Fairhaven Roadie

Moved

2006-12-27T18:07:00.000-05:00

The fairhaven roadie has moved to a better enhanced blog. Go to amidightrider.blogspot.com

On The Way To The Doctors Office

2006-11-30T20:51:00.000-05:00

The last day of November and the temperature was a mild 60F. I had intended to ride 20 miles or so and take some photos. One hundred yards from the house and the plans were changing. I ran into Paul M. whom I worked with when I was a field tech for Verizon. He was spending his lunch hour walking the bike path. We chatted for fifteen minutes and both headed towards Fairhaven center.

I was tossing around a route that would take me along the peninsula when I spotted a company truck at the new wine and tapas bar under construction. There I met another former co-worker. Actually, one that I broke into the craft. Phil is a thrasher, skier, biker, with lots of tatoos. Always fun to talk with, I spent another twenty minutes talking about the job and the new changes in technology. DSL, FTTP etc. I am trying to get back into that part of the company and am watching very closely the bids. The high tech part is interesting and I am ready to return to working outside.

Finally, I managed to force myself to get a move on and get some miles in. This ride was in the same general area as the last but I ventured on lots of side streets, and streets off the side streets.

This is a very old Synagogue on 6th St. in New Bedford. Built at the end of the 19th century, it was an integral part of the the city when the very rich textile barons roamed the streets.

Next door is another interesting building that was built in 1891.

My ride took me to the church I belong to while in grammar school St. James RC church, which boast the stomping grounds of the first pedophile priest accused and convicted in the Churches child rape scandals. Cardinal Law spent lots of time, energy and money trying to cover up the crimes.

I rode by St. Luke hospital where I saw a bunch of men standing outside the emergency room chewing the fat and smoking. .It's only a matter of time before their friends will be standing out there when they are rushed in.

Across from the ER is the original nurses dormitory. Like the school teacher of the time, only single women were allowed into the field.

A property with a few grand old Maples got my attention. This was the best of the bunch.

I had a chance to shoot a couple of the area stately homes before heading to the doctors office. I have been discovering many of these gems I never noticed till I began biking.

Shopping is Done!

2006-11-26T19:08:00.000-05:00

Wifey and I spent the weekend in Freeport Maine with our good friends the Johnsons. We got just about all of our shopping done for the holidays, which include Christmas and birthdays. Both boys and Sue celebrate theirs in December.
The weekend was split with the daytime spent shopping in Freeport and the evenings doing vacation stuff in Portland.

We stopped for lunch at the Muddy Rudder in Falmouth Maine. It's a tradition for us to begin our holiday weekend with a delicious Lobster Bisque. Actually that is Sue's tradition. Since I have to lose so much weight, I opted for a baked scrod dish, which was also very good. We were able to get a bottle of my favorite wine McMurray Ranch Pinot Noir.

Satisfied, it was a short drive to our accomodations The Harraseeket Inn.

Soon after I distinctly heard a voice say, "Let the Shopping Begin". Wifey was off like a dog chasing a meat wagon. LLBean Outlet store where returns are resold really cheap, was her first stop. Patagoinia, North Face oh heck, just Click here, for a video tour.

After some warmup shopping for the girls, we drove to Portland for dinner and the evenings activities. J's Oyster bar was the spot. If you have been to Portland, walk into the parking lot of the tourist spot DeMilos, look left and there it is. J's, where the locals eat. It's din-gy, kind of rough looking, and the clientle is mostly drunk and derilicks. This was according to the guy smoking outside as we approached. "Thats ok", I said. "I'm an undercover derilict". The seafood is very good. Alaskan King Crab with steamers for me. Lobster Pernot for the ladies and a medium "bucket" of steamers and oyster stew, for my buddy Jack.

The girls shopped most of the morning and well past lunch on Saturday. We wanted to take a hike before going back to Portland for a movie and dinner. The hike worked out pretty well. It was and easy hour of flat hardpack. The temperature hovered around 50 with no wind. It was actually a pretty good day for a walk in the woods.

Some have it better than others. (freeloader)

The movie was much better than we all expected. "The Queen"

Your could hear a pin drop in the theater. If you've seen it, you know what I mean.

We ended the evening in Portland at Street and Co. This gem was recommended by our waitress at the Muddy Rudder. She said it was her husbands' favorite. (He is and executive chef). We tried it. She was right. It went right to the top of the better restaurants where I have dined.

Fisherman Stew for me. A Mediteranian dish with shrimp, scallops, tuna, swordfish, mussles, clams, and salmon. All cooked in a wonderfull sauce. (dipping bread in the sause was as good as the meal). Wife had the sushi grade tuna, seared not cooked. The Johnsons had something or other that I can't recall because I was so enthralled with my dish. (and the cute waitresses scurrying around the place).

Sunday morning was quiet and would have been another great bike riding day. Saturday afternoon was perfect. Because we were with friends I didn't bring my bike. There was quite a bit of down time for me while the others were shopping. Like the saying goes, "If I only knew then.....". Next year for sure. I did walk alone on Sunday morning and here is the photo journal.

McDonnalds, Yes, "the" one with the clown.

Later.

Boats, Buildings and Elephants

2006-11-19T18:36:00.000-05:00

Since it was 45 degrees and sunny, it seemed like a good day for a bike ride. With the camera in my handlebar bag, the ride began. Beginning on the waterfront, continuing to the city checking out the architecture and looking for elephants.

My first sight was the Steamship Authority repair facility in Fairhaven. A couple of laborers working this Sunday, acknowledged me and continued to do what ever they were doing. After a couple of pictures the boss man came out of the trailer and told me "This is private property, and you don't belong here". Me possibly taking pictures for the "terrorists" crossed his mind, I'm sure. I was close to saying a couple of things like, "It's not private, it's state property". and "I know about the property, I'm one of the owners". I did manage to get a couple of photos.

SS Marthas Vinyard

I continued into the city, (New Bedford, Ma.) and found some more great old homes. At one time New Bedford was the richest city in the world, or maybe it was only the US. Either way there was a lot of money to be had during the Whaling, then the Textile eras'.

Cobblestones Restaurant

The city is beginning to revitalize. The one giant piece missing is the train to Boston. Once that happens, the possibilities are very positive.

Wall Art

On a bicycle, the rider is usually going slow enough to see things most people do not. For example this little hidden gem.

And this small "court" I stumbled upon while riding up a side street.

My ride continued through Rural Cemetery
Plenty of legends and ghost stories

Also was a quick ride through Buttonwood Park

Bison

And yes I did find everything I was looking for.

Later.

Celebrating With the Revs

2006-11-07T14:24:00.000-05:00

A little too much.

Sometimes all the stars line up. I got to the hotel Saturday around noon. The Revolution players were staying there and they are all very friendly and open to talk, picture taking or whatever. I got to chat a little with a couple of them, but decided not to bother them before the big match. Let them concentrate on business, so to speak.

The general manager, who years ago was my ticket rep, said hello and introduced me to a couple other front office guys. It was pretty neat meeting all these big wigs.

I needed to get some wine for the game on Sunday and walked the 10 blocks to the ABC store. I learned that the ABC stores do not sell wine. Luckily a customer refered me to a Spanish restaurant around the corner that would allow me into their wine celler to purchase a couple of bottles.

It's a great tapas place that I decided to try later in the evening. On the walk back, wine in hand, a couple of fans from NY saw my Revolution jacket and struck up a conversation. Even though they were from NY, I invited them to our tailgate the next day. (All Revs fans are welcome). They declined saying their plans were already made.

Back at the hotel, I met a couple of the players parents, more players and tv and radio people. Next thing I know Brandi Chastain shows up. Remember her? Here is a refresher.

Here come the two guys from NY walking through the lobby. I want to give them a heads up that hanging around the lobby is a great place to meet the players, and they may even see some tv peronalities like Brandi Chastain. "Brandy Chastain" one of them say. "That Brandi" who was standing right behind me?

Crap. Then she starts talking to them and go grab a table and begin chatting. My friend the GM was nearby, I told him what had just happened and pointed to the three of them at the table. "Those are the ESPN guys" he says. "The director and producer of tomorrows show". I guess they really did'nt need me to meet the celebs.

Joe Cummings, RKO radio announcer. Bruce Arena. The former natioal team coach and ESPN TV. Eric Wynalda ESPN TV color commentator and Craig Thornberg. Revolution GM.

The traveling Midnight Riders supporters.

The players acknowledging us after the victory.

Marching out of the stadium. The yellow jackets in the rear are part of the security who were with us all day.

Waiting for the players to arrive back at the hotel.

That was till the guy sitting down told us they had already left for airport and return flight to Boston.

My wine drining buddy from the home tailgates found a wine named "Revolution"

Revolution wine. 15% alcohol

You know where this is going right.

We'll just walk it off.

Which one of the three did not make it into the game?

If anyone is wondering. Yes I did.

Road Trip

2006-11-03T09:00:00.000-05:00

I'll be leaving for Washington DC tomorrow morning. All for the big game on Sunday. Wifey was going to join me, but the kennel (for the dogs) was booked. I suggested that we call another kennel but nooooo, the dogs like this one. When it came time for me to book a hotel, it was suggested that I just find the cheapest. I'm beginning to understand where I fit in the pack. To the dogs, I'm Alpha. To everyone else, I'm a lot deeper in the Greek alphabet. Somewhere around Gamma.

I'm staying in Crystal City at the same hotel as the Revs. Two years ago the Revs lost in overtime to United and we all drowned our sorrows at the Crystal City Mariott bar. I'm hoping for a celebration this year. I was looking forward to sightseeing with the lovely one on Saturday, but I will have to play the part of the lonely tourist.

There are 150 or so of us making the trip, representing the "Fort".

RFK is a very hostile venue for visiting fans so the club is providing security to escort us into and out of the stadium. We have our own section, isolated from DC's supporters groups, like Barra Brava.

We will have security all around us, and we will be placed in the uppers section to prevent the DC fans from throwing things at us. Man, I love this game.

Sunday, 4PM ESPN. I won't be smoking, but anything else is possible. Wifey will be at home, don't forget.

Pictures and more next week. If we survive.

Healthy Day

John

Provence, France

2006-09-19T13:53:00.000-04:00

Sue and I left Boston under the usual security hogwash: No water bottles or any other liquids: On passanger arrived late, and we had to wait for them to take his luggage off the plane because he was denied boarding. In Amsterdam the plane waited for the late passenger. Go figure.

We arrived in Marselle but only stayed long enough to visit the Notre Dame of the Sea Cathederal. We had a nice lunch after the tour and drove to Casis, our home while in France. We got a car with GPS, which is necessary in a foreign land. I,m finding the keyboard foreign also. It is just different enough to have to slow down a bit to look at the keys. It would look like this if I didn,t. (It zould look like this if I didn%t). Just a little off.

Marselle

Logan Airport in Boston.

CASIS
Day 1
We took a boat to En Vau, and hung around that Calanques for a couple of hours then hiked out. The first part of the hike, to Port Pin, was very steep and treacherous. Hiking into the Colanques there is a warning sign. There may have been a sign at our end, but we were too much in awe of the whole place:

En Vau, Casis France.

Begin the hike out

Looking back to the start of the hike.

Shortcut

Ma and Pa at the top of En Vau.

We continued to Port Miou where we lunced on baguette, ham and some very creamy Chamonbert cheese. When we finally arrived back in Casis, we rewarded ourselves with a cold French beer.

Lunch at Port Miou, French Riviera

After dinner, while strolling around we heard a lot of cheering from a nearby Cafe. My instinct made me shout "soccer game". The Euro qualifier that was the rematch of the French/Italian world cup. This time the result was as it should be.
3 France
1 Italy

Keith wanted to go back to the Colanques by kayack. Sue took the boat and I hung around town for a while before hiking out and meeting Sue halfway. I didn´t want to do that steep one again. On the way our I met a couple of 30ish Artist following the paths of Renoir. They were good company and we split at the final path to Colunque En Vu. Sue arrived just as I was preparing lunch. We stuck up a converstation with the young park ranger Jean. He had been to America a couple of times and specifically to Boston and Cape Cod.

In general we found all the French in provence very friendly. Jean told us that in other parts of France, the locals really dislike Americans. I told him it is the same in America. There are lots of backwards people who dislike the French. Especially those who had never been to France.

Here is some information about hiking the Calanques of the French Riviera.

Hiking the Calanques of Casis

Good General Calanques Information

Day 3 Avignon Click Here for photobucket slidshow.

We drove to Avignon for a day trip. We visited Site Du Pont Gard, an aqueduct built over two thousand years ago by the Romans.

After lunch in town, we met up with our Dutch guide Mike, of Wine Safari.
We toured the popes summer home on the Rhone, a drive through the Cotes de Rhone wine district. The trip culminated at a small wine family farm. They had just harvested the first batch of white grapes for the 2006 year and had just begun the first process of the winemaking.

2006 white grape harvest

Touring the vinyard

The leftovers, to make grappa

Tasting

Dinner was a little out of the way villiage of Isle-sur-la-Sorgue. We dined at a very very gormet place called "Chambrex Les Trois Figuiers". I can,t say them either. Yes, it was as expensive as it sounds. Sue and Keith loved the place. Too Fancy pants for my tastes, but it did come highly recommended by Rick Steves

The Popes Palace in Avignon

Avignon Street

To be continued:

Catalonia

2006-09-19T13:52:00.000-04:00

9 Sept.

Barcelona
Snapfish slideshow HERE.
If your not a snapfish member,go to bugmenot.com for a password for this or any other site that requires you to join.

A five hour drive from Casis got us into the city around 2PM. We met Todd at a tapas restaurant on the main pier.

Sue and I had made arrangements to meet our friends the Johnsons, who were departing from the city on a Mediterranian tour. We never did find them, but had no problem finding their ship.

While walking, I did see a young bike tourer. He was very easy to pick out by how dirty his bike was. And the paniers of course. I should have stopped and asked if he was posting on crazyguyonabike.com. He was making some progress with a very pretty local, so I let him be.

We had little time to spare because we had tickets for opening day at Camp Nu and F.C.Barcelona. The home team had an easy 3-0 victory.

98,000 people leaving at one time kind of clogs the transit system. We four decided to find a place to eat nearby. At 11PM we dined at a place that was the best we have had on the trip. The owner was a character and treated us very well. He ended our evening with a complimentary brandy. We made our way back to the hotel via the underground and topped a great day by walking the Main St. of Barcelona, La Rambla.

