Wood’s Hole Coffeneuring

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CLICK HERE for all the photos of today’s ride.

The coffeneuring challenge begins next week and today’s pre challenge training ride couldn’t have been better. The Shining Sea Bike Way is a ten mile paved Rail to Trail conversion from Falmouth to Woods Hole, Massachusetts. Because these converted trails are usually isolated, it’s a good idea to get off the path and ride some of the local roads when possible. The Shining Sea, being a coastal trail has some really spectacular scenery for the more astute riders who take a chance and leave the trail.

One block from the trail we came across sights like this.

At the end of the trail is the town of Wood’s Hole. The ferry terminal to Martha’s Vineyard is always bustling and the town has the typical quaint New England look and feel. Woods Hole also host the National Marine Fisheries part of NOAA, and Wood’s Hole Oceanographic Institute. Both are the mecca for marine biology and a visitor will hear a plethora of languages being spoken around those sites. It’s also the home port of Robert Ballard who found the Titanic in 1985.

There is not a lot to see in Wood’s Hole, but that doesn’t preclude the place from being pretty spectacular. On the trail I stuck up a conversation with a couple from North Carolina. We began riding together, hit things off pretty good which allowed me to be their local guide to the Secret Places. That being those places that a traveler would never experience without the aid and knowledge of a local. A few years ago I had a local show me those secret places and today I got to share them with new friends. I did go off script in Wood’s Hole when I recommend they lunch at the very popular Pie in the Sky cafe. We became separated on the trail just outside of Wood’s Hole before I could ask them to join me at the secret spot for lunch. They dined at Pie in the Sky and I at the place that will remain one of the Secret Places. We did meet up again after lunch for a tour of the town it’s scenic waterfront and harbor.

Oceanographic ship at Wood's Hole — Oceanographic ship at Wood’s Hole

And for my coffeeneuring challenge practice ride.

Coffee at the still secret place in Wood's Hole — Coffee at the still secret place in Wood’s Hole

All the photos of today’s rider are HERE

Coffeeneuring the Cape Cod Canal. Both Sides End to End and Crossing Both Bridges

First a word about Coffeeneuring. CLICK HERE to learn all about it. Then give some though to participating.

Today’s coffee stop was at Dunkin Doughnuts in the town of Buzzards Bay, Massachusetts. This was after a 25 mile ride of the Cape Cod Canal with a few friends. Since DD is not a place for really good coffee, I had to settle for a regular old coffee from a pot. Not my favorite but this was only a practice run. At least I didn’t get it from a clown.

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Four of us took advantage of a really nice day to ride the Cape Cod Canal, doing both sides and crossing both bridges. (The Bourne and Sagamore bridges). The access points for walking and biking across the bridges are pretty well hidden and there is no signage to get you there. Someone, like me, for instance has to show you how to get to the sidewalk access. Once there it is highly recommended that you walk your bike over the bridge. At 135 feet above the canal, walking takes most of the stress out of crossing this span on your bike. It’s also much easier to take photos like this one.

The cape side of the canal from the top of the Sagamore bridge.

We did end to end on the canal side but decided not to ride to Scussett Beach on the mainland side knocking a couple of miles off the ride. Once back on the mainland side we were like cows smelling the barn and our pace noticeable picked up as we raced back to the starting point. My three companions left me in the town of Buzzards Bay where I decide to do a practice run of the upcoming “Coffeeneuring” challenge.

The head of the canal on the cape side across from Mass Maritime Academy

The head of the canal in Sandwich on the cape side

Sue and Geoff after crossing the Sagamore Bridge

South Coast Bikeway Award Ceremony

Cape Cod Canal Both Side, Both Bridges tomorrow, Sunday, Sept, 20 at 8:30 AM. Meet at the lot next to the RR bridge in Buzzard Bay. Set you GPS to 61 Main St.

This morning I led a ride through the back roads and side streets from Fairhaven to the event in Dartmouth. None of the riders in my group are native to this area and I decided to give them a tour to point out some of the area’s gems. Whaling Captain’s and Textile moguls small mansions, fantastic restaurants in out of the way locations, scenic waterfront streets and roads that only the locals know exist were on this short 9 mile route. Coincidentally, this route was also a shortcut of sorts to the event that knocked off a couple of miles of heavy traffic on streets that drivers often confuse for racetrack straightaways.

Three of us didn’t participate in the Bike Challenge this year, so we left once the awards began for the ride back to Fairhaven. I hung back to get some errands done and, as we on bikes often do, stumbled upon a really good, authentic Spanish food hut. I say Spanish, not Mexican because I think the owner and workers are Central Americans from El Salvador or Guatemala by their dialect. I usually ask, but not this time because I was the only Gringo in the place. The food was very good and the staff I think, got a kick out of my Boston accented Spanish.
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The gang ridng the side streets of New Bedford

Waiting for the Mattapoisett group at the Gulf Hill Ice Cream place.

Lunch in the Spanish district of New Bedford

South Coast Bikeway Meeeting and The Cape Cod Canal. Both Sides, Both Bridges

Saturday September 19

Ride to the Award Ceremony in Dartmouth on Saturday. Meet at 99 in Fairhaven at 9 AM for the short ride across the river to the Dartmouth YMCA. (A little over 8 miles). It should be a nice day. Wear your colors and helmet if you want but neither is necessary for this short ride to the event.

Sunday September 20

Meet Sunday Sept. 20 at 8:15 for an 8:30 start at the Buzzard Bay Parking lot adjacent to the RR Bridge.
Don’t miss this one. It’s a favorite of mine and a very cool ride. Be sure to bring your camera. Bring your helmet if you want, but it’s not necessary for this easy paced, traffic free ride.

