Minuteman Bikeway Rail Trail

Construction this week

2012-01-23T19:44:00.000-05:00

The trail will be closed from Seasons Four to Maple Street all this week, according to the Lexington DPW projects page.

Construction Ahead

2012-01-10T14:14:00.000-05:00

Skating west from Lexington Center to 128 today, I noticed first that conditions are brilliant (for January), second that I ended 2011 with a very short brake pad, and third that there are half a dozen lines marked in fluorescent orange crossing the trail. Those last probably relate to some recent mail from Joey Glushko on the ABAC list, announcing drainage work on Minuteman Bikeway in Lexington. There might be partial or complete closures as work progresses near the Hartwell Avenue landfill (opposite Tophet Swamp), Revere Street, Bow Street, and Seasons Four. All these sections are troubled by flooding or debris following storms. There are often sand bars west of Bow Street, for example.

Today: 4 miles. This year: 4 miles.

Meetup

2011-09-17T12:29:00.000-05:00

Thursday September 29 at 6:00 PM. I don't know the organizers.

Why the Ryder Street bollards look that way

2011-08-23T09:19:00.000-05:00

It's because Arlington's field mower drives right over them. I was taking off my skates in the Rec Center parking lot this morning when mower came past me and crossed the trail, driving directly over the bollards on both sides of the path. Even with the mower blades up, it breaks the bollards about a foot off the ground.

Ryder Street, Arlington

Does this slang make me sound old?

2011-08-06T09:33:00.000-05:00

Thursday morning I stumbled on the ramp from Hurd Field, couldn't make the turn, fell onto the trail, and picked up some Bermuda rash on shin and forearm. What surprised me was that some of my friends and co-workers had never heard the phrase "Bermuda rash" for the cuts and scrapes that come from hitting the pavement. I heard it from my parents in the '60s. Has it passed from use?

Never Before Seen

2011-05-27T09:27:00.001-05:00

A man and a child came toward me on the trail this morning, the child on a bike and the man on something strange. A stand-up bike? A bike with running boards? Actually, an ElliptiGO outdoor elliptical bicycle. I'm sure it's exercise, no idea if it's any fun.

ElliptiGO on YouTube

I saw two dead chipmunks on the trail this morning. That's unusual because chipmunks taken by predators don't land on the trail and road-kill chipmunks are quickly scattered aside by the traffic. It's clear why they were there, though, as two other very lively chipmunks did their best to run under my skates.

Today: 13 miles. This year: 99.2 miles.

Some Slippery Spots

2011-05-25T10:13:00.000-05:00

Moist, mashed, maple litter makes for some slippery spots, especially from Bedford Street to I-95. The adjoining forest in that stretch is a double threat, both providing the litter of flowers and seeds and keeping the sun from drying the shaded trail. I found the slipperiness most hazardous on the inbound (eastbound) side. That's not because there's more of it on one side or the other, but because inbound is uphill in that section and pushing harder means more exposure to slips.

Today: 13 miles. This year: 86.2 miles. It's been wet a lot, you know?

Epic Allergy Week Continues

2011-05-09T12:48:00.000-05:00

If maple and oak aren't enough, now the cottonwood snow is falling.

Near Parker Meadow, Lexington

New wheels

Today: 13 miles. This year: 73.2 miles.

Epic Allergy Season

2011-05-07T09:37:00.000-05:00

A runner coming towards me today had one hand on her jogging stroller, the other one holding a tissue to her nose. The next runner I passed going my way gave a little two-part throat-clearing cough with every breath. And these are the people who feel well enough to go out.

Ideal commuter location

2011-04-09T10:06:00.000-05:00

Many homes adjoin the trail. Some have private access with their own gates, paths, or stairs. Only one home faces the trail and has a private crossing: 1359R Massachusetts Avenue in Lexington, now for sale.

1359R Mass. Ave., Lexington

Today: 8.5 miles. This year: 37.2 miles.

Trail Cleanup, Saturday April 30th

2011-03-23T11:13:00.000-05:00

From the ABAC mailing list:

Mark your calendars - save the date!
Meet on the Bikeway - Don't be late!

Please join the Arlington Bicycle Advisory Committee in a spring cleanup of the Minuteman Bikeway in Arlington. The cleanup will take place on Saturday April 30 from 9:30am to 1:00pm. If it rains on Saturday, we will try Sunday at the same time.

We will first meet at the three locations listed below then fan out along the path; pick the location where you and your friends might like to work:

Arlington Heights, by the path by the Park Ave. Bridge.
Arlington Center, by the path at Water Street.
East Arlington, by the path at the Rt. 2 overpass near Thorndike Field.

Bring gloves if you have them. Trash bags will be provided.
For further information, contact Stephan Miller via email (steffmiller@mac.com) or by phone (781-641-2845).

Downhill downwind, uphill upwind.

2011-03-18T14:56:00.000-05:00

Skating from Lexington Center to Mill Street in Arlington was a pleasure today, with the temperature in the 60s and the wind at my back. I stood and coasted like never before. Returning uphill and upwind? That was work.

The pavement was dryer today than yesterday, with snowbanks perishing rapidly in the heat. Most notable was the absence of yesterday's puddle crossing the Seasons Four driveway in Lexington.

