The ride was originally scheduled to be a full moon, lunar eclipse, MLK and a birthday ride for one of our group, on Saturday evening.  The frigid cold that continued on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday prevented us from our monthly ride on any day over the MLK holiday weekend.  Everyone was back to work which left me to do the ride solo.

The city of New Bedford, MA has always been a sanctuary city since the mid 18th century.  We were the last free port during the American Revolution and home to the Privateers who wreaked havoc on the British commercial fleet.

In the 19th century, New Bedford was a sanctuary city for runaway slaves who traveled on boats from the south, laden with cotton for the textile mills. Some came as stow away passengers and others bribed their way onto the ships. Once they arrived, the slaves were protected by a series of tunnels that kept them on the move avoiding the Federal Marshals that were hired as mercenaries for the plantation owners to bring back their property. The city continues to be a sanctuary city protecting our friends and neighbors.

Much of the city’s history is displayed on downtown building by art. New Bedford has a monthly festival celebrating our proud Art, History and Architecture on AHA night.

Fredrick Douglas and MLK tribute bike ride from John Sullivan on Vimeo.

 

Wishing all my friends a wonderful MLK day.

New Bedford was a sanctuary city during the dark times of slavery and continues that proud tradition during these dark times.

We tried to do a bike ride in honor of this great American over the weekend, but the weather did not cooperate. Wednesday’s 40ish temperature looks like the best day for a ride through the Underground RR section of New Bedford, and a visit the home of Fredrick Douglas.

I’ll be leaving Staples in Fairhaven around 11 AM for this short 10-12 mile history bike ride.

I rode my bike.

2019 Jan 6 East Bay Bike Path from John Sullivan on Vimeo.

 

I’m a big fan of going to the movies. There is nothing like the big screen, Dolby Sound and the general atmosphere of being in a theater. I have seen most of the nominees for this years Golden Globes and the following are my picks if I had a vote.

BEST MOTION PICTURE:   “A Star Is Born”.

“Bohemian Rhapsody” was a moderate 2nd place.

Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama:    Lady Gaga  (“A Star Is Born”)

Best Actor in a Motion Picture – Drama:       Rami Malek (“Bohemian Rhapsody”)

Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy:   “Vice”  Although “Green Book” was a very close second.

Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy:  Olivia Colman (“The Favourite”)  this is a crazy fun movie.

Best Actor in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy: Christian Bale (“Vice”). Bale did a spot on characterization of Cheney. 

Best Actress in a Supporting Role in any Motion Picture: Emma Stone (“The Favourite”)

Best Actor in a Supporting Role in any Motion Picture:  Mahershala Ali (“Green Book”)

Best Motion Picture – Animated:    I’m not a fan of cartoon, monster or vampire movies. 

Best Motion Picture – Foreign Language:  The only one I have seen is Roma. Because of that I can’t pick.

Best Director – Motion Picture:  I would be OK with a draw out of a hat for any one of them.  All were very well done movies.  But my vote is for Alfonso Cuaron.

Bradley Cooper (“A Star Is Born”)
Alfonso Cuaron (“Roma”)
Peter Farrelly (“Green Book”)
Spike Lee (“BlacKkKlansman”)
Adam McKay (“Vice”)

 

On the TV side my picks are Jason Bateman, (Ozark),  Sandra Oh, (Killing Eve). Michael Douglas, (The Kominski Method), or Sasha Cohen (Who is America). The Alienist as the Best TV series.

 

It was 56 F at 9 AM and very windy. Seven of us showed for the bike ride. We did detour to watch the polar plunge which drew big numbers this year. Climate change is making the plunge easier to do every year.

2019 New Year Bike and Hike from John Sullivan on Vimeo.

It’s going to be a nice day for a bike ride on Tuesday. 54 and sunny. Let’s do a bike ride.

Meet at Staples in Fairhaven at 9:30 for a 9:45 wheels up. Click Here for map. This is a 15.7 mile casual ride. CLICK HERE for the ride with GPS map.

Our first stop will be at Fort Phoenix to watch the polar plunge at 10 AM. We will then ride into New Bedford over the bridge on quiet back streets to the peninsula. We will ride along West Beach into Fort Taber.

Our return will be along East Beach and the Elevated Walkway before crossing back over the bridge and return to Staples on the Phoenix Bike Path.

2018 December Full Moon Bike Ride from John Sullivan on Vimeo.

The winter solstice arrives tonight marking the beginning darkness and harsh weather. So what is the Winter Solstice exactly? It’s the day when the sun is directly over the Tropic of Capricorn (which means less light for us in the Northern Hemisphere).

Christian mythology is interwoven with contemporary observances of this holiday time. Parents can help their children develop an understanding of the multicultural and interfaith aspects of this holiday time and view “Christmas” as just another form of Solstice. Have gift exchanges and feasts over the course of several days and nights as was done of old. Party hearty on New Year’s Eve not just to welcome in the new calendar year, but also to welcome the new solar year.

As an added bonus, tomorrow is the full moon and we can also expect meteor showers the next few night. In short, everything is in line for a night bike ride. CLICK HERE for all the details. It’s tomorrow (Saturday ) night BTW.

Hi Folks, 

I know we haven’t had a full moon ride in December yet.  I’ve been watching the weather predictions, and it looks like this year is going to be the one…  So with that in mind let’s celebrate the Winter Solstice (a day late) and the Full Cold Moon for our first “annual” December Moonlight Ride. 

There will be a Moonlight ride on the East Bay Bike Path on Saturday 12/22/18, with two start locations.

The early start will meet at the Fort Hill Parking Lot in East Providence for a 3 PM wheels up. We will ride to Warren to meet the others and ride back to Providence finishing around 5:30 PM. The Warren group will then return to their start point and finish about an hour later.

Date: Saturday 12/22/18. 
Location:  EBBP off Rt 103 near Del’s Lemonade. 
Time: 
Arrive: 3:45PM 
Departure: 4:00PM promptly 
Sunset: 4:18PM
Moonrise:  4:29PM
Moon Name:  Full Cold Moon.
Distance is flexible. 

As the moon rise is shortly after sunset  it should be a perfect night for moonlight riding. 

As always rain cancels the ride. 
So does snow, sleet, nor’easters and sub zero temperatures. 
With that said I don’t expect any of that to occur on the 22nd. 

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 20 or 22 miles round trip.
Other routes are also possible. 

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. 
Helmets are highly recommended. 

Take note that it is cooler after sunset and dress accordingly (it is winter). 
If you have “booties” this might be a good time to take them out. 
If you don’t have “booties” this might be a good time to consider getting some. 

Happy Trails, 

Paul

Foggy mornings on the waterfront remind me of so many old movies. Today was a pretty nice ride with the temp hovering around 45 F. The temperature of the bay waters is still in the mid fifties.  When they clash,  Fog.