Training Log Archive: PGIn the 31 days ending May 31, 2018:
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Thursday May 31, 2018 #
Note
Entered the ROC the Map Adventure, this Saturday. I've done it twice, once on foot, once biking, and enjoyed it immensely. Looking forward to it.
10 AM
biking - dark blue bike 1:06:21 17.69 mi (3:45 / mi) +545ft 3:39 / mi
ahr:120 max:145 weight:138lbs
Remarkably good outing.
My usual routine is to put in frequent but short bits where I stand on the peddles, takes the weight off my butt and relaxes various muscles. I tend to do this on all short uphills. Adds some nice variety.
I did yesterday's climb almost entirely in the saddle, getting up just one time for 10 or 20 seconds. By the last 10 or 15 minutes my butt was complaining, not from chafing or pressure spots but just general muscle/tendon complaints. But I guess I was pretty focussed on getting up the hill, so I didn't really pay any attention to it.
Until I got off my bike at the top. At which point things really hurt, right side, some sort of muscle or connecting tissue. Worst I've felt since I was running and such ailments were all too common.
Got back on the bike, coasted down the hill to the car. Took a bit of effort to get in the car, hobbling around. Not good.
But it got a little better by evening, and a good bit better by this morning, and so I thought I'd go out and take a gentle and probably very short ride and just loosen things up.
Started off, felt pretty good. Easy pace, standing on all the hills, after a few minutes felt even better, no pain at all. Rode for an hour, good effort, feels pretty good now.
Guess I need to learn how to stand on long/steep climbs. Because the variety sure helps.
And thankful to be feeling so good. Without even taking any vitamin I.
My usual routine is to put in frequent but short bits where I stand on the peddles, takes the weight off my butt and relaxes various muscles. I tend to do this on all short uphills. Adds some nice variety.
I did yesterday's climb almost entirely in the saddle, getting up just one time for 10 or 20 seconds. By the last 10 or 15 minutes my butt was complaining, not from chafing or pressure spots but just general muscle/tendon complaints. But I guess I was pretty focussed on getting up the hill, so I didn't really pay any attention to it.
Until I got off my bike at the top. At which point things really hurt, right side, some sort of muscle or connecting tissue. Worst I've felt since I was running and such ailments were all too common.
Got back on the bike, coasted down the hill to the car. Took a bit of effort to get in the car, hobbling around. Not good.
But it got a little better by evening, and a good bit better by this morning, and so I thought I'd go out and take a gentle and probably very short ride and just loosen things up.
Started off, felt pretty good. Easy pace, standing on all the hills, after a few minutes felt even better, no pain at all. Rode for an hour, good effort, feels pretty good now.
Guess I need to learn how to stand on long/steep climbs. Because the variety sure helps.
And thankful to be feeling so good. Without even taking any vitamin I.
Wednesday May 30, 2018 #
10 AM
biking - dark blue bike 9:09 2.13 mi (4:18 / mi) +204ft 3:57 / mi
ahr:107 max:126
A bit of warm-up. Legs didn't feel dead. :-)
biking - dark blue bike 54:42 3.59 mi (15:14 / mi) +2205ft 9:38 / mi
ahr:151 max:162 weight:138lbs
Another go at the Mt. Ascutney climb.
Picked up Phil in South Deerfield, his training for Mt. Washington being the motivation for this outing, and headed north. Lovely day, sunny, light breeze, low 70s, though I would have been happier with 10 degrees cooler. He was running, I was biking, not clear who had the advantage. Generally the steeper it gets, the more it favors him. He can beat me on the B-17 climb on Mt. Tom (15%??), but I think I could dust him on South Sugarloaf (10%). Ascutney is about 12%.
A bit of warm-up and then at some point you can't put it off any longer, so off we went. For the first 2.5 miles (of 3.6 total) I don't think we were ever more than 50 yards apart. He'd gradually gain on me on the steeper sections, I'd gain on him a little when it was a little more gradual. Not that we were racing, just doing our own thing, rather nice to see how the other was making out.
Someplace around 2.5 miles was the first of the "flat" sections. This got me from 50 yards behind to 50 yards ahead. The next at 2.8 got me outside of sight on the curvy road. And the last one, this one actually flat -- I upshifted about 5 gears -- must have saved me a minute.
Then the last steep pitch. Very surprised to see the finish as soon as I did, also surprised to see the time (54:42), a little over a minute faster than last year. I think this was a day when I happened to have better legs. Phil came in at 56:4x, also very glad to be done.
Just to keep things in perspective, the bike record as far as I know is 24:44. Don't know what the running record is.
Overall, very pleased. And especially pleased for the outing as a whole, excellent company not just up the hill, but also on the ride up and back. That matters.
Note: This site has a bunch of interesting stuff about climbs in the Northeast.
Picked up Phil in South Deerfield, his training for Mt. Washington being the motivation for this outing, and headed north. Lovely day, sunny, light breeze, low 70s, though I would have been happier with 10 degrees cooler. He was running, I was biking, not clear who had the advantage. Generally the steeper it gets, the more it favors him. He can beat me on the B-17 climb on Mt. Tom (15%??), but I think I could dust him on South Sugarloaf (10%). Ascutney is about 12%.
A bit of warm-up and then at some point you can't put it off any longer, so off we went. For the first 2.5 miles (of 3.6 total) I don't think we were ever more than 50 yards apart. He'd gradually gain on me on the steeper sections, I'd gain on him a little when it was a little more gradual. Not that we were racing, just doing our own thing, rather nice to see how the other was making out.
