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.
It’s Not All Biking
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.
Friday Morning Road Ride (Date Changed).
Staples in Fairhaven to Wareham center.
Distance 34 miles.
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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.
CLICK HERE for the Ride With GPS route.
Saturday Morning Bike Ride
BIKE RIDE!! Hello all. We have our usual Saturday morning casual bike ride. Here are the details:
Biking the East Bay Bike Path
When: Saturday, June 5th
Time: Meetup at 8:00AM – Bike ride starts promptly at 8:15AM
Where: East Bay Bike Path – Parking in Warren – off of Route 103 right after Del’s Lemonade. 65 Child St, Warren, RI
This ride is perfect for beginners. It is a casual ride and 95% of the ride is on the bike path.
Priority Continuum Onyx Bike Revue
Fort to Fort to Lighthouse Bike Ride
Fort to Fort and a Lighthouse Ride
When: Wednesday, June 2nd
Where: Staples in Fairhaven. 17 Plaza Way.
Time: 10 AM Wheels up. 15 and 30 mile options at a casual pace on flat surface.
We will leave Staples and ride into New Bedford. West Beach, Fort Rodman, East Beach and the middle of the harbor on the hurricane barrier.
Leg 2 will bring us back to Fairhaven to Fort Phoenix.
Leg 3 Riding the Phoenix bike path, the ride will take us to Mattapoisett on the back roads. We will pass Staples on the way to Ned’s point at mile 15 of the ride. This is a bail out spot for those who don’t wish to continue.
We will do a brief visit to the elevated bike path extension under construction in Mattapoisett before continuing to Ned’s Point Light. A combination of back roads and bike path will bring us back to Staples giving a 30 mile, flat, casual ride.
Rainy Weekend. Let’s Watch Sports
It has been a good weekend to stay home and watch some games on TV.
For the first time since 1947, Brentford will be playing at the Top Level of England!
It was also a rewarding Saturday for New England Sports. The Revolution and the Red Sox both won. The Celtics play later on today. All sporting venues are at full capacity now and the crowds are back.
MLS is on a three week break for international play, and I have to wait till June 23rd to attend a home game at Gillette. I am also planning two road trips. Atlanta United and Austin FC. Atlanta draws between 60 and 70k for their home matches and the atmosphere is electric. Austin in it’s inaugural year in MLS, has sold out for the season. There is a wait list, with a membership fee of $50, which has surpassed 20K. Fortunately, I have people in both Atlanta and Austin to hopefully score me a couple of tickets.
At the top of the list however, the Men’s National Team begins their tournament season with a friendly in Switzerland today. This is the first game that the full team of international players will be representing America. Previously is was MLS players and with a couple of the internationals on the squad. There is one exception to the roster today. Christian Pulisic. He won the Champions League yesterday and was also the first Yank to represent the Red, White and Blue in a world final.
OUR. NUMBER. TEN. IS. A. CHAMPIONS. LEAGUE. WINNER.
He’s Not Getting A Shed
There’s a story.
I have a cement pad in my backyard that is perfect for a shed. But……..Sue doesn’t want a shed. Her reason is that I’ll just put stuff in it. (I know. Just go with it).
A few weeks ago, a riding friend came by and mentioned that the pad would be a good place for a “you know what”.
“We are not buying a shed” said Sue.
Joe retorted, joking. “That just frees up money for a new bike”.
“He can have a new bike, but were not getting a shed”.
FedEx stopped by yesterday.
Memorial Day Bike Ride
From our friends at Fall River Bike:
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Let’s bike to Horseneck Beach on Memorial Day. Here are the details:
When: Monday, May 31, 2021Time: Meetup at 8:15AM – Ride will start promptly at 8:30AM
Where: We will meet at the junction of Drift Road and Old County Road in Westport (known as the Head of Westport area) – Parking will be on the eastern side of Drift Road close to Old County Road. For GPS use 2 Drift Road. Going south on Route 88 you are to take the first left after the Route 177 exit.
Extremely Important: This ride is all on-road, not a bike path. Riders should be comfortable riding with road vehicles. This ride is not recommended for beginners.
Be sure to bring a drink and a snack. Helmets are highly recommended. The ride will be approximately 20 to 23 miles. It is a beautiful ride and we will make several stops along the way to take in the scenery and for pictures if you like. Ride should wrap up around 11:30AM
Inclement weather cancels the ride. Hope to see you.
A Midnight Rider 