La Rambla

Our second day in Barca was great for the family. I found the site seeing kind of boring. Churches, museums and old buildings. At first it is nice, but it gets old quickly.

Todd took us to a very fancy restaurant he visited on his last trip. Sue and I kept glancing at each other with raised eyebrows looking at the prices. Yikes! The boys surprised us by picking up the tab. It was a bill that needed two people to pay. We finished dinner at 1AM and walked a couple of miles back to the hotel. That was good stuff.

Majorca

2006-09-19T13:51:00.000-04:00

11 Sept. 2001
We spent the day at the Catalonia festivle celebrating their original independence from Spain I think. Many of the banners say "We are not Spain". It was pretty interesting and something to do while waiting for our 3PM flight to Majorca.

Locals playing bocce

Vacation part II

The first part of the holidays was historical and standard stuff. Restaurants, museums, sightseen etc. Now for my favorite type.

MAJORC SPAIN

Majorca is an island off the coast of Barcelona. We have a great apartment and a studio for the boys.

Arrival at our abode

Our back yard

The main room

Great beaches, cheap restaurants, and lots of expensive boats. One of the better features is the lack of Americans. After all, we can see as many as we want at home and this gives us a chance to be the outsiders. Lots of Brits, Germans and Dutch.

The beaches here have no problem wth topless bathing. It´s so common that no one pays much attention. Like anything, there are extremes. I have pictures of one extreme.

12 Sept.

We drove to Cals Mondrago for the day. (

When we returned we met the owner of our condo Jourgen and his wife. They are from Hamburg and are a great fun loving couple in the mid 40´s. Jourgen is returning Friday evening with a 5 litre keg of his favorite German beer. I told him it was my favorite ever though I had never hear of it. His wife mentioned it to me and said to him it was mothers milk.

13 Sept

We left the apt early to tour the island. A farmers market. An Old Roman Town and a ritzy port.

We had lunch in Sineu. It is famous for it´s wine cellar restaurants.

Looking for restaurant

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Dining in the famous wine cellar restaurants.

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Bike tour with sag.

Sue makes a new friend

Sineu

Pollenca

A long climb up the stairs in Pollenca

The reward for climbing

{{{{{Theeee Quiiiickkkk Wayyyyyy DDowwwwnnnnn}}}}}

I heard the telephone man was on holiday in the States.

We got back home at 8PM, bought some pizza and opened a bottle of Cotes D Rhone wine that were purchased at the winery during our tour of Casis.

Most of the places are very touristy, which make us apppreciat our accomodations so much more. Our place is more like going home, as opposed to going back to hotel.

Palma

2006-09-19T13:50:00.000-04:00

Friday 15 Sept.

Sue and Todd were supposed to take a boat to spend a day at some island. It was cancelled yesterday. Keith was off rock climbing with his freind Jonah. I had the day to my self again. Just walking around town and down by the marina. I visited our friends at the Irish place before walking to the market for evening tapas. Tonight is the night our hosts Jourgen and Babbette were comming over with beer.

The boat was cancelled again so Sue and Todd spend the day in Palermo. It´s what I was going to do on Saturday. They had also gone shopping for tapas. We had tons of food. Much to much for six people. Keith invided his friends Jonah and Annie from Seattle. I invited our Dutch neighbors and the German neighbors invited themselves. That was ok. For a last minute deal, the party came off very well.

Jorgen in orange brought the beer. We supplied the food.

Five liter kegs

Preparing tapas for the party.

An American couple from Seattle with their two month old baby.

Saturday 16 September.

Our last day. We spent part of the afternoon at the beach with Keith and Todd. Sue and I left early to change and to take Sue to meet Sarah the pot bellied pig.

A last supper at the Irish Bistro before packing up to go home.

Our flight left Majorca at 8AM, (10 PM EST). We flew to Madrid, Amsterdam and finally arriving in Boston at 5PM on the 17th.

Madrid from the plane

Amsterdam Airport shopping.

Padanaram Ma. to Newport R. I.

2006-08-27T21:24:00.000-04:00

Todd flew in from Atlanta to attend a wedding reception and visit ma and pa. While here we took a trip to Padanaram Village, in Dartmouth Ma.

Lunch was the first item and we decided to head to the Portuguese district and Adega restaurant. Adega is one of our favorite Saturday night spots but todays lunch was not very good. Everyone deserves an off day I suppose. But the wine was good and the company was great.

Adega Resteraunt in New Bedford, Ma.

We traveled to the village of Padanaram to browse around the local shops and while there we stopped for ice cream to top off our lunches. I had my first attempt at shrinking someone for a picture, using Todd as my subject.

My shrinking needs practice.

Crys from Toronto

Crys met us in Newport for some sighseeing and dinner.

I got an e-mail that Margie would be in Newport on Saturday. She suggested meeting for dinner, and left it up to us where to dine. Sue and I disagreed on the dining experience. She wanted Italian and I want to visit a very, very eclectic place called The Salvation Cafe. This is because most of the furnishing and decorations were bought at the Salvation Army thrift store. Nothing matches in either style or color. It's great.

We agreed to meet near the Tennis Hall of Fame, and after a little bit of confusion, we "hooked up". (It's a different meaning than when your kids "hook up").

I was determined to get the squishing heads thing mastered after seen it done here

Nothing a little practice can't solve

We hopped in the Vibe and took a ride on 12 mile drive. It's a beautiful road along the ocean. The homes are not as outlandish as the mansions of Newport but the "are" over the top in their own way.

The house is the background is so big because three people live there. sheesh.

Sue and Margie ohhh-ing and ahhhh-ing over the view.

We stopped at the kite flying area, (it's always windy along the ocean). Usually there are very unique kiters' and kite flying teams that give a great show displaying their kite flying skills. Sadly we got there too late in the day and they had already left.

Our next stop was Fort Adams, which is also the site of the "Newport Jazz Festival".

Reading the history of Fort Adams

Oceans side view of Fort Adams

Where it all started.

We ate here. Like you hadn't guessed already.

p.s. The wine was good with dinner also.
End

Changing Weather

2006-08-22T08:49:00.000-04:00

My car is in the shop for what I think is brake problems. That tell tale scraping sound that is usually preceeded by squeeking. I think my radio covered the intial indication (squeek), so I now may have to pay the fiddler. Sue let me take the mini to work, which left her with no car for the day. Very sweet. I attached the bike rack, loaded the bike and stuffed my carryons in the back seat before heading to the commuter lot.

The first few minutes of the commute are getting chilly. Time to pack a windbreaker or light jacket in the trunk bag. I have been noticing more and more sights that I have ridden by for three years. Things like these buildings in downtown Taunton.

Today, while riding through the State Hospital I came upon a hawk on the ground, just off the road. She was no more than 5 feet from me, and very big. We both froze for a few seconds and just looked at each other. She broke the stalemate and few onto a nearby tree. Usually when I have approached a hawk in the past they fly out of the tree and disappear. Today this one just sat there and watched me. I was able to get a couple of photos.

Back on my commute I decided to backtrack and see what she may have been having for breakfast. She didn't like this and left her roost to buzz me. I wasn't sure this was intentional till she did it a second time. That was my cue to leave her alone and get myself to work.

Dinner and a Show

2006-08-19T10:43:00.000-04:00

We began the evening at the Black Bass Grill in Padanaram Village. A coastal resort in the town of Dartmouth Ma. Our customary Saturday night dinner friends, the Johnsons, (Jack and Donna) joined us this beautiful Friday evening for entres on the lawn.

My meal, steamed mussles and hot Italian sausage, was served with a spicy marinara sauce over linguini. A smooth pinot noir complimented the meal and enhanced the conversation.

Sue's plate, perfectly grilled native scallops, was served with rice and fresh assorted vegetables. Her favorite drink, a martini, (which every week is a different color), kept her palat fresh.

A short ride in the Mini Cooper brought us to the Historic District of New Bedford.

Our destination was the Zeiterion Perfoming Arts Center, a restored Vaudeville theater built in the 1920's that hosted many of the big time performers of the era.

Donna was worried about the crowds at the theater and decided to go ahead and get seated. Since we had almost an hour before the show, Sue and I decided to visit a new downtown watering hole named Finns. This quaint bar provided one more little somthing to settle the stomach. Sue had a green one this time, and I a spot of Crown Royal over ice.

"A refil" asked the bartender. "No thanks", I said, "it's showtime". A leisurely walk to the theater brought us to our seats next to our dinner mates. I saw so many old friends there I kind of felt like the mayor. Dianne, a grammer school classmate, was seated just in front of us. Two rows behind was a high school chum, and while talking to him, waving arms a few rows back caught my attention. A park basketball friend from the old neighborhood was saying his "how do you do's".

The lights dimmed, the band began it introductory music, and the M C began. "Ladies and gentlemen, put your hands together and give a warm New Bedford welcome to the Temptations".

What a night.

End of Hiatus

2006-08-16T08:23:00.000-04:00

Distance 20 miles

Back to the commute today after three days off the bike. The new workout routine at the Y is still being evaluated. It seems too easy and I will e-mail Tom my PT and ask.

The ride today was different. It was too cold for a shirt and my windbreaker made riding very sticky. It's nice to be back on the road again though. I made a new acquaintence over the internet from South Carolina. Hank Raines and his dogs. We have been corresponding about his bike tours and now Martha's Vinyard. Maybe someday we'll ride together.

More later.

Preparing for the Holiday Trip

2006-08-13T12:41:00.000-04:00

Distance 74 miles (two days)

I have been increasing my riding and fitness in anticipation of our trip to France and Spain. Todd has all our reservations in Spain and Keith recently booked our French accomodations. We are good to go. Now let's hope all this foolishness about bringing water and dirty underwear on a flight is over with. Enough with the politics already.

I went online to choses our seats for the flight and naturally all the good seats were taken. The best I could do for Sue and I were aisle seats across from each other. Same thing on the way home.

One last item to take care of is getting tickets to a game. AC Barcellona would be great, but just attending a football match in France or Spain would be great. Marselle is the home of Zidane. Wouldn't it be something to run into him.

Friday was a half day at work and I decided to bring my bike, ride home, and do a return ride on Saturday to retrieve the car. Fridays' ride was perfect. Nice weather, made good time and enjoyed every moment. I got home in time to shower and load my backpack for a trip to the dentist then the gym. I am doing a workout that was developed for the astronauts. Time will tell how good it works.

Saturday, I decided to stop for a light breakfast at McDonnalds. (One of those egg in a tortilla things). That decision produced quite an adventure. Eating a McD's anything, can ruin a nice bike ride. Actually I remember our college soccer team having McDonalds' food before a game. It felt like we were running in ankle deep mud for the whole match. Riding a bike felt the same way. The first 10 miles was painfull to say the least. Gradually the effects wore off and the ride was much better. It took the better part of an hour and four rest stops to recover. The actual pedal time to the office was two hours and change. It took me four hours to get there with all the stops. Mostly for picture taking.

The McDonalds locals.

I have passed this little grass runway airport many times. Today was the day to stop and look around.

Back on the road in Berkley Ma.

Path through abandoned state school

A lonely slide at Dever State Hospital for severly retarded and deformed children.

I'll be back on the bike commuting tomorrow after a well earned day off today.
Later

Ice Cream 20

2006-08-05T15:53:00.000-04:00

Distance 23 miles
Weather 80 degrees, still, early evening.

After a week of excessive heat and humidity, that brought the index to a scortching 110, the relief of a cold front that dropped the temps into the low 80's, was too good to pass up. Sue and I decided on a Friday evening ride on the country roads near our home. It's called the ice cream 20 because in the 20 mile loop there are four ice cream shops calling like the sirenes of Homers' Odyssey.

The grammer school our sons attended has been demolished and a new school is being built on the site. We were glad to see that the trees the boys classes had planted twenty something years ago were untouched and are thriving.

Trees the boys classes planted at East Fairhaven Ma. Elementary school

We headed north on the quiet country roads of Fairhaven to the Acushnet line and the lakes of Acushnet Road. So little traffic uses these roads that one sometimes wonder why they are still there. But the roads are great for cycling.

House on a lake

Acushnet Rd. Patriotic home

Our ride took us into the town of Rochester and our first ice cream stand. We also came across the day camp where Todd, our youngest, attended a couple of his pre teen summers.

As the sun began to drop towards the horizon, Sue and I turned east to begin the loop back towards home. The evening became very still and was as quiet as the roads we were traversing, and the setting sun provided plenty of sights.

Rochester Fire house. A bike tourers friend.

Here too

As we approached the half way point, a drink break was in order.

We stopped here for water. What were you thinking?

With the low sun at our back we made the final turn towards home.

Rochester Ma. Golf club

The 9th hole

Vaughn Hill Rd. The hill is behind us.

Lonely Vaughn Hill

Hartely Rd. home

Cranberry Bogs

Road along Cranberry bogs.

Swim Hole

Riding with Austin

2006-07-17T09:16:00.000-04:00

My young neighbor expressed an interest in doing a long bike ride. "How about 20 miles right now", I asked? "OK" was his reply. We took the New Bedford waterfront route. Over the bridge and I showed him how to portage his bike down the stairs.

It was necessary in a few spots to do some "street" riding. Austin easily picked up the techinque of watching, listening and signaling when making lane changes and turns.

We made our way into Fort Rodman where we stopped to check out Battery Miliken (an old WWII large gun battery, that protected the harbor).

We moved on to Battery Edwards and found a tunnel underneath. It was too dark to explore completely, but was worth a look.

I'm not going in there

Further into the old base, we visited Fort Taber, a civil war era stone fort designed by Robert E Lee and built in 1862.

We were not able to get inside but there were spots chipped out of some of the windows, that allowed us to look in.

I wish I could go in there

Out of nowhere we heard rumbling. A truck? Nooooo. Thunder? Nooooo. Empty stomachs? Of course. We both knew it was time for lunch. Chicken and a frappe. (a frappe is a milk shake with ice cream for all you non NorEasterners). Black and white of course. Vanilla syrup with chocolate ice cream.

After lunch we began the trek home. A stop at Palmers Island where the tide was still too high to walk across. We could only sit and dream about visiting the light house on the island. We rode through the old Berkshire Hathaway complex to get to the hurricane barrier at Palmers Island.

I wish I could go over there.

Fairhaven from New Bedford side of barrier.

We were trying to get to this light house.

We took a tour of pier two where a big part of the fishing fleet docks.

Austin checking out the fleet.