Someplace around 2.5 miles was the first of the "flat" sections. This got me from 50 yards behind to 50 yards ahead. The next at 2.8 got me outside of sight on the curvy road. And the last one, this one actually flat -- I upshifted about 5 gears -- must have saved me a minute.
Then the last steep pitch. Very surprised to see the finish as soon as I did, also surprised to see the time (54:42), a little over a minute faster than last year. I think this was a day when I happened to have better legs. Phil came in at 56:4x, also very glad to be done.
Just to keep things in perspective, the bike record as far as I know is 24:44. Don't know what the running record is.
Overall, very pleased. And especially pleased for the outing as a whole, excellent company not just up the hill, but also on the ride up and back. That matters.
Note: This site has a bunch of interesting stuff about climbs in the Northeast.
11 AM
biking - dark blue bike 13:29 3.5 mi (3:51 / mi)
ahr:105 max:113
And then back down, hanging on to the brakes, also trying to avoid the frost heaves and potholes. Went down slowly, but wan't about to take any risks.
I've run down the road at least a couple of times, and it's no fun. And Phil had never been to the actual top of Ascutney. So the plan was to meet in the summit parking lot (which is in a saddle, a ways below the summit) in 30 minutes, me now with the car, he with an actual summit to claim. Timing worked out perfectly.
I've run down the road at least a couple of times, and it's no fun. And Phil had never been to the actual top of Ascutney. So the plan was to meet in the summit parking lot (which is in a saddle, a ways below the summit) in 30 minutes, me now with the car, he with an actual summit to claim. Timing worked out perfectly.
Tuesday May 29, 2018 #
10 AM
biking - dark blue bike 1:09:53 9.17 mi (7:37 / mi) +1136ft 6:49 / mi
ahr:120 max:149 weight:138lbs
Mountain bike mode. Up N. Mountain, over to the gate, down to the river and back through Gunn Farm. Nice ride, although already getting warmer than I would wish.
Monday May 28, 2018 #
2 PM
biking - dark blue bike 2:13:43 29.03 mi (4:36 / mi) +1906ft 4:20 / mi
ahr:125 max:159 weight:137.5lbs
Up to Northfield Mountain, and then up the road to the pump storage reservoir on top. The climb is a pretty steady grade, maybe a little steeper at the end. I felt pretty feeble to start, but just kept turning the pedals and it wasn't any worse by the top.
Back down, part on the trails, part back on the roads. Got down to the dirt road along the river, time to work again, and the legs really felt dead. Hmm, not good, maybe 10 miles home into a modest wind. But I've taken to carrying along a Cliff Bar for times like this. It went down the hatch with no difficulty, and a few minutes later the legs were certainly doing better. And lasted all the way home. :-)
Though I can't help thinking, if this little hill was hard, Ascutney is going to be awful.
Back down, part on the trails, part back on the roads. Got down to the dirt road along the river, time to work again, and the legs really felt dead. Hmm, not good, maybe 10 miles home into a modest wind. But I've taken to carrying along a Cliff Bar for times like this. It went down the hatch with no difficulty, and a few minutes later the legs were certainly doing better. And lasted all the way home. :-)
Though I can't help thinking, if this little hill was hard, Ascutney is going to be awful.
Sunday May 27, 2018 #
11 AM
biking - dark blue bike 48:46 12.45 mi (3:55 / mi) +150ft 3:52 / mi
ahr:104 max:127 weight:137.5lbs
For once I did just as intended, meaning a truly leisurely pace. That combined with a cool day (upper 50s) made for minimum stress on the body. Wondered at one point if this was the equivalent of getting a massage...
Got a little light rain at the end, but missed the heavier stuff that followed shortly after I was done. :-)
Got a little light rain at the end, but missed the heavier stuff that followed shortly after I was done. :-)
Saturday May 26, 2018 #
Note
Sunderland celebrates Memorial Day with a Friday evening parade from the center of town to the cemetery, where a ceremony is held honoring town residents who have died in war. I hadn't been for a long time, maybe 25 years. But this year I went because elected officials were asked to march in the parade, not just watch. It has been over 60 years since I marched in a parade, that was back when I was an Odger.
It's actually a really fine event, both the parade and the ceremony.
The parade has most of what you might expect -- fire engines, a few floats, a few dignitaries, lots of kids, the high school marching band, some veterans in uniforms, lots of flags. All a little bit helter-skelter, which was just fine. Quite a lot of people lining the street. It was about 3/4 of a mile down to the cemetery. All traffic was blocked off for quite a while, glad I wasn't trying to get someplace.
The ceremony was a different matter. Well-organized, solemn, serious, respectful. Just as it should be.
The flag lowered to half-mast. A wreath placed in front of it. A message from the Governor was read. The town's oldest veteran was recognized with a bit of a story of his life. The top male and female students at the high school were recognized and they read the Gettysburg Address and In Flanders Fields. And then the names of those who had died, starting with the French and Indian War. For each name a resident came forward, took a red carnation and placed it at the wreath, and a bell was rung. I think in total there were 18 carnations, 18 rings of the bell. The band played the national anthem. And then we all marched back to the center of town.
I have a hard time with most shows of patriotism. But this one was just right. You show respect, you honor the dead, you do it in a quiet way.
I was glad I went. And glad to be asked to place one of the 18 carnations by the wreath. And glad also to spend some time thinking about my own grandfather (died in World War 1). It all seemed as it should be, even if we were three days early.
It's actually a really fine event, both the parade and the ceremony.
The parade has most of what you might expect -- fire engines, a few floats, a few dignitaries, lots of kids, the high school marching band, some veterans in uniforms, lots of flags. All a little bit helter-skelter, which was just fine. Quite a lot of people lining the street. It was about 3/4 of a mile down to the cemetery. All traffic was blocked off for quite a while, glad I wasn't trying to get someplace.
