FBC- Fairhaven, MA

Errands by Bike

2010-07-28T18:57:00.000-07:00

All of today's errands were done on the bike. The Credit Union, Library, and all the shopping got done by only using pedal power. A combination of MUP and side streets made getting around town easy. All that after a light breakfast at Narragansett Cafe. The owner did a great job obtaining furnishing and is very proud of this sign she scored.

The evening activity was whaleboat rowing.. The wind was at a steady 17kts out of the southeast which made for a difficult row at times. The crew was more than up to it and we got to see the maiden shakedown sailing of Linda Greenlaw, who was made famous in the movie "A Perfect Storm", as she left the harbor on her swordfishing boat the Hannah Boden.

Try Try Again

2010-07-28T11:10:00.000-07:00

There have been grumblings about a retry of the FBC rides. The word is getting out slowly and August looks like a good time to start again. All that needs to be done is to find a theme and get the word out. Check back, or better still leave a note so we can see if there is any interest.

Training for Touring

2010-04-15T06:07:00.000-07:00

Rochester Ma. has some really good riding routes with lots of milage options. There are also two ice cream joints along the way.

The East Fairhaven school on rt 6 provides safe parking for those needing a spot to begin a ride. This blog will be updated with pre and post ride information for anyone who stumbles into here and wants to join us.

Some of the rides originate in Fairhaven but we are just as likely to drive somewhere to begin. Places like the East Bay Bike Path in Providence or Myles Standish State Forrest in Plymouth. The Cape Cod Canal start location in Buzzards Bay or even Albany NY for a multi day ride on The Erie Canal or the Adirondak Park Loop in the Lake Placid area.

Leave us a note or just show up and join us.

Wolf Moon

2010-01-27T05:51:00.000-08:00

Saturday is full moon which means it's time for a bike ride.

Cold and Blue Moon

2009-12-02T08:35:00.000-08:00

Tonight is the first of two December moons.

The Full Cold Moon; or the Full Long Nights Moon - December-During this month the winter cold fastens its grip, and nights are at their longest and darkest. It is also sometimes called the Moon before Yule. The term Long Night Moon is a doubly appropriate name because the midwinter night is indeed long, and because the Moon is above the horizon for a long time. The midwinter full Moon has a high trajectory across the sky because it is opposite a low Sun.

It's also the inaugural ride of the SS Raleigh, a converted 10 speed circa "88" beast.

The second full moon of the month is on the 31st, and the second full moon of any month is called the Blue Moon.

Visiting Far Away Galaxys Under a Full Moon

2009-11-04T06:05:00.001-08:00

We were going to meet friends at Cork Wine and Tapas Bar and left early so we could visit the Hubble traveling exhibition downtown.

We were stunned at the quality of the photos and especially how much information can be derived from the Hubble images. The most interesting being that we can now see galaxys that are millions of light years away.

Sue also got a kick out of the fish.

It was time to move on to Corks, because we were all jonesing for wine and tapas. We found out that Corks doesn't open till 9PM on Tuesdays, and we didn't want to hang around for ninety minutes waiting. We scooted over to Freestones for bad wine and cheap food.

Full Moon Ride a Day Late

2009-10-30T13:06:00.000-07:00

Monday is the November Full Beaver Moon.

Full Beaver Moon - November This was the time to set beaver traps before the swamps froze, to ensure a supply of warm winter furs. Another interpretation suggests that the name Full Beaver Moon comes from the fact that the beavers are now actively preparing for winter. It is sometimes also referred to as the Frosty Moon.

Tuesday is a special night at the planetarium with speakers, in downtown New Bedford, talking about the Hubble Exhibit.

After that we will wind down, or is it wind up, at No Problemo.

We will leave Fairhaven around 6PM. Be at Pub 99 if you want to ride along.

No Full Moon, But Night Riding is Still the Bees Knee

2009-10-10T04:53:00.000-07:00

We planned on riding to AHA night in New Bedford on Thursday. A few things conspired to force a late start and we didn't get on the road till 7:30. We stuck to the streets of Fairhaven and spent way to much time at the new coffee shop. Narragansett coffee house. They don't have a web page so there is no place to link. To quote one of the cuties that hang there, "it's funky". We just futzed around for a couple of hours around town and the waterfront. There were chances to take a few neat photos but I never got around to taking the camera out of my trunk bag. Stoopit.