We road to the top of the walkway over rt18 downtown and watched as the boats were loading up with ice.

This boat had just taken on a load of ice.

Before climbing the stairs at the bridge, we went into the belly under the bridge, and talked about the men that built it so many years ago. Most of the stuff was done by hand and we looked at the tens of thousands of rivets that were manually put on by the builders. Also the artwork done by those craftsmen.

Under the bridge

We were soon back in Fairhaven.

We ended the ride with some "sprint" riding through the back lots of the super markets and the activity center. Round in circles, jumping curbs and racing down the final stretch of the bike path home.

A great 19 mile first "real" ride for Austin, and I think he had fun.

AHA

2006-07-14T13:31:00.000-04:00

Art, History, Architecture. A monthly festival in the Historic Seaport of New Bedford, Ma.

I was enlightened to the diversity of the city. A young artsy crowd mingled freely with the older "hippys".

Skateboarders where everywhere but sill out of everyone's way. Young musicians proudly showing their talent at "open mike"

There were many oportunities to listen to or participate in music. The "Drums of New Bedford", where anyone could sit in, regardless of experience.

Or a visitor could stroll into Wings Court to watch, listen and dance to very good local bands.

Bicycles are becomming more noticeable because of the younger college population created by UMass Art school downtown. Along with a plethora of art galleries and studios

There are some aspiring souls that try to combine things, like bikes and cameras to create art.

Architecture is a big part of the city and there are some really great masterpieces. You just have to slow down and look.

Colorado Mountains and Paths

2006-07-06T08:05:00.000-04:00

Wifey and I spent the holiday weekend in Colorado visiting #1 son Keith. We took a late flight Thursday 29 June arriving around midnight. Keith met us at the airport and transported ma and pa to his new condo in Loveland. Since he was working on Friday, we took his car and drove to Cheyenne Wyoming to shop at Sierra Trading Post. Sue found some great deals and loaded up on shoes. Three pair, along with all the other stuff to weight down the plane on the return flight.

Saturday 30 June.

Keith and Sue did a long hike somewhere near Fort Collins. They dropped me downtown and I found a pub showing the World Cup match featuring France/Brasil. In the morning we had watched Italy defeat England on penaltys. Rooney got his deserved red card. Such a good player with so little class.

Sunday, 1 July.

No football today, which give us plenty of time to do some Colorado stuff. Sue took the car and went for a hike, while Keith and I rode our bikes to the bus station in Boulder. We packed our bikes and rode up 3000 feet to the small town of Nederland, to begin a bike ride in the mountains. We climbed an additional 1000' on the Peak to Peak Highway.

The Sunshine Canyon Rd., a dirt road that decended 4000' took us back to our accomodations in Boulder. We stopped for a light lunch in a very liberal town called Gold Hill. Pop 118. A young high school girl served us and explained the owners politics. I didn't think there could be someone more liberal than me. I guess we learn something new every day, if you ask.

Assembling bikes after bus ride.

IknowIcan IknowIcan

I had to stop quite a few times on the climb for a short rest and water breaks. The views, as expected were spectacular. For example.

Spotted this at the top of a mountain.

It seemed like we climed a lot more than our odeometer said. Every time I thought we creasted the peak, I got to look up again. Keith, my guide gave me the option of continuing another three miles of rolling hills or take a dirt road down to the house. I told him that he was in charge. Until we got to the dirt road that is. It was like a cow smelling the barn. Once there I opted to begin the decent.

Climbing on a bike with tires the size of my thigh made it difficult to exceed 5 or 6 mph. It was almost as difficult to keep the bike under 40 MPH on the decent. It's a good thing my bike had disk brakes because I would have burned up the usualy type.

Buckle up for the descent.

If you miss this turn, expect around eight minutes of air time

Keith looking below to the road where we began this ride

We stopped for lunch in the small town of Gold Hill.

Entering Gold Hill

The cool aid stand welcoming committee of Gold Hill Colorado

Lunch stop

The last climb of the day. I had to walk this one.

After a four thousand foot decent, we arrived at our mountain canyon home for the day. Coincidentally, only a few houses away from Tyler Hamilton.

Tuesday 4 July

Keith and I had the morning to bike ride before the Italy/Germany match. We decided on the Boulder bike routes and trails. This is more my type of riding. I have to say that if I did live in the mountains I probably would ride them once a week. Living in Boulder I would definitely be a year round, weather be dammed, bike commuter. Kind of like I am here. We rode the final couple of miles down the mountain into the city and began our holiday ride.

First things first. Riding to breakfast

Part of the ride was on roads.

Some was on paved paths

Room for everyone. Vehicles, peds and bikes.

Much of the ride was on hardpacked dirt trails.

The views were always great.

But as a famous Trans Am rider warned,
"Watch for bananas"

Going home

After the ride we had planned a gathering to watch Italy/Germany with a few of Keiths friends. As we were about to leave the canyon home, a couple of squatters moved in under the porch. I was told they had moved in a few weeks ago and they must have been away for the holidays.

We ended the trip at the Revs/Rapids match in Denver but did not see the whole thing because of the weather.

Revs ended up losing 3-2

The End

Lobster and Biking on Cape Cod

2006-06-17T23:23:00.000-04:00

Gandalf and Crys both called for directions within 15 minutes of each other. I rode my bike up the street and met them in the parking lot of my favorite package store. In my excitement I forgot the camera. Forgetting items would become the theme of the weekend.

They followed me back to the house where everyone got settled and we reacquainted ourselves over some cold Heineken and guacamole dip.

We agreed on a restaurant, Freestones, located on the National Whaling Historic Park in New Bedford, Ma. Soon after being seated, the manager approached us and asked if we would be willing to change tables. No problem for us, and for our courtesy, the drinks were on the house.

Sue and Margie each had a fancy martini. Gandalf and I shared a nice bottle of Pinot Noir. Both the ladies chose a huge lobster roll, Dave decided on a sirloin steak, the size of which made him bug eyed, and I opted for my favorite, chicken Quesadilla. The theme….no camera.

Sunday was a light breakfast before beginning the biking part of the QSJ Lobster bike fest.

We somehow managed to load four bikes in, on and around my car.

The East Bay Bike Path (EBBP) is a 13.5 mile paved trail that runs along the Providence River beginning in East Providence, continuing through the towns of Riverside, Warren, and Barrington, RI. The path ends/begins in the quaint seaside town of Bristol RI. A town that boasts one of the largest 4th of July parades in the country.

I wanted to ride a bit and make adjustments to the bikes for fit, but in keeping the the weekend theme, I forgot my tools at home. It must have been painfull for Dave and Margie to ride 25 plus miles on ill fitting bikes, OUCH!

In Bristol, we took a lunch break at a local waterfront pub. Typical New England fare included, chowda, clam cakes, and fish sandwich. All washed down with some very good Czech pilsner beer. In honor of the world cup going on.

We made good time on the return 13 mile ride with the wind at our backs. Dave had to catch a flight back to Houston, and Margie was scheduled to meet business associates in Providence. Me? I had to rush home to watch the US/Italy match, and what a match it was. We coulda beat em. But a 1-1 draw keeps us in the running to advance. Beating Ghana on Thursday would do it. GO US.

World Cup Gelsenkirchin Germany, US/Czech

2006-06-12T10:38:00.000-04:00

Keith and I drove from Amsterdam to Gelsenkirchen, Germany to watch to US vs. Czech World Cup match. The stadium was mostly Americans and was unbelievably loud. Here are some phosto in and around the stadium, without comment.

Riding Bikes in Amsterdam

2006-06-11T09:24:00.000-04:00

Amsterdam could be called the "City of Bikes". All roads have bike lanes. All business have bike racks. And all Dutch have bikes. Finding a bike rental shop was no problem. Keith and I picked our up early and embarked on a Sunday Morning Dutch tour.

We had quite a bit of time before meeting our friends, Elanor and Everett, in a Australian pub to watch the Holland match.

Our ride took us along the canal through the Rembrant district.

There are plenty of activities along and on the canals. People strolling, biking, and sunbathing on the shore. Houseboats are abundant on the canals and rowing is prevalent.

Beautiful homes along the canal. Quaint villiage settings, and streets void of motor traffic. What more could a bike rider ask.

After the bike we returned to Rebmrandsqare to secure our spot at the pub to watch the World Cup Match. All in orange of course.

It is important in a foreign country not to look stupid.

Inside the pub at match time.

Every time I want a picture, someone gets in the way.

See, it happened again.

After the match we returned with our hosts to their flat for a quiet evening of cold Dutch beer and tapas. The view from the terrace and a 10PM sunset capped a wonderfull day in Amsterdam.

Tomorrow, US/Czech game in Gelsenkirchen Germany. The reason we are here.

Gezellig.

Amsterdam

2006-06-10T21:52:00.000-04:00

Keith and I arrived an hour apart. We made some half assed arrangement on meeting and what to do if we did not find each other at the airport. Naturally I messed everything up. When I looked for his arrival, I saw he would be disembarking at gate three. I waited for an hour at baggage claim three at gate 8. We did manage to bump into each other just as we were about to give up and go to the hotel separately.

It didn't take long to figure the train schedules, and by asking a couple of questions at the information booth the ride from the airport to Central Station went smoothly.

A tram from Central Station to Rembrant Square took us to the hotel.

Train to Rembrantsquare

The Imperial Hotel was a great central location in a nice area that was very lively.

Small room and beds brought to mind the story of Gulliver

We had intended to sleep a few hours before meeting our friends and doing the sights. Very seldom do things go as planned. A late arrival at the hotel gave us just enough time to shower and unpack before the phone call came announcing the arrival of our hosts, Everett and Elenor.

Vlinder and Clayton meet in the Imperial Hotel.

Elanor, John and Everett

Elanor, Keith, Everett

We walked around the old town, flee market, Rembrandt house, former Jewish quarters, weigh house and of course The Red Light District. Keith found a store that sold Dutch shoes made in his hometown in Colorado.

The four of us spent the afternoon taking in the sights of the city.

Our gracious host invited Keith and I for dinner. A BBQ catered by their son Floris. Some good Dutch wine and beer with our chicken and burgers filled us to the point it was difficult to get out of the chair. That we did though, when it was clean up time. After all we were in Holland where the "Dutch treat" was probably invented.

Keith and Everett talking business

I've eaten too much and I can't get up

Tomorrow is Biking in Amsterdam followed by the Dutch game on TV. All the bars and cafes are decorating and bringing in many extra TVs to show the game.

Traffic Jam

2006-06-06T21:31:00.000-04:00

Riding the new route this morning, I encountered a mini traffic jam. At 6:30 AM that is very unusual. Being on my bike naturally I drifted to the front of the line and saw this.

Traffic jam in Taunton Ma.

Mama Goose Protecting

There is always one slow poke.

While doing some exploring to find easier and less trafficed routes, I stumbled upon this neat little tunnel. It connects a hidden parking area, that looks to be reserved for employees of the downtown shops, with the main streets.

I have decided to forgo bus commuting. I tried three times to contact DATCO and American Eagle in Fairhaven, Ma. and no one bothered to respond. It was the bounty to transport my bike that caused me to stop commuting. $20 a week tacked on to the $35 ticket price is roughly $22 more than it cost to commute by car. I am back to driving to the mall and bike commuting from there to the office. I also save around thirty minutes on each end. But I would rather bus commute. It just makes me feel better about the whole thing.

A Few More Commute Pictures

2006-06-05T16:05:00.000-04:00

There is always a faster way

Part of the long commute. Freetown Ma.

Downtown Fairhaven, Ma.

Weir St. Taunton Ma.

Busing in Massachusetts

2006-05-24T08:20:00.000-04:00

Taking the bus in the morning is pretty nice. I do have to get up a little early. 4:40 AM to catch the 5:30 bus. It's a four mile ride that gets me to the terminal very much awake. The first mile of the commute is traversing the bike path. It's crazy how loud it is at five in the morning. The birds are going absolutely nuts. Little ones screaming for food, while the parents are racing back and forth trying to satisfy their hunger. Rabits, deer, fox, and squirrels are my normal companions, and people are no where to be found at that time.

I still haven't heard from the bus company regarding the bike fees. Those fees increase on June 19th, and if there is no relief from the bus company, I will return to driving my car to the mall and riding from there. I would rather bus commute, but paying double for that privledge is stupid.

The daily ride is up to around 30 miles. A couple of options either add or subtract a little bit. If I am really in a rush, I can take a direct route to the Galleria Mall where I catch the bus home. That takes me on the very busy rt140/rt24 junction where traffic is very heavy and fast. I have to ride one exit on the 65mph section of 140 and try to maneuver my way to the mall exit ramp by jockeying between vehicles entering the highway. It's pretty nerve wracking to say the least.

There is a small section of Rt140 I have to ride. It is the safest, or to say it better, the least dangerous, route to the mall.

Notice the shrinking bike lane

I did find a better route through the city that takes me over a couple of very worn side streets and through a crazy little tunnel.

Lots of potholes on this shorcut

No fighting traffic on this road

This tunnel is a shortcut avoiding the heavy downtown commuter traffic

END

Trying My Best To Do Something Good

2006-05-19T13:29:00.000-04:00

I am trying out bus/bike commuting. A 3 mile ride to the bus station then riding the bus to the Galleria Mall in Taunton, Ma. The mall is around 30 miles from my home, and a quarter of a mile from where I usually leave my auto when I do a drive/ride commute. An 11 mile ride to the office, completes the inbound leg.

The bus fare is $32, soon to increase to $35 for a 10 ride book of passes. The clincher is the bike cost. The bus company charges $1 each way for a bike. The rider loads and unloads their bike under the bus in the luggage compartment. The driver never leaves his seat. The fare increase will also have a $1 increase in the bike fare. Out of curiosity, I called and asked "how much extra to transport a baby stroller in the luggage compartment?" "No charge" said the person at the company. "How about luggage?". "No charge". Hmmmmm. I will place a call to the company manager Monday to see what can be done about the bike charge.

$20/week is very close to a tank of gasoline, added to the $35 for the bus fare makes taking the bus foolishly expensive, even calculating for wear and tear.

The drive/ride option is a 5:30AM-6:00PM affair. The bus/ride is 5:00AM-6:40PM commute. An added hour a day is not much to ask to help save the world. Taking advantage financially of someone doing that, may be.

Monday, after speaking with Bob Hopewood, I will make a decision.

How Not to Cross a Street.