The ceremony was a different matter. Well-organized, solemn, serious, respectful. Just as it should be.
The flag lowered to half-mast. A wreath placed in front of it. A message from the Governor was read. The town's oldest veteran was recognized with a bit of a story of his life. The top male and female students at the high school were recognized and they read the Gettysburg Address and In Flanders Fields. And then the names of those who had died, starting with the French and Indian War. For each name a resident came forward, took a red carnation and placed it at the wreath, and a bell was rung. I think in total there were 18 carnations, 18 rings of the bell. The band played the national anthem. And then we all marched back to the center of town.
I have a hard time with most shows of patriotism. But this one was just right. You show respect, you honor the dead, you do it in a quiet way.
I was glad I went. And glad to be asked to place one of the 18 carnations by the wreath. And glad also to spend some time thinking about my own grandfather (died in World War 1). It all seemed as it should be, even if we were three days early.
9 AM
biking - dark blue bike 1:34:21 25.33 mi (3:43 / mi) +238ft 3:42 / mi
ahr:122 max:148 weight:137lbs
Virtually flat, to Northampton west of the river, back on the east side. A harder workout in one way, almost no coasting, just keep turning the pedals.
Mid-70s, slight breeze from the south. Supposed to get near 90, so happy to get out relatively early.
Mid-70s, slight breeze from the south. Supposed to get near 90, so happy to get out relatively early.
Friday May 25, 2018 #
12 PM
biking - dark blue bike 1:15:59 20.14 mi (3:46 / mi) +350ft 3:43 / mi
ahr:125 max:155 weight:138lbs
Old Deerfield - Montague City, pretty flat. Warm and windy, mid-80s, W 15 or so. Didn't have much zip initially, felt hot, but slowly put out more effort as the ride went on. Felt more like summer today, should have gotten out earlier, but wanted to take of the "lawn" first.
C • Lawn 1
Thursday May 24, 2018 #
10 AM
biking - dark blue bike 1:39:35 24.29 mi (4:06 / mi) +1026ft 3:56 / mi
ahr:120 max:157 weight:138lbs
With Phil, very fine -- beautiful day, excellent company, lots of back roads with minimal traffic, and legs felt better than expected. I think with regard to the last point that it helped a lot that I drank a bunch both yesterday evening and this morning.
And made tentative plans for a visit to Ascutney next week. Phil needs a taste of how much suffering he will do at Mt. Washington. And I'm just a little crazy.
And made tentative plans for a visit to Ascutney next week. Phil needs a taste of how much suffering he will do at Mt. Washington. And I'm just a little crazy.
C • Ascutney 17
Wednesday May 23, 2018 #
9 AM
biking - dark blue bike 34:17 7.28 mi (4:43 / mi) +458ft 4:27 / mi
ahr:122 max:142 weight:139lbs
Over to Walter's (in the lower Conway hills). Legs felt tired right from the start, and stayed that way the whole time.
10 AM
biking - dark blue bike 1:35:03 18.86 mi (5:02 / mi) +1752ft 4:38 / mi
ahr:123 max:143
With Walter to The Creamery in Cummington. Conversational pace, beatiful day.
12 PM
biking - dark blue bike 1:56:22 28.48 mi (4:05 / mi) +1500ft 3:53 / mi
ahr:130 max:161
And after a leisurely lunch, back to his place a slightly different route, and then back home. Happy not to go up his driveway a second time. But was still feeling trashed.
Tuesday May 22, 2018 #
10 AM
biking - dark blue bike 1:21:20 18.4 mi (4:25 / mi) +510ft 4:18 / mi
ahr:123 max:147 weight:138lbs
Excellent outing, much better than expected. The radar looked like this when I started --
and this when I finished --
and all I got was sprinkled on a couple of times. Not complaining. :-)
Assuming rain was imminent, I wasn't sure how far I'd go, just headed to the flats south of town. Got out about 5 miles, looked around, no rain, the sky didn't look particularly dark, and up ahead was one of Phil's haunts, Mount Warner, plus its lesser summit, Philosopher's Peak.
Didn't take much time to decide that's where I should go. And it was excellent. Or I was. Or both? Made it around the full loop, plus the spur to the top, no problems, no getting off the bike except for a brief stop at the top, not even any close calls. Dark blue was really behaving.
Done with the trails (21:40, parking lot to parking lot), back on the road, still no rain. Heading north on 47, a bit of a tailwind, cruised all the way home, as dry as could be. :-)
and this when I finished --
and all I got was sprinkled on a couple of times. Not complaining. :-)
Assuming rain was imminent, I wasn't sure how far I'd go, just headed to the flats south of town. Got out about 5 miles, looked around, no rain, the sky didn't look particularly dark, and up ahead was one of Phil's haunts, Mount Warner, plus its lesser summit, Philosopher's Peak.
Didn't take much time to decide that's where I should go. And it was excellent. Or I was. Or both? Made it around the full loop, plus the spur to the top, no problems, no getting off the bike except for a brief stop at the top, not even any close calls. Dark blue was really behaving.
Done with the trails (21:40, parking lot to parking lot), back on the road, still no rain. Heading north on 47, a bit of a tailwind, cruised all the way home, as dry as could be. :-)
Monday May 21, 2018 #
3 PM
biking - dark blue bike 1:40:31 26.69 mi (3:46 / mi) +868ft 3:39 / mi
ahr:124 max:158 weight:138.5lbs
Was planning to go up to Wendell, a decent climb, but decided in the first couple of minutes I didn't need a "decent climb" so up and down the valley it was. Just right.