Today: 8.7 miles. This year: 28.7 miles.

Weather perfect. Trail OK.

2011-03-17T18:44:00.000-05:00

The anemic remains of this winter's epic snowbanks still dribble their waning moisture onto the trail. Small sticks are the most common litter on the trail today. I kicked up a few as I skated and heard them bounce behind me, sounding like pencils on the pavement.

East Lexington

Near Hartwell Avenue

Today: 12 miles. This year: 20 miles.

Slightly off-trail

2011-02-19T11:18:00.000-05:00

It's been a tough winter for street furniture.

Along Mass. Ave., Arlington Heights

Far from clear

2011-02-11T16:11:00.000-05:00

I crossed the trail behind Trader Joe's in Arlington Heights a couple of days ago. The stairs from Trader Joe's are meticulously clean from edge to edge, unlike the landing below with its narrow lane between ice banks. The trail itself is fully covered in hard-packed snow and ice. This might be the worst location in Arlington not to plow because the shade of the high wall preserves ice on the trail there after everything else has melted. Continuing across the trail, the Hurd Field parking lot is a wilderness of snow, ice, water, and seemingly random obstacles. My guess is that parked cars hindered plowing and led to the lot's sorry state.

Trail Clearing in Lexington: A Day Later

2011-01-15T10:48:00.000-05:00

Thursday's work to clear the trail brought it down almost to the pavement. You can cycle in these conditions, with snow tires, if you really want to. And it seems a few people do.

West from Bow Street, Lexington

Bicycle track near Bow Street

Trail Clearing in Lexington

2011-01-13T12:24:00.000-05:00

They're working on it. Where they haven't arrived yet, there's plenty of snow.

Behind Mal's, east of Bow Street

Looking east from Fottler Avenue

Clear from Lexington Center to Bedford Depot Park

2011-01-07T14:22:00.002-05:00

The trail was very nice today, just a little nippy around the fingers and ears. Fingers were warm after two miles, ears took longer. Conditions were generally clear from Lexington Center (milepost VI) out to Bedford Depot Park (milepost X), where the plowing ends with a frozen snowbank at the parking lot ramp.

Between Westview Street and Wiggins Avenue

At Bedford Depot Park

Tophet Swamp

Today: 8 miles. This year: 8 miles.

1/1/11: All wet

2011-01-01T21:21:00.000-05:00

Happy new year, everybody! I'm recycling last year's resolutions, hoping against medical interruption this time.

While the trail is plowed all through Lexington, the snowbanks on each side keep in the meltwater. The trail is all wet this weekend and sure to be icy after the temperature falls again on Monday.

Lexington Center approaching Meriam Street

Training Run / Looking Like Fall / Touring 6211

2010-08-28T18:25:00.001-05:00

A Boston Fit training run brought unusual crowds to the trail this morning. The trainees had the good sense to run singly or in small groups, limiting congestion. I saw refreshment stations at Hurd Field (Arlington Heights) and near Fletcher Avenue (Lexington Center). Basement cat presided at the latter.

Near Fletcher Avenue, Lexington

Last week's rain after the dry summer covered the trail in dead leaves, creating an autumnal appearance in August.

Near Valley Road, Lexington

I'm always at Bedford Depot Park early in the morning, so I've never seen Budd car 6211 open for inspection. My wife and I walked part of the Bedford Narrow Gauge Rail Trail today, then toured 6211 and the Freight House at the park.

At Bedford Depot Park

Today: 10.5 miles. This year: 740.4 miles.

Just Damp

2010-08-26T14:13:00.001-05:00

I hoped today's sunshine, breeze, and warmth would clear the whole week's rain off the trail by noontime. This was close enough to true for me to skate from Lexington Center to Arlington Center, scattering acorns and sliding across wet leaves. I'd call it about three-quarters clear, one quarter messy, and nowhere actually obstructed.

Today: 9.4 miles. This year: 716.9 miles.

Update: Friday morning, the wind has wafted away the widespread wetness, leaving only a few puddles. Sticks, leaves, and acorns continue unabated.

Lexington Patch: Bikeway Signage Improvements

2010-08-21T17:58:00.000-05:00

An article on Lexington Patch today discusses trail/street crossing safety and coming signage improvements. I'm just shaking my head at the cyclists who keep their helmets on their handlebars.

Today: 11 miles. This year: 707.5 miles.

Lung Assoc. Seeks Recreational Breathers

2010-08-19T08:49:00.000-05:00

The New England chapter of the American Lung Association is out to recruit cyclists. There were a dozen of these signs in Lexington and Bedford today.

Bedford Depot Park

At Hartwell Avenue an oncoming bicyclist asked if I were still blogging. I had time only to say "yes" as we crossed in opposite directions, but I'll take this opportunity to point out the buttons near the bottom of this page for following or subscribing.

Today: 13 miles. This year: 683.5 miles.