2006-05-17T09:03:00.000-04:00

After almost two weeks, I am finally able to bike commute.
My commuter bike was in the shop to have a new rear wheel installed. I was breaking a spoke or two on every ride and the LBS suggested a new 36 spoke heavy duty rear wheel. This should do the trick.

However the lack of riding was cause by some heavy rains the made it impossible, mainly because there were no streets to be riden. See for yourself.

Ever wonder why ambulance drivers are so calm.

Boating down the street

Flooded house

Flood waters threaten condos

Irony?

The calvary

Walking the flooded street

Finally....back to the title of this post

How not to cross a street.

Next ride.

Amsterdam

Five Boroughs of New York

2006-05-09T07:46:00.000-04:00

Saturday afternoon I met some internet people from other sites and didn't get back to my hotel till midnight. Not much sleep at all because of the excitement. (and maybe the wine). I met Tic Tac and her hubby for a very late lunch at the oldest pub in NYC. I had one of those famous $16 hamburgers we hear about. A couple of beers, a couple of Pinot Noirs, then Mike arrived. Mike and I talked about his cross country bike ride and time seemed to stop. Until we hear a phrase I hadn't experienced in years. "Last call guys", yelled the bartender. Oh, oh. I still had to catch a ferry to Staten Island, then a 30 minute bus trip to the hotel.

The rocking and rolling of the ferry kind of leveled things out for me after so much time in the pub. The bus ride in the middle of the night, in a strange city, only able to keep one eye opened, was interesting.

Read Mike's journal HERE

My quitsmokingjournals.com friend Tic Tack.

A little after 6AM Sunday morning I found myself in line for the Staten Island Ferry to Manhattan, where I stood with a few thousand other bikers.

We did the crossing standing with our bikes and arrived at 7:30.

Got in the pack in Manhattan, and soon after, heard the beginning of the ride, (around 8AM). I crossed the START LINE at 9:40.

It took forever to get to Central Park because of the stops. We began refering to the day as the Five Boroughs biathlon. 20 miles riding, 20 miles walking.

Central Park

Luckily I had met a couple of guys from Philly who had great attitutes about the whole thing. It was contagious and I soon caught on, that in New York, chill out. I lost them at the first rest stop and decided to picke up the pace from there on.

Entering Harlem

59th St. Bridge

View from 59th St. Bridge

Entering Queens

Refueling at rest stop

It was funny to see tourists, (they broadcast their state on their shirt), who were looking to cross the Avenue of the America's and see bikes to the horizon in both directions. One little kid saying, "where is the end of this thing?".

While in line waiting to cross the 59th St. bridge I got a call from the Mike (The kid I closed the pub with). It was 11:30 and he had just finished the ride. I still had 25 miles to go.

I had not been to New York since the Worlds Fair in "64". This is really a great way to see the whole city. Be sure to bring a bag of patience. After crossing the 59th St. brige we rode under the Brooklyn Bridge. That was really neat. I kept thinking about the movie "Kate and Leapold" and the builder of the bridge bragging this his was the "biggest erection in the country". I stopped for an ice cream there and took in the sites of the bridge and the city across the river.

Brooklyn Bridge

Near the Hasidic District

View of City from Brooklyn

Riding through Central Park, over the Harlem River into the continental US and back. (Manhattan is an island). Through Brooklyn and the Hasidic district where all the little kids were cheering us on. Soon off in the distance was the monster. The Verazano Bridge. People began moaning about the climb, how difficult it was going to be. Since I was in the "family section" of the ride, I was visualizing lots of people walking across the bridge. There were, but if you expect a really tough climb, you will be disappointed. I was in the small chain but still 3 or 4 gears up.

The Verrazano Parkway

Last rest area

Verrazano Bridge on ramp.

At the end of the ride, it was back in line again for the 30 minute 150 yard walk through the festival grounds to the back entrance. Then it was back on the road for the 3 mile ride to the car. A group of little girls, screaming and pointing to their home made sign. "ONLY TWO MORE MILES". To the Ferry area and my car. A five hour ride home capped of a very long day.

Over the shoulder shot of the final 3 miles

The final mile

If you want to see NY in a very unique way, do the 5 Boroughs ride. Get there early if you want to go at speed. If you are in no hurry, get in the middle or back of the pack. It takes a while to get going, but it's well worth the wait.

If I go next year, I know how to cut hours off the ride with a creative beginning.

The day of the ride, I left my car at 6:15 AM and returned to it at 3. It was a long time for a ride of just under 40 miles, but it was a 40 miles to remember for a lifetime. Smile

Ping goes the Spoke

2006-04-20T10:24:00.000-04:00

I have been having a terrible time with spokes. Always on the back wheel. Always on the new bike. In the beginning the spokes were popping on the drive side of the wheel. The wrench replaces all of those spokes which cured that problem. Now the non drive side is beginning to do the same. The general consensus is that I weigh too much. I am working on losing weight and riding is the main technique. A catch 22 if there ever was one. I am biking to lose weight but my bike can't handle my weight. 220 is the cut off for spoke problems according to the experts. Two weeks more should get me over that hump. In the mean time it's a good thing I have two bikes.

The problem bike is the Marin, the commuter. I retrieved the wheel from the shop yesterday, mounted it and got it all ready for the AM commute. In the AM I had second thoughts and decided to take "ole blue", (the roadie) instead.

I did get a few shots with the new camera. I am still practicing some the shooting techniques and learning how it works. I need to be ready for the five boroughs ride in two weeks. Here are a couple of shots.

Morning fog over Engell St. river.

Evergreen St. Stream

Hiking the Sanctuarys and Reserves

2006-04-03T08:42:00.000-04:00

Sue saw an article in a magazine that spoke about the Allens Pond Wildlife Sanctuary. Neither of us knew of this place and decided, because it was so close, to visit. I packed up my camera and binoculars and off we went.

We decided to go for ice cream after the hike and came across another good hiking prospect,the Slocum's River Reserve.

Sue reading the rules and routes.

Can't see the trees for the forest.

Allens Pond path.

Sue dwarfed by the rocks.

Stone walls are sure signs that this was once farmland.

A nice touch to keep visitors feet dry.

On our way home we spotted this sign and decided to check the place out.

This "river reserve" was a whole different experience than the "wildlife preserve" we just left.

Slocum's River

After two hours of hiking Sue and I piled into the mini to drive home.

We skipped the ice cream.

Commute to work photos

2006-03-31T22:53:00.000-05:00

First is a thirty mile drive to a spot I found to park. An 11 mile commute to work in Taunton Ma. pictoral follows.

6 Am and Ole Blue is ready to go.

Quiet rural Steven St. begins the commute

Soon the ride approaches Rt. 24 where the road passes one of the old dams before crossing over the highway.

The road will soon become much busier. A high probablilty that traffic will come to a stand still.

After crossing the highway quiet rural roads take me to the high school and rt 140.

Rt 140 can get hairy with cars occasionally comming a little close. Most drivers are very willing to share the road.

Car getting back into his lane after giving a wide berth.

Not so wide berth

Crossing the Engle St Bridge on the way to High St.

A little way on Engle then onto High St. which takes me to the downtown section of the commute.

Old High St. home

Approaching downtown Taunton I have to cross a couple of busy roads before entering the backside of downtown.

Riding the ouskirts of the town square to avoid the roundabout and all it's traffic.

Have to give a shout out to one of my LBSs. Travis Bike.

Blue taking a break while I stop for a drink.

A little more than halfway and we head back to rural riding. Up a short hill thru a residential street takes me to the entrance of the Taunton State hospital. Here is were some go for their 20 or 30 day evaluations before going to court. Also some of the area mental patients are housed here and the juvenile detention center is also on the grounds.

Approaching hospital entrance.

"When you come to the fork in the road, take it" Yogi Berra

Another quiet road in the Asylum grounds.

Approaching the buildings complex.

Unwanted juveniles are stored up the road on the right.

Need a job?

Back on the main roads again. The next couple of miles are a series of long slight graded hills. These and others used to be a problem before I learned how to pedal properly.

Past the junkyard heading toward the quarry.

School bus alley. Where they stop at every third house or so to pick up kids.

This is a shorcut for a mountain or cyclocross. The dirt is very soft and difficult to traverse. It's easier to go around on a road or hybrid bike.

An example of some of the nice homes along the route.

The industrial park where my office is located has a back entrance that is for the trucks using the rock quarry. It's there to direct them through the park to avoid using the residential streets. I can get behind one of these and draft up to around 30 mph for a quarter mile or so. I have gotten some really strange looks from drivers when they spot me in their mirror and I am right on their bumper.

Dirt monkeys waiting to get into the quarry.

Some say that this rock quarry is where Titelist gets it's golf ball materials.

Getting close. Right turn here onto John Hancock Rd. brings me to General Dynamics.

No pedestrians but bikes and rental trucks filled with fertalizer are ok.

Hummers for Halliburton. $200k Each.

Eleven miles from the start we are here.

Into the parking lot.

Head to the back entrance through the smokers.

Put Blue in his spot.

Shower and get clothes ready.

Breakfast

Then log in to work.

Four Towns in 44 miles

2006-03-12T19:35:00.000-05:00

It was a day when I just got on the bike and rode with no destination or time constraint. Ride a few miles, take a picture, ride a few miles eat, ride.... My first stop was just up the street, where the town has demolished the East Fairhaven School getting ready to build a new one. The one the voters said no to doing. Why even waste the money on a vote?

Construction begins on East Fairhaven Elementary

A very different looking stone house in Acushnet, Ma.

Beginning in Fairhaven, the route took "blue" and me thru the town of Acushnet into Rochester. The weather was ok but the wind was really blowing making it tough to even ride downhill. I got to a good hill that I usually coast and get my speed up to around 30 MPH. Today, because of the wind, I had to pedal down the hill. cripes

Town number three.

I took the old "rt 105" that at one time was the main road to Boston. It must have been something in it's heyday, but now.

The old road to Boston. It's really a nice bike road now.

A big part of biking is mental. Once I accepted the wind the ride became much better. Before that point, all I could think of was how difficult the ride was turning out to be. At the moment of acceptance, I simply shifted into an easier gear and began enjoying myself. Two roads that would loop me back toward home were passed without a thought of taking them. I had always been worried about a breakdown on long rides. Until I took a bike maintainence course last Sunday. It was such a good course I now have confidence to make almost any kind of repair to get me home. Flats, gearing and even a broken chain, are no longer worrysome.

I had been on the road for almost two hours and was approaching an area of highway oasis. Right off route 140, the current road to Boston and points north, was the business area of the fourth town of the day.

Forth town and time to eat.

Before lunch blue and I stopped by Cathederal Camp, where local kids spend their summer days. I never attended camp because my parents owned a neighborhood store and lunch counter, they were always home. Also I grew up on the beach, so sending me to camp would be almost like punishment.

Ole blue at the bridge separating the boys from the girls side of Cathederal Camp

Cathederal Camp buildings

A hearty breakfast sandwich omlette for lunch really hit the spot. I carry a rechargable card because it feels like I am eating for free.

On the return trip, I decided to abandon the country roads and ride through the city. This is where the kids in their hot rods, cruise up and back Acushnet Avenue. One group of "crotch rocket" motorcyclist yelled at me to do a wheelie when I passed them at the coffee shop on the ave. I almost turned around to have a picture of blue and I among the bikes and bikers giving the "gansta" sign. The one with the sidways peace sign, sort of. Or whatever...

On the Avenue, near Lydia's Bakery, where I take out of town friends for desert after dinner, I noticed I could keep up with traffic with a little effort. I grabed a spot in the middle of traffic and peddled like crazy behind a Mustang that was behind a real big pickup truck. It was quite a site to see all these fancy cars and trucks with hemi's cruising along, and a guy on a bike keeping up with them easily. Some may think it dangerous riding the city streets, but I found it much easier because of the congestion. Drivers are more aware, are going at a slower speed, and are more receptive to bikes and pedestrians. It's kind of neat to be in traffic, signal a lane change and accelerate into a turn. Kind of gets the blood flowing.

Enought of that. Back into the quiet villiage of Fairhaven, where everything is slower, and the streets are clear. Crossing the bridge was an adventure this time. As most cases when I arrive, the bridge is open to let boat traffic pass. Usually, I relax, wait, maybe take a picture or two, and cross as soon as the bridge is back in place for vehicle traffic. This is a swing bridge, not the type that opens toward the sky. This one sits on gears and swings open allowing a lane of shipping on each side of the span. This time when the bridge was closing, it made some awful grinding noises. I was tempted to wave my arms at the tender who was in a little house at the top of the bridge, and tell him to stop. He continued to try and close the span and the grinding and banking noises just got louder and louder and more frequent.

Tender works from his office atop the bridge

I did manage to get across when it was almost closed. I had to maneuver around the barriers and on the other side I told a few motorist the bridge was broken. Before long the line of cars, one by one turned around and headed to the alternate route around the river.

The ride ended with a quick jaunt through Fairhaven's waterfront and center. Back home the odometer read 44.3 miles in 4 hours 52 minutes. Including lunch.

Fire escape at the old textile mill complex.

Typical house in Fairhaven Ma. center

Boat undergoing repairs at Kelly's Boatyard

Crossing the hurricane barrier at Egypt ln.

Architecture of New Bedford Ma. Ride

2006-03-02T13:58:00.000-05:00

I had a day off and decided to ride to the doctors office. I took a route that brought me through the side streets of New Bedford. As I mentioned in my last blog. New Bedford was twice the richest city in the world. Many of the mansions once owned by Whaling Captains, whale boat owners as well as textile mill owners, still stand. Some have been restored in the past and are beginning to show signs of wear. Some have recently been restored to their original glory.

There are also homes belonging to some of the 2nd tier of the upper class, those who served the very rich. doctors, dentist, ship builders and artisans. New Bedford was the home port of the Whaling ship, Acushnet, of Moby Dick fame. Also the textile mill where pictures of child laborers were taken that began the process of minimum age laws for workers.

The following is a pictoral story of some of the architecture of New Bedford, Ma. that caught my eye during a mid week ride. Before the surprise came, that is.

The return trip took me back by the waterfront. I am never disappointed by the sights in that area.

Waiting to cross the bridge

Marin waiting patiently for the bridge to close.

Things began to change very rapidly on the return ride. A few snow flakes here and there. Out of no where...squals.. heavy snow making the ride very interesting, in a control kind of way.

The snow got very heavy very quickly.

It was actually pretty neat to ride in this.

