Conference noted::bicycle

    
    Given that no one has bothered to reply to this note, 
    I'd say there's not much interest. This has been here
    over 6 weeks.
    
    That's too bad, because, I have been wondering the same
    thing. I really enjoyed the weekday evening rides after
    work. Anyone interested in doing informal show & go rides?
    
    Dale
    

	(Gee, I thought I replied to this, but elves must have removed
	my entry.)

	I'm up for more show-and-go rides and even some weekend day rides.

	Last year, the show-and-go rides just rotated among a few sites
	(LTN1, OGO [Stow], HLOn, and MROn) every Tuesday.  Since nobody
	has responded, it's hard to predict what would have the best
	turn-out (because of both time and place).  Since I moved from LTN
	to BXB1 (Boxboro[ugh]), I'd like to add the latter to the rotation
	list.  What's YOUR preference?

	Also, I've heard stories about wonderful Norton-sponsored (Kathy
	and Jay; not the sandpaper company) rides from Princeton.  Now that
	I live in that area, I'd like to try one for myself.  (Can someone
	just dig up the old maps so we see the routes?)

    
    	re .2	There *IS* the legendary Norton forty.  It starts in
    Princeton and wanders over some godaweful hills around Barre and
    (I think) Hubbardston.  I rode it in '83 on a fixed gear, never
    been quite the same person since.  If Kathy will dig up a route
    sheet I'll lea..<nah, I'll ride rear guard to keep an eye on the
    stragglers> 

    	Reg
    

    Funny you should mention that ride.  I've been planning to do that
    during June, probably June 20 or 21.  It will be called:
    
    THE ALMOST ANNUAL PRINCETON HILLS WITH HOMEMADE ICE CREAM AFTERWARDS
    RIDE.
    
    It's about 42 miles, starting from my house which is on Route 31,
    1/2 mile south of the Mountain Barn Restaurant.  Unfortunately,
    it does include that horrible hill into Barre, along with lots of
    other hills.  This is NOT a beginners ride.  (But beginners are
    more than welcome to come for ice cream!)
        
    Once I figure out a definite date and time, I'll write a new note
    about it.
    
    Kathy
    Kathy
                                                                     
    

    
    	Wow !  What a volunteer.  Howzabout 20th with 21st as rain date ?

    <excuses go here...> so I can't do it the 13th, 14th might be reserved
    for recovery from 13th, and I'll be gone to the lake by 25th.
    
    	Reg
     
    

	How does the hill into Barre compare with the stuff encountered
	on that ride that started in Orange?  Is it steeper?  Longer?
	Uphill in both directions?

	-LC

    There were hills on that ride in Orange??
    
    Haha, just kidding.  I think the hill into Barre is the worse in
    Massachusetts, maybe the world.  But it's not too long.

	Maybe we should just bring a ladder to carry the bikes up
	the hill.

    
    	re .7	Worst in Mass, maybe the world, eh.
    
    	I have this feeling that you've started one of the potentially
    longest notes of all time. 

    	Here are my entries:-
    
    	Burke Mountain, Vt.  Burn Y'self up getting to the toll gate,
    	then the *REAL* climb starts.
    
    	Mt Washington, NH.  Not the main part of the auto road, but the
    	service road after the parking lots, where it zigs right and
	then goes left at some 26 + %
    
	Pike's Peak in CO.  Of course I've never ridden it.  I may be
    	mad, but I'm not stupid.  Well, maybe I'll just put that one
    	on my fantasy list.  I think its about 14,000 from a 6,500 start,
    	i.e. starts about where Washington finishes and has about twice
    	the ascent.
    
    		Reg
    
    
    	

    
    	re .7	Worst in Mass, maybe the world, eh.
    
    	I have this feeling that you've started one of the potentially
    longest notes of all time. 