----------------
There seems to be a movement in certain parts of the world, Ratlum Mountain to be specific, to bring the machines of the Industrial Revolution, though perhaps in more modern and powerful versions, to bear against the forces of evil.
The forces of evil in this case being the lowly mountain laurel plant.
I have been thinking about this, wondering if we should engage Mr. Charlie and his superb assistant Zack to spend some time in Sunderland wrangling our collection of mountain laurel, reducing it to a more manageable, and probably more enjoyable, amount.
First things first, do a survey, see how much laurel there is, and document it. That way Charlie and Zack will know how long they'll have to be here, and what they should charge.
The survey didn't take long, On our roughly 14 acres there is one laurel plant. It is right by the side of the driveway. We have been here almost 34 years. It has been here at least that long. We are old and looking a little worse for wear. So is it.
I determined that wrangling it should not take more than a minute. A snip for each of the two stems, and then chip-chip-chip and it's done.
The problem is, of course, that while orienteering has developed a distinct dislike in me of all things laurel, it seems there is an exception, and that is for "our" laurel.
Because one is the perfect number of laurel plants. It is fewer than all the other possibilities, including Charlie's gazillion plants, which is certainly good, but it is also more than zero, and that is also good. It places no demands on us. We don't water it, or feed it, or prune it, or hardly even notice it.
But when we do notice it, it always gives pleasure.
So no wrangling here, OK?
----------------
There seems to be a movement in certain parts of the world, Ratlum Mountain to be specific, to bring the machines of the Industrial Revolution, though perhaps in more modern and powerful versions, to bear against the forces of evil.
The forces of evil in this case being the lowly mountain laurel plant.
I have been thinking about this, wondering if we should engage Mr. Charlie and his superb assistant Zack to spend some time in Sunderland wrangling our collection of mountain laurel, reducing it to a more manageable, and probably more enjoyable, amount.
First things first, do a survey, see how much laurel there is, and document it. That way Charlie and Zack will know how long they'll have to be here, and what they should charge.
The survey didn't take long, On our roughly 14 acres there is one laurel plant. It is right by the side of the driveway. We have been here almost 34 years. It has been here at least that long. We are old and looking a little worse for wear. So is it.
I determined that wrangling it should not take more than a minute. A snip for each of the two stems, and then chip-chip-chip and it's done.
The problem is, of course, that while orienteering has developed a distinct dislike in me of all things laurel, it seems there is an exception, and that is for "our" laurel.
Because one is the perfect number of laurel plants. It is fewer than all the other possibilities, including Charlie's gazillion plants, which is certainly good, but it is also more than zero, and that is also good. It places no demands on us. We don't water it, or feed it, or prune it, or hardly even notice it.
But when we do notice it, it always gives pleasure.
So no wrangling here, OK?
C • One 6
Sunday May 20, 2018 #
2 PM
biking - dark blue bike 1:43:24 26.71 mi (3:52 / mi) +941ft 3:45 / mi
ahr:127 max:165 weight:138.5lbs
Hatfield, Florence, Whately. Mid 70s, WNW 5-10, dewpoint 64. One hard effort, up the hill on North Farms Road. The rest was someplace between loafing and a steady effort.
As almost always, a pleasure to get out.
As almost always, a pleasure to get out.
Saturday May 19, 2018 #
9 AM
biking - dark blue bike 40:09 7.16 mi (5:36 / mi) +880ft 5:01 / mi
ahr:129 max:164 weight:138lbs
Got home after yesterday's ride and fiddled with the front derailleur some more. Zero progress, probably made it even worse.
And rain was coming, wasn't sure what I felt like doing.
And then thought, sure don't need the big chain ring on South Sugarloaf. And if I get going now, I'll beat the rain. And even though it's chilly and normally I'd wear tights, I figured I'd be working hard enough to stay warm. Which certainly turned out to be true.
Two questions in mind. First was the usual, what sort of time could I do up the hill. My best last year was 9:05. It's a good test, and certainly a good measure of fitness, the only problem is that it's not all that much fun, so I don't do it very often. So there is less data than one would hope. But some is better than none.
The other question dealt with the really steep way up, and here, as is often the case, Phil was the motivation. He's been doing repeats with SMAC, four loops, starting at the top, down the less steep way to just above the hairpin and then up the more steep way. Incidentally, that loop is one way, and the direction of the loops is the wrong way. Ah, so what....
I guess the question was, could I make it up, and what sort of lap time could I do. I certainly wasn't thinking of four laps, knowing that the first climb up to the top was already going to trash me.
Anyway, off before the rain. Got up in 9:13, acceptable. Maybe started a little too quickly, seemed to be breathing hard already after a couple of minutes. But hung in right to the end.
Momentum carried me the little bit down to the upper parking lot, and in the process I figured I meant as well get Phil's loop over with, so off I went on that, after noticing that there were no cars there might be coming down the narrow steep part when I'd be going up.
Down to just above the hairpin, sharp right turn, and straight up. Lowest gear, for sure. Probably down to about two miles an hour. But I stayed on the bike, and after a bit it got a little less steep, and then less, which was really good because I was wasted.
Finished the loop, just under 5 minutes. Totally trashed, didn't give the slighted thought to another. Coasted down the hill, easy pace going home, and then off to the bike shop to get proper repairs done.
Certainly type 2 fun (the planning and the memories are fun, just not the doing). :-)
And rain was coming, wasn't sure what I felt like doing.
And then thought, sure don't need the big chain ring on South Sugarloaf. And if I get going now, I'll beat the rain. And even though it's chilly and normally I'd wear tights, I figured I'd be working hard enough to stay warm. Which certainly turned out to be true.
