The night was sultry.

The event was in conjunction with the local LGBTQ+ group, who were doing a toy collection for underprivileged children. The bike ride was organized by the New Bedford Starchasers. Riders began gathering for the 6 PM Navi Away, (wheels up), with the thermometer hovering in the mid to high 20’s F. The general consensus was that without any wind, 28 degrees wasn’t bad at all. Actually it was comfortable. Then the ride commenced at 7 PM.

The twenty five riders soon realized that we became the wind, and the 28 F suddenly had a wind chill effect. By 7:30 there were 12 or 13 still riding. There were 9 at the rides end at 7:45. Because of the icy conditions in some spots, we rerouted to stay within the park grounds. A few short minutes after abandoning the bikes, those who stopped riding were comfortable with the temperatures again. That’s when the festivities began.

Four Starchasers, including yours truly, were knighted as Pilots. Awards were presented, followed by pins, spoke cards and other gifts before we loaded all the toys into the waiting cars of the organizers.

Put on your head phones, turn up the volume, click the “Watch on YouTube at the bottom left, and go full screen for the full effect.

It’s a snow day here at the edge of Cape Cod. After spending some time perusing some of my bike friends blogs, and responding to my friend at biking to work, I began to feel a bit nostalgic. My original intent was to put up a link to my two previous blogs at blogspot. amidnightrider, and fairhavenroadie. I know, it’s true. I was a spandex wearing, speed freak, hammerhead at one time.

I began blogging in 2005 and always pined to do long distance bike touring. A corporate job prevented me from loading my bike and going for a ride for two or three months. I eventually settled for shorted one week tours. Supported and unsupported.

After fourteen years of bike touring, I’m pretty sure that July of 2019, was my last. This past summer I sold my touring bike and all the accessories. A few days later, I sold my road bike. I don’t miss either one.

Like many of us in the “older” generation, we read these journals and dream about riding our bikes for months. Camping, sleeping in fire houses and churches, meeting people who invite us into their homes for showers and dinner. For two years I read them and put myself in the place of these young riders, daydreaming and looking, not unlike the starving waif, gazing into the window of a fancy restaurant at the filet, and foie gras. However, things happen to convince us that riding our bikes for three months, alone, may not be in the cards.

In 2007 I threw caution to the wind and rode my bike for a week in Austria. CLICK HERE for the story.

NEW BEDFORD, MA – On Saturday, 12/19 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM, join the New Bedford Starchasers for an electric light parade around Buttonwood Park! This year, OPERATION TOUR DE TACKY is part holiday light show and part toy drive for families-in-need. We’re teaming-up with the South Coast LGBTQ+ Network to collect toys and spread holiday cheer during a time when it’s needed most. Win a prize for best “ugly” holiday sweater or tackiest bike decorations! MORE

Seventeen showed for this mild December Sunday morning bike ride. We gathered at the Buzzards Bay Coalition headquarters and set out to visit some of the local murals, two bakeries, a zoo and a bodega. Our first stop was also the first surprise. We pulled up to the jazz mural, a block from the Coalition building, and low an behold, a four piece jazz band greeted us.

The group stopped briefly at many more murals before our first bakery stop. Then on to the zoo, a bodega for the best empanadas evah, and on to our final bakery stop in downtown New Bedford, Ma.

45 F and overcast with a stiff breeze. In other words….A good day for a bike ride.

Whenever I get an invitation to ride my bike at night, weather on the city street or rails to trails path, I can’t help but smile and answer with an emphatic “YES.”

Last night, the call to ride came from the Fall River MA. bike group, to ride The East Bay Bike Path in Rhode Island. In order for me to get some video footage of the area, I have to begin early. I began eight miles from the start, and an hour early, to get the footage of the geese, rivers, jets and ponds you see in the video. I met up with four friends in Warren R.I. Two late comers, a father and son, joined us as we exited Colt State Park in Bristol, R.I. five miles into the ride.

We returned to the start of the ride in Warren for those who choose to leave the group at ten miles. None did on this night. Off to Providence and the India Point overpass of I-195, the turn around point. Ten miles each direction added to the Colt Park segment, gave everyone around thirty miles on the night.

The next group ride is December 5th when I lead a group on the Buzzards Bay Coalition, Bakeries and Murals of New Bedford ride.

It’s time for another Sunset/Moonlight ride.  This time the full moon falls on  Monday 11/30/20. 
The ride will be on the East Bay Bike Path on Friday 11/27/20. 

The Details:
Date: Friday 11/27/20. 
Location:  EBBP off Rt 103 near Del’s Lemonade. 
Set you GPS to 65 Child St. Warren R.I.
Time: 
Arrive: 3:30PM 
Departure: 3:45PM promptly 
Sunset: 4:16PM
Moonrise:  3:03PM
Name: Full Beaver Moon
Distance is flexible. 

Rain cancels the ride. 

We will ride to Colt’s State Park in Bristol to watch the sunset. 
We will then return to the Warren parking lot (approx 10 miles round trip). 
Next we will ride toward Providence till we decide to turn around. 
Turn around point will probably be India Point Park unless we decide to turn around sooner (or later). 
That’s around another 20+ miles round trip.

Bikes should have adequate lighting. 
If you have a second headlight as a backup that might come in handy if the first one goes out. 
Bring water, snacks, cameras and anything else you might want or need. 

Please take note:  As organized rides are not happening at this time,
this should be considered a casual,  unorganized (disorganized???) ride. 
Appropriate social distancing,  wearing of masks when that’s not possible etc. should be observed. 
If we’re going to do this it should be done as safely as possible. 

Hope to see you there. 

I was asked to lead monthly rides for a local organization and gladly accepted. On our last ride, one of the participants suggested a bakery themed ride. After some discussion, the decision was made to add more to the theme.

The city of New Bedford, MA has a superabundance of murals done by local artists. The city is also dotted with some wonderful bakeries and cafes. It was an obvious choice to combine the two as our theme. Visiting our local elephants is just a bonus for the riders.