Foam

2010-08-18T20:30:00.000-05:00

Monday evening was breezy enough to raise some chop on Spy Pond. I walked with my wife through Spy Pond Park, parallel to the bike path, and we wondered at the foam along the water's edge. It reminded us of the problems caused by high-phosphate detergents when we were in junior high school, back in the day. But a check with my Facebook friends produced a natural explanation: tannins, probably from the many nearby oaks. One friend who's an avid hiker tells me he's often seen the effect in unpolluted mountain streams.

Spy Pond, Arlington

Today: 13 miles. This year: 670.5 miles.

Yield

2010-08-03T12:07:00.001-05:00

Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 85, Section 11B, says "A person operating a bicycle on the sidewalk shall yield the right of way to pedestrians and give an audible signal before overtaking and passing any pedestrian." These stickers just appeared at locations along the trail in Lexington.

East of Bedford Street, Lexington

Today: 14 miles. This year: 595 miles.

New Helmet

2010-08-01T17:37:00.002-05:00

Did you know you're supposed to replace your helmet every five years? Me neither. I wondered about helmet life as I was re-gluing the Velcro attachment tabs in my old helmet this morning. Now the old one's in the trash and a new one's ready to use.

Bad Bicycling

2010-07-26T10:16:00.004-05:00

Two women on bicycles overtook me as I came inbound toward Woburn Street. Let's call them Ablivia and Oblivia. Ablivia wanted to turn left at Woburn Street, so she moved left in the crossing until she was completely out of the trail. Oblivia wasn't turning left but wanted to chat with Ablivia until the very last second, so she moved into the left lane of the crossing. She kept that lane blocked against oncoming traffic, forcing an oncoming cyclist to swerve around her and come straight at me. He missed me because he was paying attention.

Neither A. nor O. wore a helmet. If they notice their bad behavior at all, they must imagine that only other people will be injured by it.

Today: 13 miles. This year: 503.4 miles.

Marathons

2010-07-22T14:56:00.002-05:00

A co-worker is training for the Northshore Inline Marathon, held each September in Duluth. Searching for something closer to home, I found a directory of North American Inline Skating Marathons at about.com. It looks like New York and Montreal are the closest events to Boston, both in September.

Today: 9 miles. This year: 477.4 miles.

Make Way for Ducklings

2010-07-19T08:37:00.001-05:00

I was always entertained by the illustrations in Make Way for Ducklings when I read it to my children. Not only for the obvious local interest -- we live near Boston and know the setting well -- but because I worked then for Thinking Machines Corporation in the former Carter Ink building. I could point to my own office window in the background as the ducks nested on an island in the Charles.

Quack, Pack, Ouack, Nack, Mack, Lack, Kack, and Jack.

Today: 9 miles. This year: 468.4 miles.

Heads up!

2010-07-15T13:17:00.003-05:00

At Seasons Four this morning I saw an inbound cyclist turn left into the parking lot directly in front of an outbound cyclist. I can only imagine she never bothered to look for oncoming traffic. Maybe a good shouting-at will inspire her to be more careful.

There's a Minuteman Bikeway group on Facebook. Also a couple of unmaintained Minuteman Bikeway pages.

Today: 9 miles. This year: 446.4 miles.

Is this yours?

2010-06-30T08:36:00.001-05:00

Either somebody dropped their Dictionary of World Mythology in the Hurd Field parking lot between 7:30 and 8:30 this morning, or it was concealed until then by the car parked next to mine. I moved it to the curb, where it won't be run over.

Hurd Field, Arlington

Today: 7.8 miles. This year: 408.1 miles.

Spy Pond Park Festival on Saturday, June 26th

2010-06-20T11:29:00.002-05:00

Organized by the Friends of Spy Pond Park.

Hiatus

2010-06-14T16:32:00.001-05:00

That's what we have here.

HI -->

2010-05-26T11:21:00.002-05:00

With infinite patience and a dead calm, you could build a cottonwood snowman today. It would be a milestone of ephemeral art.

At Bedford Street, Lexington

Today: 13 miles. This year: 396.1 miles.

Cottonwood Snowfall

2010-05-24T14:05:00.001-05:00

There was a trail cleanup in Lexington too this weekend. Trashbags awaited pickup along the trail all through Lexington this morning.

When I was in grade school, near Rochester, New York, heaps and drifts of cottonwood seeds always marked the closing of school around mid-June. I don't know if the season has advanced since then or if Boston's poplars were always a bit ahead of Rochester's.

Near Tophet Swamp, Lexington

Today: 13 miles. This year: 383.1 miles.

Minuteman Trail Cleanup Tomorrow

2010-05-21T12:22:00.001-05:00

From the ABAC mailing list:

Please join members of East Arlington Livable Streets and the Arlington Bicycle Advisory Committee as we do our yearly clean sweep of the the Minuteman trail. We will have bags, all you need to bring is a pair of gloves.

We have two groups starting at 9 am, one at Alewife that will clean to Arlington center and one that starts at the Uncle Sam statue in the center and clean to Arlington Heights. We are planning on being done by lunchtime. DPW will be removing the collected trash and recycling on Monday.

Today: 13 miles. This year: 370.1 miles.

Foliage and an Oddity

2010-05-06T20:15:00.003-05:00

Spring foliage is well developed all along the trail. I've never seen the new growth on the evergreens so prominent and clearly delineated as it is this year.