OK, I'll add to it.
1. Road to the Sun (Glacier National park to Logan pass from the south.
  A loooooong, steep hill, with Winnebagos trying to pass each other
on  a  narrow  road.  To  add  to  the fun, the park rules don't allow
bicycles  on  the road between 11am and 4:30, so you need a very early
start, and you can't take many stops. I'm told the views are gorgeous,
but  when  I rode it we saw mainly clouds (with the occasional peek at
an incredible view.)
Of  course  Pass  is a misnomer for a spot about 600 ft lower than the
peaks (this is in the Rockies).

2. Mt.  Edith  Cavell  rd.  (just  south  of Jasper, Alberta). This is
shorter  than  Road  to  the Sun, but just as steep, and believe it or
not, narrower. The road is almost non-existant, it's just gravel spots
around the potholes.  At least in Canada the drivers are polite.
This  road  has  such  a terrible surface that for the only time in my
life  I  was saying "when is this damn hill going to end?" while going
*down* hill.

--David

	OK.  How about if the first show-and-go leaves BXB1 (front)
	at 6:00 p.m. Wednesday, May 27th?  If it rains, Thursday
	at 6:00, or the next day, until we get a decent day.

	Since only one other person has shown interest, it's hard
	to tell if Wednesday is a "good" day for a ride.  Is it
	possible that there are people who might be interested
	who don't read this notes file?  Hmmm...  I think I have
	a copy of the club distribution list.

	Tuesday, June 2nd, we leave from HLO1.
	Thursday, June 11th, MRO1.
	Monday, June 15th, OGO (Stow).

	Any counter-offers?

    
    	Right !, back to the topic (had we strayed ?).  Count me in
    for next wednesday, but don't expect me to go far or fast since
    this will be spliced into my commute home.
    
    	Reg
    

	See you then/there.  So far, we have two people who are
	(should be?) committed.  Anybody else willing to admit to
	wanting to go along?

	The pace and course are determined by whoever shows up.  I
	don't want to be dragged up the hills into Harvard by Reg...
	Please, somebody else, come along.

    worst in the world?  Fargo St in LA is alleged to be 33% but it's
    only .1 mi long.  There's a race every February. The race is to
    find out "who," not "how long."  I've been told that some wierd machines
    show up for it.  I've seen it but not tried it.  Maybe next DECUS.

    ed

    Well, this is hightly ammusing, and I'ld love to meet some of you
    clowns, BUT:
    
    	Is this a training run, a race, or a pleasant afternoon out.
    I've dome a few thousand miles of bike touring, but I do it for
    fun ... I've never met a hill yet that's too steep to walk.
    
    	Should I come?
    
    		Andrew
    

	They tend to be "afternoon rides", though the pace is actually
	determined by who shows up.  Last year the people who showed
	up would tend to break into two groups, one of "moderate" speed,
	and one of "low" speed.  Occasionally, there are a few impatient
	riders.

	But this afternoon, I'm expecting three people (including you),
	so you'll have a big voice in setting the pace.  (It'll likely be
	us against Reg.  -If he's in a hurry, he can ride ahead and wait
	or ride alone.)

	The rides usually head for an ice cream stand, a town common
	with a water fountain, or a store with Popsicles (TM) with
	as much scenery as possible on the way.  If the riders spread out
	because of speed differences, the fast folks wait around at a
	convenient place (e.g. ice cream stand) for the slower ones.

    I'd like to find out when the MR0 trip is happening so I can meet
    you people. 
    
    I think today is out as my bike is home in Burlington. I also wonder
    how the logistics will work. Is it a circular route back to the
    cars? It must be!

	248.11 has the schedule.  The MRO ride is June 11.  All leave
	around 6:00.

	Yes, they're loops.  -Downhill all the way, too!!!

    > Yes, they're loops. -Downhill all the way, too!!!
    
    Designed by Escher, no doubt.
    
    Dave

    Well, I thoroughly enjoyed the first DEC Bicycle club run of 1987.
    Of course, it would have been even better if I had found the start,
    or Reg, or Larry ... or indeed any other DEC riders.
    
    But even without them I spend a couple of very pleasant hours in
    the unsigned back lanes of Littleton and Harvard looking for BXB.
    I actually, got pretty close too, but didn't find that out till
    I got home.
    
