bikes 'n' things

So I was inspired by some stuff I found on Pinterest the other day, about cool old bikes, and I figured I'd share it here.

Check this guy out:

From http://design-milk.com/modern-utility-bike/, a "modern utility bike". I guess "modern" includes "retro". Still, I think this thing is pretty sweet - nothing like you'd find at a typical bike store these days... not as functional for the serious athletic biking, but it makes up for it in style. I could totally see myself biking around town and carrying groceries home on this thing.

Or check out this one:

There's no site associated with it (t-cycles.com, maybe?) on Pinterest, except for http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/originals/13/92/f0/1392f0fda8697692063af5b0c6fb3f40.jpg . But check this dude out - not sure how safe that car is, or how fast a speed it can go... but maybe it's just that we love metal in this modern age, and we don't trust how safe/sturdy wood can be (especially wood supported by metal, which this has GOT to be). I would love to take Emily around in that thing - imagine us cruising around the city, her tongue flapping in the wind, sitting in the car - awesome, right?

Here are some other awesome photos -

Is this even real? What is going on here? Could you imagine the quads on the dude (or lady) hauling that thing? I think I'd be too petrified that it would crash down and kill me while I'm biking. 

Or this classic:

Here's the Pinterest tag: http://www.pinterest.com/pin/455637687272609499/ . The story goes that a boy left this bike chained to a tree in 1914 when he went to war, and the tree "had no choice but to grow around it." I mean, the only logical explanation for this is that some kid left it against a tree and the tree grew around it, but the whole going to war thing... reminds me of those six-word stories, like the famous "For sale: baby shoes, never worn." Something like, "Veteran's bike, eaten by tree/rust."

Check out my biking Pinterest board at: http://www.pinterest.com/andersonwiltshi/biking/

Useful Massachusetts trails sites:

I thought you guys might like a couple awesome links. Here goes:

http://www.americantrails.org/resources/statetrails/MAstate.html

http://fntg.net/

http://www.cityofboston.gov/visitors/walks.asp
Very useful for finding trails around Boston, especially if you're just getting into this.

http://massbike.org/resourcesnew/pathstrails/

http://www.boston.com/travel/new-england/great-hikes-new-england/f78GpU46TyJO9B2succFLI/gallery.html

hiking the beach

So, I know it's not the first thing that comes to mind, but hiking the beach is a pretty cool way to spend an afternoon, and Emily LOVES the sand and the water.

Soooo in the spirit of putting up stuff already although I haven't really been out much yet this year, I'll share my trip to Carson Beach from late last year - Carson Beach really gets the crowds during peak season, but it's not bad when the weather is a bit cooler. And if I'm not planning on going in the water, but just enjoying the smell of the ocean and Emily causing a ruckus, it's a good deal. Dogs aren't allowed at Carson during peak season, and I get most of my enjoyment out of watching her.

Carson Beach is right on William Day Blvd., near I-93. Not too bad to get to from the city, and you can take public transit for most of the way. (Def a fan of public transit.)

Here's a map:

Carson Beach was a good time - not very far from civilization, but an enjoyable afternoon. Here's Emily in an instagram-my photo taken by one of my friends:

We met a mom and her kid on the beach - kid (maybe 5 years old?) was afraid of dogs, and Em is such a goofball that she was trying to get him to play. After a few minutes of tail wagging and bringing driftwood sticks, I think it might really have been a breakthrough for that kid - the mom said she'd never seen him so happy around a dog. And Emily, well - she's just a happy pup, always looking for a playmate. 

suggestions?

Hi all,

I'm super stoked about where this blog could go in the future... looking forward to cataloging more trails and more good times in the outdoors. I think it'd be fun to take recommendations from you guys, if there are places you think I should go and get out in! Let me know, hit me up.

Anderson

GREAT weekend

The weather is totally rockin' today. Made it out with some friends to the Mountain Bike Loop at Middlesex Falls... not a short trip, loads of fun.

Met a dude on the path today who had a punctured tube... here's the thing... I guess it's a learning curve, but you've got to bring a spare! I always have at least two spares with me, because you never know what's going to happen, or who you might encounter who's gonna need them. Cyclists, we're all about the brotherhood, so it's important to help other people. I hope that dude has learned his lesson!

Pro tip: keep your spare tubes and gear in a plastic bag to keep them clean and dry, especially if you're keeping them in a saddlebag.

Also, for real - dog hiking gear? Maybe I should write a blog post just about that....

In the meantime, here's a pic of Emily from when she was younger. I know she missed being outdoors today... just couldn't take her on the bike ride!

Middlesex Fells Skyline Trail

So, I said I would post a little about last summer's hiking adventures...

This is Middlesex Fells Skyline Trail. It's a little bit north of the city, along I-93. I went there with my buddy Jason and my golden, Emily, and we made a day of it. The trail is almost seven miles long, so it's quite a hike, and there's a definite incline at times, so it sucks the breath out of your lungs. I hadn't yet broken in my new hiking boots, so it was really good to get them off at the end of the day. But it was good, and good to be exhausted.

I went in August, and the day was really hot. Remember to bring water (and water for the dog)! We met a dude hiking alone who showed us some great views a little off the beaten path; he knew the place well. We picnicked in a clearing, and Emily got to play in the water. All in all, I definitely recommend it.

Lots of wildlife in and around the water. Excellent spot to sit and take a breather.

first post

Hi, all. I'm using this blog to catalog my treks through the Massachusetts parks and trails. We've been slammed this winter by snow, so I'm super stoked about the coming summer. While we're still waiting for the heat to show up, I'll post about my adventures from last year.