Pure Water Ride - Nov. 2020 - Western Mass.

 The river below is the Green river.  The church is River Valley Community Church , a stone's throw from the Green River.  Also known as the East Colrain Chapel, it's where my former youth group leader is Pastor.

 

Pure Water Ride 2019 - Oct. 11 - Maine and New Hampshire

My wife, Margaret by a waterfall on the Castle in the Clouds estate in New Hampshire.  The grounds were covered in hiking trails and though there is no one else in this picture, there were hundreds just like us enjoying the October outdoors and a cooling mist from the waterfall.

We also stopped at Songo Lock-the only remaining manually operating lock in New England.  Boats full of lumber and other cargo used to go from Long Lake in Naples to Portland Harbor through this lock and canal. 

Oct. 24, 2018

We greatly enjoyed our East Bay Pure Water Ride — and through the Northwest winds we went, and the 20% rain showers, and the warm flush of sunshine too, wheeling our way to the Narragansett Bay in Bristol, and back to India Point in Providence.  

Our side adventure to pinpoint the location of Blount’s Seafood Market in Warren was of course another highlight of the day — what a find!  We’ll want to return for another ride on this super scenic bike path, and wheel off the path for a repeat platter of Blount’s heavenly plump and tender clam strips again. 

Thank you for another wonderful PWR.

Pure Water Ride - Oct. 7, 2017

Halfway point was the 'Main Moon' Chinese restaurant in Simsbury, CT.  The food was delicious and we were starved after 13.5 miles!

Simsbury was twice burned by hostile Indians, whose lands were deeded as reparation.  No doubt the fire was spectacular as tar, pitch, and turpentine were manufactured in town.  Simsbury has a long history related to metals-Copper, Steel, Silver.  More recently the town has supplied world-class figure skaters such as Victor Petrinko, who have been major contenders for Gold, Silver, and Bronze.

Rest breaks were few.  We all appreciated relaxing for a few minutes at the 3/4 mark.

It was fantastically comfortable to be outdoors.  Warm by October standards, yet autumn color was sparkling here and there along the way.  27 miles total.  Please consider a donation to support pure water.  Enjoy past years blogs and visit again for next years!

Pure Water Ride 2016 - Perfect Day!

Oct. 17, 2016 - Perfect day!  The frost could have been on the pumpkins, but instead it was in the seventies!  In shorts and t-shirts we rode through beautiful fall foliage along the Blackstone River Bikeway.  We did more than 20 miles-the entire length that is dedicated bikepath-and back.   Gordon, Mark, and I made good time along the paved trail.  The leaves were red, yellow, and orange against the blue of the sky and the water of the canal and Blackstone River.  It was hard to image a better day for the ride.

Thanks for all who contributed this year.  There are many in the DR and Cameroon that you have helped to live healthier and longer with pure water.

 Mark and Gordon on one of the more open parts of the trail.

 Once the hardest working river in America, the Blackstone is still in good shape-but in retirement-abandoned by all the mills that once lined the banks between Worcester and Providence.  Why not harness some of that natural power to generate electricity, Mark wondered.

 Gordon at our starting/finishing point in Lincoln.

 Mark brought a fold-up bike.  Carries like a suitcase, goes anywhere.  

Afterwards we celebrated with some authentic Indian cuisine at the local 'Flavors of India' restaurant.  Definitely worth a try if you are in the Cumberland, RI area.

Postponed to Oct 17, 2016

Due to the 40% chance of showers, we decided to postpone the ride.  New target date is Oct 17th!

Pure Water Ride - Nov 28, 2015

Here I am at the start of the Nashua River Rail Trail in Ayer, MA.  Gordon and I had just gotten the bikes unpacked.  Right after a few pictures, we headed north. The trail was paved and not busy.  There were only a few road crossings so we made great time.  It helped to keep us warm, too.

Ten miles later, we hit the NH border.  It was rainy and cold.  We rode steadily along to keep warm.  A couple of miles later we reached the northern end of the trail in Nashua and turned back.

We were starved and freezing by the time we hit the center of Pepperell MA.  The Country Kitchen was closed, but nearby Gordon spotted a 50's diner.  Our hands were so numb from the cold it took us 5 minutes to get our helmets off.  At least some of the water in our soaked clothes ran off before we entered.  My coat still weighed about 50 lbs.

Hot bowls of chili and hot cups of coffee helped us to thaw out and we were feeling pretty good by the time we had to go back out and finish the ride.  It was still raining, but we knew the end was closer with every pedal.