TRAVEL DAY:

I had intended to leave home at 6 AM for the drive to Albany NY to get there in time for the Woman’s World Cup beginning at 11 AM.   There is also the Gold Cup final at 9 PM. This could be a wonderful day for US Soccer.  Then again, it could be a disaster. The ladies are playing Holland for the title of World Champion.  That’s unusual for a US team because many of our teams simply win our league, and declare ourselves World Champion. Red Sox, Bruins, Celtics, Patriots.  The Revolution doesn’t, well hasn’t yet one a title.  It could happen.  Some day

BEST LAID PLANS:  There are time when it just doesn’t work out.

The plan was for me to stay overnight in Albany and meet Brandon at the airport on Monday when his 2 PM flight arrived.  We were to drive to the Amtrak station and board the 4 PM train to Buffalo.  Lo and Behold, that train has been cancelled.  Now we will take the 7 PM train and arrive in Buffalo after midnight, bike three miles to the hotel and catch a few winks before beginning our bike ride back to Albany on the Erie Canal.

THE CHAOS OF THE BIG BANG:

Things happen in life that may you wonder.  Some call it coincidence, which is crazy, some call it divine intervention, which is just stupid.  Things just happen with no rhyme or reason.  For instance.  Brandon was riding home from the Driveway Series Criterium in Austin TX.  There was a guy on a bike waiting who struck up a conversation.  The subject of blogs came up and Brandon asked if he knew amidnightrider. “Are you Brandon?” he asked.  “Whoa” said Brandon.  It was A Dude ABikes. When Brandon got home he send me a text.  “Guess who I just ran into?” I went through the list of his past lady friends, people I met in Austin, relatives etc etc.  A Dude ABike was not on either my short of long list.   To keep this long story short, they both got a kick out of the meeting.

CRAZY GUY ON A BIKE  A web sight for touring bicyclists from around the world

I found crazyguyonabike.com in 2005 during the internet boom.  When you though you were alone in your fantasies, illnesses, hobbies etc, search engines could find you sites where there were thousand or even millions of like minded people.  It’s a site I use for easy access to all my bike tours, beginning in 2007. I’ll be linking this blog to crazy guy for the next couple of weeks.

The word  was spread through the usual social media outlet that a ride was planned for early Monday morning.  Eight showed for the 25 mile easy spin.  We had a couple of hammerheads join us for a recovery ride on quiet country roads of Tiverton RI.

The first remark I got at the meeting spot was “did you bring your camera?”  I wasn’t in the mood to put much effort into this ride which was a repeat of three weeks ago.  Some of the same people to boot.  A few photo opportunities got my attention but nothing earth shattering. A beach, a flat tire and a couple of sheep was pretty much the extent of it all.

I may get one more ride in before leaving for a bike ride of the Erie Canal, end to end, next week with #3 son.  It’s being documented HERE

Bike Ride in Tiverton and Little Compton!!
When: Monday, July 1st
Where: Meetup at the Tiverton Library – 34 Roosevelt Avenue (drive south on Stafford Road to 177, Bulgarmarsh Road – take left at Roosevelt Ave to the Library
Time: Meetup at 7:45am – Ride starts at 8:00am
Ride will be approximately 20+ miles – make sure to bring a drink and snack. Ride will go to South Shore Beach in Little Compton – All on road ride – Helmets highly recommended

June 21st was a wash so Ten Speed Spokes bike shop in Newport RI rescheduled the ride to June 27.  The turn out was great and the choice of four mileage options made this a wonderful event for all levels of riders.

*****We did have to send out a search party for a 19 year old in my group.  He went out with the hammerheads and got dropped early.  We located him two towns off the arrowed 45 mile route.

2019 longest Day of the Year Ride from John Sullivan on Vimeo.

Longest Day Of The Year Ride, Newport RI

Thursday: June 27.

Time:  Wheels up at 6 PM

Where:  Ten Speed Spoke bike shop in Newport RI.  Across the street from the Newport Gulls baseball park .   Store is located at 18 Elm St. Providence, RI

Postponed from last week due to stormy weather. Click Here for the web page.  It’s a really good ride for any level.  There are four mile options and the routes are arrowed and there are also volunteers directing riders on the city sections of the route.

CLICK HERE for a video of a past ride.

Providence Critical Mass

Friday: June 28

Time:  6:30- 9:30 PM

Where:  Burnside Park, Providence RI.    Get Directions

A very casual ride through the streets of Providence RI.  It will be a very large group (safety in numbers), making a couple of stops for R&R and socializing.  The ride ends at a pub in downtown.  It’s different every month.  You can imbibe if you wish. Or not.

I will be leaving Ft. Hill in East Providence at 6 PM for the three mile ride to Burnside Park.

For directions to Fort Hill bike path access search for directions to intersection of Mercer Street and Veterans Memorial Parkway in East Providence through Google Maps or GPS. (1 Mercer St.) Parking is overlooking the river on the West side of the highway.

