Hubway Hotspots

North Station and Gov't Center are the stations I use most frequently -- but I imagine cambridge street and the northend stations may see some visits this year.  This screenshot is taken from they iphone app called Spotcycle which gives you realtime updates to how many bikes are available and how many empty dock slots are available.

Boston's Hubway - Zipcar like rentals for bikes!

I love to bike.. I rarely bring it into the city on the commuter rail due to space and the commuter rails rules of no full-size bikes during rush hours.

Today, Mayor Menino launched a bike-share program called The Hubway which in its initial phase introduces 600 shared bikes to the city. I signed up for an annual membership after seeing the Mayor kickoff the program. I then had to wait for a key-fob to be mailed to me -- I couldn't wait, later today I decided to pay the 5$ 24hour fee and take a bike for a spin. Using a credit card, the process was pretty quick and painless.. Hopped on a bike and headed to my destination.

The biggest question in this programs infancy, is will there be a bike in the area you need it -- and will there be an empty 'dock' spot where you are going. The other catch is will I always have my helmet with me whenever I want to hop on a bike?

There is a useful SpotCycle app that is useful for looking at how many bikes are available and how many empty spots are around where you are heading!

Check it out, thehubway.com. Spend the 5$ and give it a try! If there are no stations yet around where you live/work, you can suggest them for a future phase!

Red Flag evening on the Charles

Tonights sail got a bit gusty! First red flag day of the year for me... data courtesy of cbiwind.org

Opening day on the Charles

CBI opened for the season today so Kate and I went down for a sail. Light wind eve, but we had a nice night out and used a jib-- First sail of 2010.

Celtics!

We beat LA! What a great way to end a fantastic playoff run and season. This year has been a great one to be in Boston for. As a kid, I was more of a Celtics fan than the Sox or the Patriots and its really exciting to see the heart the celtics club put into this season. From the starting 5, deep into the bench -- this year showed how much a strong team can really outshine any individual effort.

After watching almost 25 celtics playoff games, its time to settle back into a normal routine.. and I'm finally able to get to bed at a reasonable hour :)

Great job Celtics! Looking forward to seeing that 17th banner everytime I enter the garden.

Monday Night Baseball - Lester's no hitter

My first time in Fenway this year, and Lester has a great first complete game. Pitched a no-hitter, amazing to see! In the middle of a Celtics playoff run, some more good times for Boston sports! I had a blast :) Thanks for the great seats Jason!

New blue line train

First ride this morning... From the first ride, it looks like an updated version of the older blue-line. About the same seating and layout as the 30 year old ones.. The seats instead of being plether are just hard plastic. They have installed many handles so that shorter folks can reach the upper bars when standing up for the ride. There is now the 'digital' next stop and automated announcements, good for the occasional rider but the daily rider knows the next 3 stops already. The windows are smaller, but I'm guessing they don't leak which is key. I'll be riding both until the older ones are phased out, so I'll pick up on some more minor details soon.

Bostons Best

This post will be about Boston, and why I love my home city. Typing on my cellphone wont cut it, so for now i leave you with a picture of the eve!


Update: (Few months later...)
Well, it's a bit colder now... but being an avid snowboarding fiend sort of makes this cold weather make me feel like I am in my element.. Well I was born up in Maine. Boston in the winter is cold, you dress for it, and just deal with it -- The train gets you into the city quickly, I can hop out on the commuter rail to enjoy a nice evening at the beach in Gloucester... or if I'm working late, just hop over a few stops within Boston. Driving in, I guess is a different story... I've done it once, and that was enough to not do it again... On the train, the time is yours to read, think, write, or just zone out to some of your favorite music. Not to mention the environmental impact and cost of commuting by car.... Once you are in town, getting around is quick. Being frugal, Taxi/Limo are not usually the norm. Walking preferred, but sometimes wind up using my monthly T pass to get around a bit further quickly... Coffee, get your fresh beans at your favorite shop. Restaurants, I have a good one for each day of the week, or even month to try out... I bring in left-overs whenever possible, but it allows for the occasional lunchtime splurge (hey, after-all mantinee 's are cheaper than primetime). Fridays vegetable market deals, Northends Ernesto pizza, Chinatown's Pho Pasteur's noodle soup, West Ends Vivo Burritos, Downtowns Al's subs, Artu's of Charles St's prosciutto mozzarella, Scollay's squares Beacon Hill elegance -- Ok, I guess I can go on about food for a while... Amante amare, no?

I think I save the rest of the city's great characteristics for a future post, I'm now feeling pretty hungry...

Haymarket

10$ for fruits and vegs goes a long way here!

sailing on the Charles River

After deciding to move to Gloucester, I'm now in my final stretch of enjoying my time in the city... Sailing on the Charles River (by the Hatchshell) is something I've always considered since moving to Boston, but never got around to doing... Well one of my co-workers mentioned it to me, and I thought I'd give it a try....

So for 80$, you get a 30 day trial membership which includes full access to the classes and unlimited use of the boats... Here is a picture of the current conditions on the Charles:


I'm on track to get my Helmsman rating (good enough to let others on the boat with me), but if time permits I'd like to take even more classes that they have available.

Let me know if you want to join me sometime!! for a class, a solo sail on your own, or perhaps you can join my crew and help me with the sails!