Two questions in mind. First was the usual, what sort of time could I do up the hill. My best last year was 9:05. It's a good test, and certainly a good measure of fitness, the only problem is that it's not all that much fun, so I don't do it very often. So there is less data than one would hope. But some is better than none.
The other question dealt with the really steep way up, and here, as is often the case, Phil was the motivation. He's been doing repeats with SMAC, four loops, starting at the top, down the less steep way to just above the hairpin and then up the more steep way. Incidentally, that loop is one way, and the direction of the loops is the wrong way. Ah, so what....
I guess the question was, could I make it up, and what sort of lap time could I do. I certainly wasn't thinking of four laps, knowing that the first climb up to the top was already going to trash me.
Anyway, off before the rain. Got up in 9:13, acceptable. Maybe started a little too quickly, seemed to be breathing hard already after a couple of minutes. But hung in right to the end.
Momentum carried me the little bit down to the upper parking lot, and in the process I figured I meant as well get Phil's loop over with, so off I went on that, after noticing that there were no cars there might be coming down the narrow steep part when I'd be going up.
Down to just above the hairpin, sharp right turn, and straight up. Lowest gear, for sure. Probably down to about two miles an hour. But I stayed on the bike, and after a bit it got a little less steep, and then less, which was really good because I was wasted.
Finished the loop, just under 5 minutes. Totally trashed, didn't give the slighted thought to another. Coasted down the hill, easy pace going home, and then off to the bike shop to get proper repairs done.
Certainly type 2 fun (the planning and the memories are fun, just not the doing). :-)
Friday May 18, 2018 #
12 PM
biking - dark blue bike 1:56:06 26.2 mi (4:26 / mi) +1473ft 4:12 / mi
ahr:123 max:153 weight:138.5lbs
Back to the lower hills on the west of the valley, some the same as yesterday, some different. Put out a good effort going up Whately Glen, for sure.
Stopped at the end of Roaring Brook Road for a while. My derailleurs read need adjustment. The rear one is just a little off, but I can deal with that. The front one was enough off it was getting hard to get into the big chain ring. So I fiddled with things for a while, and at that point I pretty much couldn't get into the big ring at all. Me and tools just don't get along.
Well, time to get going. Managed after a bunch of tries to get in the big ring, and then just left it there the rest of the way. That was Ok, no more steep ups, but it seemed the 15-minute stop had done a number on my legs, no energy at all. Seemed all the way home I was having a hard time pushing one gear lower than I was expecting to use. So maybe the lesson is just don't stop? :-)
Stopped at the end of Roaring Brook Road for a while. My derailleurs read need adjustment. The rear one is just a little off, but I can deal with that. The front one was enough off it was getting hard to get into the big chain ring. So I fiddled with things for a while, and at that point I pretty much couldn't get into the big ring at all. Me and tools just don't get along.
Well, time to get going. Managed after a bunch of tries to get in the big ring, and then just left it there the rest of the way. That was Ok, no more steep ups, but it seemed the 15-minute stop had done a number on my legs, no energy at all. Seemed all the way home I was having a hard time pushing one gear lower than I was expecting to use. So maybe the lesson is just don't stop? :-)
Thursday May 17, 2018 #
12 PM
biking - dark blue bike 2:09:01 23.77 mi (5:26 / mi) +2261ft 4:59 / mi
ahr:115 max:142 weight:138.5lbs
Excellent ride with Walter, from his place, in the lower hills on the west side of the valley.
Wednesday May 16, 2018 #
11 AM
biking - dark blue bike 1:18:16 20.38 mi (3:50 / mi) +589ft 3:44 / mi
ahr:116 max:148 weight:138.5lbs
River Road - Old Deerfield loop. Energy low to middling, effort low to middling. Seemed just fine.
Mid 60s, not much wind, bit of sun, mostly clouds. Wanted to wear a long-sleeve shirt, but couldn't find my green one, so used my cold weather long-sleeve bike shirt (a nice bright red). Comfy to start, then a little warm, at which point I unzipped a ways and then it was OK. Good to know what temps range it will be good for on its own; almost all the times I've worn it have been under a jacket.
Mid 60s, not much wind, bit of sun, mostly clouds. Wanted to wear a long-sleeve shirt, but couldn't find my green one, so used my cold weather long-sleeve bike shirt (a nice bright red). Comfy to start, then a little warm, at which point I unzipped a ways and then it was OK. Good to know what temps range it will be good for on its own; almost all the times I've worn it have been under a jacket.
Tuesday May 15, 2018 #
10 AM
biking - dark blue bike 1:34:54 24.89 mi (3:49 / mi) +1080ft 3:40 / mi
ahr:130 max:161 weight:138lbs
About 70, S 5-10. Overcast when I started with rain predicted a few hours later, but after about 40 minutes it started raining and I got mostly soaked. No big deal as the temps were pleasant and for the most part I wasn't on any roads with more than the occasional car.
And another good hard effort. Don't know what's going on here. The only thing I can think of is that at some point there will be a ride with Phil, where the standard procedure is that I try, unsuccessfully, to get an agreement to ride at a conversational pace, and he just smiles and then proceeds to bust me. And he's enough stronger/younger that he can do that without putting out much effort himself. The only hope I have is that one or more of his various chronic ailments (neck, back, arms, butt, and/or feet, for starters) will flare up and allow him to enjoy a little suffering too.
Actually, there was a close call yesterday, meaning I just dodged another bout of suffering -- his time running up to the top of Mt. Toby was fortunately still a little slower than mine on the bike, so I didn't have to go out today to try and reassert myself....
