Weekend Rides

Saturday's bike ride caused a bit of heat over diner plans. Our companions like to eat early, like 5:30ish. I like to go late, more like 7:30ish. I figure on Saturday I can accomodate without a problem. This week however, Brandon and I got a late start and I was at the furthest point on the ride from home when wifey called.

"Where are you?"

"Near Glen's house in Dartmouth". I responded.

"What about dinner, it's 4:30 now".

My computer showed 3:30, still on Daylight Savings Time. It also showed that we were 16 miles from home. I told my riding partner we had to make like the wind and hammer home. We blasted through a few stop signs and traffic lights to pick up some time. We took a couple of shortcuts through the side streets of New Bedford and at one point hooked a left at a red light which really pissed off some kids in an old Oldsmobile. A loud unfriendly blare of the horn, which prompted a friendly wave, smile and thanks in return. That got me a "you fuck" from the passenger, to which my partner yelled, "suck my dick". Ahhhh, city riding.

We made real good time and as we approached the bridge over the harbor the light had changed and the gates closed. We sped up to them, scooted under the gate, scurried across the bride and under the gates on the other side. The bridge tender never had a chance. he he.



When I got to the house wifey was downstairs doing something or other. I did a quick change and and at 5:10, was standing at the door dressed for dinner when she came upstairs.

"You ready", I inquired

"I already changed the reservations till 6".

"OK, I'll shower then".


The up side of this is that I don't care for the originaly restaurant and the change in time also forced us to change restaurants. It also brought us to the center of New Bedford where the "half way to St. Patrick's Day festival" was going on.

Gotta love the Irish.

We ended up with a 25 mile ride on Saturday. Sunday we saddled up again for a 17 mile spin, but nothing nearly as exciting happened.

Jazz in the City

The local paper did an exclusive on the local high schools jazz ensembles. Three of them were performing at the Roach Jones Duff house and garden museum.

New Bedford, MA. High School Jazz Choral


Old Rochester Regional High School (Mattapoisett, MA) Jazz Ensemble


Old Rochester Regional


Although most of the musicians were sophomores and juniors they were very good. Many of the ORR Jazz go on to major in music at schools like Berkley. There was one more jazz group to perform, Dartmouth High School, but the time and the drop in temperatures sent many home from this outdoor concert.

See you around

The second Thursday of the month is AHA night festival in the historic area of New Bedford, Ma. The theme changes every month and there are always a few performances scattered about. Last night was The UMass Dartmouth and Kekeli African Dance and Drumming Ensemble in front of the Star Store (715 Purchase Street). The performers are comprised of Master Drummers and Dancers from Ghana, professional musicians from New England and UMass Dartmouth faculty and students


It was quite a hoot watching the college frat boys trying to act and dance African. They probably can't jump either.


Speaking of hoot. Click this to enlarge


We were just on our way to dinner when this group came marching down the street.

Full Moon Fiasco 5

Pink full moon over Fairhaven Ma.

The fifth riding of the Full Moon Fiasco was done a day early. Saturday night when the moon is completely full, would have been a wash because everyone had something to do. Last night (Friday), was the best chance, and such a beautiful night could not go without riding. The weather cooperated offering a 55 degree, calm clear evening.
Bridge to New Bedford, Ma.


Over the bridge into New Bedford before climbing Union St and a ride by the old homestead on 7th. Once on County St. the hammering began with the mansions as backdrops. The traffic was light, the street was wide and we cut loose.


County St. Homes



Lights

Nutty Bar break

Turkey burger on a bagel.

Happy Pink Moon


View Larger Map

Walking the Dogs

The young neighbor called with an invite to walk the pups last night. When he came over I was working on the road bike.
"Makes me want to go for a ride" he said.
"Yea, so lets do it".
We shortened the dog walk and left the house at 8:45PM for a quick jaunt.

I suggested we ride through the center of town, he misunderstood and thought I was talking about New Bedford.

"Why the heck not".

We kicked it up a notch and rode over the bridge into "the city". While there I gave him a shortened tour of the Quaker and Underground Rail Road sites. One of the tour stops was the Library that conincidentally is located across the street from the new police station. While giving my schpeel, at least a dozen cops exited for the shift change. Here we were, two guys on bikes in full commando gear including face masks. "Hello officers", seemed like the polite thing to say, but my riding partner seemed very tense. (He did time in the county jail last summer, so I can understand his anxiety).


Around eleven it was beginning to get pretty cold. We agreed to stop in Freestones Grill for a tapas and something to warm up the blood. As we entered, every head at the bar turned, the conversation stopped, and I swear the volumn on the tv went mute. We both noticed the darkened kitchen, turned and left.
***Note*** Not that many years ago, Freestones had "boys night" if you know what I mean. It used to be Thursday, but I could have changed. Actually I'm guessing it's Sundays now.

No Gas

The club ride in the East Bay Bike Path was iffy. Staying local seemed the more prudent. With the camera of course. The first photos that struck were a couple of young riders doing tricks on the Phoenix trail in Farirhaven. After agreeing to being photographed, one went right into character, happly doing track stands and wheelies. His friend was a little uneasy so I cut it short. It would have been pretty neat to get more photos because both were pretty good tricksters. They need to get themselvs on "fixies", and have lots more fun LIKE THIS. Or THIS

They set the tone for the ride, and I began focusing on human powered transportation. Ironically, gas powered, were all stopped. In traffic jams no less.

The bridge crossing often offers photos that are unique to the are. Huge freighters in port, the fishing fleet, that is incomplete without and icehouse. And of course, traffic.

I found myself in the south end of New Bedford, Ma, in the Portuguese district at lunchtime. Fresh baked bread called, and I answered.

I expected to see lots of bikes, when I got to the Fort Taber/Clarks Point
section of the city. The youth baseball field was always a haven for bikes, now this

Not a bike in sight. But plenty of overweight kids.





The wind contributed to the lack of bikes and peds, for sure. The flags are flying on the southern tip of Clarks Point in New Bedford. On a clear day, Martha's Vinyard is visible from this spot.

Here is the production.