The Boston Recumbent Users Group

Happiness is a Warm Day

2011-12-30T07:34:00.001-05:00

Or should I say Happiness is a Warm anything at this time of year! Staying warm is an art. Starting with warm clothing and a warm bicycle helps. If your handle bars are ice cold, so will be your hands in short order. Warming up your bike before you start helps. Bring it in close to the heater if you keep it in a cold place.Plastic pedals work best to keep your feet from getting cold fast. Plastic conducts the cold poorly. Aluminum cleated pedals unless warmed can send the cold via the cleat right into the shoe. Good winter shoes have a insulated insole to prevent this from happening, but cheep plastic pedals, cleat or not work best for that short winter ride. Bicycle shops have in great supply things to stay warm, The bigger the store, the better.Thinking about how to stay warm will have you happier as you enjoy your ride at this time of year! I hope to see you on the road!

Merry Christmas Everyone

2011-12-25T07:20:00.002-05:00

Christmas is a good time to be with friends and family and think back to wonderful times past. Rides and places our "Heads Up" style of cycling took us and the details we may have never noticed otherwise. Christmas time is the perfect time to plan second chance adventures for the future. Fireside with a warm drink has you in short order forgetting the cold outside. A trip to look over one's own bicycle if near by will certainly have you out on a short Christmas Ride with a pleasant return back to the fireside and foods we love at this time of year.Merry Christmas Everyone!

Cold Rain

2011-12-23T09:02:00.001-05:00

Where there is a will,there is a way.Cold Rain riding at this time may be of no choice. A commuter cyclist may need to ride in conditions that the casual rider would never attempt.Recumbents for the most part can work better then the "Up-right" style of riding.Fairings do help with staying dry, but a good rain suit will work well and worth every penny. Riding with your feet further off the ground and above your front wheel keeps feet dryer then directly behind it. At times past, it felt like a hose of ice water being poured over my toes on even fendered Diamond Frame bikes.Sand from the road goes everywhere, A good cleaning right after the ride no matter what kind of bike you choose will help with dirt not sticking and drying on your frame and parts.I never thought that "Rain Riding" was fun. I only have done it to stay fit and to get where I need to be. Always better then a car, rainy days by car are slower. Traffic when things get wet is always slower. Cycling for the most part has you arriving at your destination with in minutes of your normal commute time. Parking is always at the door of where your going and the feeling of having been out (to me)is one of the best feelings in the world

The New Program

2011-12-15T07:55:00.000-05:00

You may have noticed the lack of paragraph separation in yesterdays BOSRUG posting. Sorry for that.It was not my intent to run everything on all in one. Changes have been made as of last Sunday morning that to compose a posting, you need to be on "Google Chrome"It took a while to get Chrome to work with my dial up service but now as a result, we have no paragraph spacing. I assume that the problem will be resolved soon with enough complaints, But for right now, I'm feeling that not all improvements are improvements.

Colder Days, Longer Nights

2011-12-14T09:02:00.001-05:00

Its never been easier to stay warm or to be seen on a bicycle. Bicycle shops of all sizes have a selection of Winter clothing and lighting to allow you to see and be seen.Never before has there been so many cars on the road. It seems to me that over the past ten years, the amount of drivers has doubled. What I call "Freight Train Traffic", one car after another for long stretches of road.With the use of Cell Phones and now Internet and Texting, its a wonder a Bicycle Commuter can stay alive. Here are some tips as how I deal with the traffic and the 15 mile commute I have to and from work.First, Assume that you are invisible. Drivers are not looking for bicycles. Its true. If you think you can be seen, it may not be so and could result in being hit. Think about what you would do if hit and rehearse it in your head. Being prepared could save your life. Bright lights even during the day when its a little cloudy or dark attract attention. Having a driver notice you from a far could allow you safe travels.At night place your light so the spot is on the pavement to your left. Drivers while passing will swing wide to miss the spot of light and "open" the view of you to drivers in back of them. This works great and still allows you to see the road in front of you. Bright lights and bright clothing are noticeable more than what we call "Safety Black!"Don't "cheep" yourself when it comes to lighting. Better lights last longer with the electric charge and are usually brighter. Rechargeable lights may be more expensive at the counter, but the money you will save in batters and heaven forbid, out of work from being hit, will pay for themselves in short order. Good lights if you forget to charge them one night, will have enough power to last another evenings ride.Reflectors are good and important, but everybody has seen an occasional driver without their headlights on. Reflectors do nothing unless lit by drivers headlights.Although super bright lights can be seen, make sure that the beam is not in the face of on coming drivers. Simple enough, but it is another thing to think of. When being high beamed by drivers, simply flash them with your light as if you were in a car, Most drivers unless looking for an argument, will lower their beam.At traffic lights, if you can lower your tail light and headlight beam, A blinded driver starting off when the light changes could be dangerous.I like to look in my rear view mirror and place the bike in a safe spot when cars pass. This could mean ether speeding up or slowing down.Starting at lights, it is sometimes safer to let the group of cars pass you while stopped rather then heading out as a group and getting mixed up at the "bottle neck" on the other side of the intersection. Drivers seeing that you are not tiring to race them sometimes offer a little respect next time around. Remember that most of the drivers are commuting too, and will most likely passing at a later date. If they see and remember, they may cooperate next time around.Showing a little respect and obeying the rules of the road may have you enjoying your commute stress free and safer for years to come.

That time of Year Again

2011-11-30T20:51:00.002-05:00

Its that time of year again, Time when everything needs to be pulled in. The important things come to mind. Hands,toes,nose. Frost bite Doctors know one more.
Winter cycling in New England is not fun. Point to Point "destanition" riding works, but unless you find something else yo do out of the ordinary to occupy your outdoor fun, Its not good.
Salt and sand will come soon. Never ride anything that you cant afford to throw out. Someone said that to me years ago. Hey, It was me! Or Cooper.
Take a look around. What did you miss. Where did you want to be when the weather was nice and not important to keep warm or your bike salt free. Look around. The Cold is Coming and its coming Soon!

60 Degrees

2011-11-28T08:55:00.003-05:00

Who could ask for more. The beauty of the Southern New England roads and short sleeve riding.

Now with most of the leaves down, bigger sky and better lighting give a whole new feel to the place we call home.
Stopping and viewing has a spectator seeing things maybe never otherwise noticed.
Get out and enjoy the day of what may be one of our last warm days this year.

The Colder Days Are Coming!

2011-11-19T08:07:00.001-05:00

Last night assured me that winter is not long off. The freak snow of last October was assurance enough that New England has not changed with its surprises of of temperature drop in a 24 hour period, but last night did it for me. Although there was no ice, heading out and really seeing my breath was.
Over the past week we have seen mild enough days for riding without jacket or glove. More like September, we enjoyed wind free riding on Wednesday only to have Thursday turn into what I would call "a classic New England November day." Just like I remember as a child riding home from school, caught without gloves, hands red as a cooked lobster claws.
Its never been easier to stay warm. Most of the sales at the shop today will be clothing. Did you know that you can spend $75.00 on a undershirt? How about $500.00 on a Jacket?
Layering still remains to be the best way to deal. You most likely have what you need to stay warm and comfortable if you are reading this right now. Just not this years fashion.
Colder days have us again dreaming of rides like the one pictured above. Days when only shirt and shorts will be needed to stay comfortable and enjoy riding. Just like last Wednesday!

To See and Be Seen

2011-11-17T08:31:00.002-05:00

The worry for new shoppers of recumbent bicycles is if while riding on roads, "Can you be seen?"
The question with today's drivers is , Are they watching the road?
Cell phones and now texting has drivers looking less at the roads for anything else then a car. The chance of getting hit and hurt by another car has divers more aware of automobiles then pedestrians and cyclists alike.
Bicycles for the most part slow traffic down. Cars when aware take their time passing and in most cases pass at a safe distance. Once in a while I have been passed too close for comfort. I'm never sure if the driver ever saw me or they were passing at a distance that they felt safe at.
Oddity's on the road have drivers watching. Not sure of what there looking at, has drivers at times not wanting to pas. You see them in your rear view mirror causing other drivers to stack up in back of them. Somewhat awkward, I wave them on letting them know that I can see them fine and it is safe to pass. Always afterwards, I see their eyes in their rear view mirror. I love to wave and then have them wave back.
Its hard to notice how much you are acutely seen and if drivers are letting you pass by being polite. Its not until I find myself back on an upright style bike that I get cut off, sometimes as much as 3 times a ride, and realize that while on a recumbent, drivers not sure of what their seeing, will wait and not come out in front of you.
With a rear view mirror and the "Heads Up" style of riding, on a recumbent, you see everything!

When the New Bikes Become Old

2011-11-15T16:29:00.005-05:00

Just the other day, Bosrug rider and blog follower, Doug wrote and told me about discovering that the seat frame on his ATP, Vision R40 was broken.
How long this had been so was not part of the email or him noticing while riding, but because of a "Winter Mod" he had done, noticed it.
In most cases, when a seat breaks, you go to the bike shop and buy a new one. End of story. Well not quite.
Because over the past 10 years of, "Oh my God!, If I ride a bike with a skinny seat, I may never have kids!" OK, That's cool, but the biggest problem is , what seat to buy.
We at the bike shop have at least 50 different seats to choose from. One actually looks like a boot jack, so at all costs, men should wear some kind of covering while riding this seat, Shorts come to mind.
A "safe" seat can run you as much as $300.00!

Then there is Brooks Saddles. People love Brooks, Go on their website and see!

http://www.brooksengland.com/curiosities-and-friends/stories-and-photos/more-stories/091208_153927_86/

Sorry Doug, no seat for you. Why? Well, can you say "Standardization?" Sure you can!
In the lack of our favorite style of heads up bicycle riding, because designers are from aeronautics and not bicycles or light bulbs, all recumbent seats are different.
We laugh as to exactly how you ride a recumbent home if your seat gets stolen, but when it breaks, its a whole other story.
A whole other story to follow.

Two Years and Still Blogging!

2011-11-06T07:45:00.009-05:00

Today is the two year anniversary of the Boston Recumbent Users Group Blog, known as "BOSRUG"
I have skipped days and even weeks recently but know that it has been only because the riding has been more important than the writing.
As time goes on, please check back for writings of ramblings and rides. I will do my best to keep you informed of any Recumbent events and adventures worth reading about and or attending.
Thank You for your comments and being the most important part of this blog, the reader. Happy Anniversary!

So What Do You Want?

2011-11-03T08:52:00.005-04:00

I was listening to an interview with Bicycle Historian John Pinkerton after he learned that he had lung cancer and possibly did not have much longer to live.
One of the things that stood out with me in the interview was how he was sorry that it took him so long to learn how to cycle for pleasure.
It seemed as if he was referring to his past rides were to prove something to himself and to others, how fast, how far, How steep and how hard.
Cyclists for the most part enjoy what their doing, or so it seems to me. Possibly when their finished, but cycling for pleasure takes a little more then going as fast and as hard as possible.
I have talked to customers that have told be that they will never own a GPS because they always ride in the same place. Head down, trying to break yesterdays record and unless they do, it just not right.
Yesterday on our ride, we found a beautiful spot in the sun and just stopped to enjoy. Over the 20 minuets we were there we were passed by 3 riders that couldn't say hello. It looked as if we made them uncomfortable by sitting back and relaxing in plain view.
It is getting to the point that when you say "Cyclist" your not exactly talking about the same group of people.
People are different and Different is Good is something my close friend has as a family saying.
There is a talk show host in Boston that refers to cyclists as a group. The way he talks its as if he thinks its all the same club, The drivers and the cyclists. Two distant groups. He backs up his thoughts by screening his callers that want to add to his show. A maximum of 5 an hour because of adds and what he calls a "break"
His idea of that cyclists are using car roads and the bicycles don't pay tax. I would like that, how about you!
Its sometimes feels like there is just no pleasing anybody.
Riding for pleasure could be dressing up and achieving ones personal best, but after that passes one would hope that a thinking person might want to take the time to see the beauty they passed by. Assume no one cares how fast or how far you rode. Its true.
I remember at the store one day a customer looking across the sales floor at another customer dressed head to toe in his brand new USPS team uniform. His comment to us was, "Who the hell does he think he is?" The answer was, "That's Tyler Hamilton!"
The customer said "Who?"
As for me, I'm going for a ride.

And So it Goes

2011-10-28T09:15:00.002-04:00

It snowed here last night. Not enough to shovel, but enough to assure me that Winter is coming. Long cold nights, fires in the fireplace. All the comfort food in the world will not have me looking forward to whats ahead.

Here's hoping a few things:
Lets hope for less snow on the roads then last year.
Lets hope for less sand and salt too.
Lets hope for surprise warm days, the gift we all love.
Lets hope for as short of a Winter as what the Summer seemed to be!

I never wanted BOSRUG to becone a rant. The type of things you read all the time. I always wanted to remain a positive collection of inspiration for its readers to get out and enjoy the outdoors. Riding walking or just being.

With a little shift in our outdoor fun and happy get togethers with friends and family, Maybe we could learn to love the cold snowy weather and the short winter days.

But then again, Maybe not.