At Bedford Depot Park

East of Woburn Street, Lexington

Of all the things I've seen lost or abandoned along the bikeway, this seems the oddest.

Near Arlington High School

Today: 11.6 miles. This year 295.6 miles.

Roll Up and Be Counted

2010-05-04T09:14:00.002-05:00

A bikeway census worker was counting passers-by from the platform of the Lexington Depot today. There's also a Saturday survey, though I didn't think to ask if it was last Saturday or next.

I saw a barefoot runner in Lexington carrying his shoes, the first I've seen on the trail despite barefoot running's trendiness. I saw a trail user wearing Vibram Five Fingers shoes last month, but she was cycling.

Today: 11.3 miles. This year: 271 miles.

Overheard

2010-04-24T09:49:00.002-05:00

...tumor pressing on her brain.

Will she stay with you?

Not really an option...

...because of the stairs?

The only shower is upstairs.

...se siente como asi.

So they're raising chickens.

Chickens?

Today: 8.8 miles. This year: 230.7 miles.

Perfect Day

2010-04-22T09:08:00.002-05:00

The threat of showers later motivated me to skate early this morning and rediscover why it can be the perfect time of day. The sun is low and doesn't burn me. The wind is low and doesn't slow me. The temperature is low and keeps me comfortable even when I'm fully warmed up. And there's more wildlife to be seen than later in the day. This morning I saw two obviously wild rabbits -- dark, mottled, and shy -- near Parker Meadow in Lexington.

Today: 13 miles. This year: 208.9 miles.

"The regulars are coming!"

2010-04-19T13:19:00.002-05:00

I heard that from a horseman coming up Mass. Ave. as I skated past Lexington Center today.

Today: 8 miles. This year: 195.9 miles.

"Bikeway to Reopen"

2010-04-15T13:09:00.002-05:00

Arlington says the bikeway will be open after 8 PM tonight, April 15th. While that notice was in the e-mail, I skated through the repaired section and found it wide open. The detour signs are gone, the rebuilding and repaving are complete. The new pavement is a little wavier than the old -- you'll feel the difference under your wheels.

Today: 8.8 miles. This year: 187.9 miles.

Paving in Progress

2010-04-14T14:56:00.002-05:00

The cut-out sections of the trail are semi-paved today: just the base layer, not the top coat. I turned around at Park Avenue to avoid detouring through the soft shoulder and filling my skate bearings with grit. I expect the paving to be done tomorrow at this rate.

Today: 10.8 miles. This year: 179.1 miles.

Detour Optional

2010-04-12T20:06:00.004-05:00

At mid-day today the detour was still posted, but the barriers were off to the side and trail traffic was moving through the construction zone. All the damaged sections are cut out, the roadbed is mostly refilled with sand and gravel, only pavement is missing. Some of the damaged areas are lined now with granite blocks to prevent future wash-outs.

Behind Arlington Coal and Lumber

Today: 8.8 miles. This year: 158.3 miles.

Fresh Paint

2010-04-08T09:07:00.004-05:00

Many Lexington crosswalks are newly repainted, part of the town's annual run-up to Patriots' Day.

The stock of cut stone, broken stone, gravel, and sand at Hurd Field dwindles as repairs progress. The detour sends bike traffic through the parking lot there, so watch out whether you're driving or riding.

Today: 13 miles. This year: 149.5 miles.

Detour, Repairs in Progress

2010-04-06T11:14:00.001-05:00

From the Hurd Field parking lot

Behind Trader Joe's

Last week's ring post, better lit

West of Lexington Center

Today: 13 miles. This year: 123.5 miles.

Bikeway Repairs: This Week For Sure

2010-04-05T17:51:00.003-05:00

Arlington will repair the bikeway this week. Expect closures or restrictions Tuesday through Friday.

How Many Ring Posts Can There Be?

2010-04-02T13:06:00.001-05:00

This ring post lies on the south side of the trail, very nearly behind my oral surgeon's office. I rolled away a branch obscuring the inscription.

Today: 8 miles. This year: 102 miles.

Repairs in Progress

2010-04-02T09:49:00.002-05:00

Tuesday morning there were signs of Monday's repair work: cleared debris and vegetation, and pavement cuts around the damaged areas. Friday morning the only change is that it's sunny and warmer. Nothing more's been done.

Behind Gold's Gym

Approaching Park Avenue

Behind Alpha Auto Body

Old ties exposed near Park Avenue

Closed for Repairs

2010-03-29T10:59:00.005-05:00

Arlington is closing the Minuteman Bikeway for repairs this week from Hurd Field (Trader Joe's) to Ryder Street (Arlington Recreation Center). Seeing how it's pouring today, with more rain expected tomorrow, I doubt they'll finish on time and there might even be further damage.

Thanks to Jack Johnson of the Arlington Bicycle Advisory Committee for the tip.

Update: Jack reports there's no repair work today. I bet that goes for tomorrow, too.

Update 2: The closure, repairs, and renewed rain are also noted on boston.com.

Dig Safe

2010-03-20T09:19:00.003-05:00

There are Dig Safe markings on the trail from Colonial Village down past Park Avenue, where the pavement collapse from each side might soon meet in the middle.