50 miles on the Tour de Creme with friends from John Sullivan on Vimeo.

Partly sunny. High in the mid 70’s. North winds around 5 MPH.

Tour de Creme Route Bike Ride

Monday June 17.  46 or 30 mile ride.  We will decide at the parking lot.

Meet at the Fairhaven Rec Center Next to Stop and Shop.  (227 Huttleston Ave)
CLICK HERE for map. This is a change from the usual Staples meeting place because of construction in the Staples lot. It’s easier too.

Time:  Gather at 8:15 for an 8:30 wheels up.

This is an on road 46 miles ride using the Mattapoisett Land Trust’s “Tour de Creme  route and arrows.  There are some spectacular sights and at least four ice cream shops on the route.  There are two near the end of the ride if the group wants to stop for a snack or maybe even lunch. Think lobstah and chowdah.  We’ll decide then.  There is a plethora of really good locally owned eateries close to the Rec center.  There is also junk food places like McDonald’s if that’s your preference.  Or you can go home and cook your own.

CLICK HERE for the 46 mile ride with GPS route

*****NOTES*****

This is a 46 mile route.   We will gather twice at bail out spots.  If the group wants to shorten the ride we will have two chances to do that.

Our final gathering spot is Captain Bonny’s Ice Cream on New Bedford Rd.  Here is where we deviate from the arrowed route.

We did this ride in 2008 and 2012. Brandon and I have reversed roles since out 2008 ride. Back then, I was the full time worker and he had all the time in the world. Now, he is the full time worker and Captain of Tilt Racing in Austin. We decided a few months ago, that the Erie Canal would be a great reunion. So here we are.

I am driving to Albany from Fairhaven, MA on July 7th, and Brandon is flying in on the 8th. We will immediately drive to the Amtrak station, pack our bikes and travel (1st class) to Buffalo. After spending the night at a cheap motel, we begin our trek to Albany.

I don’t know how many photos there will be this time, but am confident there will be videos, (with music), for viewing pleasure. Stay tuned. Comments are always welcome.

UPDATE

Added a Saturday Ride

Saturday, June 15

Where: East Bay Bike Path

— When: Meetup at 8:00am – Ride Starts 8:15am
This is a perfect ride for new cyclists – and a perfect ride for experienced cyclists – distance will be determined by individual riders – whether you want to do a 10 mile ride to a 30 mile ride this is your ride. Bring water and a snack – possible stop at a coffee shop for delicious pastries, coffee and great conversation.
Take Route 103 to Warren RI. Right after the Del’s lemonade take the next left and park on the left – hope to see you there

Set GPS for 65 Child St. Warren R.I.

Tour de Creme Route Bike Ride

Monday June 17.  46 or 30 mile ride.  We will decide at the parking lot.

Meet at the Fairhaven Rec Center Next to Stop and Shop.  (227 Huttleston Ave)
CLICK HERE for map. This is a change from the usual Staples meeting place because of construction in the Staples lot. It’s easier too.

Time:  Gather at 8:15 for an 8:30 wheels up.

This is an on road 46 miles ride using the Mattapoisett Land Trust’s “Tour de Creme  route and arrows.  There are some spectacular sights and at least four ice cream shops on the route.  There are two near the end of the ride if the group wants to stop for a snack or maybe even lunch. Think lobstah and chowdah.  We’ll decide then.  There is a plethora of really good locally owned eateries close to the Rec center.  There is also junk food places like McDonald’s if that’s your preference.  Or you can go home and cook your own.

CLICK HERE for the 46 mile ride with GPS route

*****NOTES*****

This is a 46 mile route.   We will gather twice at bail out spots.  If the group wants to shorten the ride we will have two chances to do that.

Our final gathering spot is Captain Bonny’s Ice Cream on New Bedford Rd.  Here is where we deviate from the arrowed route.

It’s been a while since I did a tour with #3 son.

Next month we will, for the third time, bike the Erie Canal from Buffalo to Albany, NY.  Over the years, I have used crazyguyonabike, and will do so again this time.

Brandon will fly from Austin and meet me in Albany. We will box our bikes and take the Amtrak to Buffalo, spent the night and begin our trek the next morning.  We chose this because of how much we enjoyed the last two times.  The people we met, the history we experienced and the general fun we had riding our bikes for hours every day.

I took my Novara Randonee touring bike out of mothballs, so to speak, and got everything tuned up for the tour.  Today I took it for a ride to make some minor adjustments. Saddle, pedal clips, etc.  I had planned to do a 50 mile ride from home to the Cape Cod Canal, but thing got busy during the day which delayed my ride start till 4:30 PM.

I rode a good part of the Mattapoisett Land Trust Tour de Creme route and got a little under 30 miles.  Everything is a go for the tour beginning on July 8th.  We are both stoked for this tour.