weekend I decided to turn around at Hartwell Rd, near the Bedford water treatment plant. I headed back east on the RBT, this time using Railroad Ave to reach Depot Park, then the MM home to Arlington. It ended up being about 21 miles for the foreshortened ride.
I can't speak for the rest of the RBT, west of Hartwell Rd, but the part I traversed was certainly no mud pit.
As I write this a few hours after returning, I am feeling pretty good. I think all the quad stretching has helped. I live to ride another day!
not familiar w/ the Elm Brook Trail, I just ride the short road stretch, but that intersection right at the depot can be problematic if I'm not patient
loving the pics & gifs!
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03-25-23, 09:25 AM
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Originally Posted by rumrunn6
that's nothing to sneeze at on a mountain bike!
not familiar w/ the Elm Brook Trail, I just ride the short road stretch, but that intersection right at the depot can be problematic if I'm not patient
loving the pics & gifs!
not familiar w/ the Elm Brook Trail, I just ride the short road stretch, but that intersection right at the depot can be problematic if I'm not patient
loving the pics & gifs!
(Bedford changed the URL for their trail map since that post. I just edited it there.)
I generally go that way outbound if I am riding the MTB.
Tom
Last edited by bike_tom; 03-25-23 at 09:47 AM.
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03-25-23, 05:03 PM
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Originally Posted by bike_tom
Hi. This map posted by Bedford shows the paths along the Elm and Mongo brooks: https://www.bedfordma.gov/DocumentCe.../Elm-Brook-PDF
Here is an annotated snippet from Google Maps that shows the route I normally take:
From the Depot, you ride just a couple hundred feet south on South Rd. There is a red fire hydrant just before the path into the woods. I actually found this by exploring from the other direction, that is coming from the Reformatory Branch Trail, where there is a significant intersection at the Mongo Brook.
I like this because it bypasses Railroad Ave. Also, you don't have to cross Railroad Ave twice (assuming you would ride on the right side of the road from the Depot to the RBT parking lot), just South Rd, which you would have to cross in any case.
Let me know if you need more info.
Here is an annotated snippet from Google Maps that shows the route I normally take:
From the Depot, you ride just a couple hundred feet south on South Rd. There is a red fire hydrant just before the path into the woods. I actually found this by exploring from the other direction, that is coming from the Reformatory Branch Trail, where there is a significant intersection at the Mongo Brook.
I like this because it bypasses Railroad Ave. Also, you don't have to cross Railroad Ave twice (assuming you would ride on the right side of the road from the Depot to the RBT parking lot), just South Rd, which you would have to cross in any case.
Let me know if you need more info.
got pics of the detours? where you enter at each end? I know, I'm greedy
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03-25-23, 05:06 PM
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Originally Posted by bike_tom
FYI, I posted a map of the Elm Brook Trail to RBT route about a year ago: https://www.bikeforums.net/22479893-post9968.html
(Bedford changed the URL for their trail map since that post. I just edited it there.)
(Bedford changed the URL for their trail map since that post. I just edited it there.)
I like the features & benefits!
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03-26-23, 10:00 AM
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Originally Posted by rumrunn6
thank you & yes please
got pics of the detours? where you enter at each end? I know, I'm greedy
got pics of the detours? where you enter at each end? I know, I'm greedy
This shows going southbound on South Rd just after leaving Depot Park. Go onto the sidewalk at the driveway just before the red fire hydrant, then turn right to get onto the path:
Follow the Elm Brook path to where you can't avoid taking a curve to the right. At that point Mongo Brook will be on your left. Keep going till you intersect the RBT, as shown here:
I know you are familiar with the RBT, so I think you will recognize that junction, in case you want to do this in the other direction.
BTW, there is another Elm Brook path, marked by the sign seen at the end of the exit video, that is much rougher. I took it once, it was all rocks and roots - it is the twisty one shown on the Bedford map.
Tom
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03-26-23, 02:07 PM
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Originally Posted by bike_tom
Happy to oblige. At first I thought posting the pics you are asking for would have to wait till the next time I am out that way. Then I remembered that I was recording video the whole time I was on the Elm Brook Trail. So, I was able to create a couple of gifs from that video, showing the entry and exit points of the detour.
This shows going southbound on South Rd just after leaving Depot Park. Go onto the sidewalk at the driveway just before the red fire hydrant, then turn right to get onto the path:
Follow the Elm Brook path to where you can't avoid taking a curve to the right. At that point Mongo Brook will be on your left. Keep going till you intersect the RBT, as shown here:
I know you are familiar with the RBT, so I think you will recognize that junction, in case you want to do this in the other direction.
BTW, there is another Elm Brook path, marked by the sign seen at the end of the exit video, that is much rougher. I took it once, it was all rocks and roots - it is the twisty one shown on the Bedford map.
