A cold January 9, 2021 bike ride. Following the rules of bikejournal.com, ride a “bit” of 12.5 to 25 miles in one day. Layers, attitude and a special Rudi Guliani, “I was just trying to remove the microphone cable” sock, to keep that delicate place warm.

Some I play along some I don’t. The one I’m doing is called “BIT” rides. Or, just go ride for a bit.

To play along while staying within the parameters, a ride must be between 12.5 and 25 miles over the course of a day. If I ride more than 25, which by the way, I can’t imaging that happening in the winter, I only admit to the parameter of 25.

I tried riding ten miles on my daily rides since I sold my road and touring bikes. With this new game we are playing on bikejournal.com, I am required to add an additional mile and a half for the minimum of 12.5 miles. Fortunately, I don’t need to do it on one ride. Just that much during the day. Twenty five, half mile rides would suffice. Or two 6.25s, or one 12 mile and another half mile later in the day. Even three 4.16666667 mile rides. Those are the minimum miles. Max is 25 and there are so many multiples that I’m pondering going on Amazon today to buy an abacus.

That’s my story, and I’m sticking to it. I had to write it because my tongue is stuck in my cheek.

This is the “Bit” mileage challenge for the year of 2021 on bikejournal.com

Here are the “Bit” parameters:

A “Bit” must be in 2021.
A “Bit” is your total mileage during your normal (24 hour) day.
A “Bit” is 12.5 miles but less than 25 miles.

It will require you post three bits of information: Date, Mileage, and Bit #. You can make comments as well. Comments that include a reference to a “bit” will be fun. Join anytime!

Bit # 3

Jan 5

13.57 miles.

My intention was to ride around town for an hour or so, just because. Near the center, I came across two guys struggling to put air into the tire one had just repaired. Well one was struggling, the other was making life miserable for him.

After our first introduction to each other, they told me that they has begun their ride at 6:30 AM from Carver, MA. which was a hike from Fairhaven. There were doing a century ride and were just under 50 miles into the ride. “We are riding into New Bedford and Fort Rodman”. I asked if I could join them and take some videos of the ride. They agreed and off we went.

My idea was to go off the usual route to the Fort and give a bit of a tour of the city. “Secret Places”, was the theme. That’s when your in a new place and someone you just met takes you off the beaten path to areas only the locals know. When we arrived along the waterfront, they called me John and we introduced ourselves for the second time.

Around the peninsula we went and eventually got back to Fairhaven where it all began. Nearing the end of the ride, I began video taping an epilogue and saying their names. “Not even close” Frank responded. Thos chuckled. It wasn’t long after that it was time for me to peel off and head home. We shopped and said our goodbyes and I wished, Jim and Mark safe travel after our third introduction.

I really thought that, like the full moon ride, I would be riding alone today. That’s why I decided to take the electric assist bike. However, just in case, I set up the party bike. If there was anyone at Staples, the meeting spot, the ride would head east and pass very close to my home. There was, and we did. I did my best quick change from the Raza to the beater bike, turned on the music, and off we went.

The beater seemed unusually difficult to ride and one my companions didn’t care to ride with music. In deference to him I turned it off. Low and behold, I heard the distinct sound of by back tire rubbing on the break pad. I tried unsuccessfully to adjust the thing. Finally Dave chimed in, “you don’t need no stinkin’ rear break. I agreed and disconnected it. It was smooth sailing from there.

Ring in the new year in style. On a bike

Wheels up weather give us a sunny day with the temperature approaching 40 F. The wind at 5 MPH will not have any effect on the ride.

As always in winter riding. A little extra to keep the fingers and toes comfy. Wrapping your feet in tin foil will keep them warm. Just as it does to a hot potato. Two layers of socks work if it’s not too cold. Fingers will get cold first.

The Details:

Meet at Staples in Fairhaven before 10 AM (17 Plaza Way)

Wheels up at 10 AM.

A casual 10 mile spin around Fairhaven. It’s the same route as the full moon ride that no one showed.

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/34919853

I got three likes on the full moon bike ride post. Normally that would be disappointing. However, that was three more than the amount of people showed. Ergo….Solo in the title.