Lasting Fun

2011-10-22T08:02:00.004-04:00

There is nothing like a bike ride. Not easy to forget, I recall rides years later about things seen and things found.
As I have become older, I tend to just want to "Ride my Horse" and not "Ride my horse into battle."
I have been told that no one rides like I ride. Not for speed but for fun. On road with a off road bike or off road with a road bike, it really doesn't matter. It all about the adventure and as a result,the memories. When it gets hard, the stories get good.
The stories always start out,"There was one time" or "Did I ever tell you about that ride that Me and (fill in the blank) did when we got caught in the rain, in the dark at the 102 mile mark?"
Lasting memories are good enough reason to wear a helmet or to at least write them down.
When things get tough during normal, off the bike, times, its nice to go back in my head and remember better moments when we had the best time anybody could ever imagine on a bicycle. Its what I know as "Lasting Fun"

Indian Summer

2011-10-21T07:50:00.003-04:00

Here comes the cold. It won't be long now that we will be bring out the gloves and the boots to stay comfortable while enjoying the comfort sport of Recumbent Cycling.
Never before has it been so easy to stay warm. Just the other day I heard of heated grips that will fit your bike. Something new everyday and another way to indirectly use fossil fuel. Count the number of battery's one carry's on their bike ride and you may be surprised.
As we get closer to the Winter months, lets enjoy the cooler temperatures while we can! Lets Ride!

Bacchetta 3 Day, The Full Report

2011-09-26T08:32:00.005-04:00

This years event turnout was small.

Friday nights ride was canceled due to heavy heavy rain. It poured here in Belmont, so it was a good thing to "pull the plug."

We did however have a nice dinner and get together at 21 Van Ness with Youtube and Netflix entrainment. Lots of laughs, great food and great beer.

Saturdays ride was sweet. Slow going because of the wet surface and slippery decks along the Charles. The trail had a few walking and running events going on which made riding as we got closer to the Hatch Shell slower and more of a challenge. Fun though!

We split up as a group at about half way back to Waltham and made a b-line to Wheelworks for Recumbent Demos.

Hot and sticky, customers passing by the booth of bicycles on the street were quick to get inside to the AC in the store.

Larger dinner party Saturday evening at 21 Van Ness, with more laughs, fun and food

Sundays "Hub on Wheels" was packed. Parade pace for the first 11 miles, after the Arnold Arboretum, things thinned out and had us riding as a group at our regular comfortable riding speed.
The ride went well and is something all lovers of the wheel should try someday.The route takes you to places you might never go to on any other day.
At the 30 mile mark, the ride takes you along the shore and cooler riding due to the ocean and harbor breeze.
The finish was at what seemed to me a little short of 50 miles Back to City Hall Plaza and a Beer and great band.
On another note about the day: There was a huge film group shooting downtown. The film is called "RIPD" and will be opening sometime in 2012. It was cool to see the production with smashed cars and trucks wetting down the streets for effects. I did get a view of filming where they had some kind of smoke machine and a car that the roof had been crushed down to the doors. Not sure why, but I guess we will have to see the movie. Comments from the film crew about our bike were fun as we got lost trying to find where we parked the car in the morning, Thank you Susie for that!

Bacchetta 3 Day September 23, 24, 25 with Update

2011-08-18T08:16:00.015-04:00

Join us for a fun set of 3 rides and events on the weekend of September 23-25.

A Great time was had by all!

August Ride Anouncement

2011-08-01T08:36:00.011-04:00

Come join us Wednesday August 3rd for an extended BOSRUG adventure.

Ride starts at 10:00 am in Dover Center at the town libary on Dedham St and returning around 3:00.
We will doing a long hilly ride with a lunch stop in Milford at the Cafe Sorrento, A great little place with outdoor seating. We will not be climbing the hill afterwards but arive riding down it.

This promises to be one of the Great BOSRUG adventures of all time so bring your camera.
Any questions should be emailed to the adress to the right---------------------------->

Hope to see you there.

Remember the 4th of July

2011-07-04T00:01:00.000-04:00

History isn't clear. Although the legal separation of the Thirteen Colonies from England occurred on July 2, 1776, the 4th has become the recognized day for celebrating our Independence from the Crown.
The day of freedom means different things to different people. I picture for some its the only day of the year when they eat hot dogs.
Summer foods play a major roll in the 4th BBQ's and picnics. Im sure some folks day is not complete without that special something that has been part of the table for their whole life's. Jello with marsh mellows, A festival of food!
Remembering the 4th means different things to different people.
Remember the catsup!
Remember the paper plates!
I like to remember 3 guys, Tom, Ben and of course John.
They had an idea that should have made our life's easier. Allowing us to be who we are, without connection with a King or Queen. Equal for the most part with as good of a chance as the next guy to become exactly what we want to be.
I also like to remember the French,. The folks we like to forget when it comes to our revolution. Their helping hand was huge.
On this day of fun and fireworks, remember the reason why we celebrate. United in an idea at a time of a not so united United States.

Ahhh! July

2011-07-01T08:03:00.002-04:00

July in New England! Days like these are why we live here, or stay.
Long forgotton are the days of Snosh, cold wet feet, salt on your wheels and bitter cold. Warmer, happier days of sitting back in the sun, (on your bike) are here.
Embrace the day and enjoy every moment! Your wont get another chance at this one again!

Good Bye Spring, Hello Summer!

2011-06-20T08:24:00.004-04:00

Yes, Summer, Doesn't that sound delightful?
One of the coldest Springs I can remember, with only a handful of shorts and short sleeve days. The weather for the most part seemed like April over the last couple of weeks. Isn't Memorial Day next week some time? No, the 4th of July is 2 weeks away!
"Hot Dogs, Pretzels and Beer" Sing it! And sing it loud! I'm ready for Summer!
How about you?

Father's Day

2011-06-19T06:46:00.005-04:00

Happy Father's Day and to all the Mother's that played the roll of Father over the years. You know who you are.
Happy Father's Day to all those that played the roll of Father to a girl or boy, that did not have one. You know who you are.
Most of all, Happy Fathers to all the Fathers that were Fathers and put there children first and foremost. Allowing them to be who they are, to become people that know who they are!

The Wetter, The Greener

2011-06-12T07:13:00.005-04:00

Farmers love this weather. Slow easy rain. Bikers don't.
Wet weather riding has been the topic of the day here on Bosrug. The good and the bad. Dirt build up and how to deal with it. How rainy days are not bad as long as you just get out there. Head down on a "Heads Up" bicycle.
The second cup of coffee rather then the first pedal stroke seems to rule on this non sunny Sunday.
On a nice morning here in Dover. I have seen as many as 200 cyclists go by the house before 8:00 am. Not one today, yet.
Waiting out the rain seems to be the cyclesport of choice this morning. Only the hearty with a small window of time and a training schedule will head out now.
The wetter, the greener, The greener the better, but with me, certainly not the wetter the better!

Of Bee's and Bike's

2011-06-09T08:01:00.014-04:00

About 30 years ago, I was on a bicycle ride I will never forget.
I was riding a Raleigh Surperbe 5 Speed as my go everwhere bike. Heading home, at the at the end of the day and a long ride. at the top of the last hill, I could see below the dirt turn around at Beans field. The air was filled with what looked like dust. I figured it was caused by a truck or car that had just left at speed.
Ready to hold my breath and close my eyes and ride through, I reached that part of the road, and became covered with bees.
Every inch of my body had at least one very confused little fuzzy guy, now coming with me for the ride.
Not a big fan of bee stings, I without thinking sat up and sweeping with both hands, managed to rid myself of the unwanted passengers. The good News, I never got stung once.
I could not stop telling the story to everyone with an ear. What I later found out was that I had rode through a Swarm. I was also told that swarming bees don't usually sting. Their mission in life is to move the hive and follow the new Queen.
As time went by, I never came across a Swarm. I did how ever pick up a bee in flight and get stung.
Here is what I have learned over time: Although we have been taught that bees can only sting once, they can bite more. Sometimes its not a bee at all, but a wasp. Be on the lookout.
Those guys with the big DPW roadside mowers can mow through a hive just as easy as grass, so watch for bees while passing.
If you get stung, stop. Make sure the wasp or bee is not still with you. If they are still in your clothing, you will get stung again.
Find the sting and with your finger nail scratch out anything left by the bee. Stinger and any poison they have as defense. The sooner you do this the better.
Getting stung is not fun. Bees do play a major role in our life but to scare them to the point that they need to sting you can be sometimes be avoided.

Stuffie Report! Stuffie Report!

2011-06-07T16:20:00.009-04:00

Had his been an actual alert, You would have been instructed to go to this place and check the Stuffies out.

Don't.

There a little spot on the Ashland,Hopkinton border on Route 135 with an outdoor deck. I have been wanting to check out for a very long time. Without a huge group, we came in for a landing and stopped for lunch.

We parked the bikes and found the front door on and worked our way through the restraint. After finding the correct door to go outside, One of the regulars standing in the doorway said "Come on in!" Nice. I think she meant her home.

Cools spot, the outdoor deck had a large screen monitor with fishing as entertainment. Plastic see through table tops and ash trays. We thought, maybe we should have locked the bikes.

Stuffies at a $1.75 at the top of the list of appetisers, of course, Bosrog adventure needs to taste test and report back.

Narragansett at $2.00 a can, how could you go wrong?

Gazpacho soup was great, The best I have ever had and fresh.

The Stuffies came. big bowl of butter, Wow, Lemon and some kind of green thing.

They were quahog shells stuffed with bread crumbs, Pimento, and bread crumbs. Maybe a clam bit, but,, maybe not. Hey. $1.75. Come on now.

I will go back. Just to see the two huge guys that walked in covered with tattoos that the biggest of the two said to everyone on the deck, "I'm going to get drunk!" It was 1:30.

The rest of today's ride was great. Staying under cover for the rest of the ride. we did all the super hard hills and manged to not get hit. Not once!

Tunnel Riding

2011-06-03T07:27:00.006-04:00

Ahh!, The Green Tunnel. At this time of year in Southern New England, its possible for a rider to stay under cover for most of their ride. Linking up back country roads narrow enough to have tree cover from the sun for most of the day.

Some such roads can be found South of Boston in what is known as the "M Towns."
Medfield, Millis, Medway, Milford and of course Norfolk. OK, it doesn't start with the letter M, but did you ever hear their High School Cheer? Another perk of the BOSRUG adventure!
As time goes on, things change. Farms and wooded lots are being cut up for developments of questionable taste. The Green Tunnel and Tunnel riding as we know will someday be part of the past. Lets enjoy it while we can!

The Last Day of May

2011-05-31T19:40:00.004-04:00

What a beautiful last day of May! It was Perfect! Hot in the sun and cool in the shade. Bright sun made for a great BOSRUG adventure of the rolling hills in the upper Charles River Watershed. The smells in the air were of full late Spring splendor.
Rhododendrons have popped and could have not looked nicer.
Three riders and 37 miles, our stop for lunch was at the Eagle Brook Saloon in Norfolk,Ma. Top of the special list, Stuffies! Of course we needed to do our job and taste test our favorite light lunch beer snack.
Again, served on a Scallop shell, there wasn't much clam bits or clam taste. Filling and fun to eat, these Stuffies were not my favorite or "Special" although they were on the top of their daily Special list.

On the ride back home, we stopped at one of our favorite farms, Jane and Pauls for eggs and vegetables for the post ride Deep Dish Pizza.

Ride Announcement, Sunday Morning, 5-29

2011-05-26T07:47:00.000-04:00

Meet us in Waltham AT 8:30 AM, across the street from the Waltham Watch Factory on Crescent Street for a ride down the "River Walk" bicycle path to the Bunker Hill Monument and back.
This is a ride that Geoff and I did last year on this date and found the streets along the river closed off for the "Run to Remember" half marathon.
RSVP at 508-333-4056 if your running late or can not find the starting point in Waltham.
Hard rain will cancel the ride. Hope to see you there!

Add This One to Your List

2011-05-25T06:54:00.006-04:00

There is a new museum at the Watch Factory in Waltham.
Known as the Waltham Watch Company, the building is now a combination of office space, living quarters and retail space soon to come.
At the main entrance, remembering that past, there is a very nicely done collection of tools, watches, clocks and photos from the buildings past. Displayed beautifully, the little display gives me the feeling of a time in Walthams past when things were done right.

This is a must see and is open for free to the public any time the building is open for business.

Employee Bicycle Parking

Ride Announcement, 5-25-11

2011-05-24T09:02:00.002-04:00

Slow roller around our favorite hills and byways starting in Dover Center at the library parking lot on Dedham Street at 10:30am,Wednesday. Bring cash and a lock for lunch.
RSVP at 508-333-4056 Hope to see you there.

Dealing

2011-05-22T07:21:00.002-04:00

The first thing that comes to a new recumbent customer's mind is if you can bee seen on the road. The fact of the matter is that you are seen more because of the oddity of the machine. Drivers sometimes cant take their eye off of you.
Because drivers for the most part are not really sure what their looking at, they pass at greater distances and give the rider more space.
That said, if the driver isn't looking at the road, they will not see anything. Riders talk about how bad it is now with texting and emails being read behind the wheel but quickly has been forgotten that drivers have always been pre-occupied while operating their car. Years ago without seat belts, kids could climb over seats and distract the driver that was sometimes smoking. It was a time when there were no bicycle paths or lanes. It has gotten better over time because drivers now know what its like to pass a bicycle.
As riders we know dangerous intersections. We know where to be along side trucks and how to "Be Seen."
I have always gone with the understanding that I should always ride as though invisible. Never expecting that I have been seen. Eye contact with drivers before crossing in front. Its only when I forget, thing can get bad.