    	Andrew
    
    

>    Well, I thoroughly enjoyed the first DEC Bicycle club run of 1987.
>    Of course, it would have been even better if I had found the start,
>    or Reg, or Larry ... or indeed any other DEC riders.

	Yes, it was lonely sitting in the BXB1 parking lot waiting for
	someone else to show...

	For the record (since BXB1 will come around again in the
	rotation), BXB1 is a hundred feet or so northwest of where
	Ma. Route 111 crosses I-495.  Route 111 crosses I-495
	about three miles south of where Ma. Route 2 crosses I-495,
	in Littleton.

	The entrance to BXB1 is on Swanson Road, which runs parallel
	to I-495 (a few hundred feet west of I-495 and running north
	from Route 111).

	The only complication for navigating comes about from the
	fact that Route 111 is alternately marked as a north-south
	route AND an east-west route.  (Ma. DPW does it again!)
	The north and west signs are used in one direction, and
	south and east signs in the opposite direction.

	From the exit ramp from I-495 northbound, a right turn will
	get you going in the right direction on '111.  From the
	southbound ramp, a left will do it.  (Obviously, the ramps
	lag the crossroad and loop back 180 degrees.)


	And a reminder:  Next week's ride is Tuesday, June 2, starting
	at HLO1, at 6:00 p.m.

    
    I'm going to try to make the June 2 and June 11 rides. I live
    in Hudson and work at MRO so either way they're in my backyard.
    I'm just looking for some inspiration to start riding again so I'll
    be running a moderate pace. As I recall from the rides the last
    several years they were just nice scenic, friendly rides.
    
    Looking forward to riding with some of you!
    
    Dale
    

    I'm interested in the 11th June ride from MR0.  I just have one
    question, which building or parking lot will you be meeting in front
    of/in ?
    
    
    
    			Joe

	How about near (on?) the helipad near where MRO1 meets MRO2
	(where there's an employee entrance)?  Usually as you drive
	in, you notice impatient cyclists circling the parking lot
	anyway...

	-LC

    I'll also try to make the ride on the 11th at MRO.  Thursday is
    a much better day for me than tuesday (Little League coach).
    
    See you next week.
    
    Hey Kathy, is the ride from your house on the 20th still on?
    
    Bob Hatcher
    

    I'll also try to be there for the 11th.  That means missing the
    time trials, but that will give somebody else a chance to come in
    last.  
    
    I'm still planning on the ride from Princeton on the 20th.  Just
    have to make sure the "babysitter" is available.  Then I'll put
    a note in here with all the details.
    
    Kathy

	There were rumors of a strong cold front coming through the area
	(eastern MA) this afternoon.  Right now in BXB1 it's still
	cloudy, but I heard on the radio that it's pouring in Boston.
	It's cooler than this morning here, but there are no signs
	of a thunderstorm.  Could the front have already passed through
	the area of the western-most part of I-495?  (-which means it
	shouldn't rain in HLO later...)

	Can we get input from area sites to figure out where the front
	is and where it's going to determine whether the HLO ride is
	still on?

	For local Massachusettsans, who believe the local commercial
	forecasters, the forecast is "mostly sunny, mild; good day
	to go to the beach and spend tourist money".  For everybody
	else: "severe thunderstorm watch".

	-LC

	Well, it's raining steadily in BXB1 now, so I assume HLO
	is in similar shape.  So, it's time for Plan B, which is
	to try again tomorrow, though the weather might well be the
	same.

	By the way, the national weather map printed in the (Boston)
	Globe this morning shows thunderstorms all the way from
	New England (including eastern Mass.) to the Texas panhandle.
	Their forecast, however, is "Variable cloudiness, 30 percent
	chance of showers, winds becoming east around 10 m.p.h., highs
	in the mid-70s (23-25 C).  Tonight, cloudy, lows 55-60 (13-16
	C).  Tomorrow, cloudy, 30 percent chance of showers, highs
	in mid-70s (23-25 C).

    re .27	Well, you missed LAST thursday, (how do I know ?). 
    Pity, coz Karen was looking for another fem' rider.

