The local paper did an exclusive on the local high schools jazz ensembles. Three of them were performing at the Roach Jones Duff house and garden museum. It started out a very nice evening for a bike ride into the city. The temperatures dropped pretty quick after sunset, and by the time ORR finished playing, we had decided to skip the Dartmouth show and head back to Fairhaven. With the wind at our backs we made great time.
New Bedford, MA. High School Jazz Choral
Old Rochester Regional High School (Mattapoisett, MA) Jazz Ensemble
Old Rochester Regional
Although most of the musicians were sophomores and juniors they were very good. Many of the ORR Jazz go on to major in music at schools like Berkley. There was one more jazz group to perform, Dartmouth High School, but the time and the drop in temperatures sent many home from this outdoor concert.
Our small group set off from Pub 99 at 7PM under a clear sky. A stiff wind kept our speed down, but did not damper the spirit of any of the riders. We made good time which gave us a few minutes to explore Battery Milliken, before the 7:50 moonrise. Our lights were more than adequate for the tour, but no one was too enthused about spending too much time in the darkened bunker. The group did get a good look at Fort Taber and was able to meander inside another of the cleaned up bunkers.
Site of New Marriott Hotel
About the time the moon began to appear at the horizon, the clouds rolled in covering the eastern sky. We decided to head back to Fairhaven and made a short stopover at Clegg Field, the home of the South End Youth baseball league. We watched a bit of a game which was quickly deteriorating into a rout. As we left the moon made it appearance in all of her glory. A spectacular moonrise sent us on our way.
Rodney French Blvd. in New Bedford.
We encountered very few vehicles during the three hour ride. Quiet clear roads took us to Ft. Rodman where we saw how much cleaning up has been done since the fall. They are in the process of bringing back the WWII bunkers to as close to original condition as possible. There is still lots of grafitti to be removed, but the progress is well ahead of schedule. Darkness was not a problem with any of the riders either.
Begin New Bedford Bike Path.
WWII Battery at Fort Rodman
Full Flower Moon rising.
The next full moon fiasco. #9 will again leave Pub99 at 6PM on Sunday, June 7th. The more the merrier.
Lets try this again. April 8th is the Full Flower Moon It's also a Friday. Perfect for a Full Moon Fiasco, night bike ride. Casual dress is recommened, but full regalia is also welcome.
Things will start at Pub99 in Fairhaven at 7PM. There will be plenty of parking there or across the street at the old Applebees.
The Ride:
We never know who will show, so the ride is not set in stone. The first part of the ride is very family friendly. We will all return to 99 around 8:30 after riding approximately 10 miles.
Part 1: The Family Plan
From Pub 99 we will spin the Pheonix MUP to the Fairhaven Bridge, crossing the span on the south sidwalk (boat docks), before we portage our bikes down the stairs to Front Street. There we will make a decision to ride up Union St. through downtown, or directly to Rodney French Blvd. and ride the New Bedford bike path to Ft. Rodman. This area always gives a spectacular view of the full moon reflecting on the bay. If you bring your flashlights a tour of the inside of Battery Milliken can be arranged. That will take around 10 minutes. Are you afraid of the dark? ouwwwwww-WEEeeeeeee-ouwwwwwwwww
The return loop will take us past Davy's Locker which has an outdoor bar on the pier, and they may have some sort of tapas in case anyone needs a snack. We will ride through the north terminal back to the stairway and again cross the bridge on the sidewalk. Middle St. will take us back to the head of the path and possibly a stop at "Ice Screams" which is next to Elizabeths. Two choices on this stop, ice cream or iced Bud.
Ft. Pheonix? Perhaps. It depends on the riders. We can take the short detour to the Fort, ride out to the middle of the harbor on the barrier then return to the path via Green St. back to Pub99.
Part 2:
Those who wish to stay are very welcome to join us as we continue down "The Neck" to the Bayside Lounge. From there it's all downhill.
We are still trying to get this ride off the ground. This could be the one. ***Note**** If you don't want to meet us at 99, feel free to join in during any part of the route.
Riding bicycles is a very easy activity. Not to worry about anything.
