December Saw Lots of Rides

The daily commute really allowed me to get lots of miles during December.  A couple of road rides was the icing on this cake culminating with a 30 mile ride today on the Rochester MA loop.

There is a group doing a New Years Day ride and I am going to join them.  They don't have a route yet, only a meeting place.  They are a university organization so they will have something ready by Sunday no doubt.

Ducks

Lonely stream crossing

Mr Goodwrench lives here

Acushnet MA. summer farm stand

Running Errands

I had a few errands to run around town and had all intentions using the car.  While walking the dogs I noticed quite a few people on bikes on the MUP.  Why not? I said and did all the errands by bike.  It was only around 4 or 5 miles total riding and the temps were in the high 20's.  It was cold but only felt cool. Winter riding this year has been pretty neat.

Popcicle Toes

I didn't realize till the end of the ride that I had no feeling in my toes.  As they say, "what you don't know...". Today was one of the standard 25 mile loops through the neighboring town.  In the two hour ride less than a dozen vehicles passed.   It felt like I was on tour somewhere in Upstate NY or out west again.  

I did take the steel touring bike on this ride and am always amazed at how smooth it rides.  It's a 2007 Novara Randonee and it's a really great touring bike if you ever take the plunge.

Climate change sale

It was windy last night

Acushnet MA. 

Rochester MA. 

Barn work in Mattapoisett, MA. 

Back yard art

It's been a while. 

Two More Bike Commuting Days

One of my peeps. 

The bike commute to the Salvation Army is coming to an end.  December 24 is the last day for the bell ringers and consequently the last day for the driver (me), who brings them to the markets.  Today was a great bike riding day with temps around 60F.   I'm kind of liking this climate change, and am hoping I'm long gone when the shit hits the fan.

Speaking of markets, I have learned not to buy any "fresh" items there.  When ever possible I get local produce, and can get fresh eggs from a place just off the MUP in Fairhaven.  MA.

 Eggs are just ahead behind the greenhouses.

Time to Bundle Up

Today was the first really bundle up day of the season.  Crossing the harbor is the worst part.  It's always windy and cold.
There is also lots of construction on the latter part of my commute.  Or first part depending on weather I'm coming or going.  Which can get confusing at my age.

Carrying bike from bridge to lower road.

Construction makes things safer.  I ride inside the barrels. 

Last hill to climb

Fairhaven High School ( MA.) 

Winter is Coming

Only four more days till the solstice and the beginning of winter and the holiday season.  It's also called Midwinter and Yule.

Worldwide, interpretation of the event has varied from culture to culture, but most cultures have held a recognition of rebirth, involving holidays, festivals, gatherings, rituals or other celebrations around that time

Today felt like winter with the temperature hovering around 27-28 F.   It wasn't bad riding to the market because there was no wind.  There were a couple of comments about riding in the cold.  Those people haven't seen the light yet.  

Where I meet my peeps.   I'm usually the only atheist in the building. 

Early morning in downtown New Bedford, MA. 

It's the last week of bell ringing for the Salvation Army.  I drive the ringers every morning to their assignments.  The running joke is that their religious boss has told them they are all fired on Christmas eve.

Food shopping on a cold December Sunday. 

 

Cold and Wind

I could hear the wind roaring as I awoke.  "Wow, this could be a tough ride to work".  There were a couple of spots that the gusts knocked me around, but just the though of riding and not driving the five miles to the office made the ride seem right.

Full on sustained wind in my face.  30MPH

Construction makes this usually treacherous crossing a piece of cake.