Near Park Avenue, Arlington

Near Seasons Four, Lexington

Today: 8.8 miles. This year: 76.1 miles.

The Secret of Wii Juggling

2010-03-19T13:26:00.002-05:00

OK, this is off-topic. But we all want to improve our balance and coordination, right?

As a casual real-world juggler, I've been frustrated with my slow progress in Wii Fit Plus 5-ball juggling. This morning I looked at my technique and saw that I was holding the controllers as I would for other activities: palms mostly toward each other, fingers near the buttons. That's not like juggling at all. I turned my palms up, rotated the controllers right-way-up, and got a perfect score.

Today: 13 miles. This year 67.3 miles

Damage and Repairs

2010-03-18T13:17:00.002-05:00

The smallest repairs are beginning along the trail: the new-cut gully above Frazer Road is already refilled. Where the trail was undermined, though, a slow-motion collapse continues.

Under Lowell Street

Google's bicycling directions have made Gmaps Pedometer obsolete, at least for my purposes. Google understands intersections with the Minuteman Bikeway, giving (needless) directions and exact distances along the trail. Here's today's skating route as an example.

Today: 8.8 miles. This year: 54.3 miles.

Lexington and Bedford Conditions: Good!

2010-03-17T13:15:00.002-05:00

From the superlative conditions, I'd say Lexington has already swept most of the trail east of Bedford Street. I didn't see any substantial damage from milepost V/VI (counting outbound/inbound, between Seasons Four and Maple Street) all the way to the Bedford end. The most obvious change was that milepost VII/IIII now stands in a stream where last week it stood on the bank.

Milepost VII/IIII, Revere Street in the distance.

Today: 10 miles. This year: 45.5 miles.

It's a Mess

2010-03-16T18:31:00.005-05:00

Near Frazer Road, Lowell Street bridge in the distance.

Debris piled up under the Lowell Street bridge.

Rushing water undercut the trail at Lowell Street.

Gravel filled the streambed under Park Avenue, forcing the stream out over the trail.

Under the Park Avenue bridge.

From the Park Avenue stairway.

The water was clear and sparkling.

This landscaping timber lay on the trail near Park Avenue like a carelessly dropped coffee cup.

The water cut a new channel along the collapsing edge of the trail.

Across from Colonial Village.

Near Arlington Coal and Lumber.

Hurd Field, looking toward Drake Road.

Special All-Flooding Edition

2010-03-15T18:40:00.005-05:00

From the Lowell Street bridge toward Park Avenue

From the Lowell Street bridge looking east

From the Lowell Street bridge looking down on the east side

Mill Brook near Forest Street

Watermill Place near Frazer Road

Bikeway entrance at Frazer Road

Frazer Road opposite the bikeway entrance

An Arlington town truck enters the bikeway from Frazer Road

Trail Conditions: Cold Running Water

2010-03-15T07:43:00.003-05:00

Westbound at Hurd Field, Arlington Heights

Hurd Field from Trader Joe's

The body of water in the background is an extension of the usually small and placid brook which flows from the Old Reservoir.

Flooded

2010-03-14T16:45:00.003-05:00

Near Lowell Street Place, Arlington HeightsPhoto by Carla Scotto

Update: More flood photos, showing points on the bikeway from Frazier Road up to Hurd Field. Click through the thumbnails for full-size views.

Milestone

2010-03-13T13:25:00.002-05:00

Today I'm just over half-way to this year's weight-loss goal, 19 days ahead of schedule. I've only done one-twelfth of the resolved skating, but I'm not worried. Improving weather should allow the remaining 371.5 miles easily before my June 24th deadline. The only untouched part of my resolutions is the easiest part, running 3.5 miles in less than 45 minutes. That's barely above a snappy walk and no problem at all at my goal weight.

Google Maps Adds Bicycle Routes

2010-03-10T12:18:00.004-05:00

Check "Bicycling" under the Google Maps More... menu to turn bike paths and lanes a startling fluorescent green.

Lexington's big blower was out clearing the path at mid-day today, doing a nice job with the winter debris. There's a clear contrast as you reach Bedford.

Today: 8 miles. This year: 35.5 miles.

Seen Along the Trail

2010-03-09T17:11:00.003-05:00

A footpath enters the trail across from Joyce Miller's Meadow and alongside the footpath stands a sign erased by the weather. To my eyes, it looks like the triplet of two signs along the trail in East Arlington.

Years back, there was a whole series of tepee frames along the trail in East Lexington, near the Great Meadow. Now one, at least, has reappeared.

Today: 8.7 miles. This year: 27.5 miles.

The End of the Ice

2010-03-07T17:04:00.001-05:00

The last of the ice and snow is along the deepest shaded areas of the trail and off-trail on the vernal pools. What was under all that ice? Acorns, millions of acorns.

South of the trail, west of Route 128

Near Tophet Swamp

Trail Conditions: Wide Open

2010-03-02T14:59:00.001-05:00

No full-width puddles, no ice-lined bottlenecks. Plenty of small debris.

East of Hartwell Avenue

Today: 8 miles. This year: 10.8 miles.