8:30am Watch Factory, Waltham, 5-22-11

2011-05-21T08:18:00.008-04:00

We are going to meet tomorrow morning for a mixed group of riders for a ride to the North End for coffee and pastry at Mikes.
Ride starts at the parking lot across from the Watch Factory on Crescent St in Waltham. This will be a slow going, stick together ride.
The ride will follow the "River Walk" bicycle trail to the TD North Garden and if time will head over to Charlestown for a loop around the Bunker Hill Monument.
Up right bicycles invited. Pass the word. Hope to see you there.

The Best Tool for the Job

2011-05-18T06:41:00.003-04:00

Reprinted from 3-11-2010

The job of walking got complicated with the invention of the bicycle. Needing to do something faster usually does. Just how to cycle became more complicated with the starting of the patent office. Who gets credit and paid for how we choose to do things is very complicated indeed!
Over the years with the invention of some new tools, frendships have ended and friends gone there own ways. Some I'm sure some of them never talked again.
The guy with the first chain saw I'm sure pissed off all his friends with their old style of wood cutting. The noise, the smoke, and the speed of how much wood you could cut up in one tenth the time. It drowned out the chop chop chop of the lonely axe for sure. You know they all smiled when the first chain saw operator's cut themselves. Served them right for being so,,,,,New, Or something like that.
Here in New England we are the first to invent something, but the last to except it. If it was really that good or needed, someone would have invented it already.
Just what was the first guy with the first cell phone trying to prove? Couldn't he wait to make or receive a call? What kind of person needs to have a phone all the time anyway? Everyone?
The "Art" of photography went away the day we changed from Photo-Chemical process to Digital, Didn't it? Nope!
Trying something new can always be an experience. Sometimes good, sometimes bad. Having the knowledge of at least trying the new tool can be reassuring that your opinion was correct or prove you wrong.
One of my all time favorite Bicycle Moments was with a Senior Cyclist, Joseph Cote.
On the subject of Fixed Gear Bicycle Riding, he told me that when he was a winning bicycle racer back in the 30's, that when ever anybody showed up with "one of those derailleur bikes" They knew they were out of shape!
Funny how things change!

Choosing the Right Recumbent

2011-05-15T23:54:00.007-04:00

Choosing the right recumbent can be difficult. It sometimes takes having to buy a couple of bikes over time to really get what you should have bought in the first place.
Many buyers shop with price in mind. They have a limit as to how much they want to spend and if they go over they will only have to answer to them self's after all is said and done. Spending mony to lighten the bike up is what I have done with cheap bikes and when I was finished, afterall the money I spent, I could have bought the bike of my dreams to began with.
I'm sure all readers have bought something at one time realizing that they should have bought "up" and in the long run could have actually saved them money. Cameras come to my mind.
Because designers are not always bicycle mechanics, its not always easy to get a recumbent that makes sense.
Small rear wheels for Recumbents are a bad idea. Good for folding bicycles but the whole road bicycle industry is based around the 26" wheel and if a smaller wheel is chosen for the job of powering the bicycle, it will not have a large enough gear ratio to keep up in traffic or keep up with bikes that have large wheels. Unless the chainset is equipped with a larger then commonly available sized large chain ring, the bicycle will be too low geared and too slow.
Suspension is a great idea for cars, motorcycles and off road bicycles, but the simple road bicycle design is forgoton when it comes to climbing hills. Shock pivot points wear out and are not always available in the future. Shocks fail and for most of the riding, reading the road, you can do just fine without.The weight of a bicycle, especialy recumbents is so important with our stop and go world here in New England. Heavier bicycles are fine for the flat, but dabbling at speeds from 0-8mph, you need a light bike and a light wheelset. Smaller wheels can be light as long as their under 1" cross section. Most small wheels actually weigh more then lightweight road wheels. Imagen having a wheel made of stone. How long would it take to bring it up to speed and how long would it take to stop it?
The proof is in the pudding. All of my Recumbent events have small wheeled recumbent riders with shocks dropping off the back of the ride. Slower bikes are harder to ride, and a heaver bike is harder to climb hills.
Customers need to buy any item from people who use them. In the case of bicycles, for the most part, all the sales people I have worked with over the past 30 years have been honest folk. They would never sell anything that they thought the customer would be unhappy with and have to return. Honesty is the best policy with both party's and when it comes to buying a Recumbent, ask yourself exactly what are you planning to do with the bike and let the experts help you decide.

No Sun in Sight

2011-05-15T08:06:00.008-04:00

One look at the ten day weather forecast will show you that were in for a long stretch of cloudy and sometimes wet weather. One can only guess how green it will get and how little riding will be going on.
Only the diligent with ether places to go, miles to train, and the "need" to get out will be seen on the streets of Southern New England for what looks like a while.
Tips on how to deal have been covered in this blog time and time again. Embracing the rain and understanding that staying warm is the only thing important.
I remember me and my friend Chris passing a fellow in a kayak while pedaling under water, close to neck deep at Lake Waban in Wellesley. We were not trying to stay dry. That was the same day we took cover in a shed because of the thunder and lighting. Moments later, the shed got hit.
I don't remember the next day of riding, but I will always remember that one.
Rain always makes things different and thus, interesting. Stories to tell later in life and a remembrance of when we had a chance to really be alive.

Happy Birthday, Ben!!!

2011-05-14T00:42:00.008-04:00

posted by Danni

So, if the credit card receipt can be believed, a year ago today Scott finished building my bike and I took Bender (Ben) home for the first time. I find it hard to remember what life was like before I had my recumbent. I have had so many wonderful experiences and I've met so many wonderful people because of my bike, some in passing and some who I believe will be friends for life, that I don't even want to think of how things would be if I hadn't bought Ben. Scott definitely knew what he was doing when, much to Brad's horror, he said to me, "I'm putting in the order for your bike I need a $50 deposit." My response, "If I don't like the bike, do I get my money back?" "Of course," said Mr. Chamberlain. And that was that! I know Scott knew that I would like my bike when he ordered it, but I wonder if he had any idea just HOW MUCH I would end up LOVING my bike!!!!

On the first attempt to get my bike it wasn't ready. I ended up going to Brad's place where he trusted me to take apart his bike as I learned how to change a tire. (I'm sure that trust had everything to do with the beer he was drinking. I wouldn't have trusted me. I was pretty inept! ;-) The next day my daughter and I returned to see Scott who was just finishing putting my bike together. He took me for my test ride. I rode Ben for the first time while Scott joked and kidded with Alexa. I was hooked. I definitely had the 'recumbent silly smile' going on that day!!

Here are some highlights from the year with Ben:

- Wow!! This is so much fun and nothing hurts. How do you find the will power to stop riding?

- Hey, there are 15 minutes left of sunlight. I can make it to the grist mill and back.

- Yikes! It really is nasty doing the hills on a recumbent. Splat - onto the pavement!!! There goes the first mirror!!

- I'm SO READY for clipless pedals. Splat Again! Ooops! There goes the second mirror!

- My first morning group ride - breakfast in Waltham. The restaurant is closed!! Bummer!! But the muffins from the shop up the street are yummy!! (Note to self - bring an extra Cliff bar when riding with Brad just in case it is necessary ;-)

- CRASH!!! Hit by a car on my brand new bike. "Don't worry about me, I'm fine! IS MY BIKE O.K?!!!" Ben gets a ride home in the back of an ambulance. I have some VERY impressive, colorful bruises.

- First time at Scott's place. Scott makes fresh homemade bread and yummy chicken!! Brad sweats gallons in the extreme heat as he works hard at making Ben better than new after the accident. Ben is a tank!! Brad and Scott are my heroes!!!!

- My first ride near the coast - North Shore. Lunch at Woodman's - fried clams and beer. A very good day!

- A ride to the abbey where the nuns make and sell chocolate. A really cranky nun serves us. Scott gets a nail puncture, through not only his tire but his rim too, immediately after making a joke about the nun. Coincidence? I think not!!

- Graffiti at the trellis. EXTREMELY COOL!!!!! We barely make it back to the Wayside Inn because of the heat. A beer never tasted so good.

- The Fourth of July!! A wonderful ride! I meet Susie for the first time. She thinks I'm a bitch since I don't chat with her because I'm listening to music (exaggerating a wee bit ;-) She doesn't realize that without music I don't make it up the hills (not exaggerating at all!!) We stop to watch model airplanes. I see my first wild toucan!!! An extremely yummy BBQ! A killer game of croquet ensues where I completely kick Brad's ass - o.k. I'll admit it, I cheated ;-) An amazing night watching fireworks at the tower with Scott! My light dies on the way down the mountain. Where the heck am I? Better yet, where the hell is Scott and why did he leave me!!!!!!

- Bacchetta weekend!! Susie buys a recumbent. I guess she likes me after all. A really hot, long ride on Sunday! As usual, I wipe out on my bike. I need more touch up paint and yet another mirror. (Scott makes me buy backup mirrors for when I break the next one ;-)

- Bonfires, beer, and foosball at Scott's house. I'm REALLY not good at foosball, but I like it just the same. I'm a sucker for humiliation.

- An amazingly gorgeous ride in Ipswich. Sunny onshore - a HUGE thunderhead just offshore! Awe inspiring!!! (That is as long as it stays off shore and I don't get wet. It does!!!) A lovely picnic by the water!

- Teaching Susie how to ride her recumbent on the Nashua River rail trail. An interesting day ;-)

- NO!!!!! NOT the Rte 2 rotary!!! Scott's trying to kill us!!!! Luckily our friendship survived that one. After successfully getting through that ordeal, we'll be friends forever ;-)

- WAIT!!!! Do I REALLY fit into size 4 jeans?!!!!!!!!!!!!! (Have I mentioned how much I LOVE Ben?)

- Too wet to ride. Let's can tomatoes!!

- What? You want me to write the blog while you're in Spain? You've got to be kidding. Oh well, I guess so. If I have to!!!

- Susie and I go to the BikesNotBombs event and pedal a cider press. We decide we are hungry and go to a BYOB restaurant. We bring a very interesting bottle of wine!!! (Giggles ;-)

- Riding with the Sudbury uprights. WOW!!!!! Recumbents are FAST!!!!! Oh wait, not on the up-hills!!!

- Scott's beer around the world Christmas party. Great food!! Great people!!

- Lots of snow. Missing riding!

- More snow. Missing riding even more!!

- O.k. enough with the snow!!!!! I'm going through withdrawal. I need to ride NOW!!!!!!!

- I accidentally sign up for riding 100 miles in 30 days and it's still freezing out!!! Yikes. Oh well. I guess somebody is trying to tell me to get my sorry ass back on my bike and go riding!!!

- What is a stuffie, anyway? Oh . . . yummy!!!

- Did that hawk just get that dove? I hope not. I would cry!!!

- Hmmmm! I've never ridden in the rain before! I can't see a thing. (Note to self - next time bring something with which to wipe my glasses.) And my outerwear bike gear works perfectly! The outside of the gear is wet, but I am completely dry. I love good gear!!!!!

- I nudge Ben just as I am putting a coat in the closet near where he is kept. NOOOOOO, don't fall onto the tile floor. Damn!!!! Yet another mirror!!! (Text to Scott – I am out of spare mirrors . . . AGAIN!!)

- Ahhhh!!! The lilacs are in bloom. I can think of only one thing that smells better! Can there be a better time of the year to ride?

It has been an amazing year with Ben! Thank you, Brad, for agreeing to help me buy a bike and for introducing me to recumbents and Scott. Thank you, Scott, for being such a wonderful person and creating such an amazing social culture for recumbent riders. For all of you with whom I have already ridden, I've enjoyed it! For those of you who I have yet to ride with, I look forward to the pleasure of meeting you.

Happy Heads-up Riding!! Enjoy the season!!

And do slow down to smell the flowers (especially the lilacs) as you ride by - I don't care if atom bomb says it is dangerous ;-)

Rainy Day Riding

2011-05-11T08:01:00.016-04:00

When ever I feel down about a day off when the weather is wet, I always consider the alternative, working on a wet day.
Business is slower with more time to "catch up" but being home without the need for busy work and doing things to "look" busy is always better. I have always felt that when its slow, its totally the fault of the employees.
It has nothing to do with lack of sun, its all our fault. Or so we are made to believe.
In the United Kingdom its wet a lot. When you look back at catalogs from the 30's, all the bikes came with "Mudguards". They invented the word. Fenders to us, its just the way it was and if they didn't come with fenders, the bicycle was for riding indoors on a track.
The comfort sport of Recumbent Cycling for the most part is fender or mudguard free. Rain free too!
Announce a Mountain Bike festival and it could be raining rocks and you would have a huge turnout. Rain doesn't stop mountain bikers and a stick in the eye is a badge of courage.
The threat of rain let alone a drop stops Recumbent riders in their tracks. Ohhhhh! It loooks liiikee RAIN!
Looking out the window from the house or a car is always worse than actually being in it. As long as you clean your bike after the ride things will be fine. Reduced speeds with the fear of slip has you seeing and enjoying your outdoor experience more. The enhanced smells with the wet trees and flowers makes for a sensual enjoyable adventure that makes coming home to a dry place all the nicer.

