Pavé

Is Janette Sadik-Kahn unaware of the Classics? I woke up this morning and learned that the NYC DOT thought that cobblestones were dangerous and the few remaining in DUMBO & Vinegar Hill need to be removed. They'd be replaced with new ones that apparently are of even height and bicycle friendly. I can understand blaming bikes for a lot of things, but cobblestone removal makes no sense. Cyclists love cobblestones. Specialized named a bike after one half of the name of  a famous bike race involving cobblestones. People pay money to go on tours of these cobblestones. Gravel grinders have been the coolest type of thing for which people buy too much gear, write about on bike fora and never ride (kidding!).

I've only ridden in New York like one or twice. I don't really know much about it. I mean, I don't really know much about New York in general. However, I have actually ridden on those cobblestones. They're not dangerous, but aesthetically valuable.

Or, perhaps this is part of a sinister plan to pit the preservationists against the cyclists.

I mean, isn't the problem plaguing cyclists of New York people driving in bike lanes, running over people who rides bikes and then the police failing to prosecute the bad drivers?

The pictured cobblestones above are actually in Savannah, GA. They love their cobblestones and have no plan to get rid of them. Read more!

Probably not enough ice

I know Saturday is still ~30 hours away, but I am doubtful that enough ice will grow in Wethersfield Cove for my much ballyhooed ice race. I was down there today and there's ice and also many spot with exposed water. This is reminds me of the time Salem and I almost died at Kenney Cove. A story I might tell you some day.

Maybe by Sunday? Maybe a smaller body of water? Read more!

Ice race?

I've been belly aching to one and all about the warm January temperatures. Well, I got my wish: it's going to be cold this week. It does not appear that the five day forecast gets above freezing or even above 30. As you probably know from studying magic or science in elementary school, that causes water to become ice. That can happen in places like ponds or the Wethersfield Cove. With it being cold all week, I bet you that these bodies of water will become things that you can ride your bike on, because there hasn't been a lot of snowfall.

Several years ago, Salem and I rode up to Congamond for the NEMBA ice race. Salem was dropping off a bike part for someone and I thought Southwick was too far away to ride with studded tires, so we were just spectators. Wethersfield Cove is closer and much more easily ridden to with studded tires, so we should have an ice race of our own here this weekend.

Should we do this on Saturday? Would it be awesome? Would it suck?

Read more!

The Scruffy Peloton: Bridges and all the Windsors

I have only recently recovered from the adventures of happy hour til last call on Friday night and that’s not yet a full recovery mind you! So this is kinda late.

The Scruffy Peloton rode again on Thursday in pursuit of more bridges on a 30 mile ride mostly along the Connecticut River. We altered the end of the planned ride in order to cross the Bissell bridge. We left the Mark Twain house and headed north towards Keney Park. I really enjoy every ride through the park, its quite lush and green and there’s even an actual ravine there as well as ponds, trees, roads, greenways and a little bit of everyone. Cricket too!


Here’s 3 of us, blurry as promised, passing through the park the first time, headed north to Windsor Locks and the Rt. 140 bridge. Not too much to write except to continue to gush over Keney Park. The ride south, once in East Windsor, was fantastic! Farms with sheep, rams, turkeys and some randomn dude peeing on the side of the road. We cheered him on and he cheered back.



Crossing the Bissell Bridge and not too blurry! check the Beat in the background.

We eventually made it back to Keney Park and altered our second route though a tiny bit and saw more of the area. I love this park! Later, after some of us showered (some of just went and bought beer instead), we had an afterparty with a few others. I had bumped into Marisa at the Billings Forge Farmers Market earlier in the afternoon and we schemed and decided to buy a fresh pie and some farmfresh ice-cream and have a party! Mmmm…….best idea ever after a bicycle ride!


there ain't no more
so don't click read more! Read more!