Sunday Morning in Fairhaven, Ma

The LBS offered a customer appreciation day at the local skate rink. I suspected there would be lots of kids there, but underestimated it by dozens. It brought back very traumatic memories of the days I had to chaperone when my kids went there. After a very brief visit and a "howdoyoudo" to the LBS owner, I decided to take my camera and ride around town. Here are some of the things I saw.
Naskatucket Basin


Waterfront Home

Summer Shacks




Year round beach home


Unitarian Steeple


Egypt Lane melts into the bay

Teachers quarters. circa 1845


Very shortly after the ride the cold front move in. Gale force winds whipping off the ocean changed a 45 degree nice riding day into a gusty, cold, stay in the house afternoon.

A second front arrived at the midpoint of the evening walk with the dogs. A half mile trek to get home, had the three of us returning cold and covered in a crust of snow. Nice.

The Coeds Are Coming, The Coeds Are Coming!

I have been taking lunchtime rides around work. Yesterday, I went up to Wheaton College in the town of Easton Ma. I had planned to ride the perimiter of the property and maintaing a decent training ride pace. The scenery however got me thinking, "whats the hurry?" Why not slow down and smell the roses. Or take candid, undercover photos of the buildings. Unfortunately coeds, walking around the campus, kept getting in the way.

Not being satisfied enough with the results to post any of them, the intention was to return this lunchtime and try again. Unfortunately a schedule shift squashes the plan. Next week though....

The ride surrounding the college is on typical New England traffic free roads. It's another one of those times where, if the road was removed, almost no one would notice. (except the bikers and runners).




Quiet Norton Ma. road


Country challett, Norton Ma.

Wheaton College Green

Wheaton College co-eds.

After work, I hopped on the bike to tool around town. My intention was to ride to the beach and indulge in an order of fried clam cakes. On the way I ran into Jim Carr, who is the surgeon that performed triple bypass surgery on me a few years ago. He was good company but because I was with him, I decided to forgo the fried foods. Since he does no riding in this area, I gave him a bike tour of the waterfront.





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Now playing: Bob Dylan - Thunder On The Mountain
via FoxyTunes

Here is a Good Story

Part of the soon to be developed MUP in Mattapoisett Ma.



Back in 1976, some 31 years ago, the smart folks over at SRPEDD had a terrific idea.

Wouldn't it be great if the cities and towns of Bristol County had bike paths where local folks could have some fun, get some exercise, and even get around short distances without using fossil fuels?

If you're old enough to remember 1976, you know that was the last time the country faced a Middle East oil crisis.

The folks at the Southeastern Massachusetts Regional Planning and Economic Development District even envisioned a classy bike path that would start in Fairhaven, run through some breathtaking SouthCoast scenery, and end up at the Cape Cod Canal
Read the whole article here



My favorite spot on the MUP in Fairhaven, Ma.

Biking on a Cool December Day

It's been a while since we had some cool weather. Today was sunny and in the low 40's. Still good for riding if your dressed. I found a new spot to capture the most photographed building in town. The first view is from a block away and the second is a closer view and another section of the building.
Across the street I noticed this grand old home with the widows walk. It's a telltale sign that it was originally owned by a whaling family. I was looking for some interesting photos in town (Fairhaven), and found this church being repaired. Many have been sold and are being converted for other purposes. I don't know if this will remain a worship place or not.
There was a craft festival in the National Historic Whaling Park where I was to meet wifey and her friend Donna. A cell call led me to the far south end of the city (where we grew up) and more crafts located in the old Berkshire Hathaway complex of Warren Buffet fame. On the way I detoured to ride around the waterfront. Here are a few of the sights.

An eclectic mix of people were browsing the shops, and there were lots of very expensive cars in the unkempt lot of the near derelict buildings. One old car got my attention with it's bumper sticker. (They are not all political)
I managed to get a candid shot of the girls leaving the shops. To return the favor, wifey had me pose for a candid one.While in my old "stomping grounds" I saw that there were a few things just as I remember them from many many years ago. Victory Park winter skating area for instance. When the ice was solid enough to safely skate, the park department would open the warming house, get a roaring fire going and people would come from all over the city to skate there. It was very much like a circus coming to town.
I also saw the the trees have survived. Many around the area succumbed to disease and the city forestry division does all it can to save these popular trees. They are nice....

Years ago when the textile industry ruled the city, hurricanes caused lots of damage to the factory complexes. They were all build on the river to allow them to dump waste. It's ironic that the river, whenever it had the chance, returned the destructive favor. However to protect the factories, the city, state and federal government paid to construct the hurricane barrier in the 1960's. The link shows some good photos also.

It was getting on towards late afternoon, the temperature was dropping as the wind gusts were exceeding 25 knots, sustained. (Waterfront jargon). It was time to begin the 6 mile ride home. I did get a different angle of a home in the center of Fairhaven that activated the "this would make a good picture" sentiment.