Here’s something you don’t see every day – a typewriter. And you wouldn’t expect to see it outside and you wouldn’t expect to be invited to use it to contribute to a story.

Strangely, this happened to me – in New York City, with a unique Massachusetts tie-in, and an equally unique tie-in to cycling.

Yes, I met the “Type Rider.”

Maya Stein is embarking on a 40-day, 1,300-mile ride from Amherst, MA to Milwaukee, WI, with a typewriter in tow.

Why? Well, she turns 40 on the day the adventure begins (May 5, 2012). She’s a cyclist and a writer. And someone who like to connect with others to do interesting projects. So, she dreamed up this adventure based on exploring the combination of ideas brought about through transforming the word typewriter to typerider.

I came across her on the “beta test” experiment she conducted recently in New York City – what better place to experiment random interactions with people?

The setup was simple. A typewriter on a table, accompanied by a chair and an invitation to write. Maya provides a writing prompt and each person simply completes the thought. It will all be compiled and edited into a book. And the 40-day adventure will include many different writing prompts. Surely many different people will participate, and many different areas between Massachusetts and Wisconsin will add to the flavor.

Why Wisconsin? It’s the home of the typewriter.

To find out more, or try to catch Maya on one of her rare MA stops, check out her website: www.type-rider.com.

Last Sunday I rode in my first “Hub On Wheels” ride in Boston. The event has been around since 2005 and is designed to promote cycling and good health, showcase the various neighborhoods of the city, and to raise money for charity. About 6,000 riders participated in this unique event this year.

Storrow Drive

Boston’s busy Storrow Drive is closed to traffic and open only to cyclists on the morning of the event. This presents a unique opportunity to ride on a big, wide road with a bunch of cyclists while taking in a unique view of the city. Riding down Storrow Drive on a bike allows you to take in the Charles River and Boston skyline views in much more detail. The ride goes out to the end and then doubles back on the other side.

Touring the city streets and parks

Once off the cycling “highway” the route (if you’re taking the 30 or 50 mile version) takes you through the city streets of Boston, and through the Arnold Arboretum, Franklin Park, and the Forest Hills Cemetery, before heading out to the coast. The ride comes back along the shoreline and ultimately via the Harborwalk and back into Downtown Boston.

Events on the Plaza

Once back from the ride, there are tons of things going on at City Hall Plaza. Bike stunt shows, beer and food tents, and professional racing. A great way to wrap up the ride.

For more information about the event, check out their website at www.hubonwheels.org.

A sad time in Massachusetts cycling indeed. The famed Fitchburg Longsjo Classic, already reduced from a four day stage race to a single day event had to be canceled.

There was  a major fire at a building on the course, and streets are still closed while construction crews work on the building. No alternative course could be worked out in time.

It’s a sad time for the race, which had been running for 52 years and was inspired by an incredible cyclist (and Olympic speed skater) from the area, Art Longsjo, who died tragically in a car crash at the age of 26.

It’s also a sad time for the city of Fitchburg. The race attracted thousands of spectators to the city each year, and the race is a unique event steeped in history.

The organizers hope to bring it back next year, but the odds may be long on that. Most races that suffer this kind of setback don’t come back.

Let’s hope they beat the odds.

More details can be found in this local newspaper article.

Photo credit: spokenshutter.com

The First Annual Breakaway Bike Ride and luncheon is tomorrow. There are three routes to choose from:

Metric Century: register at 7:30 am, ride departs at 8 am
36 mile ride: register at 9:30 am, ride departs at 10 am
19 mile ride: register at 9:30 am, ride departs at 10:15 am

All rides leave from the deCordova scutplure park and museum (a really neat spot) in Lincoln, MA.

The ride raises money to get kids on bikes and on their way to living healthy, active lives – more info at http://www.cyclekids.org/.

Find out more about the ride and the fundraising requirements at their website.

Photo credit: bulletproofbra

I recently had the chance to try a new kind of bike from Travelon, a new company (disclosure: this is my friend’s dad’s company) that is aiming at utilitarian riders who want something simple and low-maintenance for riding around town, riding with the kids, and taking scenic expeditions.

As you can see, it’s styled like a comfort bike. And it is comfortable. The geometry allows for setting a good seat height for pedaling, yet allowing both feet to touch the ground comfortably while seated and stopped.

But the key is the drivetrain. First – there’s no deraileur! This means less breakdowns and less maintenance. No greasy chain handling or confusing adjustments to cable tension. Which is nice for those who just want to ride.

All the magic happens inside the “Continuously Variable Planetary Hub.” If you’re interested in that technology, head over to their website and a neat little video shows you how it works – Travelon NuVinci hub technology.

Second – there are no gears! You can adjust the torque just like a traditional bike, but because of this fancy new hub technology the gears are not incremental. Rather, you increase and decrease torque along an analog continuum. This means that you simply turn the tension up or down to just the right setting for the terrain you’re covering. And you can make these adjustments while stopped – you don’t need to be pedaling to change “gears.”

Check out this snapshot of the indicator and it’ll give you a clearer picture:

I love the clear, simple, and intuitive design of the indicator.

And I always like to learn about the latest cycling technology. For more info, check out their website: Travelon Bikes.

Well, my little experiment this weekend didn’t work out so well…

Despite the fact that hundreds of visitors came to the site this weekend, nobody entered the little ride report contest I had setup for a free book giveaway.

I guess everybody was busy riding and recuperating – we had great weather this weekend, and I certainly saw a lot of riders out on the roads.

Oh well. Happy riding. And don’t forget – you can always pick up a copy of the book here.

Photo credit: JanneM

To celebrate this weekend of sunny and warm weather in the Boston area, and the arrival of May (no more April showers!) I’m giving away a free signed copy of Road Biking Massachusetts to some lucky cyclist within reach of this blog. Will ship to anywhere in Massachusetts or neighboring states.

Here’s the deal: best ride report wins!

It can be a short ride, long ride, hilly ride, flat ride, club ride, group ride, solo ride. Just share some thoughts about a riding experience from the weekend. Extra points for a funny or creative report.

Send a photo along for more bonus points.

I’ll select a lucky winner and feature the ride report on this blog.

All entries must be in by midnight Sunday night.

Send your note here with the contact form. Once I get your submission, I’ll email you back so you can send me a photo via email attachment.

Fortunately my early season pace allows for plenty of reaction time, because the roads are rough out there right now – full of potholes and frost heaves.

Take a look at this doozie I came accross today along a pond in Harold Parker State Forest. It’s a good two bike lengths long. What’s nice is that the line of sight also includes the ice on the pond. Ah, spring training in New England…

On May 1, 2011 there is a one-day, multi=route charity ride out of Portsmouth, NH (great riding up there!) to benefit the American Lung Association.

There are three route options: 25, 50 or 100 miles. All have panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean and historic homes and villages along the Seacoast. All ages and experience levels are welcome. Fundraising minimum of $250 required ($125 for ages 7-17).

Photo credit: drocpsu