Just a dusting

2010-02-13T15:33:00.002-05:00

Behind Trader Joe's

Ambitions

2010-02-06T21:58:00.002-05:00

On or before June 24th, I will weigh 139 pounds. I will run 3.5 miles in 45 minutes or less. I will skate 407 miles.

Why these oddly specific ambitions?

Long-time readers know that I reached 139 pounds (BMI = 22) in my office weight-loss group in 2008. It's time to get back there. June 24th brings this year's Boston edition of the JP Morgan Chase Corporate Challenge. Unimpressive as it seems, a running time of 45 minutes puts me well ahead of the slowest runners from my company. And finally, 407 more miles of skating brings my lifetime recorded total to eleven thousand miles. Sometime in 2011 I'll hit 12,500 miles: half-way around the world.

Low Season

2010-02-05T13:25:00.003-05:00

Skating west from Lexington Center today I made it past some spotty ice short of Merriam Street, but had to turn around short of the Lexington DPW. Eastbound was passable until I met widespread ice 60 or 70 yards east of Woburn Street. In each location the ice is thin but deeply shaded, so it'll melt when the air is warm. A cold, sunny day won't do it.

Today: 2.8 miles.

Clearing the trail

2010-01-26T12:17:00.003-05:00

An article in Sunday's Globe (On winter’s path, beginning to see their way clear) surprised me -- I hadn't thought the trail was clear enough for skating, only for walkers and adventurous cyclists. But yesterday brought warm rain and now the trail is wide open for anyone who doesn't mind the chilly breeze.

What's it like?

2010-01-15T20:41:00.000-05:00

Looking up and down the trail from Bow Street in Lexington today, I saw a surprising amount of pavement. Plenty of snow and ice, too. With a chance of snow forecast for Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, I don't expect to see much pavement on the trail for a while.

This week: 0 miles. This year: 0 miles.

That Wasn't There Yesterday

2009-11-19T18:17:00.002-05:00

New fencing on the east side of Woburn Street

New landscaping at Hancock Avenue

Possibly the Last Ring Post Posting

2009-11-18T18:24:00.003-05:00

Even after hundreds of trips up and down the trail, a previously unseen relic of railroad days catches my eye. Yesterday I spotted a ring post lurking in the trees and brush. It's on the inbound side along the horse farm in Lexington, nearly opposite the boardwalk entrance to Parker Meadow.

Another Ring Post

Landscapers have opened up the end of Hancock Avenue at the trail, removing trees, brush, and a rusty old barrier made of rails.

Hancock Avenue today

Hancock Avenue one year ago.

Shining Lights

2009-06-03T20:37:00.002-05:00

I hardly ever see bicycle lights along the trail on account of only being out on fair days. By chance I saw both a headlight and a taillight this morning, both as I neared Mill Street. Even in full daylight, the new LED lamps are a great aid to being seen. I had no trouble picking out the dwindling red taillight when the rider was 200 yards ahead of me. The best bicycle lamp of my childhood -- powered by Raleigh's front-hub generator -- was dim and fragile by comparison.

Today: 4.5 miles. This year: 166.9 miles.

A Snake on the Trail

2009-04-28T10:29:00.003-05:00

Near Arlington's Great Meadows

Today: 13 miles. This year: 97.2 miles.

Brush Fire in Arlington's Great Meadows

2009-04-19T18:42:00.004-05:00

There was a widespread brush fire in Arlington's Great Meadows on Friday, burning a large portion of the open area and threatening nearby houses. The Friends of Arlington's Great Meadows have a map of the burn (pdf). The taste of soot was still in the air today as my wife and I walked along the Minuteman Trail west of Fottler Avenue and then onto a short loop of the Great Meadows Trail (pdf).

View from Glacier Knoll

Brush and leaves burned to the edge of the trail

Optical confusion

2009-03-28T15:39:00.002-05:00

I thought for a second that someone had blacked out the centerline on the bridge over 128, but it's only the shadow of the fence rail.

At MA 128 / I-95.

Yesterday: 8 miles. This year: 33.7 miles.

Almost Clear

2009-03-18T12:46:00.003-05:00

I skated west from Lexington Center to Bedford Depot Park today, relying on Yury's report that the trail was clear enough for all activities. That's nearly so, undercut only by some sand and gravel at Bedford Street, followed by rotting ice across the path just west of there.

Falling whistle post at the Lexington DPW

Today: 8 miles. This year: 15.7 miles.

The First Few Miles of 2009

2009-03-18T06:23:00.003-05:00

I skated west from Hurd Field into Lexington yesterday and found the trail much clearer than I expected. There's some gravel at Fottler Avenue and some ice in the shadow of Maple Street. I turned back at the private driveway between Seasons Four and Woburn Street, where there was only a narrow strip of wet pavement surrounded by melting ice.

Arlington's all clear.

West across the private driveway crossing, Lexington

Yesterday: 5 miles.

Lexington: Still a Mess

2009-03-11T07:43:00.001-05:00

East from Seasons Four

At the Seasons Four crossing

The Deadwood of Damocles

2009-03-07T09:48:00.002-05:00

Temperatures in the fifties, maybe up to sixty degrees this weekend should take a big bite from the last of the snow and ice in Arlington. Lexington has a lot further to go.