    	Reg
    

    sign me up for MRO ride, it's good to hear opportunities to ride
    in a group again   - (rediscovering the bicycle NOTEs community
    after a year of abstinence) -   signed,  the lonely commuter

	REMINDER!!  REMINDER!!  REMINDER!!  REMINDER!!  REMINDER!!

	There's a Show-and-Go ride tomorrow, Thursday, June 11th,
	starting at MRO1 at around 6:00 p.m.  Remember to bring
	your bike and any necessities (camera, ice cream money, etc.).

	I've never been on any of the rides from MRO.  -Anybody
	planning to show who knows some nice routes?  I'll bring
	"Short Bike Rides in Greater Boston and Central Massachusetts",
	just in case...

	REMINDER!!  REMINDER!!  REMINDER!!  REMINDER!!  REMINDER!!

    I know a nice route to Uhlman's ice cream in Westboro.  
    
    Kathy

	Here's the schedule for the next few Show-and-Go rides:

	Day/Date:			Site:

	Monday, June 15th		OGO
	Tuesday, June 23		BXB1
	Wednesday, July 1		HLO1
	Thursday, July 9		LTN1
	Monday, July 13			MRO1
	Tuesday, July 21		OGO
	Wednesday, July 29		BXB1

	To make things simple and to ensure lots of variety of both
	sites and days-of-the-week, I expanded the site list to five
	while keeping the day-of-week list at four.  We won't have
	a ride at the same site on the same day-of-the-week for
	twenty weeks (if we ride that long).

	The sites' locations are:

	OGO:	On a side road that meets Route 117 at an acute angle
		about two or three miles (?) east of I-495.  There's
		(possibly) a small red-white-and-black Digital sign
		and a "traffic officer on duty when flashing" sign/light
		on Route 117 near the side road.  Since the side
		road meets 117 at such a steep angle, there is a
		short connecting road for eastbound traffic on 117 to
		use for the turn.  (The people who wrote "Short Bike Rides
		in Greater Boston and Central Massachusetts" didn't know
		the name of the side street; does it have a name?)

	BXB1:	Northeast of the intersection of Route 111 and I-495.
		From I-495, take Route 111 toward Harvard (North or West,
		depending on the sign).  Swanson Road is the first
		right.  The entrance to BXB is a few hundred feet north
		of Route 111 on Swanson Road.

	HLO1:	The connector that goes between I-495 at the I-290
		interchange and Route 85 continues straight after crossing
		Route 85, leading into the DEC site.

	MRO1:	Southwest of the Route 20 exit of I-495.  Take the Route
		20 West exit and go west on Route 20 a hundred feet to
		the first LEFT (traffic light with a left-turn signal and
		a left-turn lane).  This street is labeled "Not a through
		street" in an attempt to limit traffic in the residential
		area.  About two blocks down, at the "dead-end" sign (for
		continuing straight), turn left.  Go a couple of blocks to
		an intersection with a right turn and a "veer" left/straight.
		Turn right.  Take this street to the end (a couple of
		blocks) and turn LEFT.  Over the hill on the right is the
		entrance to MRO.  Alternate:  The street that the entrance
		to the site is on intersects Route 20 a little farther west,
		at a traffic light where there is also a sign for a
		Metropolitan Insurance Company office park or something like
		that.

	Hey, how come there are no "See you in Stow" notes here?
	Am I going to have to ride alone this afternoon?

    Re .34:
    
    Going to MRO from Rt 20, you'll make Marlboro happier with Digital
    if you take a left at the 2nd light west of Rt 495.  It's only slightly
    longer and actually easier to navigate than turning at the first
    light, where the town is trying to discourage through traffic in
    a residential area with a school and plenty of kids.
    
    Mac.

	I didn't want to commit on the recommended route because I
	didn't know how far down it was or what the name is.  Its
	name is Ames St.  What's the name of the street that that
	crosses, which the DEC entrance is on?