Thinking Outside the Box and the Recumbent Cyclist

2011-05-10T08:34:00.011-04:00

Recumbent riders are usually folks that think outside the box. Considering a different way of doing things always offers a wider more full style of living and with an open mind allows one to see things with a far greater prospective.
People as a whole follow a style that allows themselves to be the person they want to be. Many cyclists dress and play the roll of pro riders, wearing the "Kit" and riding as if it was their job. Although most will never race and if they do, will never experience the level of extreme discipline of pro racing, they like the look and act the part as if they do. Heavy stuff, but when opinions are spoken about practices of pro riders getting by in their extra tough job, their opinion never takes into account the lack of ones own personal experience.
Many riders would never ride a recumbent. Many have opinions about what is like to ride one. Evan a rear view mirror that could save their lives would never be found on most riders bicycles just because of the way they look.
Dress up is fun, we did it as kids. Some of my friends hurt themselfs jumping off of roofs with a bed sheet tied to their sholders because they thought that it was all it would take to fly, like Superman.
Flying is easy if you have a plane. Pro racing is not even with a $8000,00 bicycle, $600.00 worth of clothing and 60 miles of riding a day.
Playing the roll of a Recumbent cyclist isn't hard. All you need is a recumbent, spare time and an open mind. Thinking outside the box will have you in short order not only looking the part but actually being, a "Recumbent Cyclist."

Thinking Outside the Box, 5 Speed Jack's Bass Bike

Ride Anouncement. Wednesday May 11

2011-05-08T09:05:00.002-04:00

Come join us for another Bosrug adventure around the rolling lanes and byways of the Metro West.
Ride starts a 10:00 am in Dover center at the library parking lot and will head out on some of our favorite roads around the Charles River and beyond.
Bring cash and a lock for a light lunch stop.
The ride will be about 30 miles and return back to the parking lot around 2:00.
Hope to see you there.

Two Days on the Road

2011-05-05T07:45:00.009-04:00

How exciting! Heading off for a two day Bosrug adventure for an overnight at the Wayside Inn in historic Sudbury Ma.!
The weather forecasted did not look good. Rain on and off and cloudy.
Packing for rain is always more gear and more of a consideration. As we packed, the sun came out and really did not look as if it was going to go back in.
The plan for the day was to stay on back roads for a s long as possible except for the crossing of Route 9 and the Mas pike. Boston has a band of highly traveled roads heading West out of Boston so to cross from the South to the North, a Cyclist needs to know the best crossing for the safest roads.
We headed out after rush hour and rode south on some of the prettiest roads in Southern New England. The Spring color was at its peak. Flowering trees with every glance and every corner. The Lilac's have popped and the Forsythia is just now starting to go by.
The plan was to stop at the John Stone Inn in Ashland for a light lunch and be to the Wayside by 6:00 to meet with Danni for a picnic that she was preparing.
The text on my cell phone said "Be Hungry!" so lunch would just be soup and a beer, outdoors, because the sun never went in. How perfect. Mid to high 70's with a light wind. the smell of the air was like Heaven!
We arrived at the Inn at exactly 3:00 (Check in time!) and dumped our gear and headed out again for a bottle of wine for the room. The only spot was down old RT 20, one of the busiest roads around.
We made is safely back to the Inn and asked for a safe place to keep the Recumbents for the evening. See the photo:
The Henry Ford bedroom

At 6:30 the text on the cell phone said, "Were Here!" We went down stares and found Danni and her lovely Daughter, Alexa with huge smiles. Too chilly now for an outside picnics, we went to the car and got the large cooler and 3 large bags of dinner for a indoor picnic in room #9.
Something I have done before with other friends and family, we love to bring our dinner and have our own space.
A school night for Alexa, we cleaned up the room and packed the cooler to return to the car.
Much to our suprize, as we passed the Ford Bedroom, the tables and bicycles had been pushed aside and there about 18 people dancing with a fife and drum. Colonial Dancing, we were pulled into the room and added to the group. We really had no choice in the matter. Danni went right to it as if she not only knew that it was going to happen but as if she belonged. Alexa and I just looked on until we too got pulled in.
Wonderful! The dancers did not care that I had no idea what I was doing.

You don't need a place far away for a overnight, You just need the Wayside Inn!

Ride Anouncment, Wednesday 5-4-11

2011-05-02T09:12:00.004-04:00

Meet us for a 30 mile roller around historic Sudbury on Wednesday May 5th starting at the Wayside Inn's old grist mill on Wayside Inn Road, just down the street from the Inn.
Ride starts at 11:00 and will stop at the Horseshoe Pub in Hudson for a light lunch.
Bring locks and cash for our stop.
Rain cancels the ride, but light drizzle will only make it better.
RSVP at 508-333-4056.
Hope to see you there.

The Quest for the Perfect Stuffie, Part, Whatever!

2011-04-28T07:17:00.013-04:00

Hello? Can we talk? But first, could someone please call the Stuffie Police?
I mean really, Stuffie's are an art, Clam Meatloaf in a Ashtray, ya, but the art medium needs to follow some sort of form, at least to start. Right?

Capt' Marden's in Wellesley offers a "Stuffed Clam" at there take out. (remember the town, the stuffy ,fictional caracter Charles from the TV show, M.A.S.H. was from? BTW, differnt kind of stuffy. Thats Wellesley.)
Premium priced, one might expect premium product. Maybe its just me, but shouldn't there be at least some ground rules for our favorite apri-cruise beer snack?
If there isn't, then lets at least consider what one might expect.
First, You need a Quahog Shell. Need.
Cherry stone shell's are cute, but clearly way to small for all the stuffed,,, hmmm,, stuff.
After that one would expect Clams and bread crumbs. Its that simple, Quahog Shell, stuffed with bread crumbs and clam. Give the job to a child and it should work out, right?

Marden's starts with a Scallop shell, Cute, but no cigar and no ashtray for the cigar. This says two things, The clams did not come from the shell, and they really dont want to "Stuff" a Clam! Hello? You cant "Stuff" a Scallop shell! It sits on top.
Change the name to something like, "Scallop shells topped with Stuffed Clam stuffing" or St Jacque,,something! But not Stuffed Clams. Can you Imagine telling them that you want a bag of clams and pointing at the Scallops? (wiggle your finger, stomp on the floor, "no, the clams!")
Which brings up another topic. Mardens uses more bacon then clams.

Keeping in the Swellesly tradition, small and expensive is cute for some, But taking the roll of the best, one expects that a little homework on the subject would need to be done and the medium be taken as a challenge to be the best.

After all is said, Mardens did do a great job at there version. They were quite yummy, but not the Southern New England tradition one would expect.

No Sun for Easter Sunday

2011-04-24T07:06:00.005-04:00

I have never been a big fan of sunny days. The extra exposure to the rays and the added glare can be a problem.
Photography and cycling alike, the sun can make things difficult at times and for comfortable riding, I prefer cloudy and 55 degrees.
That said, except for the fog and damp roads, today will be a great day to ride!
I hope you all get out today.

It turned out to be a Beautiful Sunny and Warm day today. The nicest day this year!

The Easter Sunday Ride and The New Beginning

2011-04-22T09:13:00.005-04:00

Easter Sunday has always been a time when the "Good Bike" comes out. Warmer weather makes for a nice ride and with flowers in bloom, a new beginning.
Easter, if not for anything else is just that. Like the symbolism of the egg, a new beginning.
Recumbents for the most part and for most people are their New Beginning. The new style of riding with a heads up view. What new rider hasn't felt re-born after getting the balance and the feel down.
If you are still thinking about adding a Recumbent to your lifestyle. Know this:
Come on in, The water is fine!

"April Showers may Bring Recumbents " Ride Report

2011-04-20T13:59:00.003-04:00

Two Riders, Fifteen miles.

Cold and Raw. No rain, not evan one drop. It felt damp, but never wet.

A new rider to the Bosrug adventures, Barbara from Medfield showed and we went out to explore the mishap at the Walker Home bridge on Centre/Central on the Dover/Needham town line. Retired Cheif Carl Sherden gave us the whole story how a truck went through the railing and,,, Well you would have had to be there to get the full story. It looks as if the Bridge will be closed for a while.
Wilsondale Street was dry and fast. Always a pleasure.
As cold as the day was. the ride was nice. Every moment, a blast! We split up at Pine Street in Dover, (the street that Barbara lives on) and made plans for a ride sometime at a later date. I assured her that the rest of our group will love to have her along.

I admit it - I am a Wimp!

2011-04-20T12:01:00.004-04:00

posted by Danni

So, this morning when I was taking my daughter to school I decided that the day was cold, raw, and on the unpleasant side and I really wasn't looking forward to going biking. When I got home I scolded myself for being such a wimp and went about getting myself ready for the ride. However, when it came time to put Ben in the car and I went out and it was still cold, raw, and unpleasant, I was really second guessing myself as to whether I truly wanted to ride or not. I came into the house and called Scott who was quick to assure me that, "Yes, the first 15 minutes of the ride are really going to SUCK!!!!" (Oh great, that’s just what I needed to hear!) He continued to say that he had ridden yesterday in the same sort of weather and after the start it ended up being a really nice ride. O.K! He convinced me. I was going to ride. I know from experience that often the best times are had when you are most reluctant to start out and you have low expectations. I was in! I got in my car and started to drive to Scott's house and half way there, of course, it started to rain.

At this point I figured the powers of the universe were doing their best to convince me that today just wasn't a day for me to ride. Now, I'm going to guess that by Scott's house not a single drop of rain has fallen, nor will it, because I cancelled the ride and the powers of universe were just trying to make me look like a wimp. (They succeeded!) However I am 100% certain that had I sucked it up and insisted on riding, we would have gotten to the furthest point away from Scott's house where there were no public places in which to take cover, and it would have started pouring and the gods would be laughing at me for not heeding their warnings. So there you have it. The gods have won. I admit it. I am a wimp!!

Now, I am well aware that after teasing the boys who rode last Tuesday about their misadventures, that I am leaving myself wide open to much ridicule given the fact that I actually backed out of today's ride. However, I have come to realize that I am the only person who, after having read the weather forecast, still RSVP'd yes for the ride. Now call it stupidity, lack of experience, wishful thinking, etc., but I was really hoping the ride would work out today and I still feel terrible for canceling. So Scott, given that you were the ONLY person who was up to doing the ride today, please feel free to tease me mercilessly. All of you others, I just want to point out that you bagged out even before I did. So if any of YOU would like to give me a hard time for wimping out, I am putting my fingers in my ears and humming loudly in a sing-song voice, "I'm not listening!!!!!!"

"April Showers may Bring Recumbents" Ride

2011-04-17T09:00:00.027-04:00

Join us for another BOSRUG adventure today,
4-20-11, at 11:00 am.

Tuesday, 4-19-11. at 12:15 pm (click on this photo}

RSVP at my email address to the right ------------>

We again will be riding as a group to somewhere nice for a light lunch and returning back to Dover sometime around 2:00.

We hope to see you there!

Ride Photos

2011-04-14T08:07:00.005-04:00

The Quest for the Perfect Stuffie

2011-04-13T07:16:00.016-04:00

Six Stops with in the first mile!
The ride got off slowly as if we all needed a good mechanic or something. Issues with fit, tire hop, and clicking sounds, it took us close to an hour to go the first mile and a half to the Sherborn town line.
Four men on a mission, The Quest for the perfect "Stuffie", (Clam Meatloaf in a Ashtray."
The closer we got the hungrier we got. Some riders never had tasted this Southern New England treat. Trusting the lead riders, the group followed through with plan. Over hill and hill again. Using their noses as guides to seek and conqure.
Waves from some of the passing cars and thumbs up from one Fedex driver., The riders intent and look on their faces said it all. This was not just another test ride. The riders meant business and their goal would be achieved with honor and grace.
At the second mile we stopped again.

At the tenth stop it was duly noted that having reached the sixth mile, that we had traveled almost 4 miles with out one stop and the longest we had ridden as a group this year
Recumbent muscles are something that just aren't used while drinking beer and watching movies. The sport that was practiced over the cold snowy winter. Grunts and grown's, (Know as Geesing) could be heard by the people we passed.
Blaming it on the machinery, the men journied forward to seek and now in their minds, destroy the innocent Stuffies.

Sunglasses photo

The Hill.

And The Hits Keep on Coming!

2011-04-06T09:33:00.001-04:00

Twenty Thousand of them!
Thanks for reading BOSRUG!

2011-04-04T20:25:00.005-04:00

Remember to click on the photos to make them larger. Double click when yoy see the + icon.

Snow? No Joke!

2011-04-01T08:27:00.007-04:00

Just what we dont need, Spring snow. Just when we thought it was over. More of the white stuff.