So, today, I suppose it was just another session getting the lungs and the quads used to hurting. :-)
And another good hard effort. Don't know what's going on here. The only thing I can think of is that at some point there will be a ride with Phil, where the standard procedure is that I try, unsuccessfully, to get an agreement to ride at a conversational pace, and he just smiles and then proceeds to bust me. And he's enough stronger/younger that he can do that without putting out much effort himself. The only hope I have is that one or more of his various chronic ailments (neck, back, arms, butt, and/or feet, for starters) will flare up and allow him to enjoy a little suffering too.
Actually, there was a close call yesterday, meaning I just dodged another bout of suffering -- his time running up to the top of Mt. Toby was fortunately still a little slower than mine on the bike, so I didn't have to go out today to try and reassert myself....
So, today, I suppose it was just another session getting the lungs and the quads used to hurting. :-)
Monday May 14, 2018 #
3 PM
biking - dark blue bike 45:39 11.17 mi (4:05 / mi) +77ft 4:04 / mi
ahr:104 max:119 weight:137.5lbs
Upper 70s, S 5-10, sunny. Was thinking about several different routes and opted for the shortest and flattest, and as it turned out, it was still too long and too hilly. Zero energy. Felt like I had already done a bunch of miles, which to some extent I had, but it was yesterday. I guess that still counts.
Got home, had something to eat, and headed right to napland. No trouble falling asleep.
Got home, had something to eat, and headed right to napland. No trouble falling asleep.
Sunday May 13, 2018 #
12 PM
biking - dark blue bike 3:10:52 48.99 mi (3:54 / mi) +2535ft 3:43 / mi
ahr:134 max:158 weight:138.5lbs
Northfield, Warwick, Wendell loop. Low 60s, S 5-10, sunny. Good energy again, what's going on here? Not that I'm complaining... :-)
On the climb up to Warwick there were a couple of sections with some serious potholes. In one of those sections a car passed me and just as it went by I became aware of the fact that one of the hubcaps on the driver's side had gone rogue. The hubcap was moving nicely, angling a bit to the left, and very gradually slowing down as it had no propulsion of its own. It eventually came to rest in a bunch of smallish trees.
The car had pulled over a couple hundred yards farther along the road, and the guy had gotten out to take a quick look, then gotten back in. Just then I pulled up. I told him I'd seen where the hubcap stopped, if he wanted to go back and get it. Gave him good instructions, and then was on my way, still more of the hill to do.
A couple of minutes later the car came by and he gave a friendly wave.
Nice to be able to do a good deed, even if it was really insignificant.
On the climb up to Warwick there were a couple of sections with some serious potholes. In one of those sections a car passed me and just as it went by I became aware of the fact that one of the hubcaps on the driver's side had gone rogue. The hubcap was moving nicely, angling a bit to the left, and very gradually slowing down as it had no propulsion of its own. It eventually came to rest in a bunch of smallish trees.
The car had pulled over a couple hundred yards farther along the road, and the guy had gotten out to take a quick look, then gotten back in. Just then I pulled up. I told him I'd seen where the hubcap stopped, if he wanted to go back and get it. Gave him good instructions, and then was on my way, still more of the hill to do.
A couple of minutes later the car came by and he gave a friendly wave.
Nice to be able to do a good deed, even if it was really insignificant.
Friday May 11, 2018 #
11 AM
biking - dark blue bike 1:11:23 20.15 mi (3:33 / mi) +486ft 3:28 / mi
ahr:132 max:159 weight:138lbs
Mid 60s, NW 10 mph, sunny. Up along the east side of the river, back through Old Deerfield. Good hard effort, quickest pace in some time. Rather pleasing. :-)
Thursday May 10, 2018 #
4 PM
biking - dark blue bike 1:01:12 16.02 mi (3:49 / mi) +611ft 3:41 / mi
ahr:123 max:148 weight:139lbs
Low 70s, S 15 mph. Tried what I often do in such circumstances (ie. windy), to pick a route that gives you some shelter (hills, woods) when going upwind and has you out in the open when going downwind. I guess it helps a little, though perhaps mostly with morale.
Got around OK. It certainly helps when going upwind to get your back more horizontal (though it's still a long ways from actually horizontal). Drop the shoulders a few more inches and you can just feel it getting easier to pedal. Would be even easier if you could just keep your head down, but that's not such a good idea, so the neck muscles get a workout. But they don't seem to mind. I think the birding has already toughened them up.
This being the 5th month, the (very flexible) target for the month is 500 miles. Ahead of schedule so far.
Got around OK. It certainly helps when going upwind to get your back more horizontal (though it's still a long ways from actually horizontal). Drop the shoulders a few more inches and you can just feel it getting easier to pedal. Would be even easier if you could just keep your head down, but that's not such a good idea, so the neck muscles get a workout. But they don't seem to mind. I think the birding has already toughened them up.
This being the 5th month, the (very flexible) target for the month is 500 miles. Ahead of schedule so far.
Wednesday May 9, 2018 #
11 AM
biking - dark blue bike 2:29:23 22.07 mi (6:46 / mi) +1563ft 6:21 / mi
ahr:111 max:142 weight:139lbs
A fine adventure with Walter, a chance to explore a woods road in the Montague hills that I'd never been on, and he seemed game. On the map, it's shown a a straightforward connect between the upper end of Dry Hill Road and the Ruggles Pond area of Wendell State Forest and East Chestnut Hill Road.
So we pedaled up the paved part at a conversational pace, and then kept going. I expected it to be about a mile and a half to two miles until we hit pavement again. Turned out it was between two and a half and three, no big deal, except it took us the better part of an hour.
The first couple hundred yards were fine. Then it headed uphill steadily and got real muddy. Then also rocky. Then also bad erosion, really bad, like the "road" was a gully 3 or 4 feet deep. So we'd alternate little sections we could ride with lots of hike-a-bike.
