Western Mass Meetup / New Sam Pics

[Steve Theberge]

Hi all!

Here’s a couple glamour shots of my new Sam from this summer’s batch. I had it built up at Riv with mostly standard components, although I splashed out for some nice wheels built by Rich (silver hubs/velocity quill rims) and Paul brake levers. It arrived a couple of weeks ago and rides like a dream - I’ve found myself finding ways to extend my rides just so I can stay in the saddle. I did a 50 mile ride last weekend and was happily surprised at just how comfortable and zippy the frame and setup was - I was beat at the end, but can’t blame the bike for that :) 

I’m curious  if there are other Rivendell riders in Western Massachusetts - I’d be happy to organize a ride/cafe meetup if folks are interested. Fall time is the best time to be on a bike here in New England!

steve.t...@gmail.com
cell: 413-658-5788

www.stevetheberge.com

[DTL]

The colour of the frame in that lighting looks incredible!

[Stephen Durfee]

Steve, my son and I recently rode the Erie Canal, from Buffalo to Albany, then on to Bennington VT and south thru Berkshire County (my home turf), winding up just outside of Great Barrington. We missed the fall colors by a few weeks, but the weather was great. I do miss it...

[Steve Theberge]

Sounds like a great ride! There's a good bikeway for a chunk of it, right? I'm in Northampton, about an hour east of GB. It's been a glorious fall so far - warm and lots of sunshine. And yes, Damon - the Periwinkle is a great color - really changes in the light. 

[Doug H.]

Fantastic color indeed. I've noticed more Faceplater stems on Rivendells recently and I think they work better for swept back bars. I'm using one on my Clem and didn't have to over-torque my bars as I did with a one-bolt stem. I say over-torque although I didn't use a torque wrench, just a hunch.

Doug

[David Hallerman]

Hi Steve,

I moved to Western Mass last year, also in Northampton, still settling in. 

I'd enjoy a Rivendell meetup in this area. What might you be thinking?

Dave, who says that downsizing is more difficult than imagined and I'll soon be ready to sell and generally unload an awful lot of bike parts and even about a half-dozen bicycles

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[Stephen Durfee]

WIsh I could join you, as New England is magical at this time of year!  Seriously, though.....ask anyone in Berkshire County.  Northampton is not "Western MA".  

Stephen, who has to explain to his friends from Westchester County that they do not live in "Upstate NY"

[David Hallerman]

That’s okay. It seems many people in Eastern Mass don’t consider Berkshire County a real part of Massachusetts - more so an extension of NYS.<smile>

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[nlerner]

As someone who lives in eastern MA, I think everything west of Worcester counts as western MA!

Neal Lerner (who plans a 3-day bike tour of central/western MA starting Sat)

Brookline MA

[maxcr]

I'd love to join a Western Mass Riv Entmoot but need a bit of a heads up to coordinate since I'd have to drive out.

Max in Somerville, MA

[Steve Theberge]

Hi all,

Sorry to drop the thread here! Glad to hear some people are interested in getting together. David, I was thinking a relaxed ride and then heading over to a cafe. Since you're new-ish to the area I'm happy to put together a route that hits some western mass highlights. And there's always the ride to the Montague Book Mill which has a great cafe. It's a longer ride (45 miles roundtrip) but really beautiful and mostly flat - a rare combo around here. Max, it'd be great to have you out!

In the interest of regional unity, I will reign in my (very) strong feelings on the topic of what constitutes Western Mass. :) Wikipedia says Franklin, Hampshire, Hampden, and Berkshire counties are all included, so I'll go with that. I will say that there are some distinct cultural differences that separate Berkshire county from the other three. 

I'll map out some route ideas and toss out some dates!

Steve in Northampton (well, Florence...but lets not open that can of worms) 

[Russell Duncan]

ALL, 

Everything west of 495 is western Mass, at least to my family it is. They rarely venture beyond the Northshore, unless it means going to New Hampshah. 

I’m currently mid-continent in Iowa making my way back to Leverett, MA, which is just about equidistant to Albany, NY as it is to Boston. I won’t be joining with a Rivendell. I have not yet taken the plunge, but I hope to join all of you and perhaps take a few quick spins on one or more of your bikes to see/feel what I’m missing before I buy. I’ll join you on my Mercian.

Russell Duncan

Leverett, MA