Here I encountered a couple of guys walking and mentioned they were kind of nutty walking in this stuff.

Soon enought though, I was back at Evergreen St. Home again.

End

Biking before the snow

2006-02-25T22:18:00.000-05:00

With snow predicted to begin late morning, an early start for Saturday’s ride was necessary. However, this being my first day off in a couple of weeks, sleeping in seemed just as inviting. Up and at em at 8:15 was a good enough compromise. It did take a while to get everything in order. Dressing for the 20 degree temperature, getting the bike ready which included installing a water bottle cage, pumping the tires and making sure everything worked.

My good intentions of sprinting to McDonalds for a pancake breakfast with the regulars was sidetracked by quacking emanating from the saltmarsh. It seems the ducks were just as hungry as me and they were in the middle of breakfast as I passed.

Ducks gathered for breakfast

Because of the cold, (15F), I had the path to myself. The sights and sounds of an active saltmarsh can be very mesmerizing.

Winter Saltmarsh

I rode one of my standard 18 mile loops but this was a “day off” ride. An easy spin with no thought of training or fitness. This was a photo ride. After crossing the bridge, I headed down toward the old WWII encampment, Fort Rodman. This also has a civil war era fortress inside the gates, that was designed and build by Robert E Lee.

Two bike trails were on the route. The first, “The Phoenix Path” took me through not only the saltmarsh area, shown above, but also to the shipyard area. There were boats in dry dock, as well as those too far gone, before dropping me at the bridge crossing.

Fishing vessle in dry dock

Too late for dry dock

Crossing the river into New Bedford

After the bridge crossing the ride was part of the New Bedford bike route, through the old fort and beach, looping around to the old factory area. New Bedford was one of the richest cities in America during the whaling era, and again during the heyday of the textile mills.

The 18 miles took close to 2 hours, because of the picture taking and two hot chocolate, foot warming stops. When I left, and again when I returned, I waved to my neighbors, four of them, sitting in the living room, watching television, drinking super duper extra large, triple sweet flavored coffee, and smoking cigarettes. That’s fine for them, but I think my two hours were better.

University Marine Lab at entrance to old Fort property.

Rodney French Blvd. skirting the Fort and waterfront area.

Sneaker art.

End.

Off Season Training

2006-02-24T10:09:00.000-05:00

Cyclo-Core is a good off season training program, weather for biking or just using bike training as a way to lose weight. In combination with the free program for food and activity tracking, Fitday.com, this rider has shed 17 lbs in 4 weeks. Racquetball plays an integral part of the cross training program.

Standard weight and cardio workouts did not work for Ole Blue's rider. The lack of progress screamed for professional help, which is never cheap. The cyclo-core program provides a consistent approach to exercise. It contains enough structure to ensure progress, slowly and gradually building fitness and strength over time. It also encourages adequate rest days and recovery periods.

Helter skelter workouts, (those without a goal or structure), provided a 50 lb weight gain over the course of 3 years. As results begin to show, it gets difficult to take rest days, for fear of losing momentum and failure. However, lack of rest and recovery is probably "the" number one cause of plateau and digression.

Better conditioning and fitness encourages more riding. It is no chore to ride in the winter. With the proper clothing it's actually quite fun.

Winter holiday riding

National Whaling Historic Park. New Bedford, Ma.

Freighter in New Bedford Harbor.

Very shortly, bike commuting will start again. A 20 some odd mile each way ride will be the standard. Some very scenic and quaint New England back roads will make the rides easy and enjoyable.

Quaint country roads for commuting.

Till then. Keep active.

Holiday Shopping in Freeport

2005-12-05T13:16:00.000-05:00

Took wifey and sister to Freeport Maine for our annual holiday shopping trip. The first stop naturally was LL Bean. But not the regualar store. First thing is to see what was on sale at the "returns" store. This is where returns are drastically reduced in price, and on this day an additional 20% is discounted. Then it was off to Main St. for a shopping smorgasborg.

Main St.

Banana Republic store

Can you believe how many lobsters they have sold? And still counting.

Saturday morning after a hearty breakfast, we headded to the national shore for a short hike.

Carol and Sue

After the hike we returned to Old Town section of Portland for a late lunch before resuming shopping.

God is a Bastard

2005-11-19T11:29:00.000-05:00

Things went from good to bad to good to bad again. Just before the Eastern Conference final two weeks ago, my mates who booked thru various discount places like Priceline, Orbitz etc were telling of ATA out of business. My tailgate Irish friend Revs Irish Rose (Carmelle) who is a Security person at Logan Airport told me there is no one manning the ATA counters. I checked online and found no problem. My 5:30 AM flight from Boston to Chicago, connecting to Dallas was still listed.

On Tuesday, four days before departure, I decided to double check with a phone call. "We don't fly out of Boston any longer" I was told. "When were you going to tell the booked passengers" was my first thought. Fortunately ATA is partners with SouthWest and I flew out of the more convenient Providence RI, at a better time. I got to see Provicdence, Baltimore and Chicago on my way to Dallas.

Because of the sellout, I had to get into lotteries to obtain tickets to the match. I knew of two lotteries, applied, and got tickets from both. Now I am in Dallas with two tickets. One for the Eastern Conference supporters section and one midfield seat in case the Revs didn't make it. I also booked a suite at the Residence Inn.

We belong to a pretty large supportes group at the Revs games and we sent a good sized delegation to Dallas.

There were a couple of college kids who made the trip with no money. I ended up taking one in, offered him the sofa and gave him the extra ticket. A few of us went out for a nice dinner as we usually do at least once on a road trip. Stephen, like most 20 year old college kids, refused because of finances. Good ole "roadie" sprung for his fillet minon, and ordered #199 off the wine list in stead of #198. 198 was a 35 dollar bottle of wine, 199 cost $80. So being in Dallas less than 5 hrs, I had to visit the ATM to get through the next two days.

First thing is to get a pre game wine glow going

Then a group sing along.

We belong to a pretty large supportes group at the Revs games.

We packed our supplies, drums, flags, beer and wine, headed to Texas, and set up camp in the new Pizza Hut Stadium in Frisco.

We got to see some famous people like Brandi Chastine.

Who you may remember from the Womans' World Cup in 1999.

The halftime show had some candy.

You can get a closer look here

Our Revs cheered on by the Midnight Riders in great form

Nearly pulled it off.

Even with the big boss Mr. Kraft and Son looking on

But it wasn't to be

As was said aat the polishmexican blog

god is a bastard

Monday morning Tony, my ride back to the airport called the room. He wanted to leave sooner than planned to try to catch an earlier standby flight. He told me to ask Christina if she wanted to leave early. "Christina?" I said. "You men Stephen?"

Just then a second head popped out from under the covers of the couch and a female voice said, "I catch a later flight".

Dam two room suites.

2005-11-11T11:18:00.000-05:00

Tomorrow a few dozen of us will be leaving for Dallas to cheer on our beloved Revs in the MLS Cup. The Revs have the Rookie of the Year, Michael Parkhurst. And the league MVP Taylor Twellman.
The Revs have the special ingredient for championships. They like each other. The clubhouse is filled with comraderie and that is a very important part of winning. No whining, no backstabbing etc. Just support for each other. That way, they all win.

Saturday night there is a silent auction at Dave and Busters Pub to raise money for the local youth soccer league. Only in Texas... Drinking for Charity. Got to love it.

My original airline, ATA informed me on Tuesday that they no longer fly out of Boston. So much for cheap tickets. I booked the flight early in September and got a great price. The original was Boston/Chicago....Chicago/Dallas. Now it's Providence to Baltimore to Chicago on (WalMart Air) Southwest. Then ATA from Chicago to Dallas. I am mentally prepared for problems at the airports. I wonder if I'll get on that TV show "Airport". Thats the one that shows people with all the problems, trying to fly Southwest. Oh my.

The game is at 3PM and the gathering in the parking lot begins at 10:30 AM. I'll be bringing the white wine and quiche. (none of that fru fru stuff, like ribs and texmex, for this yank). Hopefully the party after the game will be a celebration. But if it's a condolence party, we will all attend.

This will be my first time in Texas and if I get there with all travel snafus it looks to be lots of fun.

All haaaaail to the boys in blue

all haaaaail to the boys in blue.

Go Revs.

Rain, Snow Cold and Windy

2005-10-29T15:06:00.000-04:00

That’s the forcast for tonight’s game. The Revs lost 1-0 on the away leg last week and now must win by two tonight to advance. The hated NY Metros fans will be bused in for the match. Busing into Boston. Now there is irony. My co-worker who is from the Ivory Coast, Africa, is wearing the LL Bean catalog to the game. He will probably still shiver.

A big win tonight and another next weekend will make my trip to Dallas much more enjoyable. Also if you are in the market for a weight loss plan, all you need to do is become a fanatical fan of a team in the playoffs. The stress level is so high, you don' t eat for days. But the AA meeting are Mondays at the Lutheran Church in Fairhaven.

I am working today. (gee??) But I will be leaving from here to the tailgate with the supporters group Midnight Riders

The changing of the clocks will allow an extra hour to recover (from the long drive. I know what you were thinking). Especially if we manage to get the two goal advantage.

Setting the clocks back an hour will also allow bike commuting to re-commence. Although it may be dusk or dark on the commute home, evening drivers are more aware. Morning commute is where I see people driving into things and off the roads. Between, drinking coffee, talking on the phones and applying makeup, it’s inevitable.

I am considered by some to be a hazzard on the highway. To save gas and money, I drive 55mph for the first thirty miles of my commute, before doing the last 10 miles by bike.

Last year I averaged 72 mph and got around 30 miles to the gallon. I slowed to 60 and it rose to 36. At 55, my Pontiac Vibe gets 39 mpg. It is our patriotic duty to save as much gas, and put as little poisons into the air as possible. Besides, spending $20 to fill the tank really irks me every time I have to do it. (dam price gouging oil barons and their politician apeasers).

Go you ....Revs

Wyland

2005-10-19T13:55:00.000-04:00

Marine life artist
Wyland is widely recognized for his 91 towering marine life murals in 69 cities on four continents.

A multi-talented painter, sculptor, diver, author, and educator, he has hosted his own show on TV’s “Animal Planet,” painted the world’s largest mural on the Long Beach Convention Center, provided community outreach on conservation issues to more than 1,000,000 children, and currently writes a column on children and has authored 10 best selling books.

His non-profit, 501(c)(3) Wyland foundation has actively supported educational and scientific research organizations such as the JASON Project with Dr. Robert Ballard and the Scripps Institution of Oceanography in La Jolla, Calif. In 1998, his art was chosen for the "first day of issue" envelope for the United Nation's "International Year of the Ocean" stamps. Today Wyland’s art is seen by more than one billion people a year in museums, galleries, public murals, and public and private collections throughout the world.

"One Person Can Make A Difference!"

He is now in New Bedford doing his 92nd murial, and we are very proud to have him. New Bedford is home to the Whaling Museum, and the
Whaling National Historic Park

The Middle Part was Fun

2005-10-03T08:26:00.000-04:00

Offered to work Saturday to be in the area of Foxboro stadium for the Revs game in the evening. This may have been a preview of the MLS Cup in Dallas. San Jose won this one 0-2. But I did get to hang out with a former Manchester United and Nigerian National Team Screaming Eagle.

The glaring example of the sad state of MLS referee quality was shown to the world in the game on Saturday. This poster on the BigSoccer board said it best.

In more ways than one. After the ejection, it's clear that the Revs players said some things to The Ego with Stripes while gesticulating to the replay board. Apparently piqued, he then made it a point to show everyone who The Man in charge was. The rest of the way was a litany of tick-tack fouls, pointless whistles, needless posturing, frequent lecturing to the players, and a general inattentiveness to details of the game.

Unfortunately, he made twenty-one players and 15-20K fans suffer for his self-esteem problem. Just the kind of guy who should not be officiating a big league professional game. There's only so many ways you can spell A-S-S.

The game report is posted on boston.com

I think I telegraph my feelings after a Revs match when I enter the house.

Sunday, as usual was biking day. I chose to ride with the Appalachian Mountain Club group. A glorious day for a bike ride. Temp in the mid 70's, no wind or traffic. The route took us through the quaint village of Marion Ma.

We saw some very different homes like this one overlooking the harbor.

The town grade school that reminded me of the opening credits of Dragnet. I can picture Sgt. Friday walking up to the building. Dum... de dum dum.

While riding through the center of town we heard bagpipes and turned back to see what was going on. There were two, greeting people as they entered a pretty neat building. We figured some kind of brunch or ceremony was in progress. My guess was some kind of anniversary party. One rider guessed a service of some kind and the others just wanted to move on.

From the town center we peddaled to Point Rd, the other side of Sippican Harbor. Kittansett golf course where members pay thousands of dollars to join. Then an annual membership fee. To golf on one course. They could buy a limo, hire a driver and travel to much better courses for a lot less money.

While there we rode onto Planters Island. We saw this sign but figured bike riders are not tresspassers. We were only passing through.

Twenty two miles from homeport I got a flat. Three of us worked quickly to replace the tube. While pumping up the new tube I could hear the air escaping. While I took that tire off, one of my riding partners was patching the first tube. When we put that one in, the same results, pssssssst.

I called home for the "sagwagon". The sag wagon is what they use in races to pick up the riders who cannot keep up for whatever reason. If the wagon catchs up to you, your done.

Naturally according to Murphys Law, she was out. I called Brandon, and he agreed to pick me up. I did have to listen to his mother in the background, making comments and getting a good laugh. I told him to tell her that I would order sattelite TV, so I could watch her on the Comedy Channel, she is soooo funny.

Out of my last six rides, I had to be picked up four times. Something was definitely wrong. The well trained and professional "wrench" at Village Cycle in Westport, found a tiny pebble under the rim strip, which when the tube heated and expanded (like after 20 miles of riding), caused it to spring a leak.

Problem solved with a new tube installed, and 2 spares. (Just in case)

The weekend began with a piss poor ref throwing a game, and ended with a tripple flat tire bike ride. But the middle part was fun.

Double Your Fun

2005-09-25T20:37:00.000-04:00

26.7 miles Saturday
26.7 miles Sunday

Friday evening Sue found a local ride with the Appalachian Mountain Club. It is a 43 mile ride through much of the territory I do quite regularly.

I arrived at the designated meeting spot only to have forgotten my helmet. They would have let me tag along bringing up the rear, but riding without a helmet is stupid.