Got to an intersection. Seemed like straight ahead was probably the way to go, but it was more unappealing stuff, rocky and wet erosion gully. To the right it looked much nicer, and there were fresh yellow blazes. To the right we went.
It was better, but not great, though we certainly were making better time. The problem was, we seemed to be going in the wrong direction, like south instead of east. But before long that resolved itself, the trail turned left. It also headed seriously uphill. It also pretty much disappeared.
There were still yellow blazes. Some work had been done to clear a trail, now very narrow. But a lot still needed to be done. So it was a long hike-a-bike up a long hill. And when it was flat enough to ride again, it seemed like every 50 yards there was another log across the trail, off the bike, over the log, on again, keep repeating.
But morale was good. It was a beautiful day. We busted neither ourselves nor our bikes, though there was ample opportunity. And eventually we got to the top of Dry Hill. Took a left on the Robert Frost trail there, down it (rather jarring, lots of little rocks, no suspension on the bike), and pretty soon we were back on the woods road we were supposed to be on. And the rest of the ride was easy.
--------
While writing the last paragraph, it occurred to me that Phil had recently done an assault on Dry Hill as part of his series of climbing the major peaks in the local area. Though it seems he tends to prefer easier approaches.... :-)
So we pedaled up the paved part at a conversational pace, and then kept going. I expected it to be about a mile and a half to two miles until we hit pavement again. Turned out it was between two and a half and three, no big deal, except it took us the better part of an hour.
The first couple hundred yards were fine. Then it headed uphill steadily and got real muddy. Then also rocky. Then also bad erosion, really bad, like the "road" was a gully 3 or 4 feet deep. So we'd alternate little sections we could ride with lots of hike-a-bike.
Got to an intersection. Seemed like straight ahead was probably the way to go, but it was more unappealing stuff, rocky and wet erosion gully. To the right it looked much nicer, and there were fresh yellow blazes. To the right we went.
It was better, but not great, though we certainly were making better time. The problem was, we seemed to be going in the wrong direction, like south instead of east. But before long that resolved itself, the trail turned left. It also headed seriously uphill. It also pretty much disappeared.
There were still yellow blazes. Some work had been done to clear a trail, now very narrow. But a lot still needed to be done. So it was a long hike-a-bike up a long hill. And when it was flat enough to ride again, it seemed like every 50 yards there was another log across the trail, off the bike, over the log, on again, keep repeating.
But morale was good. It was a beautiful day. We busted neither ourselves nor our bikes, though there was ample opportunity. And eventually we got to the top of Dry Hill. Took a left on the Robert Frost trail there, down it (rather jarring, lots of little rocks, no suspension on the bike), and pretty soon we were back on the woods road we were supposed to be on. And the rest of the ride was easy.
--------
While writing the last paragraph, it occurred to me that Phil had recently done an assault on Dry Hill as part of his series of climbing the major peaks in the local area. Though it seems he tends to prefer easier approaches.... :-)
Tuesday May 8, 2018 #
3 PM
biking - dark blue bike 1:15:25 20.09 mi (3:45 / mi) +406ft 3:41 / mi
ahr:124 max:145 weight:138.5lbs
Another perfect day. Flat except for the few little ups heading south along the base of the Whately hills. Put out a steady effort.
Monday May 7, 2018 #
3 PM
biking - dark blue bike 1:43:03 25.92 mi (3:59 / mi) +1576ft 3:46 / mi
ahr:132 max:156
Shutesbury and Lake Wyola, a route I've done from time to time over the years, and I thought it might be interesting to revisit, see how (bad) the climb up to Shutesbury felt. It's not at all steep, average maybe 4%, but it goes on for 4 miles. The first minute or two are steep, and I did that and then I went to shift up a couple of gears and my body said Nope, and I figured it was going to be a long slow slog. But after a couple of minutes the body stopped complaining and the rest of the climb went pretty smoothly. You never know.
Beautiful day, about 70, low humidity, just a light breeze from the NW. Could feel it helping a little on the climb, and then hurting on the long downhill.
Good effort all the way around, and pleased with it, although I made the mistake when I got home and looked up how long the loop took about 10 years ago. About 1:30. Oh well, at least I'm still out there.
Beautiful day, about 70, low humidity, just a light breeze from the NW. Could feel it helping a little on the climb, and then hurting on the long downhill.
Good effort all the way around, and pleased with it, although I made the mistake when I got home and looked up how long the loop took about 10 years ago. About 1:30. Oh well, at least I'm still out there.
Sunday May 6, 2018 #
Note
Rainy all day, and seemed like a fine idea to pass on the daily ride. Though it was no reason not to spend some time outside...
Perhaps Gail's favorite, at least for its voice. We used to have Wood Thrushes singing regularly when we lived in Amherst, but not now. If I could figure out a way to round up a few... Wouldn't have to go far, this guy was just across the river.
And then there is this guy, not the best-looking, plus he sounds a bit like a buzzing insect, but still, does he need to go through life called a Worm-eating Warbler?
Perhaps Gail's favorite, at least for its voice. We used to have Wood Thrushes singing regularly when we lived in Amherst, but not now. If I could figure out a way to round up a few... Wouldn't have to go far, this guy was just across the river.
And then there is this guy, not the best-looking, plus he sounds a bit like a buzzing insect, but still, does he need to go through life called a Worm-eating Warbler?
Saturday May 5, 2018 #
4 PM
biking - dark blue bike 1:26:53 21.76 mi (4:00 / mi) +515ft 3:54 / mi
ahr:114 max:142 weight:138.5lbs
Low 70s, NW 10 mph, up to Turners Falls and back. Heart rate kept saying I wasn't working very hard but the legs seemed tired the whole time. Whatever...
