Training Log Archive: danfoster

Today's ride can more accurately be described as 18km of biking with Jess, and 6km of biking around looking for Jess. We were eventually reunited just as the first drops of afternoon rain started to fall.

Spent the evening getting my virtual nav on with the Wilderness Traverse 2017 maps and course guide, a map wheel, and a bunch of colored highlighters.

Leisurely paddle around the ponds after the rain finally ended. Saw a great horned owl and the usual gaggle of gooses and swans. Had a sketchy portage over the beaver dam into deep, moving water, but took the leap of faith and landed in the boat.

Spent last night sewing better straps onto my top tube feed bag, and had it stuffed with food for today's lunch ride. Enjoyed a bagel with lox in the sun on the rocks while Jess and the swans ate pond weeds.

Came around a tight corner on the final loop to find a giant snapping turtle stretched out across the entire trail. Skidded to a stop with my front wheel about 16" from disaster.

This was supposed to be a gentle recovery ride from yesterday. Jess had other plans, and given the nice weather, I wasn't going to be the one to head for home. She went swimming at the end to cool down, and now the house has that "new wet dog smell".

Another beautiful spring day, so I set out for a full day of AR training. Loaded up the car with the bike and kayak the night before, and was parked at the "T/A" and on the trail by 8:15.

The bike section worked out to be:
16km gravel ride, including a long detour around a "trail" full of blowdowns
17km mountain biking, including a 2-bunny section of flooded "trail" through a swamp
20km on the road and the beautiful new rail trail
a very civilized 1 hr BBQ lunch in downtown Maynard with Jori
5km gravel ride to the kayak T/A with a belly full of brisket

Paddled upstream as far as Gleasondale, and rode the strong current back down to the outflow from the lake. Portaged up and over the road, surprising some residents. Circled the lake, slid back down the portage, and headed back to the car.

Drove over to the Refuge and did some explorienteering around the pond as the sun went down. Found a barred owl and the remains of an old log cabin. Sat in the sun and savored an apple as the day came to a close.