	By the way, what are the "Do not enter" signs for on the
	residential street that ends at the street DEC is on just
	west of the DEC entrance?  The local folks don't seem to think
	they mean "do not enter".

    Re .37:
    
    MRO1's address is 200 Forest St., which is the street that intersects
    Ames St.  So the best route is Rt 20 west from Rt 495 to the second
    light, left onto Ames St., another left at the Stop sign onto Forest
    St., next right onto the MRO1 entrance drive.
    
    The "Do Not Enter" signs are to discourage traffic leaving MRO and
    other neighboring facilities from cutting through the residential
    neighborhood to Rt 20.  The locals (residents) usually ignore them.
    
    By the way, I understand another 495 interchange may be built to
    connect to the road "behind" the MRO complex.  Could solve some
    problems, especially when MRO4 opens.
    
    Mac.

	Here's the schedule for the next "few" Show-and-Go rides:

	Day/Date:			Site:

	Tuesday, June 23		BXB1
	Wednesday, July 1		HLO1
	Thursday, July 9		LTN1
	Monday, July 13			MRO1
	Tuesday, July 21		OGO
	Wednesday, July 29		BXB1
	Thursday, August 6		HLO1
	Monday, August 10		LTN1
	Tuesday, August 18		MRO1
	Wednesday, August 26		OGO
	Thursday, September 3		BXB1
	Tuesday, September 8		HLO1  \ switched to
	Monday, September 14		LTN1  / avoid Labor Day
	Wednesday, September 23		MRO1
	Thursday, October 1		OGO
	Monday, October 5		BXB1
	Tuesday, October 13		HLO1
	Wednesday, October 21		LTN1
	Thursday, October 29		MRO1


	The sites' locations are:

	OGO:	On a side road (Old Bolton Road) that meets Route 117 at an
		acute angle just east of the Bolton-Stow line.  (It's a
		sharp RIGHT turn if you're heading east on 117.)  There's
		(possibly) a small red-white-and-black Digital sign
		and a "traffic officer on duty when flashing" sign/light
		on Route 117 near the turn.  Since the side road meets 117
		at such a steep angle, there is a short connecting road for
		eastbound traffic on 117 to use for the turn.  According to
		a map I found, Old Bolton Road also meets Route 117 just on
		the Bolton side of the Bolton-Stow line, though, since DEC
		is near the east end of the street, and the condition of the
		road is probably worse than that of Route 117, it's probably
		worth taking the more eastern turn.

	BXB1:	Northeast of the "intersection" of Route 111 and I-495.
		From I-495, take Route 111 toward Harvard (North or West,
		depending on the sign).  Swanson Road is the first
		right.  The entrance to BXB1 is a few hundred feet north
		of Route 111 on Swanson Road.

	HLO1:	The connector that goes between I-495 at the I-290
		interchange and Route 85 continues straight after crossing
		Route 85, leading into the DEC site.

	MRO1:	Southwest of the Route 20 exit of I-495.  Take the Route
		20 West exit and go west on Route 20 to the second traffic
		light (with a left-turn signal and a left-turn lane; Ames
		Street).  Follow Ames until it crosses Forest Street.  (Ames
		has a stop sign.)  Turn left on Forest, go over a hill,
		and turn into the Digital entrance on the right.

	Since it's so crummy looking outside today, and the forecast
	for tomorrow says it'll be pretty nice, I'm planning to "show
	and go" from BXB1 tomorrow instead of today.  -Any takers?

	Is Erikson's closer than Kimball's?

	-LC

    I'll join you tomorrow.
    
    Dick

	The sun is out now in Boxboro(ugh).  Who's planning to
	ride from HLO this afternoon?