Sue reluctantly, but graciously agreed to deliver the helmet at a location along the route. I told the guys I would drive there, get the helmet and backtrack to join them. The delivery went smoothly and as I was about to depart I noticed I had no pump. Since I was going to be a reeeeealy long way from home, riding without a pump is...well, stupid.

Off I scurried in my Pontiac Vibe ( which needs a good washing by the way), home to get the pump. I had remembered it dropping on the garage floor the night before as I was preparing for the ride. It was no where to be found. Thinking back, "I know I put it on the bike". A recheck of the car found it on the floor of the car. An hour wasted. I know where they would be at the 90 minute mark and I was still determined to meet the guys. I had a 10 mile ride to catch them, and a little over 30 mintues to get there. Just as I was about to leave the house, Sue pulled up with a disguisted look. After all she did, I drove home anyhow.

I made good time on the bike and did meet up with them. They had just finished their stop and I needed one bad. I decided to forgo riding with them till next week and did a rided alone. It was so nice that I did the same route today (Sunday) and had Sue join me. Here is the descripton.

Quiet country roads, cool temperature in the high sixties combined for a nice Sunday ride with my best friend.

A typical old building on one of the quiet country back roads.
We found a wonderfull country farm that offered fresh fruit, ice cream and other treats. They has a couple of boros who were very friendly, enjoyed being pet and also were willing subjects for pictures.

The farm also offered wagon rides around the multi acred property using Clydesdale horses they raise.

Things wouldn't be the same without ole "blue" in the picture.

Sue and I also stopped to visit an old friend who runs an apple orchard. Because it is prime picking season we didn't stay too long. She was't picking, because the customers are allowed to pick thier own. It is a custom with many fruit growers in the area. Blueberries, apples etc. Anything that grows in tall vines or trees.

This being the big protests weekend in DC, one of the locals let thier feelings be known.

On the way home we say a house that had been destroyed in an arson fire. The insurance had posted a reward. I originally saw this shell three or for months ago.

I'm going out on a limb and guessing the owner on this one

Ride a little, eat. Ride a little eat.

2005-09-02T21:17:00.000-04:00

Sue and I finished a great week with #1 son Keith. I am very much more active when he is around. Especially biking. However, I tend to waaaay overeat also.

The latest ride was through the villages of Little Compton and Tiverton RI. This is the epidomy of the Old Yankee areas of New England. Most notably the low traffic roads and the free standing stone walls. The readers will notice that most photos have stone walls somewhere to be seen. The stone was origianally dug up by farmers in the seventeen and eighteen hundreds while preparing the land for growing. Building stone walls became a craft these farmers perfected as a way to dispose of the rocks gracefully and mark thier land. It is not unusual to be hiking through forest land and see stone walls in the most unlikely places. However, when you look at the trees it is obviousl that they are much younger growth around these walls and that not too long ago the forest was farmland.

The ride was just under 20 miles and the scenery was typical New England coastal. For riders the coastal translates to flat.

We unloaded the car and Sue led the charge on her brand spanking one day old Marin bike.

Final preparations for the day ride

Sue leading the charge

We headed down the main road in Tiverton on our way to Little Compton and Sakonett Point. Again there was next to no traffic and the road was ours. Keith was having difficuly adjusting to yet another borrowed bike. Also he forgot to change the pedals on the bike he borrowed in Saratoga NY. This left him having to ride on classic pedals no clips or straps. Just straight-off-the-rack flat pedals.

Flat straight long and a wall.

Checking bike during shakedown ride

The midpoint of the ride brought us to the harbor area of Little Compton RI called Sakonett Point. The style of houses here are typical New England ocean front, old money homes. This is a summer vacation area for wealthy New York Conneticut families to get away from the hustle and bustle of the big city.

Keith checking out the ocean at Sakonett Point

Beach houses

Stonehedge RI

Sakonette point beach

This house made me think of the book and movie, Shipping News

During the return ride #2 son Todd called. He was in Boston and was going to meet up with Keith and go see the Red Sox play on Friday night. Sue was so proud of her new wheels and Keith and I were just as happy that she wants to ride more.

Sue, happy as a clam at high tide with her new wheels

There were more good sights on the return ride, including.....Yup.. stone walls

Some great old houses.

A driveway made of clam shells, leading to the waterfront

Sue with a forced smile. Her riding is two hands on the bike and look forward at all times.

When Keith was a youngster, he sometimes did things that made me call him "goober".

Goober

After fattening up on some ice cream, we headed home to get ready for dinner at Margeretts in Fairhaven. The best kept secret in this little fishing village in Massachusetts. Bring your own liquor makes for a very inexpensive evening.

Higher, Higher than the Mountain

2005-08-31T22:32:00.000-04:00

Sue and I drove to Saratoga Springs to meet up with #1 son Keith, who flew in from Denver. After a good lunch at the Old Bryan Inn, we set out for a three day holiday in Lake Placid NY.

Following a good night sleep, and a breakfast bagle with coffee, Sue and Keith set off for a day long hike. I, on the other hand, decided on a 35 mile bike ride recommended by the local bike shop. The signs told of a good ride to follow right from the get go.

The ride was wonderfull and at the twenty mile mark the directions from the bike shop said take a right on rt. 73 go up the hill and turn right again.

Take a right here, up the hill and 14 easy miles to home

HA!!! Hill???? Hill???? This so called hill was a "beyond category" mountain. This picture may not do it justice. You had to be there. The first 6 miles were a 12% incline with very little edging.

It was what novice overweight riders call "a bitch". I wanted to do the climb but when I ran out of water and did not know the probability of getting more I decided to call Keith for a ride. When he picked me up and we drove the remaining miles, I realized I had made a good decicion. Too difficult, too far and no fuel.

The following day Keith and I did the same ride, sans hill. Around 22 miles or so of some really spectacular riding and scenery. Rivers

Buildings and unusual sights were abundant.

A neat looking log cabin

A Navajo Lodge

Old bikes near the bridge

A biker friendly market

The territory seemed vast, the roads were long, and Keith and I had it all pretty much to ourselves.

Just the start and already have come a long way

Ride toward the mountain

No traffic

There were some places that really show perspective of man vs nature.

Keith at Whiteface Mountain

The wonder of nature and evolution

Another perspective

The ride wasn't without a glitch or two. This is where bike maintanence courses come in handy.

Keith performing saddle maintanence

Checking directions

We know where we came from

Which way do you think?

The ride was a little under 2 hours taking us 22 miles of some of the best riding I have done. I guess its all in the company you keep. I did get some great pointers, from Keith who is a hardcore rider of the mountains of Colorado, which explains these calfs.

We arrived at our destination, Keene NY as opposed to the picinic Keene in NH next week.

Old barn in Keene Valley

Old Grey got me through another adventure

The vastness of the Adarondecks

Keith and Sue reliving the last couple of days.

Next Adventure, Biking Little Compton, Rhode Island
See you soon.

Decisions

2005-08-27T23:09:00.000-04:00

Couldn't decide on the Fort Rodman or Rock O Dundee route, so did both. Passed a rider with no helmet, no clipless pedals and wearing sandals. He went farther than I thought he would. Passed him on Russles Mill Rd. Saw him go by Dairy Chief while I stopped for a cone of frozen pudding and saw him again near Glenns house on Smith 'Neck. Stopped to talk to Kevin and refill water bottles. Keven has gotten a little diesel from working in the fish house.

He is playing football at Dartmouth High School{{{{sad}}}}. He is not much of an athlete, so football is the right choice for him. Other than that, he is a nice kid.

Some hammerhead passed me good on Dartmouth St. Met Sue and Donna a Ft. Rodman where I stopped for fries and gave most of them away to a couple of kids at the snack bar. They appreciated them and thanked me a couple of times.

Behind Locked Gates

2005-08-25T08:37:00.000-04:00

If you take the time to check, some places that looked locked are just that. They look like they are locked but access is still easy. Such was the case on a recent ride.
I had every intention of riding the Fort Rodman Loop, but as is the case very often, I was distracted. It looked like most of the fleet was in port this day. Hundreds of fishing and scallop boats were docked.

While on Pier 2, I stumbled upon a boat who had to return for some paperwork. The man on the dock was talking to them as they approached. I was evesdropping and found I understood him, but the crew of the boat was talking a language I just couldn't quite make out. When they got up close I realized it was a deep southern accent and they were from the gulf coast of Texas. It was the contrast between the guy on the dock and the one on the boat that threw me. Fisherman have phrases and dialect that we don't hear anywhere else. Things like, fine-is-kind. In southern it sounds like "fahhhn-is-kaaaaan, and in Norwegian, fnyin-is-knyin. So here is the boat.

There was a production company doing some filming at the head of the pier. Two spots were set up. One for the interview and one for a couple of guys playing music.

The director giving us a smile

Behind the scenes

Trying to fanagle myself into camera view

The host of the show. We made eye contact and she smiled for me

The technical van and the "best boy"

A different route home took me behind some old factories on the river front. Trash everywhere, and the water was not at all inviting. But it was a very unique perspective. None of the pictures were very good. I may go back there again some day. Then again, maybe not. I did find this little house along the banks.

That route did find me this gem. Hidden near the rear of the cemetary on the banks of the Acushnet River.

A dead, Sox fan.

Ahoy

END

The Day Was Sultry

2005-08-22T07:57:00.000-04:00

Ignoring the threat of thunderstorm, (they never materialize), Sue and I took a ride to the center of Fairhaven and down by the waterfront.

Haze surrounds Palmers Island Light

Blue fish hit a school of minows.

While the front moves ever closer

Fishing boat returns to port

Unloading catch at Town Wharf.

Looking back into time from the Town Wharf]

The lobster fleet has also returned to safe harbor

Girl Scout Island. Off the marshes of Little Bay.

END

Riding Has Been at a Premium

2005-08-15T20:56:00.000-04:00

Finding time to ride has been difficult during July and the same is happening in August. I really thought that I would have around a thousand more miles than my odometer shows. Nothing to do about that except move on.

Yesterday (Sunday) saw a weather forcast of temps above 100F. An early morning ride was necessary to beat the heat and allow me to attend grand neice's baby shower. At the shower I met nephew Matt. He was as surprised he had a great uncle as I was to have a great nephew. I though all the kids were girls. No offence Matt, that's what happens when we are out of touch. Brittany has a very contentious bone to pick with here friends and family.

With the humidity just as brutal as the temperature, Brit was force to sit outside and open her gifts. I still don't see the reason to do that at the shower. Guy thing I suppose. It's just the way things are. Oooo!, booties. Ooooo!, a bottle. Ooooo! it's freakin hot.

The morining ride was a slow paced 10 miles or so. I say or so, because when I got a flat last week I lost my odometer while replacing the tube. Years ago, we always had to flip the bike over to work on them. With quick release tires, that is no longer necessary. I flipped mine over out of habit and paid the price. (Of a new odometer) $20 bucks.

The Tall Ship Bounty was docked at the state pier in New Bedford. You may know her from the movie staring Marlon Brando, "Mutiny on the Bounty" and more recently "Pirates of the Carribbean", with Johnny Depp.

This is what a hazy hot humid day looks like. It's around 8AM and the temp is approaching 90F.

Last week I rode home from work in 3 hours. It was 37 miles and I stopped a few times to take pictures and breaks. Since then I have met and talked with the owner of Travis Cycle in Taunton. He gave me an alternate route that took me through the opposite end of the city and through some spectacular country roads. As a bonus, he knocked off 6 miles. He does the ride in 90 minutes. It took me two hours four minutes today. I'm going to do it again and should be able to knock of a few minutes.

The beginning of the route still takes me through the Taunton State Hospital grounds. This is where I had my first of two "faceoffs". The roads are very seldom traveled and as I was approaching the curve to the exit a skunk came scampering across my path. We both stopped and the little critter looked at me and bowed,(Like a dog does when he wants to play), casually turned and slowly walked back into the brush. I tried desperately to get a picture but was not quick enough.

The second encounter was with three miniature doberman pincers. They tried to act tough but are just so tiny you really can't take them seriously. The owner came to my rescue by calling them into the house as I was getting my camera out of the bag. Next time I'll be ready for them and get a couple of good photos.

A short cut road through the asylum. Just keep moving

J&J Seafood is a little more than half way home. One of these days I'll have to try the place out.

First Bonk, First Flat

2005-08-08T22:07:00.000-04:00

A couple of first over the past two days. Yesterday, wifey and I rode the East Bay Bike Path in RI. A 26 mile round trip flat bike path. I had only a couple of slices of toast for breakfast and some water before embarking on the ride. Halfway through I developed a headache and soon after became very very sleepy. The 10 miles back to the car was not really too bad, but the drive home was horrible. I had a very difficult time keeping my eyes open. Once I got something to eat, the recovery was quick. I had heard about bonking and now have experienced it.

The second, "first" was a flat. I crossed the Fairhaven bridge, carried the bike down the stares and soon after heard a faint click, click, click. I stopped immediately and checked the front tire where I though the noise originated. Halfway sprinting across the highway Rt18, the back tire went flat. A quick check found a minute piece of glass embedded in the tire. If I had only checked the back tire, I could have prevented the glass from going deep enough. I did manage to change it after getting a ride home. My only fear is that I put the wheel back on properly so it doesn't fall off while riding, and that I changed my first tire without pinching the tube. Tomorrows ride will tell. I do have a junk bike for learning maintainance but haven't gotten around to trying anything yet.

The flat gives me another opportunity to visit Travis bike in Taunton to get a couple of tubes. The owner is great to talk bikes with,especially clyclocross bikes.

Back to the Sunday ride. I did get a couple of good pictures in Colt State park. One for a friend who just finished a ride across the US. Yup, coast to coast on a bike in just under 3 months. One picture for son Todd, and one just because it was a nice shot.

Humphry the turtle

Can't shake the feeling of missing Todd at his old employer

Crazy shaped bridge in Colt State Park, Bristol R.I.

Ride to Work Day

2005-08-04T13:21:00.000-04:00

Two months late and the wrong way.
May was ride your bike to work month. John wanted to do this bad but was not sure of the time required or the route. Yesterday after work I rode home. 37 miles and three hours later I walked in the house sore, beat up and suffering from blown legs and blown mind. The only thing I was thinking of was doing it again.

The actual riding time on the bike was 2:33:00. Add in a couple of water stops and a few minutes chatting with a coworker brought the whole trip to three hours. I am going to do it at least a couple more times in the next week. It was very very cool.

