The Seafaring Biker

After I wrote the title I'm thinking, "that's not a bad blog name".

The Newport Yacht Club was sailing from Nantucket and was scheduled to enter New Bedford harbor between the hours of two and four pm. Sue just happened to catch a radio announcement saying "because of high winds the boats would arrive just after noon". A two mile ride to the ideal spot got us there just as the boats were passing through the hurricane barrier.



We were expecting, unrealistically, boats the size of the "tall ships" that often call on the port. We did get a nice ride and split a dozen clam cakes from the "Clam Cake" man. Not very healthy, but very very tasty.



Lots of people who did not catch the news report began to arrive around two. Many were very disappointed at missing the parade of ships. Just as disappointed as those of us who saw the parade. Most were very small and able to be sailed by a single person easily. The exception was the Alabama that is widely regarded as the ultimate example of yankee craftsmanship and traditional wooden shipbuilding. Originally used as a moored bar pilot vessel.



Gathering for the parade of ships.


Waiting.

Insert cricket chirp here


May as well do some fishin'.

The Steamship Authority was promoting a new high speed ferry route. New Bedford to Woods Hole. There is no charge all week for the passage. One round trip at 8PM and one at 7PM.



Sue and I took the evening trip and except for the overcast sky, it would have been a wonderful sunset cruise. But it was nice none-the-less. A 35 minute ride to Woods Hole, pick up the returning morning passengers and a 35 minute return trip. The cost will be $7 each way with a $3 charge for bikes. Not bad at all. From there a 30 minute slow ferry ride to Martha's Vinyard for twelve bucks (each way with a bike). The alternative is a $70 high speed ride directly to the "Vinyard". There is some really great riding in and around Woods Hole. A short trip brings a biker to the Cape Cod Rail Trail. The CCRT is a 45 mile round trip excursion on the newly refurbished MUP.


Palmers Island Light


Scalloper heading to sea


Fishing Trawler


The return trip was cool and very dark so Sue and I settled ourselves below deck to a typical Cape Cod snack of a quohaug, some chowda and a Sam Adams beeyah. It was freakin awwwsum.



All Aboard for Woods Hole


Fishing fleet at pier 2 in New Bedford, Ma.

Putzing Around Town before Training Ride

The end of the day was a 22 mile fitness ride in Acushnet and Fairhaven. It's the original bike route that began my second riding career. That was a few years ago and it still holds it's appeal for obvious reasons.


The day began simply putzing around town. McDonalds for breakfast and a quick trip to the kennels to help out wifey as she does her volunteer work there. I decided to ride back home, grab my book, Metal Cowboy, which I'm really enjoying, and ride to Fort Phoenix beach.


Sunday I stopped by the beach and decided to try something form Captain Clam Cake. I ordered a half dozen cakes that were very tasty. I didn't find any evidence of clams, but they were good none-the-less. Today I decide to forgo the fried foods and just relax and read for a while.





A stop at the library saw a bunch of bikes out front. There were a couple more off to the side. The brown Brooks saddle is my commuter bike.

Every time I ride around town on my bike, I find another interesting thing or two. Amazing how many years I drove by these place and never noticed them.






My dog walking buddy, Brandon had surgery for his collapsed lung and is recovering nicely. My tests on Tuesday came out fine. Four dogs got adopted from the kennel including Brandy, the little guy who got mauled, and the two strays who came in over the weekend were retrieved by their owners. So, after a tough few days, things are returning to normal.

On my evening ride, I took a detour that took me to an old out of the way cemetery where I saw this. Check out the dates.







----------------
Now playing: The Statler Brothers - Flowers On The Wall
via FoxyTunes