On the road - my bikes are happy!

[DeniseGoldberg]

Next weekend looks good; who is in for Sunday AM? That will determine the route!

Robyn -
I'm definitely in for Sunday morning (June 5th).

Your tale of your rides yesterday and today made me realize just how lucky I was. I was pretty soaked yesterday when I got home, but the rain was all in the last 4 miles of my ride. And today? Well, I guess that I was really, really lucky. The total downpour that started as I opened my garage door sounds like what you were riding in.

--- Denise

[spazzdog]

What is the departure place/time and distance for the 5th? Maybe I can get there...

spazz - ever hopeful

p.s. roomie is much improved. she had her gall bladder removed (had a stone the size of a large marble) plus her gyn was in the OR to inspect the premises from her surgery last yr (crushed overy and fallopian tube removal due to endometriosis).

she had a real hard time with the anethesia... woke up hurling. Every time they tried to get pain meds onboard she'd get sicker. It was ugly. But she's up and around now, slow but moving... and laughing again.

[Veronica]

Nice pictures Denise. The donkey is hilarious!

V.

[DeniseGoldberg]

What is the departure place/time and distance for the 5th? Maybe I can get there...

Spazz -
When Robyn & I talked on Saturday, we thought it made sense to decide on the location for Saturday's ride after we found out who was going to play.

I'd prefer a start time between 9 and 9:30 - but of course I can compromise...

--- Denise

[spazzdog]

I just checked with my roomie... she's doing real well and said "Go, go... please go!" I'm not sure if that was excitement or a reflection on my nursing skills

So... I'm in. I know how to get to N. Andover (20 min or so from me) but any other place, I'll need directions please. And whatever time y'all decide on is fine with me.

spazz

[Crankin]

Those beach pictures looked really good, Denise. How long would it take to do that ride from your place? I really would like to be back by noon or 1.

[DeniseGoldberg]

So... I'm in.

Excellent! So far it's you (coming from Medford), me (North Andover), Robyn (Boxborough), and Jean / newfsmith (Norwood). In other words, we're coming from all over the place!

Anyone else going to join us?

Those beach pictures looked really good, Denise. How long would it take to do that ride from your place? I really would like to be back by noon or 1.

Beverly is about 17 or 18 miles from my house using the route I took yesterday, but there were large chunks of road that were fairly heavily traveled - so I'm not sure that everyone would be happy on those roads. They were OK on a holiday, but I'm not so sure about a regular weekend day. Hitting the coast from my house either involves riding on roads with more cars, or riding a longer distance than we probably want to go. (As in, I have a ride to Newburyport that I like, but it's a 50 mile round trip...) I'll take a look at my biking map when I get home tonight to see if I can come up with a different route that hits the coast.

It's funny, but I've really noticed a huge difference in the roads around my place and yours. It seems like from your house you can get right out on nice back roads, and when I leave from my house I have to spend more time getting to the nice back roads. But I'm happy to ride where ever we come up with a good route, whether it starts from my place or someplace else.

--- Denise

[spazzdog]

Denise, how about riding up through Andover, N. Andover, into Boxford Georgetown... I used to know a route, can't think of it. Part was on 133, 97 but you may know the quieter roads.

I'll see if I can find my old route maps...

spazz

[DeniseGoldberg]

Denise, how about riding up through Andover, N. Andover, into Boxford Georgetown... I used to know a route, can't think of it. Part was on 133, 97 but you may know the quieter roads.

I'll see if I can find my old route maps...

spazz

Yup, I ride there all of the time. It's funny, but as I was driving home tonight I was thinking of roads through North Andover, Boxford, Georgetown, etc. that we could ride on Sunday. So I guess we're on the same wavelength. As long as we don't try to hit the coast, I think I can come up whatever length ride we'd like on some reasonable roads.

--- Denise

[newfsmith]

You may even get to meet Honeybee, if the weatherpeople are right. When & Where?

[Crankin]

The back roads around you sound fine. I figured the coast would be too long of a trip for just the AM. Plus, I am doing 50 or 60 on Sat., so 25 is fine. Yes, you are right Denise. The reason we stay in Boxborough is we can get right out on nice roads, without much traffic. Even though I would like to be closer to the city and we actually go in a lot, I like the cycling around here too much. Just driving closer to Boston upsets me!

My ride yesterday was really gorgeous; perhaps we all can plan to do it together during the summer. It's 50 miles. I will be at your house at 9, if that is OK.

[DeniseGoldberg]

My ride yesterday was really gorgeous; perhaps we all can plan to do it together during the summer. It's 50 miles. I will be at your house at 9, if that is OK.

That was your ride through Groton and up into a little bit of New Hampshire, right? I'd love to do that one at some point during the summer.

--- Denise

[Crankin]

Yes, the ride actually starts at the Hostel in Littleton that we rode by on Sat. It's almost the same ride that Steve arrowed, so there are plenty of cues. We can plan for a later date, in July.

Robyn

See you sat.

[DeniseGoldberg]

Thanks to Spazz (Gena), newfsmith (Jean), and Robyn for driving here for a ride today. We had a nice wander through North Andover and Boxford this morning. Hot, hot, hot - just checked the temp, and it's now 87 degrees out. (Hard to believe the forecasti is for the temps to be in the 50's tomorrow - what a contrast!).

Thought I'd upload the pics from the end of our ride before I head out again. I'm just 19 miles short of getting to 1000 miles so far for the season, and for some reason I have it in my somewhat crazy head that I want to get there today!

Pictures anyone?


No, Gena did not ride with one bike shoe & one non-bike shoe - I just caught her in the middle of her shoe change!


Here's Jean on her snazzy new yellow Felt.


Robyn & I were comparing our different versions of helmet head. I promise, I'll get in closer (for a better picture) next time!


Yup, that's me with another good case of helmet head.

Pictures uploaded, time for more sunscreen, a quick snack, and a few more miles on 2 wheels for me!

[DeniseGoldberg]

You may even get to meet Honeybee, if the weatherpeople are right. When & Where?

Honeybee? Is that your bike's name?

Sounds like my place in North Andover as the starting point for our ride this Sunday. Robyn suggested 9 as a meeting time - but I think you have the furthest distance to drive, so let us know if a little later would work better for you. I actually get my hair cut in Norwood, and it usually takes a little less than an hour to drive there - I think it's about 40 miles.

Robyn - you know how to get here.
Spazz & newfsmith - I'll PM you with directions.

Does 9 work as a starting time? 9:30?

--- Denise