As always. Click any photo for big. Click again for bigger.

I continue to do my faux commutes daily. Ten miles in the morning and again in the evening. When evening turns to nighttime I’m happiest. You see, most of the group rides that I participate are at night. The full moon rides, the Starchasers and Providence Bike Jam (soon to be started again), are my regulars. Riding around town at night is very relaxing, and some nights all I hear is the sounds of nature. It’s amazing how many critters, large and small are active in the suburbs.

Because of the scarcity of bike events, much of my photography and videos lately are generic B-Roll shots. I had intended to do classic techniques such as, reveals, pans, wide to closeup and static shots, but alas, mother nature is offering up some much needed heavy rains over the next couple of days. After typing this, I just got some ideas of B-roll rain shots. It pays to think out loud.

Also, I filled out my ballot and tomorrow I will deposit it in the town drop box. I understand that all the absentee ballots and mail in ballots will have been counted by the time the polls close in Massachusetts. With all the chicanery going on, don’t we all wish every state did that?

Yesterday I ventured to predict the outcome of the MLS games. Twenty two of the twenty four teams played.

My predictions… The Results… Win Loss

Orlando 3: Atlanta 1… Orlando 0 Atlanta 0… 0-1

Miami 4 : Red Bulls 1… Miami 2 Red Bulls 1… 1-1

New England 2: Toronto 1… New England 0 Toronto 1… 1-2

Philadelphia 3: Cincinnati 0… Philadelphia 3 Cincinnati 0… 2-2

Columbus 0: Montreal 0 … Columbus 1 Montreal 2… 2-3

Houston 1: Dallas 2… Houston 2 Dallas 0… 2-4

NYCFC 2: DC United 0… NYCFC 4 DC United 1… 3-4

Sporting KC 4: Chicago 1… Sporting 1 Chicago 0 … 4-4

Seattle 2: Real Salt Lake 0… Seattle 2 Salt Lake 1… 5-4

LA Galaxy 1: Portland 5… LA Galaxy 2 Portland 6… 6-4

San Jose 3: Vancouver 0… San Jose 3 Vancouver 0… 7-4

Keeey ripes. When it counts for a chance to win money, I get on or two correct. When the pressure is off, I do OK.

Not much bike stuff to write about. I am trying to mimic my work bike commute days by riding ten miles in the AM and again in the PM. I’m sticking around town and not doing much video or still photography.

It was a crazy sports weekend for sure. Liverpool losing 7-2 just a taste of things to come. The Spurs beating ManU was no big surprise, but the 6-1 dismantling was. Marino’s smirk was priceless when his team scored the sixth goal against the organization that fired him.

Leeds had a golden opportunity to grab three points from City, but it wasn’t in the cards. I have been a Leeds fan for many years and the end of the sixteen years away from the premiership was a joy. They should have move up last year. The end of the season collapse was heartbreaking.

Major League Soccer

I have been a player, coach, teacher and anything else you can think of in the beautiful game. I consider myself knowledgeable about the MLS teams.

All that goes out the window when I participate in the predict six contest sponsored by the league. And man, do I suck at that.

My team, New England Revolution is so sporadic, predicting the outcome is impossible. They seem to play to their opponent. They try to out perform the good teams and try to under perform the lousy teams. Go figure.

Tonight, Wednesday, New England plays a very strong Toronto FC. Toronto is a much better team, so in keeping with the above paragraph, I expect a Revs win. The league doesn’t do the predict thing on Wednesday games but I’m going to give it a go on my own. I’ll post my results here tomorrow.

Orlando 3: Atlanta 1

Miami 4 : Red Bulls 1

New England 2: Toronto 1

Philadelphia 3: Cincinnati 0

Columbus 0: Montreal 0

Houston 1: Dallas 2

NYCFC 2: DC United 0

Sporting KC 4: Chicago 1

Seattle 2: Real Salt Lake 0

LA Galaxy 1: Portland 5

San Jose 3: Vancouver 0

Remember: I’m the expert.

The idea was a casual ride to three or four pubs. Massachusetts is in phase two of reopening. Bars are not open, but places that serve food and have a liquor license can allow customers inside. We had a group of 20 riders and at the first stop, ten or twelve decided to have a sit down experience. I went into the restaurant to take photos and videos but quickly exited. The place was full and social distancing was not being observed. That some of our riders may get sick seems like a good bet.

The group was inside for about an hour which put a major crimp on the original route. Our ride leader decided to ride, in a round about way to gain some mileage, to the final location, an 80’s themed game room with an outside upper deck. We had the upper deck, with a bartender, dedicated to our group, and did we ever take advantage. Needless to say it was a wobbly five mile ride home. All on bike path fortunately. Well, mostly on bike path.

Darkness set in early which made it impossible to get quality footage during the ride. I did get some, not much, ergo the short video.

This is a rescheduled ride due to bad weather.

OCT 1, 2020

Operation Konami Code: 1980’s #NBPUBPEDAL

Public · Hosted by New Bedford Starchasers

Meet: 6:00pm / Launch: 6:30pm
Launchpad: Buttonwood Park Community Center
Distance: 10-light years
Theme: 1980s Video Games

Dress in your favorite 80s costume or gaming outfit and get on your bike, skateboard, wheelchair, roller skates, kick scooter, or any other wheels that get you into the groove. We’re doing the time warp again on a bicycle pub crawl through the New Bedford Starsystem! 2020 is running low on pixels and it’s up to the Starchasers to travel back to the 1980’s for some video game-themed antics!

Beginning with a sling-shot maneuver around the Buttonwood Park Constellation, we will begin our descent into the time vortex. Our flight plan includes stops at 4 local space cantinas, including an extended shore leave at lunar base PLAY Arcade at the edge of the dNB Quadrant. This will be an approximately 8-light year mission, flying at the speed of funk.

This 21+ event is free, open to the public, and cosmically inclusive. All human-powered and assistive wheels are welcome.

Masks and physical distancing strongly encouraged.

A ride is planned for Saturday 9/26/20. 

The Details:
Date: Saturday 9/26/20. 
Location:  EBBP off Rt 103 near Del’s Lemonade. 

Set you GPS to 65 Child St. Warren R.I.

Time: 
Arrive: 8:45AM 
Departure: 9:00AM promptly 

This ride will be a leisurely and appropriate for all levels of riding experience. 
Distance is flexible.  As the ride is on the East Bay Bike Path it’s easy for anyone to return to their car if they are tired. 

Bring water, snacks, cameras and anything else you might want or need. 
Helmets are optional. It’s all bike path riding.

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 if 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. 

Rain cancels the ride.

Details

Saturday at 6 PM 46–63°F

Meet: 6:00p / Launch: 6:30p.
Launchpad: Buttonwood Park Community Center
Distance: 10-light years, flying at the speed of funk.

Put on your brightest colors, light-up your spaceship, and join the NB Starchasers & New Moon for a superposi dance party experience under the stars!

This mission is free, open to the public, and cosmically inclusive! All human-powered and assistive wheels are welcome!

Please, respect your fellow space travelers. Wear a mask, maintain physical distancing, and observe all safety protocol