Directions:

Set your GPS to 61 Main St. Buzzards Bay.

We will cross both bridges and ride both sides of the canal, visiting Mashnee Island, the Sandwich Power Plant. Scussett Beach and the railroad bridge like you have never seen it. There are “secret” access points to both the Bourne and Sagamore bridges giving access to pedestrian and bicycle traffic. It’s safe and fun to cross these bridges.

Meet Saturday Sept. 12 at 8:15 for an 8:30 start. This is a very easy 25 mile flat ride with a couple of stops for photos.

Click Here for everything you need to know about this ride. Directions, photos, etc.

Upcoming Ride. Cape Cod Canal. Both Sides Both Bridges. Sunday Sept. 20th

Directions:

Set your GPS to 61 Main St. Buzzards Bay.

Meet Saturday Sept. 12 at 8:15 for an 8:30 start. This is a very easy 25 mile flat ride with a couple of stops for photos.

Click Here for everything you need to know about this ride. Directions, photos, etc.

New Bedford, MA

I took a ride into the city across the river. It’s one I do often and no matter how many times I do the same route, I find something different. I stopped for ice cream at the business I owned back in the mid 80s. Stopped and talked with the locked out United Steel Workers at their plant. Rode the elevated bike way along Buzzards Bay, and looked around the originals Berkshire Hathaway complex that once employed twelve thousand textile workers. The complex is gradually being demolished saving as much of the valuable brick and lumber as possible, for resale.

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GEDSC DIGITAL CAMERA — The elevated bike and walkway

Railings have been installed and lights to follow

Security guard at the locked out Steel Plant.

Freighter at New Bedford's State Pier. — Freighter at New Bedford’s State Pier.

Europe

Tiny church in the Italian Alps. Non denominal — Tiny church in the Italian Alps

We are winding down our European vacation with a day at The Blue Lagoon in Iceland. Our trip began with the wedding of a young couple who spend a few months with us while they made seaworthy a derelict 29 foot sail boat they purchased. As destinations weddings tend to go, this was a week long affair in the Italian Alps. What made this so wonderful is that it is not a destination for Americans and we were able to immerse ourselves into the Italian culture.

Some on the Italian side spoke a little English but the American’s Italian was even more limited. By the end of the week however, both sides, were able to communicate with a mix of spoken and sign languages just fine.

Cialvrina Village made everyone feel welcome and made the week truly special for the over 100 wedding guests. We took over the whole hotel and the staff soon became not only our host but part of the wedding. For instance, on our last night at the bar, the bartenders were mingling onto the dance floor and partying like it was 1999 with us. Fortunately for us Yanks, the dress was casual because trying to out dress the Italians was futile.

A random photo of one of the Italian guests

We had a very busy time in Italy including a hike to the glacier in the Italian Alps. A bike tour of Milan, and a train ride from Milan to St Moritz through the Swiss Alps

Sue and I are ending our trip in Iceland by driving the Golden Circle and visiting the Blue Lagoon. I spent the last afternoon in Reykjavik taking random photos of people on bikes. It’s very hip to ride in work clothes using the streets that are only open to pedestrians and bikes.

The Miles Add Up Very Fast. (3307 Miles On The Bike)

I do group rides once or twice a week. They range from 25-40 miles and they are OK. Every day, including those weekend rides, I am on my bike pretty much all day. To the market, to the park, into the city, evening rides to the coffee shop. It’s very seldom less than 25 miles a day and those miles add up very quickly. Much quicker than I though.

Every once in a while I take my speed-o-meter mileage off my “commuter bike” and add them to my log. I don’t do this daily so my miles on one day may read a hundred miles or more. This is an accumulation of many days. I reset the gadget to zero, ride a few days and repeat. On the club rides, I’ll use my Garmin, which automatically posts that ride’s miles. Today I looked at the total and was shocked to see the number 3307. Three thousand three hundred and seven miles. That seems like a lot until I look at the miles on my car. In June, I had the oil changed and the miles are prominently displayed on the little sticker on the wind shield. A look at my odometer tells me that I have driven my car 183 miles since June 17th. Ironically, almost all of those miles are riding to the start of a group bike ride. Go figure.

You Like Historic Architecture? How About Scotch Bonnet Peppers?

Years ago I would find something funny or unusual on the web and conclude my weekday blog with Friday Funnies. This YouTube definitely makes the cut as a Friday Funny. These two at the end of this post are a riot.

For now though, from today’s bike ride, are some of the architecture of Old Fairhaven and the Whaling Historic National Park in New Bedford, MA.

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Rogers School Fairhaven — Rogers School. Fairhaven, MA

Gift of Henry Huttleston Rogers. — Fairhaven Town Hall

In the National Historic Park of New Bedford — Pitchman

Seaman's Bethel at Whaling National Park in New Bedford, MA — Seaman’s Bethel, Whaling National Park in New Bedford, MA

Friday Funny

Living the Retired Life.

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I drove my car yesterday for the first time in a couple of weeks. I ride my bike pretty much every day with no destination planed. It wasn’t that long ago I would plan a 30 mile loop, kit up and go out and be very conscious of my average speed, trying to keep it at 15 MPH or higher. I’m very happy with 10 MPH now, but because of making so many stops for whatever reason, it’s impossible to measure that.

Today again was a ride into the city, (New Beddford, MA) just because. Time was at a premium because of a late start and an appointment, forcing me to cut the ride short by a couple of hours. I did manage to keep my average speed down using the “taking pictures” method. He are some of the things that got my attention.