Line Of Sight Bike Video

After the New Bedford Bike Committee yesterday, a couple of us talked of the line of sight video.  It's a full length production and the first time I watched it I moved around the video to see what this was all about.  I finally sat down and watched it end to end.    You should also.  It's good.

Winter Riding And Sun Burning

 My neighbor using a snow blower in 40 MPH winds. 

Click any photo for big.  Click again for bigger. 

 
In between the snow storms there was enough warming to clear the way for some bike riding.  It wasn't long rides but were the jaunts around town to run errands, go to the gym and stuff like that. The January total of 130 miles is about double the combined January miles from 2005-2012. 

 Soft fluffy snow is pretty easy and lots of fun to ride upon.

I missed the great blizzard of 2013 because I was attending a wedding in Florida.  I was pining to be back in the Massachusetts during the storm until the power grids began to fail.  Number 3 son was home and rode out the storm and the 22 hour power outage.  He said it wasn't that bad and the ice cream in the fridge survived nicely. I was stuck in West Palm Beach getting sun burned.  Oh the humanity.

Segways in West Palm Beach

We came across a dog festival in West Palm.  Doggypalooza was an awareness feast for dog adoption.  Normally one would only see the small pampered dogs in the Palm Beach area. They are often all dressed up and it's not unusual to see them being transported in doggy carriages.   During doggypalooza however lots of the big boys came out.  Both Sue and my favorites, the pit bulls, were well represented here.   When treated and trained correctly, the pit bull is one of the best dogs to own.  In the olden days of Spanky and Our Gang, the pit bull was considered the nanny dog because they would be so protective of the toddlers and children. 

Chasing the White Line. 

For now, it's back to the winter wonderland.  And I'm happy to be back because I really like winter in the Northeast. 

Biking To The Market In The Snow.

I needed to get some stuff from the super market.  I hadn't been able to use the bike for a couple of weeks because the MUP never gets plowed.   Today it was rideable and I had plenty of time, planning to leave right after watching the new episode of Anthony Bourdain's new show, "The Layover".    That's when I heard the shout from the back of the house,  "it's snowing".    That was my cue to get going.

As almost always, riding in the snow is pretty neat.  After loading the bike with groceries,  I really didn't feel like going home just yet.  I rode the short jaunt over to the local McDonald's for a coffee with a couple of the afternoon regulars who hang out there.   The snow started to accumulated and I decided to head for home.   I came upon a spot where I had taken a certain photo in the past.   I posted one version of it last February, and compared to to the same shot I took in Feb of 2007.  I have now added 2013 to the library.

As always, click any photo for big, click again for bigger. 

February 13,  2008

February 11, 2012

January 28, 2013

Riding the 5 Bouroughs of NYC

Three of us are registered and ready to roll

MIddle Of January And It's 50 Degrees.

That screams bike ride.   Sunday morning is football time in my house. Today was Man U v Liverpool followed by City v Arsenal.  I like both City and Arsenal and their managers.  When they play each other I am what is know in the football world as a neutral.  I do however root for the team that is behind when City and Arsenal play each other.

On Thursday I will travel to Indianapolis to be with a few thousand like minded people at the National Soccer Coaches Convention.  There I plan to learn some things, network a bit, and party a little too much.  Oh the trial and tribulations of a high school soccer coach. 



It was 3PM by the time I got on the road without a plan.   There are places around town that just seem to draw anyone with no set destination.  The docks and the beach.  On this Sunday afternoon ride I did both and naturally took my camera along.

Fort St in Fairhaven, MA. ends at this house.

Cape and Island Steamship Authority maintenance facility in Fairhaven

Building a shelter around an ocean barge before working on it. 

Old rail style dry docking facility

The scallop fleet is in port.

Looking south toward the Atlantic

After getting my fill of the docks I rode to the Fort Phoenix state beach where the Fairhaven Dog Walkers Association have their daily meeting.  It's the unofficial dog park where the dogs can run when the area is closed to vehicles.

What is left of the Atlas Tack Nail factory.

Hiking The Blue Hills of Boston To Bring In The New Year

As always, click any photo for big. Click again for bigger.

There are many ways to actively celebrate the new year. One choice is to drive to the Blue Hills just outside of Boston.  The trails can be challenging and adding ice to the mix makes them even more so at times because the hike was up and down five pretty steep hills. Brandon and I each took a couple of diggahs while Deke managed to stay on his feet for the whole of the four hour trek.

A lunch of Syrian pockets with turkey and cheese kept us fueled and the weather cooperated to keep this hike as comfortable as possible considering the 34 degree temperatures.

Occasionally we crossed paths with small groups of two or three people.  We did run into the main New Year hiking group at the summit of Chickatawbut Hill.  They reminded me of a group from a cruise ship you might see in some foreign port, all in line following the directions of the leader.

Boston skyline in the background

Because of her bad ankle wifey could not hike with us this time so she spent the day shopping.  She surprised us with a box of Jordan Marsh Blueberry muffins when she returned to pick us up.  They have been around for years and are the most popular muffins around.  They are so good and moist.

Done

Ended the year with a modest 3200 miles on four different bikes. There is a place to easily log bike miles HERE

The dogs had a great time on the MUP because of the recent snow.

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Baxter and Lucy cutting loose.

You talk'n to us?

The turbines looked majestic in the ice and snow.

Lucky Lucy Lu racing to catch up