At Drake Village, Arlington

Upper-body exercise

2009-02-12T10:23:00.002-05:00

While the trail is nearly skateable, many ramps are still thick with ice. I stopped at Hurd Field with a spade this morning and cut a two-foot-wide slot through the ice on the ramp. The drainage and exposed pavement should make the remaining ice melt away much sooner than it would have. Once the trail dries out, I should bring a broom instead.

Trail Conditions: Coming along quickly

2009-02-11T13:33:00.005-05:00

Sunshine and warmth raised my hopes that some part of the trail might be clear enough for skating. Full-width puddles, streams of runoff, and some scattered ice fields dashed those hopes for today. Even so, I walked from Thorndike Field down to Alewife Station and up to Arlington Center and found the trail quickly clearing. Online there are renewed plans for plowing in Lexington, although probably not until first the ice melts and later it snows again.

Last year a commenter remarked on some old signs in East Arlington that face away from the trail. One is east of the trail, roughly facing the end of Chandler Street and the other faces White Street to the west. The first has traces of lettering and the second is completely effaced. The top line might end in MPING. DUMPING FORBIDDEN is the best fit I could think of. My photo of the face was washed out by strong backlighting; you'll have to look for yourself.

At Thorndike Field, Arlington

Alewives near Alewife Station, Cambridge

Looking east toward Lake Street, Arlington

I never knew about the fines.

Illegible sign near Chandler Street, Arlington

Today: 2.7 miles walking. This year: 2.7 miles.

Quads to move

2009-02-08T16:56:00.003-05:00

The long-vacant Brattle Pharmacy, 1043 Mass. Ave. in Arlington, has a banner on the Brattle Street side announcing that Quad Cycles and Team Quad will soon be there. Much like their old location in Arlington Heights, they'll be just a couple of blocks off the Minuteman Trail at an access point with stairs. Either shoulder your bike or get off at Ryder Street instead.

Updates: Ted Packard reminds me there's a ramp from the trail to Washington Street, just 50 narrow, bumpy, semi-paved yards from Brattle Street. And after driving by from the other direction, I see there are posters advertising the new tenants on three sides of the building.

View Larger Map

Trail Conditions: Meltdown

2009-02-08T16:45:00.002-05:00

Four days later, the same stretch of trail is awash in meltwater and edged with ice.

West from Mill Street, Arlington

Ice covers half the inbound lane at Mill Street.

This day, week, month, and year: 0 miles.

Trail Conditions: Bright White

2009-02-04T11:14:00.003-05:00

Even after plowing, the trail is a brighter white than your freshly-washed sheets.

Equipment tracks in the snow

West across Mill Street toward Arlington Center

East from Mill Street behind the old Brigham's building

Today: 0 miles. This year: 0 miles.

New Rules for Bikes in Traffic

2009-01-27T11:27:00.002-05:00

While you're waiting for the trail to clear, you should read up on the new Massachusetts bicycle law.

Lexington suspends bikeway plowing

2009-01-15T20:45:00.002-05:00

Plowing wasn't going well in Lexington and now the town has suspended the program. You read more on Clear the Trail and the FOLB blog, or respond to the Lexington Minuteman's weekly poll.

Bikeway plowing: Arlington yes, Lexington no

2008-12-23T14:10:00.002-05:00

Driving around this morning I crossed the bikeway at Bow Street, Maple Street, and Bedford Street in Lexington. There's been no plowing at all near those crossings. Clear the Trail reports that Arlington has plowed and Lexington is "off to a slow start." There's no update on the Friends of Lexington Bikeways blog.

FOLB update; Following Blogspot blogs

2008-12-21T18:22:00.003-05:00

There's a rare new posting at the Friends of Lexington Bikeways blog. On my way to mentioning that I noticed the Blogspot settings for following blogs and the layout gadget for displaying followers. Now you can follow this blog and I can see how microscopic my readership really is.

Minuteman plowing in the Globe

2008-12-14T10:06:00.002-05:00

Today's Boston Globe declares "Bikeway to be plowed". The article explains that plowing in Lexington will be more expensive than in Arlington because of the bollards. Fund-raising isn't complete yet, so trail users should consider chipping in. There's more info in the Lexington section of Clear the Trail.

Tomorrow's forecast has the temperature rising to 50°F before the rain comes in -- it might be a skating day.

Woburn Street crossing: It's all different now

2008-12-05T07:42:00.001-05:00

After not skating for several weeks, I was surprised to find the trail crossing of Woburn Street and Hayes Lane in Lexington remodeled. Instead of the long diagonal two-part crossing, the trail jogs left at Woburn Street along some newly widened sidewalk (lower left in photo), then turns right for a short, perpendicular crossing that avoids Hayes Lane (far right) completely.

Looking west across Woburn Street, Lexington

Yesterday: 10 miles. This year: 1556.7 miles.

Privately-funded Plowing in Lexington

2008-11-26T10:51:00.002-05:00

A Lexington Minuteman article announces that Lexington will join Arlington in plowing the bike path this winter, but using private donations. Amusingly the article was originally headlined "Lexington to pave bikepath this winter", but it's been corrected.