March went quickly. like a flash. It never seemed to warm up, I can only remember a couple of days where it reached 50 degrees.

One can only hope, warm days are on the way, but dont count on it. We are in New England

Ride Report

2011-03-30T15:21:00.006-04:00

Two riders. 27 miles, fast pace.
What a beautiful day! Cold and windy and if anybody wants to argue, we saw piles of snow that were not melting.

I would have to say that the best part of the ride today was when we noticed a huge flock of doves, with one black pigeon, (same bird by the way) flying around and around,. So beautiful with the bright sunlight lighting up the wings as they went into full sun.
Out of what seemed nowhere, came a good sized hawk and flew into the passing, swooping group.
It seemed to have one for a while and took off out of the group. It got loose and later joined the flock at a much higher altitude.
We did a really nice ride of all back roads with Crocuses popping up with every glance. Its Spring here, finally and today made us feel as if we were over the hump.
Enjoy the photos:

Ride Anouncement, Wed, 3-30-11

2011-03-28T09:25:00.011-04:00

Come join us for a slow early Spring ride around Dover, Westwood, Medfield, Sherborn, Natick and back to Dover.

Ride starts at the Dover library in Dover Center on Dedham Street at 11:00 and finishes around 1:30. Bring cash and lock for possable lunch stop.
This will be a great ride for new riders as well as seasoned cyclists. Recumbents only please.
RSVP by emailing me at the address to the right. Hope to see you there!

East Bay Trail Ride Report

2011-03-23T18:56:00.009-04:00

What a great day and what a great ride. Two riders, Thirty miles.
We got to the starting spot a little late taking our time to do things right. With a little stop at East Providence Cycles looking for a 24x1" tube. They had never seen that size, ever. This gave us the feeling that we were no longer at home and in a very different part of the world. (It doesn't take much!)
On the trail by 12:00 we figured that taking our time was best. We bundled up and slow going made our way South along the riderless trail. We pretty much had the trail to ourselves today.
After the first 10 miles we started to smell Stuffies. Maybe it was just me but following my nose we came across this great restaurant by the name of "Jacks". When we walked through the door the waitress asked, "How many Stuffies will you be having today?"
Like a dream come true and at the same time not believing the story for an instant, I said, "Two Please!"
Out they came, in all there stuffed glory!

After getting "stuffed" ourselves, we headed further South along the trail.
Passing people along the way I noticed for the first time, that walkers just were not as surprised with the looks of the recumbent as they use to be from years past. It was almost as if they expected to see us.
Quick fix, We stopped and put on each recumbent a large piece of beach bamboo, Correct me if I'm wrong about the name, But it was when the smiles started again. Everyone noticed the long grass thing and laughed and waved, just like old times.

On the way back we got into a little bit of flurrie action, but never enough to get wet. Just enough though to remind us that "Old Man Winter" wants to come along with us into the spring and not die yet!

All in all a great ride and a fantastic way to spend the day, again, Heads Up, in our favorite part of the world, New England.

My mapmyride Spring Challenge Status

2011-03-22T08:02:00.003-04:00

posted by Danni

I just thought I'd give an update on my mapmyride mileage status. Happily, I am currently on vacation in Bonaire in the Netherland Antilles. Before leaving home I had ridden 90 miles out of my 100. I was hoping to do the last 10 miles here on the island on a mountain bike. The resort claimed that they rented mountain bikes so I brought my bike shorts, my bike shirt, and my helmet. (Heck! I even brought bike snacks!! Well, snacks for me, not for the bike ;-) I was planning on finishing off my 100 miles in 'island style.'

However, this morning when I went to inquire about renting a mountain bike, I was informed that they had decided to discontinue the mountain bike program this very week. Saturday, the day I arrived, was the last day to be able to rent bikes. Just my luck! It turns out too many people were returning the bikes completely destroyed. The weekly maintenance on the bikes was becoming too much of a burden and they weren't making any money on the rentals. Sadness!!

I had planned on writing an article about how I had cheated on Ben. (Yes, my recumbent has a name. For more on that read my article: The Perils of Naming a Bike!) I was going to write about being unfaithful to my recumbent and whether I enjoyed the infidelity or not, but alas, it is not going to happen this vacation. I guess I'll just have to spend more time in the water, scuba diving with the fishies, and finish off my 100 miles when I return home.

And maybe, just maybe, if I'm really nice to Scott he will find a way to take me mountain biking this summer – but shhhhhh!! Whatever you do, don't tell Ben!!!

Nashua River Rail Trail Report

2011-03-21T09:19:00.004-04:00

I received a report last night from reader/rider Doug M letting me know that parts of the Nashua River Rail Trail are 4" deep in snow. Remember that white stuff of Winter?
With today's weather report of 3" due to fall outside of route 495, it doesn't look good for Wednesdays social ride on that particular trail. A slight change will be important so here's an Idea:
The East Bay Trail starting in East Provenience starting at 11:00am. Possibly a tour afterwards of the new Narragansett Brewery in Provenience.
Any takers?

Still feel like Winter to you? Listen to the Peepers below, but don't expect to see them!

What a Great Photo!

2011-03-20T18:45:00.004-04:00

John Shlitter shot by Forrest Halford on a foggy Iowa morning

The Nashua River Rail Trail, Wed. 3-23-11

2011-03-17T09:15:00.007-04:00

Again, we will have a Bosrug group ride on this wonderful trail. Starting from the north and heading South for a lunch break, and then back to the cars.
The trail is mostly flat and will allow us to ride side by side for a real Bosrug social. This is a super easy ride and is perfect to get the Recumbent Legs back in shape for the up coming season. Ride starts at 11:00 am. Looks like its going to be a great day for this ride.
RSVP at the email address to the right so we will know your coming.

Ride Announcement, Wednesday 3-16-11

2011-03-14T10:24:00.005-04:00

Twentyfive mile, slow roller starting in Dover at 11:00. RSVP by emailing me at the address to the right.
Hope to see you there!

It's Officially Recumbent Riding Season

2011-03-13T10:59:00.002-04:00

posted by Danni

How do I know? Because it can't truly be recumbent riding season until I've fallen over on my bike, which I did yesterday - so it's official!! So how did it happen this time, you ask? Well, I came to a stop sign at the top of a fairly steep hill. I needed to be clipped in to make it up the hill, but when I got to the stop sign I couldn't get my right foot unclipped. You see, I was wearing my wonderfully warm, toasty Lake boots which I love almost as much as I love my bike. However, on Mr. Chamberlain's expert advice, I bought the boots big enough to be able to wear double socks to keep my feet nice and toasty on the really cold days, which works. I'm happy! Yesterday, though, was not a really cold day so I was only wearing one pair of socks. Even with the shoes tightened as much as I could tighten them, there was still a little bit of wiggle room - enough so, that when I needed to get unclipped quickly, my foot was moving inside the shoe and not giving me enough torque to get out of the pedal quickly enough and . . . BAM!!!!

As I was lying on the ground, tangled in my bike, I found myself laughing hysterically. I mean how is it that I can be extremely graceful off of a bike and such an extreme klutz once I am riding? Luckily, with only a few exceptions, I am typically alone when I have these misadventures. That is one saving grace, at least. And yesterday I fell on the right side of my bike so, bonus, at least I didn't have to replace my mirror yet again!! (I've started keeping a spare since I break them so often.) Anyway, my guess is that it's just the "powers that be" trying to keep me humble. It's working!!

In any case, it was a gorgeous day to ride yesterday. I did a 31 mile ride with a nice little pit stop at the Horseshoe Pub in Hudson where I got to enjoy some Leffe on tap. Today isn't as sunny, but still it's warm. I'll be doing another 30 miles. That will get me to 75 miles done on my goal to my ipad ;-) Only 25 more to go!

I hope you can get out and ride today. After all, the touch-up paint is out - it's riding season!!!

The Perfect Peeper Prank

2011-03-10T09:40:00.006-05:00

For those of you that dont know what a Peeper or Spring Peeper is, Its a little peeping noise heard around wet lands at night at this time of year. Made by a tiny tree frog, their call can only be heard for only about 3 weeks after the first warm day and full ice melt. After that Im not sure what happens to them, but for me. Peepers have been my first real sign of Spring. When I first hear them, I know Winter is over. We could get more snow, but after Peepers, It doesn't last long.
Last year a friend of mine, Frank Cunningham, and I went out and recorded Peepers and turned it into a CD of Spring noises. Last week after transferring the recording to two small speakered MP3 players, had a pocket of peepers to take along.
Because no one bothers to look for the frogs, When they hear the peeping, they don't bother to look for the sound source.
Last night with all the ponds still frozen at the Sugar Shack in South Natick, Chris Yoder and I set up the "Pocket Peepers" at the door and went inside to watch them boil sap to Maple Syrup.
It wasn't long before someone went out to check the tank of sap and returned smiling announcing that the Peepers had arrived! Spring is here!
He said it was strange though, They sounded as if they were coming from the wood pile!

85.66 miles to go . . .

2011-03-09T17:58:00.007-05:00

posted by Danni

So today was the first ride of the "Call It Fate" tour for me. It was the coldest ride I've ever done - around 35 degrees. It wasn't too bad, but it was a learning experience. I've heard people say that you have to start the ride out being a bit cold. That doesn't work for me. Why not? Well, I could be wearing my heavy long underwear, ski pants, an anorak covering a heavy fleece sweater, a balaclava, one of those really heavy Russian hats (you know the ones I mean,) scarf, mittens, hand warmers, and toe warmers and I'd STILL start the ride off being cold!! So, the question becomes HOW cold should I be when I start off the ride? The answer . . . colder than I was when I started today. Half way through the ride I was overheating so much that I had to stop and peel off several layers. By the time I caught up with Scott, who very kindly waited for me once he realized I wasn't behind him, he was snoring, sound asleep, leaning on his handlebars at the side of the road. (It must have taken me a lot longer than I thought to strip down.) With a couple of not so gentle pokes, I was able to wake him and we resumed our ride. Next time . . . no fleece shirt!!

I also found out today just how quickly one could get completely out of shape. Somebody once told me that I'd have an easier time riding this year (my second year of riding) even if I didn't ride my bike over the winter. That certainly wasn't the case today!! I couldn't help thinking about that and laughing to myself as I was absolutely dying while trying to make it up the hills. I am SOOO out of shape. And Scott, being the consummate gentleman that he is, upon arriving home exclaimed, "Wow!! Those hills were tough today. They were killing me." However, I was there! I saw him zipping right up the hills until he realized that I had slowed down to a snail's pace. (I'm sure I was just taking in the sights. ;-) In any case, it was extremely kind of Scott to try to make me feel better. That is just one of the many things I love about him!!

And as for being out of shape, there is just one thing I can think of to do to improve the situation - ride more!!! So that is my plan. If anybody wants to ride with me, I would enjoy the company - but PLEASE bring your camera. You will need something to do while waiting for me as I'm taking in the sights on the uphills. You may as well get some photos of those sights while you wait ;-)

The, "Call it Fate" Tour

2011-03-05T08:34:00.002-05:00

Be part of this season opener of bosrug fun when we dust off the recumbents and go out and get them muddy.
Rides start both days, Tuesday and Wednesday at 5 Main Street in Dover at 11:00 am and cover slow rollers around the Dover, Needham, Westwood, Medfield, Sherborn, Framingham, Natick, Wellesley aera. Slow riding on the up hills anyway.
Temperatures are expected to be in the mid fourtys so not too much cold weather problem. Expect lots of stops and lots of photos.
Hope to see you there. RSVP by emailing me at the address to the right or simply commenting below.

Call It Fate?

2011-03-04T14:18:00.001-05:00

posted by Danni

It turns out I'm not really very coherent in the morning until after I've had my first cup of dark, strong, high-test coffee. (Black, no sugar, please. I don't want anything getting in the way of my caffeine.) So it is not often that I attempt to do anything in the morning that might require my brain to be functional until after I've had that first cup of wakefulness. However this morning, though I don't know why - I'll call it fate, was different.

For some reason, unbeknownst to my conscious mind, I attempted to read my email without my morning coffee. NOT a good idea . . . or was it? One of the emails I received this morning was from mapmyride.com. (I use this site to create .gpx files for my bike GPS.) Anyway, this email invited me to ride a century in 30 days to be entered into a drawing to win an iPad®. I found myself thinking that I really didn't need or want an iPad. I was so NOT interested. Besides, I'm going on a vacation soon. I don't have time to ride my bike. And, even if I did it's still cold out, the roads are still icy, and when it's not icy it's wet and sloppy and my bike gets dirty, wah, Wah, WAH . . . (EXTREME whining!!)

You see, this is my least favorite time of the year. It is my opinion that most people are in a pretty deep funk right about now. I mean in December you have the holidays to distract you, and as annoying as they are, they ARE a good distraction. (Hmmm. Maybe that's their true purpose. I'll have to give that one some thought.) After that you have January where winter is still bright, shiny and new. You get to be out on your skis or snow shoes doing the winter sport thing. It's all new and good. But then February sets in. It's colder, you are tired of dirty snow, (and please don't even get me going on shoveling the stuff this year) and although you think winter sports are fun - you just can't do them as long as summer sports because it's just too damn cold!! Then March hits. It's the worst. You can almost taste spring in the air. You know it's there. Some days you actually get a tease, a small taste of spring, and then the next day it's back to 10 degrees. Your soul yearns for long bike rides, followed by burgers on Scott's back deck, playing Foosball in the barn while laughing with friends and drinking cold beer (and, no, I won't tell you where Scott hides my Leffe ;-) only to realize that, although it's close, it's NOT . . .CLOSE . . . ENOUGH!!!!!! And this makes me grumpy!!! So much so that I find myself too grumpy to even think about going riding in this, my least favorite time of the year.