	Tomorrow's Show-and-Go ride:

	Thursday, July 9		LTN1

	The site's location is:

	Southeast of the (cloverleaf) interchange of Route 2 and I-495.
	Go WEST on Route 2 from the cloverleaf and get off immediately
	after the on-ramp from I-495 southbound at the Taylor Street
	Exit.  At the end of the ramp, go RIGHT on Taylor Street, pass
	over Route 2, then I-495, climbing a hill.  After the I-495
	bridge, on the left are a storage facility and a lone house.
	Turn LEFT at the next side street (Foster Street; barely readable
	sign) and go to the second DEC site in the left, downhill from
	the first.  (The first is LTN2.)

    Who is coming for tonight's ride from MRO? Feels like nice day for
    ice cream stop along the way!     -  sign in if you're coming.
    

	Anybody up for a ride from Stow this afternoon?  What's the
	name of that ice cream place in Berlin?

    This past Wednesday was a beautiful night for a bike ride. However,
    only two of us (Scott Blessley and me) showed up for the Show and
    Go ride in Boxboro. You missed a good ride and an ice cream stop
    at Kimbals. I plan to ride next Thursday in Hudson and hope that
    more of you show up.
    
    Dick

	I was tempted, but I was on vacation last week.  Maybe this
	Thursday...

	Here's the schedule for the next "few" Show-and-Go rides:

	Day/Date:			Site:

	Monday, August 10		LTN1
	Tuesday, August 18		MRO1
	Wednesday, August 26		OGO
	Thursday, September 3		BXB1
	Tuesday, September 8		HLO1  \ switched to
	Monday, September 14		LTN1  / avoid Labor Day
	Wednesday, September 23		MRO1
	Thursday, October 1		OGO
	Monday, October 5		BXB1
	Tuesday, October 13		HLO1
	Wednesday, October 21		LTN1
	Thursday, October 29		MRO1


	The sites' locations are:

	BXB1:	Northeast of the "intersection" of Route 111 and I-495.
		From I-495, take Route 111 toward Harvard (North or West,
		depending on the sign).  Swanson Road is the first
		right.  The entrance to BXB1 is a few hundred feet north
		of Route 111 on Swanson Road.

	HLO1:	The connector that goes between I-495 at the I-290
		interchange and Route 85 continues straight after crossing
		Route 85, leading into the DEC site.

	MRO1:	Southwest of the Route 20 exit of I-495.  Take the Route
		20 West exit and go west on Route 20 to the second traffic
		light (with a left-turn signal and a left-turn lane; Ames
		Street).  Follow Ames until it crosses Forest Street.  (Ames
		has a stop sign.)  Turn left on Forest, go over a hill,
		and turn into the Digital entrance on the right.

	LTN1:	Southeast of the (cloverleaf) interchange of Route 2 and I-495.
		Go WEST on Route 2 from the cloverleaf and get off immediately
		after the on-ramp from I-495 southbound at the Taylor Street
		Exit.  At the end of the ramp, go RIGHT on Taylor Street, pass
		over Route 2, then I-495, climbing a hill.  After the I-495
		bridge, on the left are a storage facility and a lone house.
		Turn LEFT at the next side street (Foster Street; barely
		readable sign) and go to the second DEC site in the left,
		downhill from the first.  (The first is LTN2.)

	OGO:	On a side road (Old Bolton Road) that meets Route 117 at an
		acute angle just east of the Bolton-Stow line.  (It's a
		sharp RIGHT turn if you're heading east on 117.)  There's
		(possibly) a small red-white-and-black Digital sign
		and a "traffic officer on duty when flashing" sign/light
		on Route 117 near the turn.  Since the side road meets 117
		at such a steep angle, there is a short connecting road for
		eastbound traffic on 117 to use for the turn.  According to
		a map I found, Old Bolton Road also meets Route 117 just on
		the Bolton side of the Bolton-Stow line, though, since DEC
		is near the east end of the street, and the condition of the
		road is probably worse than that of Route 117, it's probably
		worth taking the more eastern turn.

    It looks like we may have nice riding weather tomorrow and I'm planning
    to show for the "show and go" at Stow tomorrow, Wednesday, at 6pm.
    Anybody going to join me?
    
    Dick