Coban™ Self-Adherent Wrap

2008-11-16T15:13:00.002-05:00

This is only off-topic if you never get a road rash. I donated my 82nd pint of blood last week, not that much of a feat spread over 26 years, and asked for a Coban™ bandage to avoid the itchy rash that I used to get on my arm from the adhesive tape. The lingering rash with intense itching was by far the worst part of donating, edging out the inconvenience of skipping skating the day after. I've used Coban and store-brand imitations mostly after blood donations, but it's also good for large abrasions such as you get from falls.

Lexington Construction Notes

2008-11-06T07:23:00.003-05:00

Already repaved, Woburn Street had its curbs reset on Tuesday and Wednesday. The bike path still detours around the construction to Fletcher Avenue.

The pedestrian crossing of the trail just short of the Lexington Depot, previously just a painted path often covered with an illegally parked car, is being rebuilt. The new approach has granite curbs and brick surfaces, much like the steps to the trail a hundred feet east.

Near Lexington Depot

Yesterday: 14 miles. This year: 1546.7 miles. To Stillwater: 89.8 miles.

Growing Nippy

2008-11-03T10:14:00.002-05:00

Mid-day on Friday I skated comfortably in shorts and a t-shirt. At eight this morning I wore long pants, a flannel over-shirt, and running gloves, yet it took nine miles for my thumbs to warm up. My halluces were cold after thirteen miles despite double socks. Maybe I skated at the wrong time of day: the afternoon forecast calls for warming to 54°F.

Today: 13 miles. This year: 1518.7 miles.

Dry Leaves, No Problem

2008-10-31T17:01:00.004-05:00

Looking east from Fletcher Avenue, Lexington

This barrier at the end of Hancock Avenue in Lexington is made from old rails.

Today: 12 miles. This year: 1505.7 miles.

Wet Leaves are the Black Ice of Inline Skating

2008-10-27T10:09:00.004-05:00

Wet leaves are easier to see, of course. The resemblance to black ice is in the slickness and the difficulty of assessment. How wet are they? How rotten, and how deep? The more fortunate connection is that black ice and wet leaves both fade in the warmth of the day.

Just as Yury suggested, the shallow excavations later topped with concrete are the foundations of new benches. The one below is on the outbound side of the trail west of Wiggins Avenue in Bedford.

It's hard to keep track, but I don't think this tree leaning out from the tree line used to be so prominent. My guess is that its great height and the rain-softened ground are slowly tilting it over the trail just outbound from Fletcher Avenue in Lexington. There are high wind warnings tomorrow afternoon into Wednesday morning. Don't stand right there.

Today: 13 miles. This year: 1493.7 miles.

Construction Updates

2008-10-21T16:16:00.002-05:00

Woburn Street's beautiful new pavement isn't yet finished out to the curbs. The detour to Fletcher Avenue continues.

The small rectangular excavations in Bedford are filled with concrete now. Are these are foundations for benches?

Today: 13 miles. This year: 1472.7 miles. To Stillwater: 163.8 miles.

Narrow Gauge Trail; Rectangular Plots; Woburn St. Paving

2008-10-17T17:10:00.005-05:00

I passed the end of the Minuteman this morning and skated the paved portion of the Bedford Narrow Gauge Rail Trail over to the Great Road. I hadn't been there in years and had completely forgotten that a hundred yards or so of narrow gauge are rusting away alongside the trail. [Update: These rails are a re-creation, not original, and probably weren't there at my previous visit ten years ago.]

Near Loomis Street on the BNGRT

The gauge is well under two feet

On both trails I saw neatly excavated, taped-off rectangular plots. Landscaping? Archaeology? Shallow graves? I don't know.

After months of disruption and more than a week of outright closure, Woburn Street in Lexington was repaved this morning.

From Fletcher Ave. toward the trail crossing on Woburn St.

Today: 13.8 miles. This year: 1459.7 miles.

Blank Spot

2008-10-14T05:44:00.001-05:00

I'm busy with visiting relatives and won't be skating or posting until Thursday at the earliest.

Mixed Conditions and a Hawk

2008-10-09T17:22:00.002-05:00

Where the sun shines and the wind blows, the trail was clear and dry early this afternoon. Where they don't, it was thick with wet leaves or fir needles.

Near Valley Road, Lexington

Today: 8 miles. This year: 1431.2 miles.

Chasing the Ghost of 2007

2008-10-08T14:22:00.002-05:00

At The Beginning of 2007, I mentioned my ambition to skate the distance to Stillwater, OK that year. It didn't happen. I renewed the goal in my Welcome to 2008. My plan was to keep ahead of 2007's pace and continue in 2008 past where I got lazy in 2007. That plan dissolved in mid-April with spring rains, chilly weather, and a week-long cold that kept me in the house. In late June I bottomed out 137 miles behind the previous year's pace.

Today it's all different. I'm (just barely) ahead of 2007-to-date. Another 16.3 miles will put all of 2007 behind me, leaving less than 200 miles to my annual goal. There might be a month of skating weather left. That should be enough.

Today: 13 miles. This year: 1423.2 miles.