Riding the South Coast of Massachusetts and Rhode Island
Author: capejohn
A bike riding footie fan living and riding in SouthCoast towns of Massachusetts.
My bicycle rides include commuting, day trips as well as long and short tours.
Find me online
https://amidnightrider.com/
https://www.crazyguyonabike.com/my/?o=1mr
https://www.facebook.com/john.sullivan.79677471
Set GPS for 13 County Rd. Falmouth, Ma. Rt. 151 exit from rt 28.
Join Buzzards Bay Coalition staff for a 23-mile ride along the Shining Sea Bikeway from North Falmouth to Woods Hole with a few detours to points of interest along West Falmouth Harbor.
At various points along the harbor, staff will share information about the sources and impacts of nitrogen pollution as well as what the Coalition is doing to tackle the problem.
This is a social ride with everyone staying together to enjoy the miles, scenery, and learn about a challenging environmental issue.
I drove to Pratt and Whitney Stadium in East Hartford, Connecticut to witness the World Champions US Women’s Soccer team take on Mexico. Soccer is a sport that you have to compete against teams from across the world to be declared the champions. Some American sports, all you have to do is win your local league and wah la….your declared champions of the world.
I was only allowed to bring my iPhone into the stadium (because of copyright rules of pro athlete’s images). No lenses exceeding 3 inches, and no recording device. (go pros). Torrential downpours also conspired against me getting more video shots.
I had no idea how good my row 6 seats would turn out pregame. The US players did their warmups a few yards from the seats. Once the torrential rains began, I decided to walk around the mezzanine looking for a sheltered spot. After a while, the rains became a badge of honor for me and most of the fans. The harder it rained, the harder the US played and the harder we all cheered and sang. “I believe that we will win. I believe that we will win.”
The 18-player Olympic roster includes 17 athletes from the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup championship team, eleven of which also competed at the 2016 Games in Rio. This will be Carli Lloyd and Tobin Heath’s fourth Olympic appearance. Make no mistake, this team is stacked. Crystal Dunn, Rose Lavelle, Alex Morgan, Kelly O’Hara and Christen Press are all devastating goal scorers. The US players are the best in the world in every position.
The American Women defeated Mexico with ease 4-0. The most fascinating thing is that in the last fifteen minutes coach Vlatko Andonovski’s substitutions upped the level of the game so much, the Mexican team was overwhelmed and gave up two goals. Only two was merciful because 3 or 4 more were turned back by some incredible defending by Mexico.
Riding around town gathering video clips to practice some new editing techniques I’m learning. It’s a struggle to get some decent shots because I’m riding the same area over and over again. I missed two great group rides a couple of weeks ago on account of my hospitalizations.
A group ride next week on Cape Cod should give me enough clips to do a decent video.
I’m driving to East Hartford, Connecticut tomorrow with tickets to see the World Champion Women’s National Soccer Team take on Mexico. I’ll be meeting fellow American Outlaws for the tailgate and probably a few Midnight Riders.
There are many types of amateur cyclists. The Crit riders who ride on tracks of varying shapes and distances, as hard as they can for 30 minutes. There are usually two or three separate categories which allows riders of every level to race once a week. Cat 5&6, Cat 3&4, and Cat 1, 2 and professional. These are by far the best and most serious amateur riders.
There is also the club riders. Again there are levels. A, B. Sometimes C groups and of course my favorite, the AARP spinners. The A and B groups are usually very serious and like to dress like the pros with logos and matching kits. The goal is to go for a bike ride and finish it as fast as they can, and can get very anal over their average speed, max speed and VO2 ma. Over the years, I managed to work my way down from the double paceline A group to the AARP spinners.
There are city group rides. Casual rides with friends and family. Bike path riders, country road solo riders, and on and on. Very often, bikers and drivers jockey for road space. Even when there is room for both. Sometimes things get heated.
Loaded touring riders don’t fit any of these stereotypes. Cyclists on loaded bikes are not tourist. They are treated at Travelers. People love to talk with them. “Where did you start? Where are you going? How long have you been on the road? Etc. I met two Travelers today. It was chaos.
A couple of weeks ago, I didn’t quite feel like riding. It was an early morning group ride in Rhode Island. Ten miles to a state park before returning to our start point. From there it was another twenty to Providence and back. During the first ten mile loop, I told the others to ride on and I would catch up. Brian insisted on staying with me while I rested. Soon enough I was good to go. I did drop out after the first ten.
Later that day, I took the pups for a walk and while doing a mild incline, I didn’t feel good again. After a couple of minutes rest, I was fine. Over the following two weeks, I did a 30, a 40 and a 15 mile ride and all was hunky dory. However, every time I walked the dogs, I felt chest pressure.
On Monday, I checked into the emergency room at my local hospital. Wednesday I was transferred to a cardiac hospital to have yet another stent. Before I was rolled into the OR, the heart surgeon told me that I had at least four heart attacks over the past two weeks.
The point of all this? My bikes will be ornamental for a while, and I won’t be contributing riding post and videos. I will be active here till I can ride again. I hope you like soccer. For example
Last night in Austin, TX, the world champion US woman’s national team, opened the new Q2 packed stadium with a game against Nigeria. Tomorrow, Austin FC will play their first game at Q2.
This area is very bike friendly. Most vehicles slow till it’s safe to pass, and when they do, it’s usually with all four tires across the yellow lines. We had a false alarm thinking one of our group got hit by a pickup. The driver saw the fall and stopped to help our friend David who caught the road edge and took a diggah. All was well.
To some, (all those who know me), I’m considered a bike fanatic. So be it. However, bike riding is, by a long shot, number two of my fanaticism’s. Soccer is at the top of the list. This year is a really good year for fans of the beautiful game.
Soccer is the only sport where one can travel anywhere in the world and come across a group kicking a ball around, and by just standing nearby, without saying a word, one of the group will pass the ball to you. Your a fan and your one of us. Also, you can name a team from any country and get a reaction from those in the group. Barcelona, Paris St. Germain, Dortmund, Chelsea, Juventus, Chivas, Inter. Everyone know these eight teams from eight different countries. They know the players, the coaches, the stats and the history of the clubs. It’s the sport where a Saturday afternoon inter league game, Barcelona and Athletico Madrid for example, will draw tens of millions more fans than any Super Bowl, Baseball or Basketball championship game.
The walk to the stadium can be exhilarating beyond description. Drums, flags, smoke, singing, chanting. It’s all part of the experience. And you know what? It’s happening, finally here in America. Our club stadiums are selling out. Our national team is looking like world contenders.
I have been a fan for decades. In the 80’s I worked in marketing for the New England T-Men and can recall success was, twenty percent of the stadium with fans, considered a success. This is soccer in America now.
Wednesday’s weather is somewhat unstable. So…. The ride to Wareham has been moved to Friday.
When: Friday June 11
Meet: Staples in Fairhaven, MA. 17 Plaza Way.
Time: Wheels up at 9 AM
Weather forecast: Sunny, with temps in the mid 60’s. Winds out of the southeast at 11 MPH
A 30 + mile road ride on quiet back roads of Mattapoisett, and Rochester to Wareham center. This is fashioned for the intermediate rider at an average speed of around 12 MPH. Some of the better riders may cut loose on the return, and anyone who wants to hammer back to Staples is welcome to join them. I will stay with those who want to keep it at a easier pace. E-bikes are more than welcome to join us. (I’ll be riding one).
We will stop for a bit at the park across from Verilife dispensary for a while. There are a few places to grab a healthy or unhealthy snack, very close to the park. If anyone wants to restock at the dispensary, we will wait for you.
A Midnight Rider 