The initial 45 minutes are slow and a little dicey because of the city traffic. Once I get to the Galleria Mall and begin the climb up County St the ride becomes much more enjoyable and quicker with couple of good sized hills for this area. I say this area because it's all relative compared to the riders I have been following in crazyguyonabike.com journals. They have been climbing mountains while I am doing no more than mole hills.

I had the roads to myself for the most part. A couple of pickup trucks and few motorcycles are the usual travelers of these country back roads. I'll bet it is a lot like riding the Trans Am.

In a few weeks I will be riding in the Adirondacks. I suppose I will learn to love hills. (I hope). I was told that I should be doing hill training. Ride up a hill, coast down, turn and ride back up. Do this a few times to get "hill strong". It's probably best but I really don't think I'll do that.

Props to Travis Bike

2005-08-02T11:29:00.000-04:00

Props to Travis Cycle in Taunton. I had heard good things about this LBS and highly recommend them. The owner is a rider and we had an hour long conversation about biking.

He biks from Taunton to Fairhaven every week. He says the ride is around 1 1/2 hours. Tomorrow I will confirm/deny his timing.

A broken spoke cost me a buck, plus $20 labor. I really need to learn to do that for myself. I did find a new pair of gloves also. For another $20 bucks. With tax it came to $43 for a broken spoke. I really need to learn to do that myself.

Sunday Saunter

2005-07-31T21:14:00.000-04:00

Rode out to Mattapoisett beginning where the Phoenix Bike Path paved section ends and the undeveloped rail section has been worn by bike and foot traffic. Rode 17 miles of some easy spinning till the final 4 miles or so where I cranked out some uppper moderate speeds. Around 17mph or so.

The ride continued for a half mile or so of singele track

till I broke out onto Mattapoisette Neck Rd. It was ok but I decided to get to the center of the village.

The first thing to catch my eye was this old bike in front of a cute little bungalow.

I took a ride to Neds Point Light

On the return trip I cut back to Perle St. to get a photo of Todds former home. None of his roomies were out and about so I took the picture and moved on.

The ride finished via the back country route of Acushnet Rd. to New Boston Rd. and back to Hamlet Homes.

I want to ride home from work tomorrow. It's a 30+ miler of mostly back country roads. However my rear wheel is acting up. So.....in the AM I will drop by Travers bike shop in Taunton and see if they can take care of me by 2:30. I'll give them props here if things work out.

The Middle Ten

2005-07-29T21:40:00.000-04:00

The ride from home to work is around 31 miles. I do the last 10 quite a bit when I leave my car near the mall and commute the roads of Taunton. The first 10 is a pretty good ride through the country roads of Acushnet and Rochester. It's the middle ten that I was unsure.
Today I drove to the Galleria mall after work and biked from there to exit 8 off rt140. I took a little bit of a different route returning that eliminated a couple of good sized hills. The 60 miler I want to do should not be bad at all, and will take a lot less time than I thought.

This ride took me from Taunton through Lakeville to Freetown.

Saw this neat little jalopy whose owner was looking at campers the size of buses.

I almost stopped at a seafood hut near a lake in Freetown but thought better of it. After that I couln't shake the feeling of wanting to eat. I did stop at a little place near Apponequet High School for a hot dog and some iced tea.

There was a pretty country gift shop on the way that deserved a picture.

The ride was not at all long enough but I needed to get home to take the dogs and wife for a walk. Alas back to the car and the end of a new and good ride route.

I really wanted to ride

2005-07-28T21:31:00.000-04:00

I really wanted to ride to work this morning, but again I couldn't get my head off the pillow at 5AM. I was determined to ride after work but a very tough day and a 45 minute commute didn't do anything in the way of encouragement. By the time I got home I was thinking of not riding. While changing into my riding duds I began to perk up, and by the time I was on the bike everything was fine. I did a 26 miler and had a great time, stopping quite a few times to take pictures. I found that if I take them while riding they usually come out blurry. Sometimes I see a possibility and ride right by it. I keep thinking about it and eventually turn back and snap the shot. Naturally the one I was most excited about today came out lousy, twice. I'll get another try at it though.

One other thing I noticed is that if I set a theme for picture taking I can get better photos. More focused I presume.

Todays ride took me out the country roads of Acushnet and Rochester.

One of the first places that caught my eye was the Friends Cemetary. Some of the guests were burried in the 1700's

Many of the gravestones are so old they are unreadable. But they are still very cool and unique.

I had the roads pretty much to my self this evening, as happens many times out here. While riding I often think of a couple of people I got to know who are doing bike touring. Their pictures and mine almost look like the same area even though they are half a continent away from each other.

Notice how New England ish the homes are out here. Many are small bungalows, very quaint and most have lots of land. Some seem unkept but that can add to the flavor.

Near the end of the ride I saw a weather front moving in. I don't know what it was bringing but a change was obvious.

Saturday Ride

2005-07-25T13:07:00.000-04:00

I really want to do the ride I have mapped out that takes me to Taunton where I work. The ride is 63 miles. I plan it being between 5 and 6 hours including stops for various reasons. Snack, picture taking, lunch or whatever.
I had myself ready to go this past Saturday but a couple of things took up too much morning time to allow me to complete the round trip. In two weeks I try again.

I did get a good 35 miler with all the aformentioned stops. After the usual Phoenix bike trail and over the bridge, I headed up Union St. to 7th. At night 7th and 8th streets are pickup routes for Jeff Gannon types. Riding by #33 I heard the unmistakable Jimmy voice from the back yard. We compared tatoos, his a ultra scan of his unborn son, mine a tatoo of a rock, made by a rock two weeks ago when I fell.

From there I followed my usual route up Allen St. to Dartmouth St. across the town line to Russells Mills Rd. A stop for a small cone of frozen pudding ice cream was in order. I got to take off my shoes which provied a well earned break for my little toosies. I had to gobble down the ice cream to keep it from melting on me. One of my worries was the dreaded frozen brain. But that very seldom happens with frozen pudding or butter pecan flavors. I think because they are creamier and not as cold as traditional plainer flavors.

The houses on the next section of the ride are really nice. They are not the over sized mc mansions a lot of people like to build lately. These are nice little bungalows with a good size piece of land. I think those big houses are really a waste of everything, especially money.
This house once belonged to Heddy Green, thought to be the richest person in the world in the 20's and 30's. She and her son lived here. I was redone into very high prices condos a few years ago and now there are 12 condos in the place that was built for 3 people.

The son was Col. Green and his land was used by the coastal defense department (which no longer exists) for a radar installation. I have heard that it was the first in the country.

Padanaram village was having a street fair and I figured they may have some street vendors. As I was crossing the bridge
I could smell the unmistakable aroma of linguica (Portugeese spicy sausage) being grilled. I got a great sandwich and three bottles of water. One to chug right then and two to fill my water bottles. Everything about the ride kept me thinking about a young man I have been following on the internet, who is riding his bike across the country. His name is Mike and his journal is
chickenlips999 Go over there and read this journal. It is really fun. The way this kid writes, combined with his pictures, makes you feel that you are on the trip with him. And be sure to click the guestbook and leave him a message. He enjoys meeting new people and responds to all of them.
Many of his pictures look like the ride I was doing especially this photo of Smith Neck Rd.

I was going to head down to Fort Rodman, get some more miles in and more pictures, but I was running out of time. Wifey and I had a dinner date with our friends the Johnsons and I had head home. I do want to do a whole post about Fort Rodman and that area because it is so interesting. For now I will end this crossing the last bridge home, with a picture of the SS John Wannermaker.

End

Time to Try Touring

2005-07-16T10:05:00.000-04:00

As fanatical as I am about biking I really haven't done much about it yet. The more I read people journals about cross country riding, the more I want to do it. However it's very unlikely before the summer of 2007. But, reading bicycletouring101.com has given me some ideas. Practice touring.

I still have quite a bit of vacation time and weekends to do some great stuff riding. I may do a short two day tour staying within 90 minutes drive from home. Spend a few hours riding, stop somewhere, either camping, motel or B&B, and spend the late afternoon and evening exploring the area. Going out to dinner, a movie, go to a park or something. It may even be a ride to NH. maybe Keene. Could happen.

The most likely scenario however is to ride to Plymouth or Myles Standish State Park and camp out. A half day ride each way will keep me close to home (just in case) while giving me a good ride and some practice packing, pitching a tent and all the other camping amenities.

I'm just starting the planning now, and will do something within the next 2 or three weeks.

Wish me luck. I'm soon to be a charter member of the "crazyguyonabike.com". With pictures of course

Stuck on a Rock

2005-07-08T09:53:00.000-04:00

Commuting home from work and before I get on the main roads, I ride through abandoned state hospital grounds.

At the entrance there are boulders placed across the road to prevent vehicle access.
Yesterday I got caught between a couple of boulders. My bike stopped and I was leaning against one using the outside of my shin. Trying to unclip was difficult. Since I had all my weight on one leg againt the rock, I could not get any force in my left leg to unclip. I tried to pedal forward but could not get balanced.

I finall decided to push off the rock and try to unclip quickly. I had to do this using my hips and leg. When I pushed off my momentum kept me going left all the way to the ground.

All alone, in the middle of nowhere, with a large boulder heading for my face. Just as I hit, my clips disengaged and I was able to roll off the rock with no damage to the bike and only a few scrapes to me.

I whole ride was awful. I was exhaused from racquetball the night before and I rode hard on the commute to work in the morning. Heavy rain the next couple of days will force me into a much needed rest.

Sunday, well see if I am just tired, or my heart is giving out again.

When it Rains. Make Lemonade

2005-07-07T10:34:00.000-04:00

Close enough.

The weather has not been conducive to riding. Rain, wind and temperature keep most off the road. Meaning I am riding alone.

I have trying to see how my surrogate traveler "chickenlips999" is doing on his Trans Am ride. His web and the host "crazyguyonabike.com" has been down for over a week.

This morning I really had a difficult time getting motivated. Played an hour of good hard racquetball last night. Legs were sore and it took a while to loosen up enough to get a decent spin going. Mix that in with a face full of wind, and the average speed was down for the morning commute.

I can't shake the worry over my car. When I left it in the parking lot this morning, there was a young man in his early 20's sitting in his car having a coffee. I am hoping and chanced that he was waiting for someone and on his way to work. We'll know at 5:30 when I get back there.

Nothing worth capturing on film this morning and probably the same tonight. I am counting on a worst case of light rain for the trip out. Last time I took this chance I had to sit around the office for two hours while severe weather passed through the area.

Fat chance of riding tomorrow or Saturday, so the mileage for the week will be low. Maybe next week I'll get a couple of long distance rides. Till then.

Adios

The best ever.

2005-07-03T14:58:00.000-04:00

I think this mornings' commute was one of the best rides I have ever experienced. A cool start that warmed withing a mile or so. I parked 14 miles from the office and road the country route to town. Once in the city of Taunton, Ma. I meandered through the back roads stopping a couple of times to take pictures. The morning was absolutely beautifull, I had the roads to myself. I passed two early risers (7AM) out watering thier lawns. A few critters let me know they were around, the birds were singing, the rivers were meandering and I was smiling.

Work today was very very slow. Actually there was nothing to do. Eight hours of watching the clock. Very soon though I'll be back on the bike for the return commute to the car.

Sue is in Boston with the girls for the POPS concert tonight. Me and the dogs will be home guarding. We got tranquilizers for the "hunting" dog because of all the neighborhood fireworks. Maybe I'll get the pups settled and break out the beater bike and go riding after dark. Perche?? (perhaps) We'll see.

Increasing the distance

2005-07-01T22:02:00.000-04:00

I began bike commuting to work back in January or so of 05. My first couple of rides were from Taunton High School, which is around 6 miles. After only a couple of days I realized six miles was not enough and increased the ride to nine miles. A detour around the main roads adds a mile + for the morning rides, but I still do the nine on the return trip after work.

The Reed and Barton Silver Plant, Taunton Ma.

Today I added another three on each end, by leaving my car an exit earlier off the highway. Home is almost 40 miles from work. A bike commute can be done, but it's not realistic. The additional three miles is on County Road, beginning at the Dunkin Donut shop in Freetown, taking travelers to the Galleria Mall in Taunton, Ma. I only saw one vehicle during that stretch which very much eased my anxiety about making that road a regular.

On a section of the ride, after crossing over the always backed up Rt. 24 headded to Boston, I was aware of a auto approaching behind me. The tell-tall engine sound made me aware the car was slowing to either pass or make a right turn. Sure enough the driver's intent was taking a right. Just at the moment "she" came along side of me. Fortunately I was also taking that turn, otherwise if I road straight, I would have been road kill. We took the turn together with me close enough to be a passenger in her car.

On the return ride after work, crossing the overpass near the mall, I encountered the "good" she. A woman wanting to make a right turn onto the highway slowed to let me continue on past the exit. Once past her entry point, I now had to watch for vehicles exiting the highway on my right. Being a three lane road, I took the middle, left the right lane for merging traffic and the left for vehicles going my way.

BEEP, BEEP, BEEP, BEEP, I heard over my left shoulder. A car in the passing lane was upset I was taking a lane for myself and yelled for me to move over. I lost it and told him F you. We met again at the lights a bit down the road and gave each other a look. Did I mention I look like a cop wiht my attire and bike color? Probably not, but the look has more than likely discouraged at least a couple of confrontations. I almost apologized to the driver at the light for being like him, but that would have gotten me nowhere.

I need to excercise more control when I encounter these people. Not react at all to them. That way they have no idea if they won the encounter or not and would probably piss them off even more.

Working the holiday weekend, again. Looks good for a long 15 mile commute to the office on Sunday.

Done

FINALLY RIDING AGAIN AND MY SOUTHERN SOJOURN

2005-06-29T21:53:00.000-04:00

Today was my first ride after a two week hiatus. I was racing the storm for the commute from work to the commuter parking lot 10 miles from the office. That was at 5PM. It is now almost 10 and the storm still hasn't hit. Any time now though. Yup, any time.... The ride into work this morning was grand. Just rolling along and I found myself smiling. Man do I like biking.

I did get to visit #2 son at his new home in Atlanta. He recently took a job with a trade show company and he seems very happy. Todd got himself a new condo very close to the artsy section of town. Near Emory University.

I did spot some riders near the Falafel King on my way to lunch,

and was tempted to flag them down to see if they were bikeforum.net members.

Atlanta seemed pretty cool and bike friendly. That is if you can adjust to the hills. This neck of the woods is so flat that we have a ride called the Flattest Century in the East

Since Todd was working all week, Ma and Pa decided to travel the south.
Our first stop was Savanna.