Properly dressed for the weather kept most of my body comfortable. All except for the fingers. I knew it would be a problem but it’s one I can overcome. There is a simple solution to warm them. The two handed Al Bundy technique. It’s normally a couch move, but it also works well on a bike ride.

Eliminating a good chunk of the planned route was an easy choice once the sun set. I did spend some time at Fort Phoenix overlooking Buzzards Bay. Aiming my camera west, I got a photo of the sunset. Turning east, a shot of the moon rising. Repeat then repeat again. All this with the gloves off, which brings us again to Al Bundy.

New Year’s day looks promising weatherwise for a group ride. MLK day ride planning is in the works.

There are still a few more bike days to be had this year. Well, actually there are three more. The moon is full tomorrow and it’s short notice, but the gods are serving notice that it’s a beautiful evening for a bike ride.

December 29, 2020

Meet at Staples in Fairhaven for a 4 PM wheels up. (17 Plaza Way. Fairhaven MA)

Light up your bikes to make this a festive ride. I’ll supply the music.

A 12 mile casual ride including the full bike path to Mattapoisett Neck Rd. Fort Phoenix and the quiet side streets of Fairhaven. We will detour off the path in East Fairhaven and take the riders back in time one hundred years riding along the Lopes and Carvalho farms.

Temperature will be in the high 20’s with little wind. Proper dress will insure this is a very comfortable ride.

According to the Old Farmer’s Almanac, the full moon in December is called the Full Cold Moon, and it’s pretty clear why, at least if you live in the Northern Hemisphere’s mid-latitudes. This particular Cold Moon will rise accompanied by Mars, which will be high in the southern skies just after sunset, as well as Jupiter and Saturn, which will be low in the west coming out of the “great conjunction,” which occurred Dec. 21. x

Lets do this.

I was getting bored in the house, looked out the front window to a clear, sunny sky. I stepped outside to feel the temperature. Not bad. Not bad at all. “Alexa…what’s the temperature?” In New Bedford it’s 35 and sunny, it responded. Time for a bike ride.

It was a pleasant surprised at the number of people on the MUP (multi use path). Bikes, walkers, joggers, adults and children, all having a great day outdoors.

While on my way to the beach area a group of young riders approached. At a road crossing, we had to wait for a car to pass. As I crossed the street one of the kids said, “you want to ride with us?” I accepted and asked if I could record while we were riding. They were all for it, and from the get go they were showing their skills.

I stayed with them for about 20 minutes before taking my leave and thanking them for the invite. This ride was fun.

Reading one of my blog friend’s post got me a little nostalgic. bdggyjim in Michigan, wrote his take on imperial and metric centuries, and since there is not much to write about during these times (and this weather), I have been re-posting rides from the past. It seemed a good time to confess that I did a century. Once. Actually when we got to the end, I grabbed a beer and had someone take my picture. “Get a good one, cause you’ll never see me do this again”.

A young rider and his parents visit Provincetown, MA every year. Nick wanted to ride his bike to the destination. Nick approached me, and I agreed to ride the 100 miles to P-Town with him. For some god forsaken reason, Nick wanted to do a century, so we decided to ride from Fairhaven to Provincetown, MA in one day. Actually, Nick’s parents wouldn’t let him do the ride alone. I wanted to do a tour of the Cape, and this worked out great for both of us. Except for the hundred mile part. Nick rode his Cannondale sport bike. Me? A fully loaded Novara Randonee touring bike.

The first 50 miles was pretty nice. The next 25 was hot and a bit difficult. The last 25 miles sucked. It was hilly and a good part was on busy US Rt. 6. The plan was to get to P-Town by 3 PM for the Carnival Parade. We only missed it by three and a half hours.

Day 1. Fairhaven to Provincetown 102 miles. Two things get stolen in P-Town. Boyfriends and bikes.

Day 2. Provincetown to Truro 14 miles Easy Peasey.

Day 3 Truro to Brewster 40 miles Google made a really bad route decision

Day 4. Brewster to Fairhaven 71 miles