But I digress! Back to the lack of coffee, I promise! So, although 100% convinced I had absolutely no intention of doing this mapmyride challenge, I found myself curious about the terms and conditions. With only curiosity in mind, I clicked on what I thought was the log-in button. Instead, in my non-caffeinated state, I clicked on the "Join Now!" button. Now, since my mapmyride password is set to automatically log in . . . it did!! I was greeted by a screen that said something to the effect of "Good for you!! You have entered the Spring Challenge. You now have 30 days to ride 100 miles!" Uhhhhhhhhh! Wait a minute . . . What?!? But I haven't had my morning coffee yet!!!

Given the fact that I pretty much NEVER read my morning email without coffee, I'm chalking this one up to fate. So . . . anybody want to go for a bike ride with me? I'll bring the pre-ride coffee! And hey, if we do 100 miles - you might even win an iPad ;-)

Good Bye February!

2011-03-01T08:49:00.007-05:00

Is there any reader that's going to miss this past month? Not me!
Loaded with cold and snow, I don't think that there was one day that we forgot about Old Man Winter. We remembered warmer days from our past, hoping they will be nice days coming soon.
Oh for a hot, sunny New England afternoon! Long ride with new places followed by snacks on the deck in Dover and possably a little Foosball in the cool shade in the barn? YES!
Cold weather cycling builds character. I look around at my friends and the people I know and we just don't need any more! Right?
March is a great month. Any snow we get at this time of year won't stick around because of the strong sun's rays. Our first glimpse of warmer weather will be here any day now. Just not Thursday where morning temperatures are said to be in the teens.

I Wake up Screaming!

2011-02-27T15:24:00.003-05:00

It happens every year about this time. Tired of Winter but with spring in view.
Dealing with snow can be fun at first. Turning everything around so to see things in a positive light. You know, ice dams, frozen doors. cold blowing head winds and the towns snow plow that just re-filled the opening of my little driveway I just shoveled out, twice.
If there is anything good about it, I will find it.
Like Tyler Hamilton said, "embrace the pain!" There is only so much one can take and looking at the calender has me happy that we will have warm weather soon. Nice to see January and February pass. On to March and the lion to the lamb myth.
It happens every year. In the middle of a dream, sound asleep, I realize that its not the end of February at all, but the beginning of November. I should know better by now and just laugh, but it always works best to force myself awake out of a very, very bad dream. The dream of eternal Winter!

Day Trip to New Bedford

2011-02-23T18:16:00.027-05:00

Today was a great day for a road trip, so we put the bikes in the back of the Rambler and headed South to see the other Massachusetts whaling village.
New Bedford and the New Bedford Whaling Museum are a short drive from Boston and worth the journey.

Like going back in time, the historical district is quite nice. The city has gone through major changes over the past 25 years and the museum has been completely re-done. Beautifully enlarged and modernized. The Kendal Whaling Museum's collection has been added now that they closed down in Sharon
A half scale model of a whaling ship sits in the center of a grand hall with paintings and tools all around it.

The upper deck of the grand hall allows you to look down and get a real feel of this wonderful exhibit.
Scrimshaw and harpoons and specfacular oil paintings are in many different rooms on 3 different floors.
The most impressive part for me was the 6 actual skeletons of whales letting you really get a feel of the size of these incredible sea mammals.
Ten dollars for an adult, the museum is open every day of the week and very easy to find from the highway. Easy cheap and safe parking and a great place to start a ride.
Here are some of the photos of the collection and shots around town from the ride.

The Best Time to Buy a Recumbent

2011-02-21T09:06:00.003-05:00

At Wheelworks, I'm asked often, "When is the best time to buy a Recumbent?"
Of course there is no time like the time the question is asked, but Winter is the very best time for a number of reasons.
Winter at the bicycle shop is slow. Business as usual at this time of year is reduced because of less demand and cold outdoor temperatures.
I love this time of year to take care of my customers. Of course I give all the time needed to have my customers feel cared for during the season, but Winter months allow me to really cross the t's and dot the i's so to speak.
Things like removing the wheels, removing the tires to teach how to change a flat are things covered the during the season we just don't have time for.
Test rides can be a little hard with poor road conditions and cold temperatures, but at the right time, enough training can be covered to figure out if the new Recumbent customer is suited for the bike. I like to have the bike sell itself and not force a sale just because at this time of year we need the sale.
Over all, the customer feels taken care of when there is lots of time.
Warmer days can have other customers wanting to sit in on a sale to listen as if it is an expected part of retail sales. Customers that make a point to make a appointment usually don't want strangers in on their sale. When it comes to helping them, I want things to be right.
Warmer months bring everyone out at the same time to shop for a new bicycle. I have heard it before, "Its like the customer thinks that they were the only one to notice the nice day and think that its now time to shop for a Bicycle." Much to their surprise, there are many more with the same idea. It angers them that they made the effort and the store is crowded.
Colder times and quieter bicycle shops are a great time to visit,see and learn about this different style of bicycle and sport. Changes in design over time are introduced in the Spring and being the first to place an order will have you "First on Your Block" to be enjoying your new ride!

No Snow For Nantucket

2011-02-20T08:48:00.006-05:00

Last week before heading over to Nantucket we called ahead to see if the XC Skis or the Snowshoes would be best.
We were told that all winter long, they had never had one flake of snow. It seemed impossable, but it was true!
Most of the Cape had no snow on the streets, but small piles here and there were signs that it wasent snowless this winter.
Too windy and very cold, we found nice places to sit and read.
Nice to be in a beautiful quiet place when its quiet.
A wonderful little get a way, no snow was a treat worth writng about!

Here a a few photos from downtown. Remember, click on them to see them larger.

When Fast Equals Easy

2011-02-19T07:41:00.013-05:00

The American way has us believing that fast is best. Fast anything is sexy and slow is not. As we get older, we get slower. Not all physical, when we get old, sometimes we realize that there just isn't any reason to do things fast.
Here in the United States we turn anything into a contest. There are extremes that are just plain silly. Take for instants, Hot Dogs. Every year on the 4th of July on Coney Island there is now a world famous Hot Dog Eating Race.

http://www.newyorkled.com/moreNYseasonal_4th_July_HotDog_Contest.htm

Hot Dogs were meant to be eaten slowly and enjoy, Weren't they?
Some people are born slow. There the ones that notice things that most people are going too fast to see. They take things into consideration that most of us don't. Every step is something new and a new experience.
Sometimes it drives us crazy. Like standing in line, waiting for a turn when the person in front of you is taking their sweet time counting e v e r y Penny and with very little consideration of the fast folk in back.
Narrow roads and slow drivers cause problems in a world that is otherwise fast.
Waiting until the last moment to do things is American and turns slow people into fast ones. Taking their, again, sweet time and going slow, could cause one to become fast without practice and really miss important hazards that would be otherwise noticed if the overall speed of things were to be adjusted to maybe,,, moderate?
Certain tools make moving fast easier to enjoy the benefits of slow living.
Recumbent Bicycles for one offer heads up fast riding that have you seeing things otherwise missed. Less work with less wind resistance allows you to move easier with less work and enjoy your ride.
Although the benefits of Recumbent aerodynamic design are best utilized at speed. a lighter bike is less work and easier to enjoy slow living.
Fast Bicycles equal Easy in my book. Pro cyclists ride light bicycles because there easier to go fast on. A real proof of strength would have them on heavy bikes. Say,, 150 lbs? Talk about high speed downhill action
I have heard many customers say "I don't want to go fast!" What I hear is "I don't want my life to be easy! Sell me the cheep heavy one!"
I finish by saying,"From the short time we have known each other, I like you. I just don't want you to work any harder then you really need to!

61 Degrees Warm!

2011-02-18T06:59:00.009-05:00

Its been a while since e have seen 61 in these parts. 61 degrees warm! Nothing cold about that!
Cloudy and warm this afternoon. Warm weather brings snow melt that reveal black walls on the roadside. Not nice, these banks of black are a far cry from the "Winter Wonderland" we remember from weeks past. Like the bugs of Summer a part of Winter we like to forget. Puddles and shoulders of ice line our favorite back roads with little automobile traffic to break them away. Cycling in straight lines is not staying dry. A good day for fenders, or what the British call "Mud Guards"
It wont be long before the Maples are tapped and boiling sap. A favorite harbinger of Spring. Buckets appear on trees you wouldn't expect to be Maple. Smoke pours from a small shed, syrup flows and fills the air with the sweet smell of New England Spring!

Enjoy the video below.

As The Colors get Warmer

2011-02-17T07:52:00.014-05:00

As it gets warmer, we come alive.
Here in New England, as we get closer to Spring things change. Warmer days allow us to be outdoors and enjoy a beautiful ride in this wonderful part of the world.
Longer days with more light give us the feeling of hope and the feeling that there is light at the end of this long, cold tunnel of Winter.
The angle of sunlight has changed too and yields different colors to what we see. Subtle as it is, we feel the difference that is Spring on our body's, in our eyes and in our hearts. Only noticed by some and hardly ever discussed.
The color change does not lie. Spring is coming and we will be comfortable outdoors once again!

Check This Out

2011-02-16T09:15:00.009-05:00

I will always wear a helmet while riding for the respect from drivers alone, But the talk does shine a little light on urban use and how possibly folks could be lead to believe dangers that for 99% of your riding, isn't dangerous at all. For me, today the helmet will simply keep my head warm.
The title I think is only an eye grabber for a far more important issue, Bikes and Cars working together. Click on the URL below and take the time to watch this little talk.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=07o-TASvIxY

Good Bye Football, On to Spring

2011-02-07T10:37:00.006-05:00

The day after the Superbowl is always like the beginning of a new year for me.
The headlines on the news are filled with reviews about exactly what we saw.
Talk about who won and why, and what was the best advertisement.
With all the ad's last night directed to folks in the main stream, it was clear we were not going to see a Recumbent ad or even a Bent in any ad at all. Cars, Beer and soft drinks with young beautiful people. seemed to have been the topic of choice for the 2 million dollar time spots watched by millions worldwide while eating fatty snacks. Mostly stupid low brow humor, I think it may have been the first time in years that we did not see Lance Armstrong. His new allocations of performance enhancing aids were most likely the reason we got to watch more about sugar drinks, alcohol and smog producing forms of transportation.

I like the Super Bowl, or is it Superbowl. It sounds the same anyway! I like when its over.

With all the Winter holidays over and we move closer to the that first day of Spring, one can only hope that we will not have to listen to Superbowl reviews tomorrow.

By the way? How come Football players keep falling down, and whats with that name?

An Advantage of Uprights?

2011-02-06T14:02:00.003-05:00

posted by Danni

I would never have thought a day would come when I would have to admit that there is an advantage to riding an upright, but being the person of integrity that I am, I must admit that I have found one. You see, on New Year's Day I couldn't resist taking my recumbent out for a ride. It was such a beautiful day and I couldn't think of a better way to start off the year. The ride was amazing even though the roads were wet and sloppy. I had a wonderful time but at the end of the ride my bike was the dirtiest it's ever been.

Unfortunately, just after that ride I got ill . . . REALLY ill. I was 'down for the count' for three weeks. It was not fun. And adding insult to injury was the fact that every time I walked by my bike and saw how dirty it was, I felt even worse!!! My bike had never been that dirty for that long . . . ever! Anyway, today was the first day that I finally had the time to clean my bike.

With a beer in hand (Scott has taught me that it just isn't possible to do a good job cleaning a bike without the proper lubricants ;-) I went to work. Things were moving right along until I got to oiling and polishing the chain. I think the process took twice as long as cleaning the rest of the bike. Although I was enjoying the process, thinking of fun rides I had had over the summer as I worked, I must admit there were a couple of times when I thought that the task would be MUCH less time consuming if I had an upright.

It then occurred to me that if I rode an upright, the task wouldn't have been less time consuming, it would have been non-existent. I don't think I would have gone for a ride that day if I hadn't had a recumbent with which I could ride in comfort while seeing the world around me. What would be the point? Hmmmm, maybe I need to rethink this one . . .

Maybe uprights don't have an advantage. I guess it's all a matter of how you look at things. I mean if I had a shorter chain to clean, I wouldn't have as much time to drink beer while cleaning it!! ;-)

Once again, the recumbent reigns superior!!! Ahhh, I feel better now!

Wow! What Wont They Think of Next?

2011-02-04T09:57:00.008-05:00

Check this out. Soon they will have something to ride your recumbent, take pictures and report back about the great ride you had!

https://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10551&storeId=10151&langId=-1&productId=8198552921665954651&tab=featuresTab#additionalImage1"

A Blast from the Past

2011-02-03T09:01:00.007-05:00

My how time flys! Here is a ad I did as a post card for two rides back in the Fall of 1997. (Back then, "Posting" meant going to the Post Office). It sometimes seems getting a card worked better then email.

