Yeti Tribe Gathering – Telluride, CO from Yeti Cycles on Vimeo.

NOT RIDING NEWPORT R.I. from John Sullivan on Vimeo.

SHINING SEA BIKEWAY. from John Sullivan on Vimeo.

None of the regulars opposed riding on the Blackstone Valley Bike Path tonigh.  So lets plan to start at 5:30 at the School St.  parking lots in Lincoln, RI.  That is about the mid point of the path and convenient to I 295.

For those arriving by way of I 295 northbound, leave the highway at exit 10 and bear right at the end of the ramp.  At the second traffic light (Albion Rd) turn left and travel about 1/2 mile, crossing over the Blackstone River.  The lots are on either side of the road (now it is School St.) as well as another lot just past the RR tracks on the right.

For those arriving by I 295 Southbound,  leave the highway at exit 10 and bear right at the end of the ramp.  At the first  traffic light (Albion Rd) turn left and travel about 1/2 mile, crossing over the Blackstone River.  The lots are on either side of the road (now it is School St.) as well as another lot just past the RR tracks on the right.

Hope to see a lot of riders!

CLICK HERE for the google map location

CAFE TOUR STARTING FROM FORT HILL SATURDAY 9AM

For directions to Fort Hill bike path access search for directions to intersection of Mercer Street and Veterans Memorial Parkway in East Providence through Google Maps or GPS. Parking is overlooking the river on the West side of the highway.

Saturday:  Sunny, with a high near 47. Southwest wind around 9 mph.

This Sunday’s Ride – 2014/11/09 – NBW #168 Don & Raul’s Fall River Ride

This Sunday’s Ride

NBW #168 Don & Raul’s Fall River Ride

Seekonk – Rehobeth – Dighton – Berkley – Assonet – Freetown

Fall River – Somerset – Swansea

21, 33 & 52 mile routes

This mostly flat ride meanders through Seekonk, Rehobeth,& Dighton before crossing the Taunton River at the perpetually, decrepit Berkley Bridge (please use the sidewalk) over the Taunton River. It then heads South to the Fall River Industrial Park (new site of Amazon’s Massachusetts’s Distribution Center), where it then plummets down Wilson Rd to North Main St (caution on this descent is needed). A dedicated bike path (see the inset on the map) takes us back across the Taunton River into Somerset on the new Veteran’s Memorial Bridge, and then we meander back to the start.

Congratulations to Don Chiavaroli & Raul Silva (both of the touring board) for their new ride

A new starting place for the NBW – The George Martin Elementary School in Seekonkberkley bridge

Our first bridge crossing – used on many NBW rides

Our second bridge crossing – this is our first NBW ride using the bridge

The Rise Cafe (one of Don & Raul’s favorites)

one block off route on the long ride

on County between Read & Buffington

look for coffee cup on map, at about 33 miles

Sunday’s Map

click to print

The Washington Secondary Bikeway is four connecting rail to trail conversions in Rhode Island. The Cranston Bike Path, The Warwick Bike Path, the Coventry Greenway and the Trestle Greenway

The Garmin Route

The Flicker photos

Riding a rail to trail converted bike way is a great way to meet people and strike up conversations.  Today was no different on this ride of just under 40 miles. A conversation with a man riding his electric assist bike was cut short when I happened upon a man walking his very shy Airedale, Max.  I told the owner that I had a miniature version, a Welsh Terrier.  As he looked over my bike he mentioned that he rides a motorcycle with a sidecar for Max.  The sidecar is equipped with a safety belt and Max rides proudly wearing his leather helmet and goggles.  When Max is riding in his sidecar you can envision him, when he sees another dog saying,  “look at me.  I’m the prince of the dog kingdom”.

On the return leg, I stopped at The Hot Dog Cafe in Coventry, R.I.  This was a place that welcomed best friends to stop in. The front was a people place offering hot dogs and other light foods.  The coffee was good and today, because it was election day, the coffee was on the house.  The side entrance was a bakery specializing in dog treats.  Peanut butter and oatmeal treats made it impossible not to bring some home for my two best friends. Since the bike trail was extended to pass within a few feet of the Dog House Cafe, their business has improved considerably.  They will be closing for the winter soon, but if find yourself riding the Coventry greenway make it a point to stop in for a treat for yourself and while there, get something for rover. You will both be glad that you did.
As always, click any photo for big. Click again for bigger.

New England was know for it’s textile mills for many years.  The owners moved the operations south to take advantage of cheap labor and in time the vacant buildings began to deteriorate.  Many were saved by investors who converted them into outlet malls. When those failed the same building were converted into housing, mostly for the elderly.  There were many buildings that remained vacant for decades that lately began being converted to high end condos and apartments.  The Royal Mills in Warwick R.I. is one of those turn of the century brick monoliths. The complex has gone

Here is the video of todays ride.

Where.  East Bay Bike Path  Start at Fort Hill parking lot. 500 Veterans Memorial Parkway, in East Providence

When:  5:30 PM

Do as much or as little of the ride that your comfortable doing.  Ride at your own pace.

It’s going to be a beautiful night to ride. Overcast and 60 degrees at the start of the ride.