If you have been there lately you know that I have already said enough about it. Not impressed at all. Actually neither of us liked the place. The city needs a lot of work. Buford, a nearby town close to Paris Island was alright. We did find a gourmet deli in town that had some very good items. Margarita Italian style pizze. Pananni sandwiches and some iced green tea.

Our next stop was Charleston, which is a city Savanna needs to look at to see how to do things right. It's a tourist destination, close to what we know as a tourist trap. It's saving grace is it's size. Charleston is expansive, as are most southern cities.
We visited the Magnolia Plantation where we saw a buitiful estate

With homes for thier slaves,

We took a walking tour of the swamplands around the estate,

that included a smoking section.

But the highlight was watching peacocks mate.

Charleston was fun, but we had now been in the south six days and still had not found a good restaurant. Nothing was bad, but still, with all the bragging about southern cooking, come on now.

We tried Emerils in Atlanta when we returned. It was ok but very very expensive. $34 for a chicken dish. Yikes. Dinner for three was alsmost the price of a decent hybrid bike.

We capped off the trip with a visit to family in Cullowhee, N.C. which, was the best part of the whole week. Near Ashville, a very relaxed and a cool city. A place where one could stop and smell the roses.

The biggest house I have ever seen was just outside of town. The Vanderbuilt estate. If you have ever seen the Breakers in Newport RI, just imagine four of them together.

I asked one of the guides how many people lived in the house. Three. 46 fire places, five acres of grass to cut and nearly 100 workers servicing the place, for three people. $40 bucks to go in and look around. There were at least a couple of thousand people there at the time. I wondered out loud what the people who worked for this railroad family must have though of them. You know, like the Chineese.

We also visited the estate winery,

where we got to sample 9 different wines. I didn't really care for any of them. They only make very dry wines, and I like reds a litte sweeter. But sampling nine did make my face numb.

The Kinnears, who tend to lean to the left, were great hosts for us in North Carolina.
Linda managed to finally get us some good eats. Southern cooking by a Fall River gal. Thats where Emeril grew up so there must be something to that place that makes people good cooks.

After nine days Todd said his good bye's and hugs

and we were on our way back to good old Cape Cod.

Watering the Grass

2005-06-16T21:07:00.000-04:00

First things first. When your going to pick up a friend you have never met, and your running a little late.... even the most casualy observer knows that you need to water the grass first.

Margie is an online friend in my quit smoking support group. I have been a member for three and a half years. Margie is approaching her six month quit. We became friends, as sometimes happens in groups like this. You really never know whom you will get to know and whom you will just sort of, be acquainted. Margie and I hit it off pretty good and when I read she travels to Providence on business occasionally, I challenged her to call me. I promised to meet her with my wife along as a comforter. Margie called and here is our story.

_____________________________________________________________

Sue and I drove through the horrendous Providence traffic to West Warwick, R.I. Within a minute or two of taking exit 8 as directed, I shocked Sue by stopping and asking for directions. Found our way and met Margy in the lobby precisely as we agreed at 5:09.

We spent 10 seconds or so getting acquainted, piled into the car and began the commute back to New Bedford. I told the passangers to chat among themselves while I concentrated on bobbing and weaving through the R.I. traffic. There was never a moment of being uncomfortable. We all got along like family from the get go. Especially wifey, who tied the whole meeting together. (Like the rug in the big Lebowski).

One of my photos is the Providence skyline from the East Bay Bike Path. This time we looked at the East Bay Path from the skyline.

The traffic noticeably thinned as we entered Massachusetts. Our next sight was the city of Fall River and the turn of the century, vast, stone and brick textile mills. Fall River has miles of coastling and not one foot of beach. Manufacturing grabbed all the prime land. Every body of water was abutted by a factory that in their heyday, dumped whatever waste was created, into the water. Consequently, dozens of otherwise buitifull ponds had little or no life.

We continued our drive through the undeveloped landscape whose location signs made one think they were in Great Britain. Somerset, Swansea, Rehobeth, Dartmouth, New Bedford etc. I guess thats why we call it "New England".

Our first stop was the Whaling District that has been restored to its original glory. Gazing up and down the streets, one sees the same things now as they did in 1800. Except for transportation modes. Horse and buggy have been replaced by combustion engines.

Johnnycake Hill-New Bedford Whaling National Park

We crossed the major road via a raised walkway to the working waterfront. As far as the eye could see in both directions, (even from our elevated postions), was the fishing fleet, docked three deep in some places. Crossing back into the downtown area we came across historic office and retail buildings that are being converted into high end condos. Unfortunately we just too late and the office was closed and the tours had ended for the day. Fortunately, the owners saw us looking and opened the place for a private tour of the buitifully restored buildings.

Margie checking out the new condo.
(Note the archetecture and the 1930 era clock in the background)

They took us next door where during renovation they uncovered glass/ceramic tiled walls. Eccletic art deco originally build and designed in 1908.

From there we traveled my waterfront bike route, down the west side of the penninsula to Fort Rodman, a WWII army training then R&R base. In the back of the fort, on the tip of the penninsula, we visited Ft Tabor. Built in 1863 to defend the city in the event the Southern insurgents made their way north.

Marge and Sue peeking into the fort

This is what they saw

Marge and John in front of Fort Taber

Returning via the east side of the penninsula, we past some factories, one of which is the original Berkshire Hathaway. In the early part of the 20 century this one cotton mill employed as many as 10,000 laborers working three shifts, six days a week. Check them out on the stock exchange. My family sold our shares in the 60's for under $30 each. Those same stocks sell in excess of $90,000. Each. (bastard)

Which brings us to the highlight. Margarets Restaurant. Crabcakes that were exceptionally good. Yesterdays catch of scallops, fresh tuna and Quesadias. We accentuated the flavors with a very cold Chardonay from the vinyards of Chile.

After dinner we strolled out to the center of the harbor on the hurricane barrier. Too bad nightfall had arrived because from there in all directions is some great picture opportunities.

This was taken June 1st from the spot we were standing.
A scallop trawler is leaving for a two week trip, probably to Georges Bank off the Canadian coast.
With the price of scallops now, the crew will clear around $20,000 per man.
(Not bad for 16 days work)

Back to my home to meet the dogs and have a cup of coffee for the drive and some PIMS. The evening was a six hour adventure with good food, good sights, and good friends.

bye bye now

Riding Across America

2005-06-12T19:45:00.000-04:00

I have been following Mike Riscica aka chickenlips999 on his solo trip of the Trans-Am bike route. It's a 1220 mile ride across the center of the country, from Norfolk Va. to Oregon. He seem like he is having a blast. He brought along a laptop and a digital camera, which allows us to share his experiences. The part about his journal that keeps my interest is his writing skills and wit. He writes very simple dialog and adds these little quips that always bring a smile. Typical New York attitude.

I also read the bike forums, commuter, over 50 and road bike sections of the pages. Here I am getting to know some interesting people that are, as I am, "bike nuts". Whenever I think, "I feel like doing something", most times it is deciding which bike to fire up and where to ride.

I am a daily commuter to work. My office is around 40 miles from home. Too far for daily commutes, so I park at convenient locations and ride to work. The usual is a 10 mile commute through the back roads of Taunton, Ma.

Much of the ride is mundane and routing but on the mornings I am a little early I take a detour through a couple of abandoned properties. One is the former aslymum and the other, an abandoned school for severly handicapped.

The state school

The alylum main house

There is a path in R.I. that traverses from Providence to Bristol. Around 13 miles or so, one way. There are some fantastic sights and very interesting people. Bikers however need to finish before noon on a nice weekend day. It can get crowded with walkers, skaters and families on bikes. But if you get there early you can get a good ride accomplished with some very unique sights.

Something here that you don't see every day. Or any day for that matter. The Providence R.I. skyline. From a very unique angle no less.

I also have some amazing routes near my home. I can do counrty rides, waterfront rides that take me into the fishing and scalloping capital, New Bedford, which during the whaling era, was the worlds richest city. Think Moby Dick.
From Revolutionary War encampments

To whaleboat race training

To the magnificent archetecture or the Fairhaven High School

Leaving us at my favorite spot on the Phoenix Bike path in Fairhaven. Ma.

Riding New England

2005-06-05T20:42:00.000-04:00

This area, just off Cape Cod is such a wonderfull place to outdoor activities. Bicycle riding in particular. On a whim I can ride country roads

Or I can ride down to one of the many waterfront areas like the Whaling District of New Bedford.

Now that the fine spring and summer weather has finally arrived, biking is so much more interesting. Don't get me wrong, is always fun. Sometimes in a sick postman kind of way. You know, the rain, sleet snow kind of thing. But summer time? ahhhh, that is the absolute best.

Commuting to work daily gets me to the office early enough for a shower and some clean clothes. I also have an iron and board in the locker room. I arrive at work in various degrees of stink, but by the time I get to my desk, I'm usually the neatest, cleanest guy on the block.

There are days when I also go for a ride at lunch time. One of the spots is an abandoned asylum.

Commuting

2005-05-31T13:07:00.000-04:00

Back to commuting to work after quite a hiatus. Did very well during the cold winter months but the better weather offered more oportunities for road rides.
Sunday I made the commitment to rise early drive the 30 miles to the mall and bike the remaining 10 to the office. It was refreshing and gave me the "this is where I belong" epifany. Then it was time to ride back.

The weather station said, "If your out, take shelter". Sever thunderstorms, high wind, hail, heavy rain. Ouch. I almost made a dash for the car at 4PM. Fortunately good sense prevailed. Within 10 minutes the first of a series of storm cells hit. The rain and wind was so bad that 18 wheelers were forced to pull over for safety.

I was cozy and alone in the cafeteria, spending the next two hours watching the life of Carey Grant on PBS. Pretty good, but I doubt if I would have watched it anywhere else. I had to decide on a station but the other things on were, golf and indoor football. Grant won the mental debate easily.

Finally at 6PM, a full two hours after quitting time, with the weather still threatening but the roar of thunder now far to the northeast, I decided to make a break. The morning commute was meandering 46 minutes. The return trip took 32. Roughly a half mile from my destination as I was crossing paths with another biker an almost instantaneous clap of thunder and lightning bolt streaked right over our heads. We both looked up and yiked, "YIKES". My car was parked northeast of the office.

I made it safely to the car, immediately took out my cell phone, extended the antena, turning myself into a lighting rod, and called home.

Boy was that fun.

Now that such a high bar has been established, todays commute as most future ones will be, was very uneventfull and not worthy of any more text.

Catching up

2005-05-25T15:26:00.000-04:00

I spent a week in North Carolina, the triangle area to be exact. In stead of renting an auto, this time I went with a trek 1200 bicycle. Ten miles or so from downtown Durham gave me good daily rides for lunch, and a good spin.
I managed to get in 4 good rides while there. The Durham Cycle Center provided not only a good bike at a reasonable price, but also great service. I highly recommend it.
After delayed flights, I finally got home Friday night and lollygagged around the house Saturday. Sunday's weather was threatening but I was determined to do something. Intending a light ten mile ride around the waterfront to take some pictures, I left home around 2PM. The riding and picture taking was more fun than I have had riding in a while. I was feeling so good that I ended up riding through downtown and the north end of New Bedford, before embarking on a 25 mile country ride.
A total of 36.7 miles for the day with a very slow, stop and go first 10 miles, followed by 26 hammering. I did stop to call home and also met Brandon near the end of the ride for a 15 minute chat.

Did some racquetball on Monday evening. Tuesday and today are rained out with accompanying high winds. After work tonight I am attending a friends sister's wake. She was a smoker, and he is also. I doubt if he is making the connection between smoking and the wake.

Photo op missed

2005-05-13T13:07:00.000-04:00

Yesterday May 12, wifey wanted to go to the cemetery and gussy up her parents grave. I wanted to go for a bike ride. The compromise we made was obvious. I would ride to the cemetery. We met at Kmart where I lifted three large bags of mulch into the Vibe. I told her to give me 20 minutes for the 6 mile ride through the streets of New Bedford, Ma.

I got back onto the bike path for safety and had to cross the Fairhaven bridge. The bridge was open to allow boat traffic and the view looking toward Cuttyhunk Island was spectacular. I had considered bringing my camera but was only thinking of cemetery pictues. It did not occur to me there were other things to see enroute. Ironically, I have been wanting to shoot a few things on my "water front" riding route for some time.

Back to the journey. After crossing the bridge it is necessary to carry the bike down a flight of stairs to the underpass roadway, taking the rider to the route 18 bypass, to the south end of New Bedford that can be a very cagey area. I turned onto the city streets just a the Central American soccer players were arriving at their field. Being a former player and coach, I had the urge to stop and watch but duty called. I soon passed my old parish where the infamous father Porter, (one of the first exposed pedophile priests), spent some time. Continuing up Thompson St. to Dartmouth street and into the oldest cemetary in the area called the Rural Cemetery.

After getting the gravesite in shape, with the temperature dropping rapidly, it was time for the 7.5 mile commute home. This was a blast, riding like a kid again. I had most of the streets to myself. These were the streets of an old mill area where I spent my grammar school years. I knew the traffic, which were safe and which to be avoided. I Made great time till I got back onto the Phoenix trail, aka the Fairhaven Bike Path, where I slowed to a saunter to cool off.

A great ride that I will have to visit again. With more time, adding miles and having my camera.

Tuesday on the Boulevard 4.11.05

2005-05-11T15:45:00.000-04:00

Rode the Tuesday Boulevard ride in Providence R.I. Did a 20.4 mile jaunt averaging 16.5 mph. Two groups set out and both groups finished. Sort of. The B group did very well for 4 laps but climbing the initial hill the group broke up in a hurry. First "the professor", who was on his first ride of the season began to lag. I held back to try and "pull" him up the hill. He hit the wall and at the turn lagged even more. We agreed he was done for so I cut across the island park to meet up with the remainder of the group.

They caught me at the crest of the hill and off we went. We got our speed up to around 20 mph where I knew the turn into the wind was going to cause some problems. I was determined to keep up, but the hill got to me. Giving up the quest I let the group go and struggled to get to the top. Once there it was a downhill slow cadence mixed with quite a bit of coasting to end a good night of paceline riding.

The first week was 3 laps, followed by 4 laps two weeks later, and 6 last night. I'm doing ok. Now some good training over the next two weeks to be able to do the whole night with the A group.