Its So Hard to Believe that its Possable

2011-02-01T13:33:00.010-05:00

And,,,

An alien on another planet?

One Month Closer to Warmer Weather!

2011-02-01T09:08:00.005-05:00

January went quickly. It seems like just last week we were doing our New Years Day Ride. Hard to believe we were gifted with an almost 60 degree day!
Its snowing to beat the band here in Dover. Unless there is a world breaking amount of snow melt within the next 24 hours, any Groundhog in these parts wont be able to dig his way out. I think were in for a lot more winter and more than a ton of new snow.
So beautiful and exactly I love for a Winter day off from the bike shop. One can only imagine how long the day will go today at the store. Having floor to ceiling windows never helps to speed up a no business, snowy Winter day. Clock watching floor mopping and Snow shoveling. That's all that will be happening today, I'm sure!
Its going to be a really long time before we see bare ground again, and dry, warm roads, Just another daydream of wonderful days past and great days to come.
Now, just where did I leave my Snowshoes? Maybe we can get a Sleigh! Thats kind of like a Recumbent isn't it Danni?

Of Warmer Days and Dryer Roads

2011-01-30T08:51:00.014-05:00

The photo above is of a solo tour I did back about 13 years ago. Heading North on a recumbent for an adventure was something new for me and Exactly what I wanted to do.
Although I ws sure that it had been done before, I had never heard of any customer or friend doing such a crazy trip. This was about as extream as I could think of for use of my new style of bicycle and sport.
Getting info about what I might getting myself into from normal touring was imposable, but as you might guess, nothing special was needed except the nerve of doing something differnt and the risk of being thought of as a nut!
Packing for a trip like this is like any other, put everything you want to take on your bed, then put 3/4 of it away. Every trip I have done I have over packed and end up ether throwing stuff away or mailing it home while on route to lighten the load.
That said, I packed 3 cameras, rain gear,a change of clothing shaving kit and headed out. Two weeks on the road, 3 states and an experance of a lifetime.
I had done the ride before on other styles of bicycle but for the first time I actually saw everything as I rode. Thiigs I never noticed on the first trip. The heads up style of riding had me sold.
Meeting new people along the way, I had drivers pass me and stop ahead to ask where I got the bike and was it hard to ride.
There is nothing like the thrill of 45 miles per hour downhill with an "Under Seat Steering" Recumbent!

Just Following Orders

2011-01-28T10:20:00.001-05:00

posted by Danni

So, yesterday I saw Mr. Chamberlain who insinuated that I've been remiss in my blog writing duties and he requested that I get back on the job. I must admit, I have been more than reluctant to post anything. You see, my worst fears for the winter have been realized - I've become addicted to riding my bike so, of course, we have had record breaking snow accumulation. And as I had speculated, not riding my bike is an extremely bad thing. I have been getting grumpier and grumpier by the microsecond. It has gotten so bad that even my cat runs and takes cover when I enter a room where she is lounging. So I knew if I were to write I would just whine, complain, and be grumpy which just isn't very pleasant. (See, I was right – I’m whining!)

However, Scott gave me yet another mandate yesterday. After spending a very short while with me and suffering my ill humor he became very insistent that I purchase either snow shoes or cross country skis (or both.) It was very clear to him that I needed to get out and get active. Moreover, it is his claim that if I were to purchase outdoor snow equipment the weather would change just to spite me, and we wouldn't get anymore snow. To that end I am asking if you, or anybody else you know, has some snow shoes or cross country skis to sell. If so, PLEASE let me know as soon as possible. I need to purchase some quickly so I can get back to riding my bike!! ;-)

Wishing-you-crocuses-tulips-and-daffodils-soon'ly yours,
Danni

A Vision and Photos of a Warmer Day

2011-01-27T08:30:00.011-05:00

Here are some photos I found yesterday of warmer days with the recumbents. Aero Cycle and a Vision R65. Please note the shot of Pinto with ice on the pond, a very rare shot indeed!
Twelve inches of fresh fallen snow last night has me really looking forward to green grass. At lunch yesterday at the Eagle Brook Saloon, there was a shot on the TV of a lawn, We all laughed pretending that we didn't know what it was.
One of our favorite spots to stop for lunch on a BOSRUG Adventure, the women at the bar said she recognized us even though we were not in cycling clothing, but I think she was just being nice.
Oh what we wouldnt give now for a warm New England day with a sunny sky and clean street like the one at the bottom!

The Perfect Tool for the Job

2011-01-21T08:26:00.010-05:00

Riding in snow is a hoot as long as there are no cars. The sound and the track the bike makes is a difference only experienced at this time of year.
As long as the cars haven't made a packed down track with their tires, a bicycle will do just fine in most types of snow up to 3".
Although thoughts of Fat Tire Bicycles come to mind when you think of snow riding, quite the opposite is true. Fatter tires trap the snow between the street and the tire and make it hard to steer and control the bicycle in a straight line.
Skinny is Better, with a few things as well as snow tires. If our roads were perfect, a one inch tire would work best, but because of the hidden hazards known as pot holes, You will need a tire tall enough so when you hit one hidden by the snow, you wont flat.
The Perfect Tool for the job is always best. One can cope and adapt with the tool in hand,(A Claw hammer makes a good scraper if that's all you have) But having the best for the job make things better.
In all the years of riding in the snow The best bicycle I can remember for dealing with the deep white stuff was a Raleigh DL-1.

The choice of the Chinese, DL-1 is a 28" wheeled 3 speed with rod brakes and fenders. The angles of the frame are such that you lean to steer. The tire cross section is 1 1/2". Perfect for the job, the bicycle is also the choice of the Police in the UK as the "British Bobby Bike" and a similar version for the Swiss Army. God knows how much snow they have to deal with. (I thought for years that Swiss Chocolate was invented to deal with the Swiss snow.) When I hear the word "Swiss" I don't think of "White sands or Mega Tans!"

We will be over this someday soon. Clearly at this time and this mornings dumping of snow does not have me wanting to go out and make Snow Angels,that's for sure.

Till then we will just have to dream of The Perfect Day for the Perfect Tool.

PS: Rod Brakes do work great, as long as you know how to adjust them.

Nothing nice about Ice

2011-01-20T06:25:00.011-05:00

I never liked Ice. In a glass or under foot. It always takes me by surprise and when it does, most of the time, it hurts.
I remember years ago carrying two cinder blocks across a driveway on wet ice. The rest of the story is obvious, My feet came out from under me and I landed in the water on my butt with two cement blocks on my hands. Laying in a puddle on ice doesn't last long, You stand up.
One winter day about 14 years ago, I fell through the ice and went under water over my head with the bike. I didn't stay in long. Racing home I hit a patch that had pebbles frozen in and went down fast. Ask Jerry Slack, He saw the whole thing.
Except for black ice, most of the time its in water. Crashing on ice leaves you floundering in the puddle giving drivers something to talk about and having them feel better about driving a car. Bloodied knees and torn clothing as a result of ice, is not nice. Studded tires work when there is ice, but like winning the lottery, you need to buy a ticket to win, maybe. Studded tires for most of the winter ride poorly. That's if you can get them to fit your bike. Only made in certain sizes and fat, you may need a special ice bike for your special ice tires.
Years ago while Winter off road riding in Haverhill, Mass had me encounter a section of road where the ice has formed in a sloped band around 20 feet long. The ice slopping from left to right dropped over the edge 30 feet to Kenoza Lake. Riding and falling would have you finish with a drop into the water.
After assessing the road, I figured the best plan of attack was to slide the bike across on its side and then run and "Superman" across up to the high spot so when I came down I would be on the other side. It worked. A week later with a group of friends, it was decided that we turn around and find another trail.
Adventure starts with risk. Ice is not everywhere as is risk. As with the group, risk can sometimes be avoided. The fear of "what might happen if" has a way of changing everything and repeating itself the older we get. Common sense with some people comes with age. You can see it in there eyes. Living another day is good, " Life Is Good" as long as your alive to enjoy the goodness, but the age old question comes to mind, "Is the fear of adventure and its risk, controlled by the fear of dieing, or just the fear of really being alive?"

Think about that one next time your laying in a icy puddle!

Snosh

2011-01-19T07:04:00.012-05:00

Snow mixed with slush is Snosh. Good for nothing, this mixture of useless part frozen, part liquid mess makes looking out the window from a warm house, sport enough. Snosh sets the mind wandering about warmer dryer days.
My friend Brad was going on the other day about how winter is flying by and soon we will be back on the good bikes enjoing clean streets and sunny stops. He's in San Francisco. Its true that if you find something to do with the winter its easier to deal with, but Snosh? What could you possably do with it besides chill beer. Mabe a Snow cone or Slurpy.
Something I hope it never comes down to having to try. Hungry enough and out of water, maybe, but im afraid that the only good thing about Snosh is that, if you wait, it will, someday, go away.

Where do all the Hippys Meet?

2011-01-14T08:03:00.003-05:00

Bent Street,Bent Street!

Oh Baby!

Trestle Time Again!

2011-01-12T10:35:00.009-05:00

Shots from the Trestle, 1-11-11

Consider this,

2011-01-10T09:57:00.010-05:00

After finding the camera glasses last week and having a blast using them, I have gone back on line and found many more designs that not only take photos but video.
Most of them are under $100.00. Most of the cameras I have found have 8g allowing the user to take up to 4 hours of video. There battery's will work as long and in the cold. I'm not sure about low light.
It is now possible for a rider to head out for a ride and grab their eye protection that will video the whole ride. This is valuable as a safety device and will record the entire ride in case of any driver altercations.
After returning home, by plugging the glasses into their computer, the cyclist can either save or deleate the ride as well as recharge the glasses for the next ride.
Never before has it been so cheap and easy to document on video your ride and have evidence of inconsiderate driving habits.
If the word gets out that most riders are using such a device, things may get safer for cycling with the drivers fear of video evidence of their poor driving habits.

Here are some of the glasses I have found:

http://www.ecrater.com/p/6228292/black-bluetooth-video-recording-camera

http://www.ecrater.com/p/6228263/black-video-recording-camera-sunglasses

http://www.instantspy.net/video-camera-sunglasses--8G-Memory_p_102.html

http://www.xheli.com/72p-960h-avmp3-sunglass-cam.html

http://www.lightinthebox.com/8GB-Sunglasses-Camera-DVR-Video-Recorder-FM-Radio-Bluetooth-MP3--DCE161-_p86142.html

http://www.amazon.com/GSI-Sunglasses-Resolution-Camcorder-Video-Voice/dp/B004E2EY0M

Boston's Haymarket Square`

2011-01-08T08:42:00.011-05:00

Like going back in time, Haymarket Square is simply put, something to see and another Bosrug cold weather destination.
Only open during daylight hours on Friday and Saturday's, Meat,Cheese,Seafood and Vegetables can be purchased for about half of what it costs in your local grocery store.
Everyone we have dealt with while shopping are super nice. Loving there jobs and happy to help, the vendors talk to each other and direct you to stands that are likely to have what your looking for that they don't.
People from all over Boston can be seen shopping. The real American "Melting Pot" of shoppers that want fresh food and know a bargain.
Best by bicycle, parking is expensive and spots hard to find.
The view and the color is one to remembered nice to repeat weekly. Anyone on a bicycle is smiled at and adds to the color of the square. Take the time to see Haymarket. Finish your ride enjoying dinner with friends loved ones with the fresh food and stories you brought home from Haymarket, on your Bosrug "Cold Weather Destination."

Beautiful Winter New England

2011-01-06T09:22:00.004-05:00

Minox Camera, MP3, Eyewear

2011-01-04T08:58:00.038-05:00

First things first, This is at least my 20th sound system for my bikes. After a day of playing with this new gadget, I'm sold!
It turned out, the only thing that said Minox was the box. Clearly not made by Minox,but made for Minox, the sound is first rate. Super low bass and great highs. (20Hz - 20 KHz) A real treat. The camera lens is wide enough to get everything your eye sees and with enough extra to crop later for a better photo. 1G of memory, the glasses will have enough space to hold 10,000 photos at 1.3 mega pixels each. Battery life is around 6 hours for music and a little less while taking photos. Charging time of the 240 mAH/ 3.7Vmacromolecule polymer li-ion battery is about 2 hours.
There are 3 multi control buttons on the glasses and two on the remote control button for operating the camera discreetly. The on-off is on the left ear stem. You hold it down for about 2 seconds to turn the unit on. Music starts after a short while. songs can be advanced by pushing a button on the top, front of the right ear stem and moved back in their order with the button at the back, top. The music fades out at a nice speed when you change from song to song. Nice touch!
The Volume increases by holding the front right button down for 2 seconds and decreased by holding down the rear.
The remote control button pauses the music with a side button and shoots the photo with the center button. There are 3 audible beeps while taking photos. After the third, you know the photo has been taken. Pressing the side button on the button, resumes the music. Photographs can not be taken while music is being played and music can not be advanced or made louder/softer with the remote.
I am very impressed by the quality of the sunglasses lens, sound of the recordings and the photos. Photos can be shot in very low light, but no movement of camera and subject is important. Thirty dollars for all three is a bargain. I don't expect the deal to last, so get a pair soon if you think it will suit your fancy. This truly a "Techno Weenie's" dream come true! 40 years ago, these would have cost at least $10,000!
One of the nicest things about this, is to not be tied down with a headphone wire to a system in a pack.
The glasses come with an extra clear set of lenses, a hard shell case and a lens cleaning cloth. The remote control button has a little lanyard, to small to fit around a normal sized wrist.