Friday night was another late start and we again got hung up a few places chatting up a storm. Friends would see us and pull us over to chat. One of our stops was at the high school football game. That's where we all got reaffirmed why we don't like the game. We were there almost twenty minutes and one play was made. yawwwwn.
Being a dog owner I know about petting a dog in his/her car. PAY ATTENTION. They can get territorial. These were two cuties but the big one was on and off protective. Also, working at an animal shelter, I know that pits have a reputation that is much worse than they deserve.

We made a quick stop for some Mexican but {{{{alas}}}} the kitchen was closed. So as to not waste the trip, we settled on a couple of brewskis.

I don't often drink beer, but when I do, I only drink Dos XX
The other guy gets the cheap stuff

They Are Out There

2009-09-23T10:35:00.000-07:00

We have seen a couple of groups of riders on the path in Fairhaven. They will have to be assimilated into our group. They seem to fit the stereotype perfectly, especially after my last post on amidnightrider page.

The harvest moon is coming and if you want to ride, leave us a message here.

#9...#9

2009-06-07T18:13:00.000-07:00

Fiasco #9 began on time with a very small possee. It turned into a religious showdown. Budda Monks vs Evangelical Sailors. Riding through downtown we came across the Budda monk ceremony at Gallery X When we began riding down the hill we noticed a tall ship in the harbor. It was a "faith based ship and I don't remember the name, but I was given a brochure with an envelope inside. Both groups were dominated by young followers. The younger the are the easier to indoctrinate.

The full moon rose at 7:40 and as in the past, the clouds began to roll in around 7 and completely obscured the sky. A few of us will ride out tonight while it's still full. I'll be the guy in the black cap with the bicycly imprinded on the crown.

Barrier road to the middle of the harbor

Fresh seafood with the fishing boats in the background

New Bedford, Ma. Library

No Problemo grill man's fixie

"Dead whale or a stove boat"

Ants climbing Gallery X

Martha's Vinyard ferry

Join us Tuesday,July 7th and ride the full Buck Moon. 6:30 at Pub 99 in Fairhaven.

Fiasco #9

2009-06-06T08:20:00.000-07:00

Had your strawberries yet? June 7 is the Strawberry Moon and it's time again for the FBC-Fairhaven Full Moon Bike Ride. Put your berries in a baggie, add a little sugar and shake. yuuummmmee.

Meet at Pub 99 in Fairhaven for a 6PM start. We will again ride to Fort Rodman in New Bedford. The ride around the point on the New Bedford bike path is a scenic waterfront spin.

There will be a tour of Battery Milliken, a WWII gun emplacement, when we arrive at the south end fort. That will take up around 10 minutes of our time. It's really dark inside, so bring along a good light. A visit to the civil war era Ft Tabor follows before we begin our return trip to Fairhaven.

There should be enough time for a stop at Ice Creams next to Elizabeths before biking to Ft. Phoenix to watch the rise of the Full Strawberry Moon at 7:45.

We will return to Pub 99 just about sunset at 8:15. That will conclude the family part of the bike ride.

What to bring.

Water
bike lights
flash light for Battery Milliken tour.
spare tube, patch kit and tool for removing wheel. (Some bikes have quick release)
lock (just in case)
camera

Jazz in New Bedford

2009-05-19T19:16:00.000-07:00

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.

See you around

Fiasco #8

2009-05-08T19:23:00.000-07:00

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.

Full Flower Moon of 2009

2009-05-02T07:44:00.000-07:00

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.

View FBC May Full Moon 09 in a larger map

Harvest Moon

2008-09-15T10:40:00.000-07:00

Tonight there is a full moon and clear skys. Bring whatever you need to have a fun bike ride. Meet at Pub99 in Fairhaven at 8PM. From there we are off to New Bedford for a ride around Ft. Rodman.

After that? Only the Shadow knows.

Full Sturgeon Moon

2008-08-13T08:32:00.000-07:00

Saturday, August 16 is the date of the Full Sturgeon Moon. Sunday is a much better night for riding. Sooooo. The 6th Full Moon Fiasco is Sunday August 17th, at 7PM. Meet at Pub 99 in Fairhaven.

Begin the ride by visiting the Ft. Phoenix area out to the middle of the harbor. Next it's off to New Bedford. We'll ride the sidwalk over the bridge and portage the bikes down the stairs ro Front St. We'll ride the streets of downtown passing many of the historic sites including the Underground RR, and Puritan buildings. Included is the plaque where Mayor Rodney French rang the bell for house letting the city know that slave hunters

Fort Rodman, via County St. and West Rodney French Blvd. A stop at Davies outdoor bar is a possibility as well as Antonios, before returning to East Fairhaven.

See you then