So I've been flogging myself for the past several months in a (losing) effort to keep adipose tissue in check. One of my regular activities is riding the bike. I used to ride pretty regularly till I stopped at a light, didn't clear my foot off the pedal in time and took a dixie right in front of a passing car. It missed my head by inches, and scared the crap out of me. I put the bike in the garage and it stayed there for years. So now I'm back on the horse and logging miles (True, they are gym miles but at least I'm getting my arse ready for the saddle.
One thing I've always had in the back of my mind is a ride that I've called "The Ladies of Massachusetts." There are 7 towns/cities in Mass that have womens names. Marion, Sharon, Chelsea, Lynn, Beverly, Shirley, and Lee. A quick Mapquest search shows that it's around 250 miles in total from Marion to Lee staying off highways and hitting all 7.
I talked to my brother and we're thinking about doing it in August. Anyone have any interest in joining us?
PTN
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Sign up for the South Shore Brew Clubs 17th Annual Brewoff HERE. This BJCP registered competition will be held on April 17 in Mansfield, MA. All are welcome to enter. There is a HBT thread discussing the competition HERE.
He's an animal and wants to do it in two days. I'm thinking three. At least.
A short first day of 44 miles from Marion to Sharon. I live in Stoughton, (the town next door) we can crash here (tents) on the first night. Then it's 88 miles to Shirley, hitting Chelsea, Lynn, and Beverly. Joe lives in Sturbridge, we can crash there on night 2. Then its 118 miles to Lee. I know for a fact that they have hotels in Lee. With hot water. I'll check on masseuses.
I don't know how to do it yet but I bet we can set this up as a charitable ride, pick a charity and get donations. Haiti? Pine Street? Home for Little Wanderers? etc.
PTN
__________________
Sign up for the South Shore Brew Clubs 17th Annual Brewoff HERE. This BJCP registered competition will be held on April 17 in Mansfield, MA. All are welcome to enter. There is a HBT thread discussing the competition HERE.
Back in 2003, I organized and participated in a 1,500 mile ride from Boston to Jacksonville FL to raise money for cancer research. We did 100 miles per day. I had never been a cyclist but just thought the trip would be fun. I haven't rode much at all lately but want to start again.
EDIT - 125k per day can be done but it would be intense. Lots of hills in western ma.
How good of shape are you guys in? How fast do you think you'll be averaging?
Carrying equipment really slows you down. For my trip we averaged about 15mph or so but I was in better shape back then. Something like this would really give me the motivation to get training.
I am interested. Sounds like a good cause, or at least a good kick in my seat. I know that I will be traveling for part of August, but let's try to work it out.
And I would love to travel south (do you guys have southern drawls?) to your Utopia thing this weekend, but alas, family life beckons.
Hey PTN, can I drive the support boat behind your bikes on the ride out to Martha's Vinyard?
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(The crowd gasps in disbelief as PTN doesn't rise to the bait, Is this really going to be a SERIOUS thread?)
I realize that western Mass is going to be a biatch. The longest day mile-wise with those killer hills. But lets be real, it's not the Pyrenees, its the Berkshires. Yes, they are much more of a hill challenge than any of us here in eastern Mass come close to and I fully expect to get my butt kicked by them, but that is part of the challenge. One of the biggest reasons I'm talking about doing this in August is to get time in the saddle and be ready for the ride when it gets here. It's all about the training and logging the miles.
It's snowing here today which means no bike for me, so I'm going to go vote then head out to WaWa and ski till my thighs burn.
PTN
__________________
Sign up for the South Shore Brew Clubs 17th Annual Brewoff HERE. This BJCP registered competition will be held on April 17 in Mansfield, MA. All are welcome to enter. There is a HBT thread discussing the competition HERE.
Paul,
Breast Cancer Research would be appropriate. I pledge $25
JR
I love boobies. I could be talked into that.
PTN
__________________
Sign up for the South Shore Brew Clubs 17th Annual Brewoff HERE. This BJCP registered competition will be held on April 17 in Mansfield, MA. All are welcome to enter. There is a HBT thread discussing the competition HERE.
Ride the Ladies of Massachusetts
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