5 PM
Note
One of the things I've done since more free time became available is get back involved in town affairs. Sunderland is a small town, maybe 3,500 people, but it's got a good government. Many years ago I'd had a couple of significant involvements, running the Finance Committee for half a dozen years in the '90s and then on the committee building a new library in the early '00s.
But for the last decade, zip.
Last fall a space opened up on the elementary school committee. They hadn't recruited anyone else, so I stuck my hand up. That was December. The position I was filling was the last few months of a three-year term, and then there would be an election for the next term. That was today.
The good news (or maybe it's bad news?) is that I won. The disclaimer is I was unopposed. People aren't exactly lining up to be on the school committee.
I think I'm not the usual candidate. No kids in the school, nor grandkids. And maybe 30-40 years older than the average age?
But so far I've both enjoyed it, and I think it's a good fit. I know how the town works, and how the town's finances work. I've known a lot of the folks who run the town for 20 or 30 years. So far this has been very beneficial, but we'll see what the future brings.
So last Friday, after a fine day working with the Florida kids, and then putting out a few controls at Mt. Tom, I had to pass on the group dinner and head off to Sunderland's annual town meeting. The budget for the school got approved, but MA law called for the needed modest override question to be decided at the ballot box. At some point I got up to speak for about 10 minutes, about how we really do have a good town, about the things that still need to be done and what progress is being made on them, and how that continuing that progress depended on the override question. Just stuff I thought needed to be said.
Today it passed, 55% to 45%. More progress will be work, but the odds just got better that it will be done.
A very good day. Thinking about it on my ride, there was a smile the whole way.
But for the last decade, zip.
Last fall a space opened up on the elementary school committee. They hadn't recruited anyone else, so I stuck my hand up. That was December. The position I was filling was the last few months of a three-year term, and then there would be an election for the next term. That was today.
The good news (or maybe it's bad news?) is that I won. The disclaimer is I was unopposed. People aren't exactly lining up to be on the school committee.
I think I'm not the usual candidate. No kids in the school, nor grandkids. And maybe 30-40 years older than the average age?
But so far I've both enjoyed it, and I think it's a good fit. I know how the town works, and how the town's finances work. I've known a lot of the folks who run the town for 20 or 30 years. So far this has been very beneficial, but we'll see what the future brings.
So last Friday, after a fine day working with the Florida kids, and then putting out a few controls at Mt. Tom, I had to pass on the group dinner and head off to Sunderland's annual town meeting. The budget for the school got approved, but MA law called for the needed modest override question to be decided at the ballot box. At some point I got up to speak for about 10 minutes, about how we really do have a good town, about the things that still need to be done and what progress is being made on them, and how that continuing that progress depended on the override question. Just stuff I thought needed to be said.
Today it passed, 55% to 45%. More progress will be work, but the odds just got better that it will be done.
A very good day. Thinking about it on my ride, there was a smile the whole way.
Friday May 4, 2018 #
3 PM
biking - dark blue bike 1:41:54 24.48 mi (4:10 / mi) +911ft 4:01 / mi
ahr:120 max:150 weight:139lbs
Low 80s and a bit humid, SW 15 mph or so. Not feeling much zip, so just went along at whatever pace seemed comfortable, and after a while I was done. Certainly seems easier to do a ride with no zip than a run with no zip.
Thursday May 3, 2018 #
2 PM
biking - dark blue bike 1:05:41 17.01 mi (3:52 / mi) +386ft 3:47 / mi
ahr:124 max:149 weight:139lbs
Was feeling quite lethargic, I'd been on my feet for about four hours this morning, long (and slow) walk, but managed to get myself out the door. And then the ride progressed just fine. Low 80s, SW 10-15. Mostly flat, just a few little hills that I managed with only a modest effort, just as intended... :-)
5 PM
Note
Went down to CT yesterday to get a new pair of binoculars, pretty much went from terrible (what I had) to terrific. And the new ones are a real pleasure. Sort of like when I got a new bike last June -- within one day you knew it was worth it.
At some point I still need to get a decent camera. So much more is possible than what I manage now --
This one (Great Egret and a Little Blue Heron) and the previous one (Greater Yellowlegs) were both along the coast, where lots of people were going to the beach --
A Brown Thrasher singing away from the treetops; his mate was down below in the bushes --
And a Louisiana Waterthrush, photo taken about 10 steps from our front door --
And the flowers are finally coming out, red trillium in this case --
At some point I still need to get a decent camera. So much more is possible than what I manage now --
This one (Great Egret and a Little Blue Heron) and the previous one (Greater Yellowlegs) were both along the coast, where lots of people were going to the beach --
A Brown Thrasher singing away from the treetops; his mate was down below in the bushes --
And a Louisiana Waterthrush, photo taken about 10 steps from our front door --
And the flowers are finally coming out, red trillium in this case --
Wednesday May 2, 2018 #
5 PM
biking - dark blue bike 43:45 11.12 mi (3:56 / mi) +78ft 3:55 / mi
ahr:116 max:129 weight:139lbs
From March to June in a couple of days. Upper 80s, WSW 10-15. Just a short loop on the flats south of town, mellow pace. Just what I needed.
Tuesday May 1, 2018 #
1 PM
biking - dark blue bike 2:25:55 36.18 mi (4:02 / mi) +1541ft 3:53 / mi
ahr:125 max:147 weight:139lbs
Perfect day, upper 60s and minimal wind, time to start stretching out the distance a little. Up to Northfield via Millers Falls, back via Gill and Turners Falls.