Here are some photos taken with the camera. The first two were at speed with the bicycle at 18 mph second and third, while standing and just looking at what I wanted and the last at 25 mph.
This thing is great!

A steal at $29.99!

http://www.adorama.com/MXDSGC.html

PS: Funny thing though, having to plug a pair of sunglasses into a wall outlet to get full use of its design just doesn't seem right!

Happy New Year Everyone.

2011-01-01T00:00:00.000-05:00

One more year to add to the list. 2010 was interesting to say the least
Its sometimes hard to remember all the things that changed my life this year in slight and subtle ways. There were so many big changes that sometimes the little ones that have sometimes the most impact get lost in the shuffle.
It was a year to remember, One of my best.
New friends and old alike made my life full and loaded with smiles. The riding was as good as I could ever expect.
New places and new memories of beautiful spots and wonderful times.
Lets all hope that the new year is even better. Always room for improvement using past experiences as lessons to make new experiences easier and better.
Happy New Year Everyone!

Reader of the Year.

2010-12-30T08:09:00.016-05:00

At Wheelworks, customers came and customers go. Some stand out as special folk and the reason the bicycle business keeps me interested. They are the reason that keep me really enjoying my job.
Last August a women by the name of Kate came into the store. She needed a little help finding me, Mr Recumbent, but never any help with pulling the trigger on owning her new Recumbent.
Although she wasn't able to get a full 360 degrees of pedaling to move the bike forward, she was willing to learn and adapt to her new machine. Special straps would let her legs stay in line and a new brace for hew was discussed and planned to be ordered for the time of the bike delivery.
She made plans to pick up her new recumbent in a week and discussed having her crutches near by so she could walk after arriving at her destination with her new bicycle.
I have dealt with customers in the past that had problems moving. I have been the employee at will at all the bike shops I have worked to help people with special needs. Never before have I meet a gal with so much inner strength allowing herself to move along without allowing her physical disability to get in the way. You can hear it in her voice and see it in her eyes. Not ashamed of what she looks like but proud of who she is. Truly a very special person!
It was so refreshing to meet Kate. She sets the barrier as to what a real problem is and know they can be overcome with strength.
Hey Kate! Thanks for being you. I'm sure you touch many peoples hearts with your guts and how you insist that you can do it, no matter what.

Happy New Year Kate and Congratulations on becoming this years, "BOSRUG reader of the year!"

Winter Wonderland

2010-12-26T08:53:00.002-05:00

Eighteen inch's of snow with 45 mile per hour winds are forecasted for here today. Wet, not fluffy.
When it snows that much here, things come to a stop. People stay in and things get quiet.
Wet snow causes trees to bend and sometimes break. Breaking limbs sometimes cause power outages and if you have a fireplace and if you have candles, its an adventure. A moment without electricity and without computers and television is different and a well needed change.
One can only hope to be snowed in here in New England. Its what is missed by friends that have moved to warmer climates. The all mention it and wish they were back to experience a "Blizzard."
Check back later for photos and stories of what just may turn out to be "The Blizzard of 2010!" One can only hope!

Looking Up!

2010-12-24T08:10:00.006-05:00

Recumbent riding is looking up. Not just getting better all the time, but with the "Heads up" style of riding, things seen,
otherwise missed on any other style of bike, can be enjoined while under way.
Never before had I noticed as much as riding a Recumbent Bicycle.
Like a constant show and reminder of why I ride. The adventure brings me back and with new things to see all the time its like finding treasure.
The camera saves the images, but the eye, the ears, the nose and the brain captures everything otherwise lost.

Look up! You never know what you will find!

Consider This,

2010-12-20T07:43:00.008-05:00

Consider the fact that modern bicycle design is based around the very first bicycles.
Resembling a horse, the first cyclist's could straddle the bicycle and with their feet push the machine as though running. Coasting for long sections could be enjoyed on down hills and sections of flat road with a good strong tail wind.

Two wheels of the same size was the style of choice and because of horse back riding being the normal position of the times and the length of a man's legs, Bone shakers or Hobby Horse cycling was excepted as the best way to achieve the job of cycling.
As time went on, drive trains of various designs including motors were employed to power the cycle at speeds greater then running. Although gear changing mechanisms and component materials have changed, the "Horse like" position for bicycles as well as motorcycles, has not.
Even though we would never design any other mode of transportation with the same sitting position. we still to this day as a whole favor the same riding style as first used back in the early 1800's with the Draisienne and other less famous home made bikes.
Sitting is usually done in a matter for comfort first. Our armchairs do not have a narrow seat as well as our cars.
Cycling requires the legs to move freely to pedal without any restriction. Wider seats cause resistance and loss of power and because of it, narrow seats are chosen for the position of having your pedals below you. By placing the pedals in front of you and the weight more on your lower back and up, allows full freedom of leg movement with less frontal area for the wind to see and cause wind resistance.
The question asked is: "If bicycles were fist designed as modern High Racer style recumbents, Would they ever go to the horse like riding at a later date?" Most likely not.
About a year ago I was escorting a customer outside the store for a recumbent test ride. Two young racer types at the door started laughing at the bicycle and my customer. I said to my customer, "Hold on." I asked the young cyclists, "After nearly 200 years of bicycle design, how come you guys are still riding bicycles that resemble a horse?

They stopped laughing.

Only seen by Recumbent

2010-12-17T07:16:00.005-05:00

Some of the nicest spots I have ever seen were first noticed while riding a Recumbent. Never before had I experienced such a heads up style of riding and when I did, I felt as if I had arrived in a whole new world.
For years I rode many different style bicycles. Starting with the common kids bike in the 50's, a bicycle back then was not a BMX or mini Mountain Bike. Bikes were like a mini cruiser of sorts with 20" balloon tires and steel fenders. Training wheels in my family were removed as soon as the young rider could operate a wrench, because they were only for baby's. We dreamt of being in cars and jumping on wooden ramps like stunt drivers.
As years progressed, the style of bike were still mostly one speed up right and hand me down.
It wasn't until the early 60's that I first received my "New" bike. Christmas, under the tree. "Santa" That year brought me a white wall tired, candy apple red and white single speed with a rack and dual headlights built into the tank. It was mine and had never been ridden, until me.
Time passed and with every new year came a new modification to my bike. Banana seat, High rise handle bars, Mini chrome fenders, all resembling the motorcycle of my dreams that when I grew up, I would certainly be riding.
My next new bike was a Blue 10 speed that also arrived on Christmas morning this time from Mom and Dad. I was amazed how it shifted and how the chain would jump around as if falling off but stick to the selected gear and actually allow you to pedal the bike. It was like magic and how they did it I really wasn't sure.
At that time I was head down, in the drops and moving faster then I had ever traveled by myself. On a fast bike for the first time, I focused on going places and breaking records. No longer dreaming of a motorcycle as I rode, I felt as if I was on something totally different then what I had ever ridden before.
Besides my older brother, I was the only kid I knew on a 10 speed and when it came time to ride with friends, they just could not keep up. I remember really wanting a Sting Ray that year. All the kids had one and when I wanted to go into the woods, I would walk.
In the early 70's I started riding century's with the new cycling club, "The Charles River Wheelmen" 10 Speeds made long rides fun, but all heads down. Just about that time I discovered off road riding with trash picked English 3 speeds.
It was a time of life that the French 10 Speed was becoming popular and 3 speeds were being thrown out. Local dumps would sometimes have what looked like brand new, never ridden 3 speeds being tossed to make way for something new in the garage, My friend Chris thinks that they just found a better place to lean the rake and hang the garden hose so they got rid of the bike. It didn't hurt living in one of the most affluent towns in Metro West Boston.
Heads up riding of sorts was a much better way to read the trails. but for the most part, we rode heads down for speed and concentration.
BMX came into fashion and a whole new style of heavy duty bikes became available. Twenty six inch and 24" wheeled cruisers were the bicycle of choice for our off road machines and with our experience of working on 3 speed hubs, it wasn't long after that my "Two-Four", or 24" wheeled one speed became a 3 speed. Later a 5 speed.
In the late 70's Mountain bikes became the new thing and now 10 speeds racing bikes were being thrown out . I will never forget the evening in Harvard Square as I was locking up my off road specialty bike that a passing student asked, "Is that a Mountain Bike?" I said, well a suppose you could ride it in the mountains as I have, so I guess it is.
I didn't know what he was really talking about, but over the next 20years would figure it out.
Thanks to a few Californians and mostly the Japanese, The sport of Mountain Bicycling rose to heights I never expected. I never thought that riders wouldn't want to hurt so much and bleed so much to ride, especially Women, How wrong I was!
Recumbents started popping up here and there around Cambridge with the help of a few designers and Dr David Gordon Wilson. We would see "project" bikes come into the Bi Ex where I worked, from MIT. The Bi Ex was the only show in town for specialty bike and bike parts and when it came to needing something, that's where they would go. It was always like a show where people would come in with their pride and joy to show it off. There were some incredible bikes that would be brought into the Bicycle Exchange back then and with no "Internet" to buy parts, the shop was the source.
The moment I saw a Recumbent I wanted one. It wasn't until years later, that I finally bought a production model that I could finally afford.
It took a little while to get comfortable on my new style of bike. Riding something so different was the biggest hurdle and the looks from passer bys was more then from going from the "dropped handle bar" style of riding to up right Mountain Bike. The lawn chair on wheels is hard even today for people to look at.
After a short while different things caused me to realize that recumbent riding could be accomplished safely and one could accomplish riding without dieing.
Never before had I experienced more of a heads up ride. Starting off and stretching out in the seat was like settling down in front of the TV to watch a great movie. I remember realizing the feeling of total happiness with my new purchase. The heck with everyone else, this bike was great and it was like Danni says, "I Loved My Bike!"
I couldn't wait to be on it again and see "the next show."
After about 3 weeks of riding, I started to realize that there were things on my rides that I had never noticed before. Places where I had ridden hundreds of times, Eves of buildings, street signs, details that took artists hours to accomplish on building that I had never really seen.
The bike for the first time became a rolling tool to experience New England at it finest and not just a machine to go fast and get a good work out. Did I tell you that I loved my Bike? Yes Danni.
Things never seen before by me were new and a pleasant surprise to a New England that I thought I knew. Finding new things never gets old and will have me riding in the recumbent position for years to come.

Super Cold, Time to Ride?

2010-12-15T07:04:00.006-05:00

Sometimes as cyclists we have no choice. Suiting up for the ride for a super cold day take a little more consideration then if its only 30.
Its nine degrees here in Dover this morning and although the sun has not come up enough to see it, It most likely wont get above the mid twenty's at the highest point today.
Total skin coverage will be important on today's ride. Places on the face exposed can be covered with a thin coat of Vaseline and prevent wind burn and frost bite.
I love the moment of first going outside realizing that there is no turning back. Oh My Its Cold! Clipping in and heading off here in Dover is usually at least 5 degrees colder then the temperature in Boston and what they report on the weather. You learn at a early age that its so.
The first mile of my ride is down hill to the lowest place in town. Trout Brook drops very little to the Charles River one and a half miles away. The temp drops 2 more degrees by the time you get to Chris Yoder's Field and with the wind, tearing of the eyes makes it hard to see. Ski goggles make it hard to look over your shoulder and see cars catching up to pass. A rear view mirror works well to solve that problem and with a recumbent, there is one already installed.
Things have changed as to the way it was when I first started riding in the winter. The wide eyed looks from drivers wondering what exactly was I trying to prove, has tamed and its now not uncommon to come across another rider with a look of surprise that their not the only fool on a bicycle.
The days of "Destination Rides" return. Find a place with a warm seat to enjoy the warmth and get the blood flowing again.
Arriving home is all the better after a bitter cold ride. Food tastes better and is well deserved after battling the elements and having done a simple adventure.
Or just throw another log on the fire and remember warmer days from the past and plan for warmer days in the future!

Cold Days, Warm Hearts

2010-12-12T08:57:00.003-05:00

Cold days can bring out the best in people. You see it everywhere.
Something in common causes conversation. A connect of sorts to strangers that you might never otherwise talk to.
Everyone has a different way of dealing with the cold. Some simply avoid it and others embrace it with open arms.
One thing is for sure, a 19 degree day makes a 35 degree day feel warm and people come outdoors as if the it was the first day of spring. Fifty degrees and watch out! lets go to the beach!
Yesterday, after two days of bitter cold, the weather warmed to a balmy 45 degrees. I saw people riding in shorts. At least 3 riders as if it was 70!
Shorter days make for early evenings. Fires to gather around and warm the body and soul. Get out, even if for a while. Enjoy the difference. Late Fall is like Winter and longer days began in less then 10 days. Yes!