This shows going southbound on South Rd just after leaving Depot Park. Go onto the sidewalk at the driveway just before the red fire hydrant, then turn right to get onto the path:
Follow the Elm Brook path to where you can't avoid taking a curve to the right. At that point Mongo Brook will be on your left. Keep going till you intersect the RBT, as shown here:
I know you are familiar with the RBT, so I think you will recognize that junction, in case you want to do this in the other direction.
BTW, there is another Elm Brook path, marked by the sign seen at the end of the exit video, that is much rougher. I took it once, it was all rocks and roots - it is the twisty one shown on the Bedford map.
google satellite view has it as "unblazed" trail
but then there's yellow & blue blazed trails
Last edited by rumrunn6; 03-26-23 at 02:14 PM.
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03-27-23, 03:43 PM
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I had a busy morning of shopping at both Home Depot and Costco today, so I really needed a clear-the-head ride after lunch. Went out to Depot Park on the MM, which was a mix of calm and frantic.
Calm: Arlington Great Meadows still wearing its winter colors
Less calm: Lots of fellow cyclists in East Lexington:
Calm: Depot Park :
Frantic! what seemed like the entire Lexington school system running westbound while I was headed back to Arlington.
The line of runners went on and on. I made sure not to dally too long at the Lexington visitor's center, for fear they would turn around and now be in front of me.
The weather was quite pleasant, though definitely turning cooler and windier by the time I got home, my head suitably cleared.
Tom
Calm: Arlington Great Meadows still wearing its winter colors
Less calm: Lots of fellow cyclists in East Lexington:
Calm: Depot Park :
Frantic! what seemed like the entire Lexington school system running westbound while I was headed back to Arlington.
The line of runners went on and on. I made sure not to dally too long at the Lexington visitor's center, for fear they would turn around and now be in front of me.
The weather was quite pleasant, though definitely turning cooler and windier by the time I got home, my head suitably cleared.
Tom
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03-27-23, 03:52 PM
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I managed to get a nice little exercise ride in before lunch today, once again on the Bianchi. It was (just) warm enough for fingerless gloves and shorts without tights, a nice change from yesterday's nasty wind. My usual route to the BFRT at High St, but today I had time and energy to go all the way to NARA Park. An anonymous chalk artist provided some much needed color in the still dreary landscape.
On the return leg I once again decided to leave the trail via Pond St, and noticed that the concrete barrier had been moved aside, no doubt to allow access for seasonal work on the beach. Hunt Road was quiet enough for a few hundred feet of hands-free exercise here and there, on the more recently paved, smoother sections, and brought The Beach Boys to mind, that rare, collectible New England pressing: Good Undulations
16.0 miles, 536 feet climbed.
On the return leg I once again decided to leave the trail via Pond St, and noticed that the concrete barrier had been moved aside, no doubt to allow access for seasonal work on the beach. Hunt Road was quiet enough for a few hundred feet of hands-free exercise here and there, on the more recently paved, smoother sections, and brought The Beach Boys to mind, that rare, collectible New England pressing: Good Undulations
16.0 miles, 536 feet climbed.
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03-27-23, 05:18 PM
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So, I picked up the recently-tinkered-with Nobilette at Battle Road Bikes on Saturday. Most significant change was swapping the 26mm Cayuse Pass Extralights out for a pair of 28mm Chinook Pass Extralights. I've had plenty of cognitive priming (about a decade's worth) from the manufacturer, so it seems to me I can detect a noticeable increase in pneumatic suspension on rough pavement. Not bad for 2mm!
Rolling on Monday:
Once again, @bike_tom and I obeyed the Fermi-Dirac statistics on the Minuteman.
Nice day for a ride. And the Nobilette continues to be great fun.
rod
Rolling on Monday:
Once again, @bike_tom and I obeyed the Fermi-Dirac statistics on the Minuteman.
Nice day for a ride. And the Nobilette continues to be great fun.
rod
Last edited by rholland1951; 03-29-23 at 07:49 AM.
03-27-23, 05:53 PM
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Originally Posted by rholland1951
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03-29-23, 09:44 PM
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Managed to fit a speedy spin out the Minuteman on the Nobilette in between a trip to the grocery store and making dinner. That bike continues to show me things, starting with speed and continuing on to agility, and makes me smile.
Another bright and dazzling day, with the low sun painting shadows like barcode on the path surface. To scan the code, just ride the trail. Wind is a headwind inbound, as it often has been the last few days.
The Mile 4.0 Cairn Builders have left us a solitary character...
... with a message:
As the ancient poet sang, "Read the rock before you throw it."
rod
Another bright and dazzling day, with the low sun painting shadows like barcode on the path surface. To scan the code, just ride the trail. Wind is a headwind inbound, as it often has been the last few days.
The Mile 4.0 Cairn Builders have left us a solitary character...
... with a message:
As the ancient poet sang, "Read the rock before you throw it."
rod
Last edited by rholland1951; 03-29-23 at 09:47 PM.
